Questions on a .44 Levergun

[Maquis]

1. What is your recommended model?
2. What is the recommended deer & bear factory loads?
3. What is the reasonable range for a deer-sized target with open and optic sights (as long as the shooter does his part)?

Thanks!

[Tim Ault]

1. What is your recommended model?
2. What is the recommended deer & bear factory loads?
3. What is the reasonable range for a deer-sized target with open and optic sights (as long as the shooter does his part)?

Thanks!

Rossi Puma and Marlin are both good carbines

As factory loads go a 240 JFP, I believe Speer makes a good 270 gr load still.

100 yds.




Tim

[Maquis]

I hear "Rossi" and think "cheap"~~am I just prejudiced? I'm thinking Rossi handguns 25 years ago, been outta the loop for a few years.

[Bama Man]

I used a Rossi .44 lever rifle for cowboy shooting.

Although I only ran .44 Specials through it and never any .44 mags, I never had a moments problem with it after several hundred rounds, and it never felt "loose" or ever seemed to loose the smooth fit etc. that a Winchester 94 seems to do.

The only Marlin rifle I ever owned was a 336 in .30-.30. After many, many rounds fired through it, it always stayed "tight" too, and stayed extremely accurate.

[Sandcut]

I have a Henrys Big Boy chambered in .44 mag/special. It's been a great gun now for the 5 years that I've had it. I'd recommend it in a heart beat.

It shoots American Eagle 240 gr. JHP very well. Don't go w/ the lighter 180 gr. cartridges. They fly all over the place. I believe it has something to do w/ grain weight and rate of twist but, the 180s were as much as 12" off at 50 yards.

As far as taking deer/bear, I've killed deer very quickly with it. Can't say how it does on bear personally.

Range. I wouldn't take it out passed 100 yards. If you've ever looked at a ballistics table for a .44 mag. 240 gr., it looks like your throwing a softball. If zeroed for 200 yards the thing is almost +9" at 100 yds and -120" at 300.

Flat shooting it is not. Close range, dense brush gun and it's wonderful.

[1861]

I prefer the Rossi 92 to the Marlin .

[Kiski Cowboy]

And for something completely different, I would recommend a Ruger 96/44 Lever Action. I've used one of these for deer hunting for about 8 years now, and have taken five nice deer with it. All shots were under 100 yards, using UMC 185 grain JFP ammunition. All were one shot kills, and none of the deer took more than one step after being hit.

Mine's set up with a 3-9x40 Bushnell Trophy Scope, and has worked very well for me. As far as a hunting rifle goes, it has a very short, smooth lever throw, and it light enough to carry all day.

[Maquis]

And for something completely different, I would recommend a Ruger 96/44 Lever Action. I've used one of these for deer hunting for about 8 years now, and have taken five nice deer with it. All shots were under 100 yards, using UMC 185 grain JFP ammunition. All were one shot kills, and none of the deer took more than one step after being hit.

Mine's set up with a 3-9x40 Bushnell Trophy Scope, and has worked very well for me. As far as a hunting rifle goes, it has a very short, smooth lever throw, and it light enough to carry all day.

I forgot about that one..

[Maquis]

I'll have to take a closer look at Rossi, Henry, and the Ruger~~when it's lever I only think Marlin & Winchester..

Sounds like keepin' at 100 yds or less is the ticket.

[jowi11]

A friend of mine has a Marlin 1894 Cowboy model in .44 Mag with a Leupold 2-7x scope. It is a beautiful, smooth actioned gun that groups Hornady Leverevolution ammo very well at 100 yds. From watching him shoot, I would say his range limit is only the point where the bullets no longer have enough energy to make a quick kill.