Howdy
I noticed a subject I know a little bit about, so I hope you guys don't mind me issuing a little bit of caution. I don't know anything about hunting, but I do know a fair amount about lever rifles. The original question just asked about lever guns in general, it was not specific about models. Not all leverguns are built to the same strength. There are different designs out there, and some of them are not as strong as others, depite the fact that they are all made with modern materials. All leverguns currently manufactured are strong enough for regular SAAMI spec loads. But once you start talking about boosting the power of the 45 Colt up to 44 Mag levels you are getting on shakey ground with some models. The Winchester 1892 and 1894 designs are very strong designs. In fact there is one outfit that is chambering the 1892 design for 454 Casull with no problems. Likewise, the Marlin 1894, 1895, and 336 are very strong designs, regularly being chambered for 44 Magnum. But the toggle link rifles, specifically the 1860 Henry, the Winchester 1866, and the Winchester 1873 are not as strong as the others. Keep this in mind regarding what model you have and what type of loads you put into it. I am talking here about the replicas manufactured by Uberti as well as the new kid on the block, Chaparral. Those models are not safe to shoot with loads any more powerful than standard SAAMI spec loads. The toggle link design is simply not that strong. In addition, the brass framed ones, the 1866 and the Henry are subject to battering and frame stretching from too many high powered loads. Headspacing can be ruined in these guns with just a few heavy loads.
So if you are shooting an 1860 Henry (not the one made by the Henry Repeating Arms Company), an 1866, or an 1873, stay out of the high powered ammo section of the store, and stay out of thye 'Ruger Only' pages of the loading manuals.
