.44 MAGNUM RIFLES: 6 TOP CHOICES FOR HUNTERS AND RANCHERS

[Graybeard]

https://www.wideopenspaces.com/6-great-hunting-and-cowboy-rifles-chambered-for-44-magnum/?

Ruger/Winchester/Henry Repeating Arms

Posted by Travis Smola

These 44 Magnum rifles are perfect brush and hunting guns.

When it comes to iconic handgun cartridges, the .44 Remington Magnum sits up near the top of the list. Developed in the 1950s and made famous by the giant magnum revolvers in the "Dirty Harry" movies, this round delivers muzzle velocities between 1,100 and 1,600 feet per second with heavy bullets that are ideal for deer hunting or bear self-defense.

Rifles chambered for .44 Magnum cartridges were largely overlooked for anything other than cowboy-style lever action rifles for trappers and backcountry woodsmen for the longest time. However, a recent surge in states in the Midwest relaxing shotgun-only rules for deer hunting has led to a resurgence of interest in "straight wall cartridge" rifles in popular handgun rounds like .357 Magnum or new rounds like .450 Bushmaster. Most guns still made for the round are lever guns, but a few other styles have started to filter through recently.

Depending on the types of bullets used, you can easily get upwards of 1,400 fps muzzle velocities out of  what was originally meant as a revolver cartridge. That is more than enough for deer hunting purposes. Today we will look at some of the current offerings for rifles chambered in .44 Magnum. These guns are ideal for hunting, defense or just plain fun wasting ammo out at the gun range.

Ruger 77/44 Threaded Barrel


Ruger

If you live in a state like Michigan like I do, you are likely looking to take advantage of those still fairly new straight wall cartridge laws we mentioned earlier. The Ruger is a good choice for a shotgun zone legal firearm for whitetails. Ruger builds this bolt action rifle in a blued or stainless steel finish variation. If you are looking for a gun to stand up to the elements, go with the stainless for $100 more. This gun features a cold hammer-forged 18.5-inch barrel length with a 1:20 rate of twist. The barrel is also already threaded. The synthetic stock helps bring the weight down to a breezy 5.2 pounds. Ruger also makes a variant with a walnut stock if you are looking for the traditional hunting rifle look. It comes with a beaded front sight and adjustable rear, but you can also add optics via the integral scope mounts. This .44 Mag rifle has a 4+1 capacity through the rotary magazine making it legal for most shotgun zones straight out of the box.

CVA Scout V2 Takedown



Sportsman's Warehouse

For most whitetails and mule deer, most hunters are not going to need a bunch of follow up shots. This round does a good job of dropping many deer in their tracks. That makes the CVA Scout a viable option for hunters looking for something that is easy to disassemble and pack for a backcountry hunting trip. This single shot rifle comes apart with no tools needed, making it perfect to store in a boat, pickup or plane. The Scout features a longer barrel that is 22 inches, stainless steel, and fluted with a 1:20 rate of twist. Because of the break action design, this gun is ambidextrous right out of the box. The stainless steel should stand up well to whatever mother nature decides to throw at you. It comes fitted with a DuraSight scope rail ready for optics. The Scout weighs only 5.8 pounds and comes at a great price point of $369 for hunters looking for a solid gun on a budget.

Rossi R92 Lever Action Carbine


Sportsman's Warehouse

The .44 Rem Mag round lends itself well to lever action designs. Classic-looking cowboy guns can be a bit pricey. The Rossi is one of the more affordable options on the market at $539. This rifle features a Brazilian hardwood stock and forend. The 16-inch barrel is made of carbon steel. The sights are fixed and adjustable buckhorn. Rossi somehow managed to get the weight on this rifle down to a slim 4.8 pounds, making it easy to lug up and down slopes deep in the backcountry. It also has a larger capacity of 8+1 rounds for multiple follow-up shots.

Winchester Model 1892


Winchester

It is hard to go wrong with a firearm that was originally designed by the legendary John Browning. The Winchester 92 has a great look thanks to the blued steel finish and satin walnut stock and forend. This rifle has a generous capacity of 10+1 rounds thanks to the tubular magazine and the rounds will cycle effortlessly through the buttery-smooth action in the steel reciever. This magnum lever action features beaded front sights and an adjustable semi-buckhorn rear for fast target acquisition in brushy areas. The barrel is 20 inches long and features a 1:26 rate of twist for great accuracy out to longer ranges. This gun will put deer and other big game on the ground season after season.

Marlin 1894 Cowboy Blued


Sportsman's Warehouse

Another classic rifle by one of the best-known firearms manufacturers in America. This Marlin will be as at home on the gun ranges as it will the brushy plains of Wyoming and the dense vegetation of the Alaskan backcountry. The tubular magazine gives this big bore a 10-shot capacity and the black walnut stock and blued finish make for an old-time look in a newer rifle. This rifle features a 20-inch barrel with a 1:38 rate of twist for maximum accuracy. It is slightly heavier than the other guns on this list at 6.5 pounds, but that is still an easy-to-carry weight for long hikes into the wilderness. It features an adjustable rear sight and beaded front, but it is also drilled and tapped for a scope mount. This gun is sure to be a hit both on the range and in the deer woods this season.

