Author Topic: Need help with barrel selection (Read 663 times)

Johnny Reb · « **on:** December 12, 2005, 02:01:02 PM »

A couple years ago, before I owned an Encore, I picked up a used Ruger Carbine 44 mag, to use for close range deer hunting. I have never been very happy with the accuracy, and now that I have an Encore, I thought I might get rid of the Ruger and get a barrel to replace it with. I know I can get a 44 mag barrel, but I thought I might want something with a little more range, (100-150 yds) and a touch more punch. I'm not a big fan of heavy recoil. Any suggestions? How is the recoil of the 444 marlin? Thanks for the help.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #1 on:** December 12, 2005, 02:22:11 PM »

The 444 Marlin recoil is much more than the 44 Mag, but it is still manageable. What about the 30-30 or 45-70.

wink_man · « **Reply #2 on:** December 12, 2005, 02:34:51 PM »

Every time I hear .444 Marlin, I think about the penetration problems they had, due to pstol bullets going to pieces at the higher velocity, and not penetrating properly. Redhawk has a good point with the 45-70, a large reliable rifle bullet, that will give you the extra oomph you're looking for.
Sincerely,
Garry

jason280 · « **Reply #3 on:** December 12, 2005, 02:43:16 PM »

Recoil with the .444 can be stout, depending on how its loaded. I also like the idea of the .45-70, especially in the Encore, but it really depends on what you are after. It also depends on whether you handload or not.

As far as a medium ranged round with a lot of punch, I would love to have an Encore chambered in .405 Winchester. .35 Whelen is also a good choice, as is a .358 Winchester or .35 Remington.

How much punch are you after?

Johnny Reb · « **Reply #4 on:** December 12, 2005, 03:37:42 PM »

I had thought about the 30-30, 35 Rem., and 45-70. I don't know much about the 45-70, or the 444. What other common rounds would you compare the recoil to?

Johnny Reb · « **Reply #5 on:** December 12, 2005, 03:40:18 PM »

I'm looking for something that will be an affective deer round, and I do not handload, so I will be shooting factory loads.

kgillard · « **Reply #6 on:** December 12, 2005, 04:09:01 PM »

Hi JohnnyReb,

I've owned a .30-30, .45-70, and .444. Probably more medium sized game (deer, black bear) has been taken with the .30-30 than all the rest combined. I was never impressed with the .444 and didn't keep it very long. However, one of my favorite cartridges out of 200+ guns that I've owned has been the .45-70.

Now I've never owned one in an Encore; but I had the Ruger #1 and a Marlin lever action. All the deer I've shot with a .45-70 have been one shot, dead on the spot. I used handload with the Hornady 300 grn. jacketed hollowpoint and never had the slightest problem. There's plenty of factory ammo in different variations and I would think you could find ammo at any store. Loaded right, I would think you could take just about anything on this continent. Well, I may want a little more for polar bear, brown bear, etc.

So, for what my two cents are worth, I doubt you'd ever regret buying the .45-70. Now that I've got you convinced, you might want to think about the 7mm-08...............right Redhawk???

Karl

Johnny Reb · « **Reply #7 on:** December 12, 2005, 11:39:58 PM »

Thanks for all the input. I already have a 7mm-08, which I love. I will use it when hunting in more open areas, and when shots have the potential to be more than 150 yds. Sounds like the 45-70 may be worth looking into. Thanks again.

Thebear_78 · « **Reply #8 on:** December 13, 2005, 12:38:54 AM »

The beauty of the 45/70 is its versatility. You can load it down or up depending on what you want out of it. At lower power levels like remington factory 405gr JSP @ 1300fps or up to high pressure levels like garret or buffalo bore ammo. I have a Marlin guide gun that I mainly shoot heavy loads thru but I did have an encore barrel in 45/70 also. It started life as a 24" barrel but I had it cut down to 18". Talk about a sweet shooting, fast handling little rifle. My dad liked it so much he talked me out of it. I originally had a 1.5-5 VXIII scope on it but put a williams peep site on it for close in work. There has never been a better corn field rifle, great in a compact blind or tree stand too. About taylor made for a tight quarters bear baiting rifle. Dad doesnt like the peep quite so well so I think he is going to put a low power scope on it, like a fixed 2.5x.

Its what I woudl recomend for your needs. The factory ammo is very mild and won't kick bad at all. Full power loads will really thump in the light weight encore. If you have a limbsaver recoil pad its not bad though. Out of the encore you can shoot anything from 300gr at 1500fps for light recoil to 540gr @ 1600fps for stem to stern penetration on large trucks. I don't think you will be dissapointed.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #9 on:** December 13, 2005, 01:16:43 AM »

Quote from: kgillard

Hi JohnnyReb,

I've owned a .30-30, .45-70, and .444. Probably more medium sized game (deer, black bear) has been taken with the .30-30 than all the rest combined. I was never impressed with the .444 and didn't keep it very long. However, one of my favorite cartridges out of 200+ guns that I've owned has been the .45-70.

Now I've never owned one in an Encore; but I had the Ruger #1 and a Marlin lever action. All the deer I've shot with a .45-70 have been one shot, dead on the spot. I used handload with the Hornady 300 grn. jacketed hollowpoint and never had the slightest problem. There's plenty of factory ammo in different variations and I would think you could find ammo at any store. Loaded right, I would think you could take just about anything on this continent. Well, I may want a little more for polar bear, brown bear, etc.

