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Offline kb

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1894 44 Mag
« on: April 20, 2009, 01:34:38 AM »
Im tossing around getting an 1894 in 44 mag.  I would like to hunt whitetails with it, and would like to hear your experiences with it.

What is the accuracy that can be expected with it? 

What is its effective range of the round?

Ive shot a 44 before, but not in a rifle.

Thanks,

kb
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Offline victorcharlie

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Re: 1894 44 Mag
« Reply #1 on: April 20, 2009, 02:00:13 PM »
I don't own one, but I have fired my buddies a few times.

With the standard factory buckhorn sight, I was able to bounce a gallon milk jug at 100 yards fairly consistent shooting standing, offhand.

IMO, that's plenty good for white tail in the hardwoods.  We didn't bench rest the rifle.

He tells me about 125 yards is the range he's comfortable shooting at deer with it.
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Offline james

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Re: 1894 44 Mag
« Reply #2 on: April 20, 2009, 02:57:08 PM »
I've had one for 20 years but never shot it much. I carried it on deer drives a couple of times but never got a shot at a deer.  I shot a running coyote from about 40 yards but I hit it in the neck, missing the spine, on the first shot and it got back up and I had to put one thru the shoulders.  At 50 yards I could hit a coke can from the bench with open sights, so I got the idea it was pretty accurate.  I felt it was a little under powered for deer and I felt better carrying a .30-30.
I like the nostalgia of the lever gun so I am shopping for a 45-70 now.
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Offline v-man

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Re: 1894 44 Mag
« Reply #3 on: April 20, 2009, 03:20:45 PM »
Even though I did kill a deer with it at about 75 yds my swamp hunting rarely give me more than 40 to 50 yd shots for hog or deer. From the bench at 50 yds with a reddot sight and 240 gr XTP's they all go through the same hole. When I had a 1.5-5X Tasco on it I got some 3 shot groups well under 3" at 100yds. Good enough for me. It groups 300 grain XTP's quite well too but the zero is so far off the other loads that I don't use them. It's not my primary hunting gun but it does the job and with a 10 shot tube it would probably serve me well for maintaining good health if necessary.
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Offline 223Shooter

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Re: 1894 44 Mag
« Reply #4 on: April 21, 2009, 03:11:31 PM »
I like a 44 for deer hunting. They have a few on GunBroker for a reasonable price...one at $350 or so. It bears looking into if you are interested. But I also like my Marlins in 30-30 and 35 Rem for deer.
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Offline yukondog

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Re: 1894 44 Mag
« Reply #5 on: April 22, 2009, 02:41:11 PM »
I'v only taken 3 deer with my 44mag. the farthest one was 130 yrd. pass through both sholders,all deer dead.Dont underestamate the 44mag. for short range out to about 100yrd,it wont let you down if you do your part.
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Offline Ranger J

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Re: 1894 44 Mag
« Reply #6 on: April 22, 2009, 04:03:54 PM »
Mine came out of the box with the dreaded Marlin Jam.  After I got that fixed I found it was very picky about what it would shoot accurately.  It prefers light bullets and shoots 180 gr. XTPs the best of all.  These work well when pushed hard with H110.  Surprisingly it will also shoot 180 gr hard cast bullets over Trail Boss.  My 1894 and my Handi have almost identical likes and dislikes as to what they will shoot.  My 1894 is a beautiful gun with great wood.  Would I buy it again, probably not.  I have an 1894C, in .357 and an 1895 in 45/70 which will shoot just about anything and have never given me a bit of trouble.  I like 44s and have two other ones that will probably go hunting before the Marlin does.  The 1894 probably needs a faster twist barrel to make it shoot heavier bullets well.

