44 magnum for cowboy silhouette?

[mav]

Hello to all,
Does anyone have experience with the 44 magnum on the full size cowboy silhouettes? I'm guessing there shouldn't be a problem knocking down the rams at 200. Does the trajectory create sight adjustment problems? Thanks.

[Jason]

I shoot a 30-30 for the long range cowboy silhouette match, but we have a few at the range that use the 44 mag and knock the rams down just fine. Most of them use the 44 Mag so they can use the same gun (with reduced loads) for the pistol cartridge match.

[HoustonGreg]

I shot pistol silhouette fors year with a 44 mag and it is still what I consider the standard for revolver (same distances, same targets). No problems with knocking down the rams. 

I took some of my pistol 44 mag  loads recently to the range with a lever just to see how they compare with a 30-30. I really do not like the 30-30 too much recoil, and am looking for an alternative....44 mag looks better but there is real recoil not as bad as the 30-30 but certainly not 357. I am going to use 357 this year.

In a 10" TC it was kinda at the low end but still not having to deal with the recoil should help me....

Greg

[mav]

Jason and Greg,
Thanks for your responses. I've been shooting smallbore and pistol cartridge (32-20) cowboy for about two years. I'm thinking about trying the full size next season. I've been looking for a rifle length 30-30 but haven't had any luck in my price range. I came across a 24" barreled Marlin 94 cowboy in 44 magnum. I may go that route. Thanks again.

[Jason]

I've been looking for a rifle length 30-30 but haven't had any luck in my price range.

I definitely feel your pain on that one. I'm currently using an old 20" barreled Marlin 336 that my dad gave me and I've been trying to find a longer barreled one for a decent price. I'm starting to get frustrated enough to just buy one of the new Marlin 336 XLR rifles and be done with it. I haven't heard enough reports on them yet to bite the bullet and pony up the cash, but I'm getting close. They have a 24" barrel, hold 5 rounds (perfect for silhouette), and are heavy enough to hold steady offhand, especially with the checkered pistol grip stock. All it would take is to mount a Williams FP sight with target knobs in the rear scope mount holes and replace that front sight in the ramp with a Lyman 17A of the right height and I'd be in business. Here's a picture from the Marlin website and a link to more info on it. That stainless/laminate look isn't quite as "cowboy" as an old 50's era walnut/blue gun, but it sure would be nice for the silhouette game.

http://www.marlinfirearms.com/Firearms/xlr/336.aspx

[mav]

Jason,
I'd like to see Marlin make those 336 XLR's in blued steel and walnut. Though, they didn't carry the 336 cowboys very long did they? There must be more of a demand for the big bores (45-70) than the medium ones (30-30 and 38-55). Good luck with your search.