So, for what my two cents are worth, I doubt you'd ever regret buying the .45-70. Now that I've got you convinced, you might want to think about the 7mm-08...............right Redhawk???

Karl

See he already has a 7mm08.

:-D Now all he needs to do is add the 45-70 to his collection, and he is set. The factory 45-70 rounds will work on most big game, but for brown bear I would want something a little bigger.

JMHO

kgillard · « **Reply #10 on:** December 13, 2005, 12:40:28 PM »

Hey Redhawk,
If you hear of a 7mm-08 barrel, stainless preferred, for a decent, used price, let me know. I've been watching on Ebay, but some of those bidders must not know of Midsouth Shooters Supply. They bid and buy this stuff for more than what new ones cost. Hmmmmmm.....

Hey JohnnyReb,
Good luck with whatever caliber you buy, but as you can tell, no one has anything bad to say about the .45-70. I almost bought that barrel for my Encore before I got the .375 H&H. If I didn't already have the .375 H&H and all those accessories, dies, etc., I'd have a .45-70 again.

Karl

Johnny Reb · « **Reply #11 on:** December 13, 2005, 02:51:34 PM »

Guys,

Thanks for all the information, it has been very usefull. The wife was asking tonight what I wanted for Christmas, I told her a gift certificate to the local gun shop, it will most likely go toward a stainless 45-70 barrel. I'm thinking about a 20" barrel, or should I go with 24"? Will the extra four inches make much of a difference?

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #12 on:** December 13, 2005, 05:19:59 PM »

Quote from: kgillard

Hey Redhawk,
If you hear of a 7mm-08 barrel, stainless preferred, for a decent, used price, let me know. I've been watching on Ebay, but some of those bidders must not know of Midsouth Shooters Supply. They bid and buy this stuff for more than what new ones cost. Hmmmmmm.....

Hey JohnnyReb,
Good luck with whatever caliber you buy, but as you can tell, no one has anything bad to say about the .45-70. I almost bought that barrel for my Encore before I got the .375 H&H. If I didn't already have the .375 H&H and all those accessories, dies, etc., I'd have a .45-70 again.

Karl

I'll keep an eye out for you.

kgillard · « **Reply #13 on:** December 14, 2005, 09:19:21 AM »

Hi again JohnnyReb,
I personally would go with the 24". I believe that would be the optimum length for that caliber. Before you go invest in a local gunshop, you may want to have a look at Midsouth Shooters Supply (www.midsouthshooterssupply.com). They have just about some of the best prices you'll find on new items.
You could also keep an eye on Ebay, but it seems the bidders there love to keep the prices high. Good luck,
Karl

Gary in NH · « **Reply #14 on:** December 14, 2005, 02:20:21 PM »

Before you buy, check out the many links I have on my website to online makers/sellers of T/C barrels. Some of the places have very low prices on T/C factory/custom shop barrels. I also have listed some of the top end custom barrel makers. At the bottom of this posting click on the button to take you to my website.

Johnny Reb · « **Reply #15 on:** December 15, 2005, 01:26:00 AM »

Quote from: Redhawk1

Quote from: kgillard
Hi JohnnyReb,

I've owned a .30-30, .45-70, and .444. Probably more medium sized game (deer, black bear) has been taken with the .30-30 than all the rest combined. I was never impressed with the .444 and didn't keep it very long. However, one of my favorite cartridges out of 200+ guns that I've owned has been the .45-70.

Now I've never owned one in an Encore; but I had the Ruger #1 and a Marlin lever action. All the deer I've shot with a .45-70 have been one shot, dead on the spot. I used handload with the Hornady 300 grn. jacketed hollowpoint and never had the slightest problem. There's plenty of factory ammo in different variations and I would think you could find ammo at any store. Loaded right, I would think you could take just about anything on this continent. Well, I may want a little more for polar bear, brown bear, etc.

So, for what my two cents are worth, I doubt you'd ever regret buying the .45-70. Now that I've got you convinced, you might want to think about the 7mm-08...............right Redhawk???

Karl

See he already has a 7mm08. :-D Now all he needs to do is add the 45-70 to his collection, and he is set. The factory 45-70 rounds will work on most big game, but for brown bear I would want something a little bigger. JMHO

Actually once I get the 45-70, then I'll need a 204, or a 22-250 barrel, then I'll be set. Thanks for all the help.

Johnny Reb

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #16 on:** December 15, 2005, 02:13:06 AM »

Johnny Reb, you got some good choices there, but why a 204 and a 22-250? I have a 22-250 and have never considered the 204. I am not trying to talk you out of it, I am just curious.

ilv2hnt · « **Reply #17 on:** December 15, 2005, 03:16:24 AM »

Depends on what you want the 204 or 22-250 for.
A 204 in my opinion would not do as much damage as a 22-250 if you are hunting furbearers and want to keep the damage down to the fur, otherwise I think the 22-250 is better especially for long range because of the wind drift difference between the bullet weights, and a much bigger bullet selection and weight for extra knockdown at longer ranges.

HEY JOHNNYREB I AM INTERESTED IN THE 44 MAG BARREL IF YOU DECIDE TO SELL IT.

TAKE A CHILD HUNTING TODAY, AND YOU WON'T HAVE TO HUNT FOR THEM TOMORROW

Johnny Reb · « **Reply #18 on:** December 15, 2005, 03:17:50 AM »

It will be one or the other, but not both. I like the ballistics of the 204, but do not like the fact that TC does not offer it in a stainless barrel. Why is it that they offer some in stainless, and others in only blued?