Guys,
I'm looking to get myself my first lever action rifle. It will primarily be used out to 200yds and i'd like to get one of the larger calibres - mainly because so many of the examples on offer in the UK are 357/38.

I'll be casting my own bullets and reloading....so what do you suggest and are there any considerations that i should be aware of..?

45/70....45LC.....Marlin, Winchester, Rossi....all advice gratefully received.

I recommend you look at 3 different rifles.
The various models of the Marlin in 45/70,
The Winchester/Browning in 45/70, and the Winchester/Browning in 405 WCF.
Get the one you like the best.

If you want a "Big Calibre" but want to shoot out to 200yds I would go with the Winchester 1895 in .405Win but at these ranges I would even look at a Savage 99 in .308Win but if you want over .30 cal there is the following

WINCHESTER

1895 in .405Win
1886 in .45/70

MARLIN

.444Mar
.45/70Gov
.450Mar

BROWNING BLR

.358
.450Mar

There are quite a few makers to pick from but I would go with the Winchester 1895 in .405Win

Steve

One of the major considerations is the trajectory of the various cartridges. Another is the game you are after and the kill zones on them.

A 45-70 is much less forgiving of error in holdover, range estimation, etc. than is a .308.
I would not be at all uncomfortable using any of my 45-70s on, say, a bison at 200 yards but it would not be my best choice on small southern white tails at what I would estimate to be the same range. If I were off say 40 yards in my estimation I could miss the vitals.

I have 1886 Winchester 45/90 load 300Gr JHP 64 Grns IMR 3031 fed 210 primer Hits a one gallon Milk frozen water bottle at 200 yds every time But you need to know how to shoot !The bottle is blown to hell !I love this rifle ! cost $1200 Worth it !break down Made in Maroku Japan for Winchester ! Will drop anything anywhere !at 50 yards it hits the same hole ! at 100 every shot in a 2 inch O.D. circle. I have 1 444 Marlin No comparisin ! This rifle is for me the best big caliber I have ever owned ! it will not shoot cast bullets ! 300 Gr. JHP are the best bullets so far ! ?

Hey Concho how ya doing?

I shoot the 1886 in 45-70, the Rossie 1892 in 45 Colt, the 1895 in 30-06 and the 1895 in 405 Winchester.
For just plain fun banging away, the Rossie in 45 Colt. I've never shot it at 200 yards, because there's a cigarette break between pulling the trigger and the impact, at 100 yards.
Next in line is the 1895 in 30-06. With good, hard, water quinched 190 to 220 grain cast bullets 200 to 300 yard shooting is real easy.
For real serious business the Winchester 1886, 45-70, with 350 to 450 grain cast bullets will flatten most anything you can hit. Winchester sights really stink, get a Lyman reciever sight, tang sight beats the living hell out of your thumb, or prevents you from getting a good grip on the rifle.
The Bentley of the whole bunch is the 1895, 405 Winchester. A 350 grain hard cast bullet, a case full of IMR 4064, or IMR 4895, or IMR 3031, Katie bar the door, there's nothing here in the colonies or on Europe that would standup to a good hit with it. In Africa, the 405 would only crimp your style if you had your heart set on the extra jumbo size critters. Again the Winchester sights really suck, get a recoil pad, a couple of asprin to take after every 50 rounds, it's almost better then sex.
Jim

Jim I love this rifle ! 1886 Winchester is Great I have 2 Marlins I use at Cowboy shoots 45 L.C. & 357 mag loaded down to >38 for the shoots regualations , a Sharps 40/90 Shilo ! and 3 Remington rolling Blocks ,All Deadly acurate ! but this Winchester is so great I put the old Lady out on the couch ! concho

Scotsgun

Buy a Browning BLR light-weight 81'(new version) and you will not be sorry.It weights 6-1/2 lbs is compact and very well made.

Mine shoots the Hornady 200gr Spire point to sub 1" MOA with a Burris compact 2-7X scope on it. The .358 win should be good out to 250yds and there are tons of .38 caliber pistol bullets that can be used especially if you cast your own.Another plus is that .308 win brass can be used and there should be no shortage of those around.

With is detachable box mag spitzer bullets can also be used, and it has a one in 12" twist rate, which will stabilize very heavy .358 caliber bullets, check it out it a great carbine.

I assume by your name of Scotsgun that you will be hunting the small deer in Scotland. Almost any rifle cartridge would be adequate. If you are going to travel to hunt then the recommendations of 45/70 or 405 Winchester would be best. I am just surprised that you want a lever gun living so close to the heart of Mauser country.