Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Deer Hunting Marlin .44 Mag for deer

thanks-we'll have to give that one a try. I was actually just thinking about the Lever Revolution stuff today.

That 44 may be a bit snappier than you think. I'd go with the 300 sav. but let her shoot them both and let her pic.

I think you are making too hard. A simple 240 gr Std 44 mg bullet, winchester, Remington, or Federal load will do a job on any whitetail deer. I know a std 240 gr Speer will kill elk effectively. I have done it.Can't see why it won't work on deer that are 1/4 the weight/size

I have no concerns about any of the standard factory loads getting the job done. I'm just interested in the least recoil. I shot this gun many years ago when I had traded for it at a gun show. I actually sold it to the current owner-my wife's uncle. I don't recall the recoil being too tough, but like I said, that was many years ago. We'll see what she thinks and let her choose. The 99's ready to go-dead on at 100 yards with Remington 150 gr. loads. Hopefully, the little Marlin will be a little easier on her shoulder. I hope to have a range report as soon as we pick it up. Thanks again for all the interest and information guys.

My recoil calculator shows a 125gr bullet at 2600fps kicking less than a 240gr. at 1700fps. Neither one is a hard kicker. Stock fit and a recoil pad will make more difference than the numerical energy. Go with the rifle that fits her the best.

I did some recoil calcs yesterday for a woman shooting a 243 with 100grn slugs or the 44mag in a rifle with 240grn slugs and they were both neck and neck. If you feel the 243 would be fine recoil wise the 44mag should be fine as well. The calcs were in the neighborhood of 10lbs for each gun.

I've killed deer and hogs with saboted 44mag bullets in my MLers, even had good luck running them over a mere 50 and 60grn charge of Pyrodex, so you should be fine at moderate range. I shot through two medium size hogs that were standing side by side with a 240 cast FP over 50grns of Pyro several years ago.

Good Luck

loder

Note, that recoil in the 243 and the 44 mag in terms of Foot pounds may be equal, but the speed (or recoil impulse) will be slower and feel softer in the 44 mag.

Also muzzle balst is significantly less in a 44 carbine.

All of these things make it VERY pleasant to shoot.

BMT

I have taken 19 deer with the 44 Mag. Four of these where with the Ruger auto carbine. The other 15 with a pistol either a Ruger Redhawk or a S&W Classic Deluxe. The 44 Mag is a great deer caliber. Now I only use lead cast bullets either in 240 or 310 gr. I like two holes because I think the deer bleds better through two holes. Also a side note the Ruger auto gets 1725 fps with the 240 gr. and zero leading with lead bullets. It only takes a good hard cast bullet for zero leading. Good luck on her first deer.

That Speer 270 grain Gold Dot Soft Point is available in a Speer factory load. I used it for years before I started rolling my own.

I have shot both Speer 270 and Lever Revolution 240 and the Hornady is a little easier on the shoulder from the bench. These being shot out of a '92 that has a steel butt not a recoil pad. I like the Speer's a lot and shot a coyote walking away at 130 yds with it but would still go with the Hornady's. She should be fine with it. Let us know how she likes it and how she shoots.

Will do-was going to pick the gun up a few days back, but the owner was sick, so we're hoping to get it this Thursday.

Took my first 44 mag HandGun deer using 240gr Federal hydrashoks - I don't recommend that.

Now use mostly 180 gr JHP's for the HG loads.

Use 240gr Hornady XTP's for the Ruger 96/44.

Isn't there some managed recoil factory ammo available for the 44?

Will a Marlin cycle 44 specials OR is it dangerous to put 44 specials through it? If recoil is a factor, that might take the edge off.

Seems like recoil is the most important factor here. Why don't you use a lighter bullet in the 44 Mag. to reduce recoil? I've shot a bunch of deer with the 200 Gr. Hornady XTP out of a 10" contender with great results. It will only get better out of the longer rifle barrel.

Recoil is the 1st consideration, and I will start with light and cheap and work up from there only if necessary. I'm only looking for minute of deer accuracy out to 100 yards. She wouldn't probably have to shoot much farther that 50 if things work out as planned. I'll keep everyone posted on our progress. Thanks again for everyone's input.

Recoil calculations aside, 44 mag recoil from a carbine is NOT insignificant. It comes at you some.

Try and find reduced recoil or some soft loads to get her started. You may have to try a few different brands out yourself first side by side .
There is that unmistakable big boom , so the idea is to make sure that sound does not get equated with a big shoulder punch the first time she pulls the trigger. I got slapped hard on my first shot with mine , didn't have it tight to my shoulder and tripped the trigger early , never shot it again for almost a year. By the time I was 9 or ten I was shooting a 20 ga. and 12 ga. and tried it again , I absolutely loved it .
Just ran a few rounds through it last weekend again

My option would be to load the 300 Savage with 125 gr. bullets at about 2500 FPS..no recoil and kills real well at up to 200 yards. I did this for a few years for my grandkids.

I'll be honest, if she can't handle the tiny bit of recoil from a pistol caliber lever gun, then maybe you should drop down to a .223 with good bullets.
Do you have an AR she could use?

Downloading for the Savage would obviously be the answer here, but I'm not set up for reloading. Hoping to pick the rifle up tomorrow and maybe make a trip to the range with it.

Hey guys-would 44 Special run through the Marlin? Pro's? Con's?