switch from S&W model 29 to a 44 rifle

[animal]

Hello,
I'm 60 yrs. old and thinking of selling my model 29 44 and picking up either a Ruger 77/44 or Marlin 1894. Either way the rifle will be scoped as I love the 44 for white tails here in Michigan. I can get the bolt Ruger for 575.00 or the blued Marlin for 525.00. I've had decent luck with Rugers but my Marlin 30-30 is really accurate. I like the handling characteristics of both 44's. What do you folks think?

                                                  Thanks, Pat

[john keyes]

sounds like an excellent idea to me.

I have an old ruger carbine and a marlin carbine (1894P)

I love the ruger when the weather is nasty outside.  It sports an old wire reticle weaver 4x on see throughs 

[rpharder]

I made the switch a couple of years ago. Love the short, light carbines in 44. Have both plus 99/44, ruger 44 carbine, 96/44, T/C contender carbine 44 mag, Marlin 336, all scoped. Must be something about 60 yr old eyes. I feel that any one is enough for Micigan deer hunting in most places that I hunt. With the talk about using pistol cartridge in carbines in the shotgun zone, I'm ready. In my opinion, you can't go wrong.PM sent also.

[Ranger J]

I have a Deerfield 44 and a Marlin 1894 in 44.  Both shoot well but the Marlin is a bit more picky about what it will shoot accurately.  Stick with Hornady XTPs in both and you will be pleased.  Neither gun will consistently shot 300 gr bullets well.  The Deerfield is made for 240 gr and the Marlin has a 'slow twist' and also likes lighter bullets.  The Deerfiels also needs a full house load to cycle correctly.  I guess it comes down to whether you like a semi-auto or a lever gun.  While I like the Marlin , if needed the second shot with the Deerfield is a lot quicker.  Both of my guns are accurate enough that if I do my job no second shot should be needed.

RJ

[Tonk]

Animal, I say keep your model 29!!! Now if your going after the .44 caliber bullet, then get yourself all the gun you can for the money. Now after I got rid of my 44 Ruger Carbine in .44mag, I opted to get myself something with more range and put bullet holes clean through those bucks standing 100 yards across the field.

Now I got myself a MARLIN .444 caliber in another lever gun. I can load it down or go full bore and knock em down at 200 yards plus with Hornady Leverevolution ammo. Now this is just my opinion ok! I am happy with my selection over the past 6 years. I shoot those 240 grn Sierra Hollow Cavity bullets at deer, I bought 5000 of them years ago and they work great on deer. I handload those 240 grn bullets at 2400fps and they do shoot flat, they also make a half dollar size exit hole on the other side too.