44 mag Lever action

[Borngeechee]

I've been using a 44 magnum carbine with 255 grain hardcast bullets for hog with great results. Trying to make the transition to deer hunting, do you think this would be a good gun for the job?

[MACHINIST]

Within a hundred or so yards it will do fine

[Borngeechee]

Thanks for the reply Machinist

[Mr VJP]

I used a Marlin lever gun in .44 Mag on whitetail for years.  It is a fine choice for a fast handling carbine with plenty of power to take whitetail out to 150 yards.  A .44 Mag handgun can easily take deer to 100 yards.  The carbine barrel gives you extra velocity with a flatter trajectory, while providing even more energy out to 150 yards before bullet drop starts to become an issue.  However, putting a scope on one limits it's quick handling a little.  Not putting a scope on one limits it's range to what your eyes can do with the open sights.  Peep sights are a good choice for an upgrade to the open sights.

 

I always used plain 240 grain jacketed soft point bullets in my .44 mag carbine.  They worked well and I think will save you some money over your hard cast ammo, which isn't needed for whitetail at all.  Actually, the hard cast ammo may not expand too well on thin skinned deer.

 

Why do I not hunt with a .44 Mag carbine today?  I actually found the deer I shot with it were all under 75 yards where I hunt, so I now use a Rossi .357 Mag lever gun that does a fine job under those conditions.

It also allows more versatility for other hunting when I load it with standard .38 Special ammo.  Plus I have a .357 revolver that I can match it with.

 

You should never feel under gunned with a .44 lever gun when you are only shooting to 150 yards or less.

 

[G-Man]

I have a friend who uses a .44mag carbine for deer with "battle peep". i would say 100 yards is about max for the gun. Proper placement of shot may extend that 50 yards or so.but how many times do you get a perfect shot while hunting? I would be worried on penetration on a heavy quartering shot as i have seen his kills for the last 10 years and that is the only issue i have seen with it. other than that its a good short distance gun 100 yard or so. 75yards unless well experianced with it would be better imo.

[Borngeechee]

Thanks guys I think I'll use this instead of my 45-70. Now I just need to find somewhere to hunt lol.

[Elmo]

Isn't Long Island shotgun only for deer? I never hunted on the island. I know Putnam is shotgun only and Westchester is bow only.

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[Mr VJP]

Here's a good video for you.  It compares 44 pistols to the 44 rifle.

 

 

Also some good info about trajectory on the 44 mag.  

 

Note the MPBR is at 159 yards when the bullet is moving at rifle velocity.  The Maximum Point Blank Range (MPBR), which is shown in the last column of the table below, is the distance at which the bullet falls 3 inches below the line of sight. Thus between the muzzle and the distance given as the MPBR, the bullet never strays more than 3 inches above or below the line of sight.  

 

Energy at that range would be about 800 ft lbs, more than enough to drop a deer with a 240 grain slug.

 

http://www.chuckhawks.com/rifle_trajectory_table.htm

 

Edited July 26, 2014 by Mr VJP

[thphm]

L.I.is Bow, Shotgun and MZ loader. Even if he were from L.I. what to say he is hunting some place else with the 44 mag. We did when we lived on L.I.,And hunted the Catskills with the 44 mag and others.

[NFA-ADK]

Love my model 94AE it is a great brush/short range gun.  Most of my shots are relatively close.  Easy to carry, follow ups are simple and it works.  3 bucks to its credit.

 

Great round, good luck! 

[Borngeechee]

Elmo I've never actually hunted in NYS at all. I've done Florida and South Carolina.

[Mr VJP]

Look into the rifle country of the Catskills.  Lots of public land up there as well as some private land where owners will give permission if you ask prior to November.

 

[Borngeechee]

Will do Mr VJP.

Question... Whats the easiest way to find hunting buddies? Since Ive never hunted in NY, this is just like being in China to me.

[ants]

A friend of mine used a Marlin lever gun in 44mag. for a few seasons and it worked well. Then he made a bad hit on a buck( maybe 40 yards.)  , that we never found. Very little blood that didn't go much farther than where the deer stood when he shot. Of course he blamed the round & sold the rifle. He  went to the the 35 Rem. in the same rifle. When we ask him how he can blame the round ,at that range, he never wants to talk about it. LOL!!!

The 44 mag. should do fine out to 100 or so yards.

[Elmo]

I know. He mentioned that he is new to hunting in NYS so I'm just helping to make him aware of the laws around here.

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[Mr VJP]

Will do Mr VJP.

Question... Whats the easiest way to find hunting buddies? Since Ive never hunted in NY, this is just like being in China to me.

 

 

Hunting sites like this one are good for starters.  Ask to hunt with others.  Many will offer to go with you.  The NAHC (North American Hunting Club) is another good site with a NY State Forum and members that will help you out.

 

You're in Long Island?

[Borngeechee]

Yes I'm in Nassau County. I'm going to take your advice and ask to go along. Everyone on here seem to be real good people.

[VT Outfitter]

I have hunted since I was 12 years old with a Marlin lever action 35 rem. I love this rifle. Short and maneuverable through the bush, and plenty of bullet weight to push through thick brush. I heard the nick name "pumpkin chucker" a few times, I guess for the round size and the velocity. 44 caliber I guess would be the big brother to the 35. I wouldn't expect to shoot past 100 yards by much with either of them, but for short range its devastating to a deer. I am sure there are other calibers that would do just as good a job. In a nut shell, I guess you should consider the terrain your hunting and match your weapon to it. Thick brush at fairly close range out to say 100 yards, 44 cal is a great choice. Open clear cuts or farm fields shooting out to 300 yards maybe 300 win mag would work better, just my opinion mind you.

[eagle rider]

The timing of this thread couldn't be better.  I was just looking at a Marlin 1894 in 44 Mag, and was thinking that it would be fun to use as a tight cover brush gun for deer too.  I was even thinking about putting a little Bushnell red dot on top of it.  I would think, as you all have written, within 50 yards or there about it should be like Thor's Hammer on a whitey.  

[Borngeechee]

Eagle Rider, that is my exact set up except mine is Rossi Carbine. It's light, fast to shoulder and I can consistently hit 3 inch groups at 100 yards withe the Bushnell TRS-25.

[eagle rider]

Thanks that helps!