Henry Big Boy All Weather Lever Action


Henry Repeating Arms

It is hard to argue with buying a deluxe rifle from Henry Repeating Arms, they have this lever gun thing pretty much down pat these days. Yes, I know, the one we are showing in the photo above is the .357 Magnum/.38 Spl model, but the .44 Magnum has the same look. There were several rifles we could have put on this list, but we decided on the all-weather model and its hard chrome plated steel finish. Perfect for serious hunters who want a tough gun for any conditions. This gun has the classic cowboy look but with a twist thanks to the black polyurethane coating on the walnut stock. It looks rather sharp don't you think? Henry kept this a compact package at just 37.5 inches overall length. The 20-inch barrel has a 1:20 rate of twist. The receiver is drilled and tapped for optics, but it also has a brass bead front and an adjustable semi-buckhorn for hunters who want to keep it old school.


For more outdoor content from Travis Smola, be sure to follow him on Twitter and check out his Geocaching and Outdoors with Travis YouTube channels.

[ironglows]

  I have the CVA model..handles nicely..

[Ranger99]

True shame that Ruger doesn't offer
a semi auto 44 mag anymore.
If they hadn't cost so much they'd
have sold 10 times as many when
they were still manufacturing them
Even the first generation were expensive

[Muskie Hunter]

When I am not hunting with my Marlin 1895 GG, I am hunting with my Ruger 77/44. After a bit of work on it and load chasing, it is now a 1-1/2" to 2 inch rifle.

[neckisred]

When Ohio went to straightwall cartridges, my first was a 44 Henry lever. The trigger was just shy of awful and the stock was way too low for scope use. The Henry was a beautiful, well built gun, just not for me. A Ruger 77/44 was next, and I believe it is the best 44 rifle on the market to this day.

[Muskie Hunter]

When Ohio went to straightwall cartridges, my first was a 44 Henry lever. The trigger was just shy of awful and the stock was way too low for scope use. The Henry was a beautiful, well built gun, just not for me. A Ruger 77/44 was next, and I believe it is the best 44 rifle on the market to this day.

I sort of agree. I have had both at the same time. I still have the Ruger 77/44 pictured above. My love for a lever action drove me to the 44 magnum in a Marlin ( remlin )
1894 but I had so much trouble with it from the very start that I traded in for a Henry at a loss. The Henry Steel was quite accurate as is my Ruger 77/44 and since the Ruger just seems to handle better and fits me better, I kept it and traded the Henry in on something else. My trigger was fine on the Henry but front tube loading was quite awkward feeling, much preferring a side gate. As a side note, I have only ever shot my cast bullets out of them. After seeing the success of my cast bullets, I just can't seem to even want to try a " J " bullet. Both the Ruger and the Henry were quite accurate and I would still recommend a Henry to anybody who likes that platform.

[neckisred]

When Ohio went to straightwall cartridges, my first was a 44 Henry lever. The trigger was just shy of awful and the stock was way too low for scope use. The Henry was a beautiful, well built gun, just not for me. A Ruger 77/44 was next, and I believe it is the best 44 rifle on the market to this day.

I sort of agree. I have had both at the same time. I still have the Ruger 77/44 pictured above. My love for a lever action drove me to the 44 magnum in a Marlin ( remlin )
1894 but I had so much trouble with it from the very start that I traded in for a Henry at a loss. The Henry Steel was quite accurate as is my Ruger 77/44 and since the Ruger just seems to handle better and fits me better, I kept it and traded the Henry in on something else. My trigger was fine on the Henry but front tube loading was quite awkward feeling, much preferring a side gate. As a side note, I have only ever shot my cast bullets out of them. After seeing the success of my cast bullets, I just can't seem to even want to try a " J " bullet. Both the Ruger and the Henry were quite accurate and I would still recommend a Henry to anybody who likes that platform.

My Henry was accurate, but I felt the trigger and low stock affected the accuracy. Before even shooting the 77/44, I bought and installed a shim kit for the bolt and a trigger spring. At 100 yards with my jacketed handloads, it was an honest 1" gun. A guy with a stack of $100's just had to have it, and I just couldn't refuse his offer.

[Rex in OTZ]

As I recall Remington produced the model 788 bolt action rifle in .44 Remington Magnum.

[Drilling Man]

As I recall Remington produced the model 788 bolt action rifle in .44 Remington Magnum.

  They did, I had one...

  I LOVE the 44 mag. in a handgun, but only like it in a rifle, even though I have an older Ruger auto and an older Marlin chambered so...

