Editing Lever action (section)

== Cartridges ==

The cartridges for lever-action rifles have a wide variety of calibers, bullet shapes, and powder loads which fall into two categories: low-pressure cartridges with rounded bullets, and high-pressure cartridges with aerodynamic pointed ("[[spitzer]]") bullets.

Some lever-actions are not as strong as bolt action or semi-automatic rifle actions. The weaker actions utilize low- and medium-pressure cartridges, somewhat similar to high-powered pistol ammunition. To increase the bullet's energy at relatively low velocities, these often have larger, heavier bullets than other types of rifles. The most common cartridge is the [[.30-30 Winchester]], introduced by Winchester with the Model 1894. Other common cartridges include: [[.22 calibre]] [[Rimfire ammunition|rimfire]], [[.38 Special]]/[[.357 Magnum]], [[.44 Special]]/[[.44 Magnum]], [[.41 Magnum]], [[.444 Marlin]], [[.45-70 Government]], [[.38-40 Winchester]], [[.44-40 Winchester]], [[.45 Colt]], [[.25-35 Winchester]], [[.32-40 Winchester]], [[.35 Remington]], [[.38-55 Winchester]], [[.308 Marlin Express]], and [[.300 Savage]]. There is some dispute about which of these cartridges can safely be used to hunt large game or large predators. Even in the largest calibers, the low velocities give these cartridges much lower energies than [[.450 Nitro Express|elephant gun cartridges with comparable calibers]]. However, even the smallest cartridges fit lightweight, handy rifles that can be excellent for hunting small herbivores, pest control, and personal defense.

Some stronger, larger pistols (usually [[revolvers]]) also accept some of these cartridges, permitting the use of the same ammunition in both a pistol and rifle. The rifle's longer barrel and better accuracy permit higher velocities, longer ranges, and a wider selection of game. 

Some of these cartridges (e.g. the [[.50-70 Government]] (1866) and [[.45-70 Government]] (1873)) are developmental descendants of very early black powder metallic cartridges. When metallic cartridges and lever actions were first invented, very small, portable kits were developed for hand reloading and bullet molding (so-called "cowboy reloading kits"). These kits are still available for most low-pressure lever-action cartridges.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Best Portable Reloading Press|url=http://www.reloaderaddict.com/the-best-portable-reloading-press-for-the-money/|website=Reloader Addict|access-date=29 July 2017}}</ref>

Stronger lever-actions, such as the action of the [[Marlin Model 1894]], can utilize high-pressure cartridges. Lever-action designs with strong, rotary locking bolts (such as the [[Browning BLR]] with seven locking lugs) safely use very high-powered cartridges like the .300 Winchester Magnum, .300 WSM, and 7 mm Remington Magnum. Tilting block designs such as the [[Savage Model 99]] are also strong enough to handle much higher chamber pressures.

Many lever actions have a tubular magazine under the barrel. It's not uncommon to see extra ammunition stored in externally mounted "shell holder" racks (usually as "sidesaddle" on one side of the [[receiver (firearms)|receiver]], or on the [[buttstock]]) for quick on-field reloading. To operate safely, cartridges for these should have bullets with rounded tips, and some use rimfire primers rather than centerfire primers. The safety problem is that long-range aerodynamic supersonic bullets are pointed. In a tubular magazine, the points can accidentally fire centerfire cartridges. A related problem is that some pointed bullets have fragile tips, and can be damaged in a tubular magazine. Some lever actions such as the [[Savage Model 99]] can be fed from either box or rotary magazines. The [[Winchester Model 1895]] also uses a fixed box magazine, and was chambered for a variety of popular commercial and military rifle cartridges at the time. More recently, spitzer bullets with elastomeric tips have been developed.<ref>{{cite web|title=Spitzer Bullets for .30-30 Reloaders: Boing, Boing, Boing!|url=http://www.realguns.com/Commentary/comar178.htm|website=Real Guns|access-date=29 July 2017}}</ref>

Lever-action shotguns such as the Winchester Model 1887 are chambered in 10 or 12 gauge [[black powder]] shotgun shells, whereas the Model 1901 is chambered for 10-gauge smokeless [[shotshell]]s. Modern reproductions are chambered for 12 gauge smokeless shells, while the Winchester Model 9410 shotgun is available in [[.410 bore]].