RJ
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Offline john keyes

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Re: 1894 44 Mag
« Reply #7 on: April 23, 2009, 12:01:01 PM »
I have an 1894P

if something I want to kill is within 100 yards, its history

I shoot hornady 265 and rem 240 JHP and JSP on top of...what else 24.0 H110

 ;D
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Offline OSOK

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Re: 1894 44 Mag
« Reply #8 on: May 06, 2009, 12:47:43 PM »
I love mine. I've killed several deer with it, all of them dropped in a very short distance, usually 20 yards, with massive blood trails. I mounted a red dot on it and use it as my "Newbie" gun...if someone is new to deer hunting, I give it to them to use. It has accounted for several first deer for kids I have taken hunting as well. Light, low recoil, easy to aim with the red dot, easy to follow blood trails...what more could you want?
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Offline teddy12b

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Re: 1894 44 Mag
« Reply #9 on: May 06, 2009, 04:31:01 PM »
I hunted with a puma 92 last season in 44mag and wow.  The 44mag is a great deer gun.  If that's the one you want, just buy it.  I haven't heard of anyone's rifle not shooting well with the hornady 240gr XTP regardless of the rifles make and model. 
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Offline Default

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Re: 1894 44 Mag
« Reply #10 on: May 06, 2009, 07:06:32 PM »
I too have been after a Marlin 44 mag,
 Wondered into a trade for a 44mag handi and its barrel was made by marlin , loves the Cast RNFP 240 gr over W 296... And the Factory 240 gr Winchester JSPs go to the same point of impact that the cast ones do .

 But that isnt the question is it ;)

 I have taken mutiple animals with a 44 , yotes, stray dogs and deer .. Last deer was a 180 lb. momma doe at 50 yards on a dead run with some Remmie 240 gr JSP , Shot was broad and behind the shoulder only catching ribs and lungs ... The exit hole looked like i had shot her with a high velocity baseball ... I have no doubt i could have shoved my fist in the exit hole with little force ..

 Yotes and stray " Trash digger" dogs , dont hold a prayer .

 Get your 44 brother , you wont regret her .. And if for some unearthly reason you do ? send me a pm and we'll figure something out ;)


    Default
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Offline stubshaft

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Re: 1894 44 Mag
« Reply #11 on: May 07, 2009, 09:00:14 PM »
It is my hunting partners primary gun.  In over 30 years it has taken over 300 hogs, sheep and deer.
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Offline Old Griz

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Re: 1894 44 Mag
« Reply #12 on: June 02, 2009, 11:57:13 AM »
I had one for a short period. First it wouldn't cycle. My dealer got that fixed. Then, took it to the range and it shot all over the place. My target looked like I had been using a 870. My dealer took it back on trade for another gun.

At the time there were several posts about Marlin .44 mag problems. I later got a .357 mag and it has been terrific. It outshoots my .30-30. Still thinking if I ever go with a .44 mag again, I might go Puma.
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Offline dpe.ahoy

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Re: 1894 44 Mag
« Reply #13 on: June 03, 2009, 04:35:21 PM »
I have taken many mule deer with the 44 out of a rifle.  All but one went down where they were hit, and that one got hit on the back leg when the butt stock cracked and the shot went astray.  You won't be disappointed with it.  The pistol calibers are great in a rifle.  I have 5- 357's, 2-44's, 2-45 colts and 2- 454's.  Even the little 357's kill way better out of a rifle than most would think.  DP
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Handi's:22Shot, 22LR, 2-22Mag, 22Hornet, 5-223, 2-357Max, 44 mag, 2-45LC, 7-30 Waters, 7mm-08, 280, 25-06, 30-30, 30-30AI, 444Marlin, 45-70, AND 2-38-55s, 158 Topper 22 Hornet/20ga. combo;  Levers-Marlins:Two 357's, 44 mag, 4-30-30s, RC-Glenfields 36G-30A & XLR, 3-35 Rem, M-375, 2-444P's, 444SS, 308 MX, 338Marlin MXLR, 38-55 CB, 45-70 GS, XS7 22-250 and 7mm08;  BLR's:7mm08, 358Win;  Rossi: 3-357mag, 44mag, 2-454 Casull; Winchesters: 7-30 Waters, 45Colt Trapper; Bolt actions, too many;  22's, way too many.  Who says it's an addiction?

Offline Mikey

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Re: 1894 44 Mag
« Reply #14 on: June 07, 2009, 01:37:53 AM »
RangerJ:  if your Marlin doesn't shoot accurately all the loads you put down that tube then you may wish to lap the bore.  Check Veral Smith's forum down the line here for discussions about lapping the bore on micro-groove barrels or other barrels that do not shoot as accurately as they should.  Also, check out the Beartooth Bullets website - Marshall Stanton, the owner of Beartooth Bullets, quotes Veral often in his writings on bore lapping and using cast slugs in Marlin rifles.  The information is very well presented and informative.  HTH.
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