What lever 44 Mag would you go with?

[teddy12b]

I don't think I'm alone on this, so I'm taking a poll.  I think there's a lot of guys out there riding the fence of what rifle to spend their hard earned money on and I'd like to know what everyone thinks especially people that have owned both.  The biggest two competitors (at least that I'm aware of) are Marlin and Puma (Rossi). 

The marlin can be scoped easier, made in the U.S.A.,  but it sounds like it's a hit or miss on how it'll feed.

The Puma is a knock off of the winchester, sounds like there's less feeding issues with it, but it's made in Brazil.

The two seem to be priced relatively close enough that it's a question of quality and reliability, but mostly preference.

What do you all think?  Am I missing something?

[Ranger J]

I wanted a .44 mag gun that I could shoot cheaply.  I have a great Ruger Deerfield that is completely reliable and very accurate as long as you feed it heavy loaded jacketed bullets.  If it is not fed a goodly load it will not cycle and the directions say not to use cast bullets in it at any time.  I wanted a gun that could be used with a scope, as my eyes are not what they used to be.  My choices were down to a Marlin 1894 and a Ruger 96/44.  Because I had a Marlin 1894C and an 1895 in 45/70 and both worked well and because the Ruger looked, well I guess I would have to say Ugly or at least not like I think a lever gun ought to look, I went for the Marlin in .44 mag.  The first thing I learned about the .44 Marlin was that it had an oversize bore and would not shoot factory size bullets well.    It would also not shoot .431 cast bullets at speeds that would not lead the barrel badly.  It did shoot Hornady bullets loaded with a hefty load of H110 well but my Deerfield would do that already.    The Marlin has a 1 in 30 twist and both the Deerfield and the 96/44 have a twist rate of 1 in 20.  I developed loads for the Marlin by feeding the bullets into the chamber one at a time.  This was a long process but I did get there but as soon as I tried to put more than one bullet at a time in the mag I found that my gun had the dreaded Marlin Jam (yes it does exist).  At present it is off at the gunsmiths having that fixes as I didn't want to go to the trouble to ship it back to Marlin.  Doesn't anyone check for these things before they leave the factory?  If I had it to do over again I would have gone for the Ruger for my thinking now is "Ugly is as ugly does".

RJ

[teddy12b]

I held a stainless Puma 44 in stainless yesterday and something about the way it fit me just didn't feel right.  I think when I do it I'll go with the Marlin.

[Rangr44]

I voted with my wallet, several years ago, for the Marlin 1894 -  a "P". 

I never had a hint of a prob, or inaccuracy.

[Cayoot]

Why it is not on your poll selection list is a mystery to me, but I like the Henry Big Boy.  I was just handling one to day at a gun shop....SHUR IS PURTY!!!!

Felt great, American made, Lifetime warranty, and Henry is listed as a sponsor of this forum!.....It really should be an option on your list!

[teddy12b]

It is a fine rifle, but I ran out of spaces for options.  It only allowed 5 options for people to pick from and since the marlin and puma are closest in price I tried to get those models up there.  I've held the Henrys and they are a nice feeling rifle.  Do you have one?  How is it?

[Cayoot]

I don't have the .44, but I have the .22LR and I'm so impressed with it that I'm strongly considering going against my Marlin loving personality to purchase the Henry next.

[WyrTwister]

I don't think I'm alone on this, so I'm taking a poll.  I think there's a lot of guys out there riding the fence of what rifle to spend their hard earned money on and I'd like to know what everyone thinks especially people that have owned both.  The biggest two competitors (at least that I'm aware of) are Marlin and Puma (Rossi). 

The marlin can be scoped easier, made in the U.S.A.,  but it sounds like it's a hit or miss on how it'll feed.

The Puma is a knock off of the winchester, sounds like there's less feeding issues with it, but it's made in Brazil.

The two seem to be priced relatively close enough that it's a question of quality and reliability, but mostly preference.

What do you all think?  Am I missing something?

     My marlin .44 Mag does not like the SWC's I normally load for my S&W .  Bought a Lee 6 cavity RBL mold & it feeds slick as lightning .

     I have a puma , but it is .45 LC .  And I only have RN molds for it .  Have not tried anything in it besides RN bullets .

God bless
Wyr

[teddy12b]

Recently I've held two marlin 1894's.  One was blued the other was stainless.  Both of them had huge gaps where the stock and reciever should be meeting up flush.  Maybe it's just because my town is goign crazy for these rifles but a blued marlin 1894 is going for $550 and the stainless is more.  I can pick up a Puma 44 stainless for $480. 

I'm starting to lean towards the Puma now.  I don't plan on scoping the rifle either.

[rihmfire]

This one
Winchester model 94 AE 44 rem mag
5.5 bullseye, 240 grain SWC
Cased colored receiver and checker stock

50 yards

[teddy12b]

Nice picture and rifle rihmfire.

I ended up getting a stainless Puma 44mag.  I already have a mariln 336 so I wanted to try something a little bit different.  It carries very well and so far has shot very well.  I had it out to the range this weekend and fired JHP and Cast through it without any problems.  My groups were similar to the one you had in your picture.  Not exactly a shart shooting rifle but I'll get better with it with some practice and handloading.