.44 Mag out of a rifle

[PeterF.]

Ballistically and hunting/knockdown-power-wise, how does the .44 Mag out of a rifle (in my case a Marlin 1894C) compare with other .40+ caliber rifle cartridges?

[Mikey]

PeterF:  my preferences for a 44 caliber rifle, or actually a 43 bore, head toward the 444 Marlin.  That cartridge can be loaded down to the 44 magnum levels or up to way beyond that.  

But, from a 20 inch barrel the 44 magnum will gain a bunch of velocity and will hit significantly harder than you might think.  The 44 magnum in a rifle/carbine takes the cartridge out to beyond 100 yds, easily, with more than enough poop to shoot broadside through a whitetail.  A lot of the folks who hunt with the 44 magnum from a rifle or carbine go with heavier slugs for a bit more 'ooomph' at longer distances.  If you pack a 44 magnumm pistol, a rifle or carbine in that caliber would make a perfect combination for a lot of woods use.  JMHO.  Mikey.

[Doc T]

If you compare the factory ballistics in Gun Digest, with a 240gr bullet, the 44mag out of a rifle is the same at 100yds as the same round from a revolver at the muzzle.  The 444 Marlin adds another 100yds. and gives you 44mag revolver muzzle velocity at 200yds.