44 Mag Rifles

[crasche]

We can now use 44 mag rifles in Indiana for deer. Longest shot in the area I hunt would probably be around 125 yards. I've heard a little about the Henry Big Boy, Ruger 77, and Marlin 1894. Anybody use one of these or have other suggestions?

I'm debating between a 44 mag rifle or a Savage 220f so gauge slug gun.

[hunter480]

I found an awesome Winchester 94 on Gunbroker.com a couple years back, just as the Pistol Cartridge Rifles, (PCR), became legal in Indiana. I shoot the Hornady LeveRevolution ammo in it, and it`s a great combo. Dunno if you`re interested in looking for a Winchester or not, but I`m a huge Winchester fan myself.

The lever gun has very little recoil, and can`t even be compared to any slug gun in that regard.......

[Dan Salmon]

The Ruger 96/44 Lever Action was pretty slick.  Magazine and look like a lever action 10-22.  But I'm pretty sure they don't make them anymore, so you're looking for a used one.

[shaman]

Dan,  you're right.  They stopped making them a few years ago. 

They also stopped making the Deerfield 44 Mag semi.

Ruge is still making a bolt-action in 44 Mag.


Performance?  Any 44 Mag is going to perform about equal to a 30-30.  I would give a 44 mag a little bit of an edge inside 50 and the 30-30 the edge out to 100.  Beyond that they both start to poop out, but the 44 mag will drop off quicker.

[John1961]

I use the Model 1894 44mag here in Allen Co. I love it. I also have a 30-30 and 35 cal marlin. All are great fire arms.

[shaman]

ORIGINAL: John1961

I use the Model 1894 44mag here in Allen Co. I love it. I also have a 30-30 and 35 cal marlin. All are great fire arms.

 
John:
 
I'd be interested in what you think of the 44 Mag in comparison to the other two. 

[Rutnut]

When I had the idea to get into hunting, I rushed out and purchased a Marlin 1894. I bought the gun because I love Marlin lever actions, i have several. What I didn't know at the time was that I couldn't use the gun to hunt where I was.

To this day, I’ve never shot a deer with it. So, I can't give you insight on the hunting aspect, but I will say I love the gun. I ended up putting a peep sight on it, and use it for target shooting. I also reload ammo for it. I really enjoy the gun.

Marlin made this gun only a few miles from my house. The sad part is, they’ve recently closed their doors and ran from this ridiculous state....like so many others. That's a story for another time!

Sorry I have no real insight for hunting, just glad to see someone actually talking about the Marlin 1894.

[MSHunter]

H&R make a single shot Handi Rifle in 44 Mag.

Love those lever actions.

[John1961]

Shaman, I havent been here for a while but I don't know anything about the rifles mentioned but the 44mag Marlin. I love it. For one thing it fits me and is easy to use. Easy to clean and shot. The rounds are a bit salty but then agasin what isnt.

[Graye]

I have been hunting deer with a Ruger 77/44, using Magtech Jacketed Softnosed bullets, for several years now and have found it to be not only very handy, but also a very accurate and capable carbine, especially from a tree stand. Keep in mind that 99% of my shots will be at 75 yards or less, usually closer than 50 yards but, within those ranges the rifle/cartridge combination works very well. My "honey hole" is surrounded on 3 sides by another deer club which does not allow access to their property for any reason what so ever so it is imperative that the deer drop within a relatively small area from where it is shot. To date, the opposing hunt club has only harvested one deer that was shot with this rifle.