Exploring the Largest Caliber for Lever Action Rifles

The largest lever action rifle caliber is a topic often discussed among enthusiasts and historians. While the .50-110 is widely recognized as the largest blackpowder caliber, modern production and use have largely shifted towards safer and more common choices.

Black Powder Calibers: The .50-110

The .50-110 was a black powder loading designed for Winchester 1876 and 1886 rifles, marking a pinnacle in the lever action rifle's development during the 19th century. Today, these rifles and rounds are more curios than practical.

Modern Production Lever Action Calibers

For those interested in modern lever action rifles, the .500 SW (Special Warranty) is one of the largest currently produced. Other notable calibers include:

.45-70 Government .444 Marlin 10.9×57mmR .307 Winchester with a rim .348 Winchester .358 Winchester .308 necked up to .35 with a rim .30-06 7.62x54r .300 Winchester Magnum .35 Whelan

Other Significant Lever Action Calibers

The 1895 Winchester was another significant model, introduced in the Russian 7.62x54R cartridge. Other notable calibers include the .405 Winchester. The Browning BLR lever action is currently available in .450 Marlin, .300 Winchester Magnum, and .325 Winchester Short Magnum, among others.

Power and Performance

While the .50-110 remains the largest in terms of caliber, modern lever action rifles can also offer substantial power. For instance, the .444 Marlin was specifically designed in 1964 to fill a gap left by the .45-70. It is a powerful and robust rifle that can handle handloads for increased power.

Understanding the .458 diameter .45-70 caliber projectile also provides insight into traditional lever action caliber sizes. Other larger caliber chamberings exist but are less common.

Conclusion

The pursuit of the largest caliber for lever action rifles is an ongoing discussion among enthusiasts. While the .50-110 stands as a historic benchmark, modern calibers like the .500 SW offer similar or even greater performance. Always prioritize safety, especially when exploring bigger calibers and handloading options.

Keywords

lever action rifles, largest caliber, .50-110.