1894 Marlin 44 Magnum

[the lone gunman]

I will be using this rifle for Pa.s Deer season this year, My first time with a 44 Magnum. I am going to use 240 grain factory Soft points. My question is will this round Ruin alot of meat or as Ive heard said before ,"can I eat right up to the bullet hole " My shots  should all be well within 100 yds.  Thanks

[Ranger J]

As long as you keep it in about 100 yards or so you will be OK.  The SPs are the way to go with the rifle factory bullets gain a couple of hundred FPS over a pistol barrel.  Some HPs will expand too much at rifle speeds or may even blow up against a rib and just wound the animal only to have it die later.  At least that is what I have always read about them over the years.  I have had good luck with WW 240 SPs.  I will be hunting with MagTec 240 gr over a heavy load of H110 in my Deerfield this weekend.  I will be in the woods where a long shot will not be needed.  Good luck.

RJ

[the lone gunman]

Thanks Ranger !!   And Good Luck to you also.  I have a buck and doe tag so I am pretty hopefull that I can put one down.

[Graybeard]

Put it in the eatable meat portion and you'll ruin a lot of meat. If you want to avoid meat loss put it in the heart/lungs and then there is nothing around the hole to ruin.

[Greenhunter]

Well its the end of November.....How did you do?

[Ranger J]

 I took four different guns to the field at one time or the other this season.  My wife , Sue took the .44 1894 and turned down a shot at two does as she said she could not see enough of them in the weeds to get a clear shot.  They then walked past me at the other end of a long overgrown field and I dropped both with an 1895 in 45/70.  At one time or the other I also used a Handi in 45/70, a Stevens 308 and the .44 Deerfield.  Even as I write there are deer steaks marinating in my frig for dinner tonight.

RJ

[wild willy]

Thought you only had one doe tag

[Ranger J]

In Missouri you get an any deer tag and can purchase extra doe tags in most areas.  In our county we can only get one doe tag but in some counties, mostly above the Missouri river you can purchase as many doe tags as you want to for $7 each.

RJ

[SuperstitionCoues]

In Missouri you get an any deer tag and can purchase extra doe tags in most areas.  In our county we can only get one doe tag but in some counties, mostly above the Missouri river you can purchase as many doe tags as you want to for $7 each.

RJ

I am incredibly jealous.

[murphdog]

Just adding my 2 cents.  "Eat right up to the bullet hole" is an exaggeration, based upon my one experience with 44 mag this year.  Took a button buck at about 40 yards, using WW 240 gr JSP.  Shot through chest (heart and both lungs).  Did not hit rib on the way in, but shattered 2 ribs on the way out.  Did not hit shoulder bones at all.  Bloodied all the meat on "out" shoulder, and part of the meat on the "in" shoulder.  Rest of deer has been excellent eating though. 
Duane