  When it comes to 44 mags, I pick up my S&W M-29 every time!

  DM

[300winman]

I've owned 4 of the 6.  Marlin 1894 and the CVA Scout are the only 2 I haven't.

I have also owned the Ruger 96/44 and Deerfield.

The Rugers have hands down been the best shooters.  But I like my heavy 265-300gr+ bullets though, and the 1:20 twist is perfect for the heavy bullets.  The only issue is being aware of how long of a round/profile will fit in the rotary mag.  The Deerfield was picky on ammo for feeding.  I wish I had reloaded back when I owned it.

The Win 92 and Rossi 92, were ok for short range and fun to shoot.  But no benchrest accuracy out of them.  The slower rate of twist doesn't help.  I can easily get better groups out of my Dan Wesson pistol. 

I'm a big Henry fan, and still own and love my BB Steel in 45/70.  But the BB Steel 44 mag I owned, although beautiful, was not accurate.  The 1:38 twist is too slow.  Even with 240gr bullets, it was not a shooter.  And I will second that the stock is too low for mounting a scope. Peep sight is the only way to go on this rifle.

The only 44 mag rifle I still own is the Ruger 77/44 topped with a 2.5x Leupold.  It is my favorite rifle for early season scouting.  A do have a Handi in 445 Supermag that I'm playing with, but doubt it will take the Ruger's place.

[Dixie-Dude]

I have and like the Marlin in 44 mag.  Have a friend who used a Ruger semi-auto and killed a 9 pt. buck at 192 yards.  He was lucky and aimed about a foot high and killed him with one shot.  He was about 16 at the time.  His dad was sitting on a stump eating a can of vienna sausage and dropped the can and said, "I can't believe you made that shot.  This friend was one of the best shots I have ever seen.  Sad, he now has Alzheimers (sp?) and is the same age as me, 67. 

[Muskie Hunter]

I've owned 4 of the 6.  Marlin 1894 and the CVA Scout are the only 2 I haven't.

I have also owned the Ruger 96/44 and Deerfield.

The Rugers have hands down been the best shooters.  But I like my heavy 265-300gr+ bullets though, and the 1:20 twist is perfect for the heavy bullets.  The only issue is being aware of how long of a round/profile will fit in the rotary mag.  The Deerfield was picky on ammo for feeding.  I wish I had reloaded back when I owned it.

The Win 92 and Rossi 92, were ok for short range and fun to shoot.  But no benchrest accuracy out of them.  The slower rate of twist doesn't help.  I can easily get better groups out of my Dan Wesson pistol. 

I'm a big Henry fan, and still own and love my BB Steel in 45/70.  But the BB Steel 44 mag I owned, although beautiful, was not accurate.  The 1:38 twist is too slow.  Even with 240gr bullets, it was not a shooter.  And I will second that the stock is too low for mounting a scope. Peep sight is the only way to go on this rifle.

The only 44 mag rifle I still own is the Ruger 77/44 topped with a 2.5x Leupold.  It is my favorite rifle for early season scouting.  A do have a Handi in 445 Supermag that I'm playing with, but doubt it will take the Ruger's place.

Yep, don't know why they keep sticking with the 1:38 twist for the 44 mag but it is what it is. I had to really work with my loads to get my Henry to shoot what it liked. Fortunately for me, it liked my own cast bullets of 275 grains. WFNGC bullets and W-296 and gave me 1" to 1-1/2" groups at 100 yards. Close enough for this old timer.
Lucky for me, My Ruger 77/44 also loves this same bullet and powder. I eventually replaced the Henry with a Marlin 1895 in 45 Colt.

[DDZ]

True shame that Ruger doesn't offer
a semi auto 44 mag anymore.
If they hadn't cost so much they'd
have sold 10 times as many when
they were still manufacturing them
Even the first generation were expensive

A buddy of mine owns one that I have offered to buy from him a number of times. I don't think he will ever part with it.   

[Ranger99]

True shame that Ruger doesn't offer
a semi auto 44 mag anymore.
If they hadn't cost so much they'd
have sold 10 times as many when
they were still manufacturing them
Even the first generation were expensive

A buddy of mine owns one that I have offered to buy from him a number of times. I don't think he will ever part with it.

Everybody I've ever known that had either
the original or the newer magazine fed
version wouldn't part with it.
First one I saw was one of the original type
that a one armed man at the gun range was
shooting. He was doing as well or better
than the majority of people there.
He told me he had that and an auto 22LR
One of those " beware the man with.  ."
type deals

[Win94ae]

This rifle (Marlin 1894 Cowboy Blued) features a 20-inch barrel with a 1:38 rate of twist for maximum accuracy.

And that is why I don't like mine; the twist rate is not sufficient to use the heavier bullets, that I intended to use.
For that reason alone, it deserves to be in last place.