I like to think I know my fair share about high-powered rifles and cartridges, but will admit an ignorance to shooting revolver-type cartridges in rifles. I'm considering (one day soon) a Marlin 1894 in .357 or .44 Mag and was wondering about the recoil of those in that rifle - and especially the 44 Mag. I'm not affraid of recoil and have done nice work with the .338 Win. Mag. and .375 H&H, but one of the reasons of considering the Marlin is to have something that would be plain fun to shoot with a minimum amount of recoil. I own a couple .357 revolvers and can guess how that might translate to a lever gun platform, but have never dealt with the .44 at all. I intend on hunting javelina and deer with the rifle and really doubt I'll ever hunt elk with it - but "never say never" keeps popping in my head, which is why I'm even considering the 44. Thanks.

A Marlin 44 with a stout load will boot ya...
But there are many 'plinker loads' that would not only be pleasant to shoot but accurate also...I have a SS Marlin 44 mag...shoots everything well from cast boolits to 300 gr Speers...great rifle to say the least....good luck in your search finding one.......

I have a 92 clone in .357 magnum, and even with full power 158 grain bullets the recoil is very mild.

If you are used to hunting with a 30-06 or something like that, the recoil will trouble you, none at all. That said, they give a surprisingly sharp kick.

I have the same rifle, mine's a hoot to shoot, a healthy push, you know it ain't a rimfire, but I'm sad when the ammo is gone, not relieved. I'm a recoil puss, a steady diet of 180's in an 06 is not pleasant for me.

I will say if a rifle for junior is on the menu, I'd get the 357. Had a 94 in 357 with a 5D sight and sold it like a moron. Marlin catalogs the 18in straight grip and a knew 16in 357 with a curved grip.

I've had Marlin leverguns in both 357 and 44 mag.. The 357 is a pussycat, {about like a .223} even with heavy loads. The 44 with stout loads was an obnoxious little beast, which is why I sent it down the road. I just couldn't see putting up with that much recoil when my .30-30 and .35 Marlins actually kick less and are far more effective.

The recoil of my Marlin 1894 44 mag was a LOT more than I expected! not like a mule, but I don't consider it pleasant by any means. Only sent hot loads down the tube so far, mine refuses to cycle the 44 special rounds I use in my revolver.

They are indeed length sensitive. Load to .44 Special velocities in a .44 Mag case, feeding solved.

-R44

I have a Browning 92 in .44 mag. It has been both a pleasure to shoot and is scary accurate. I have shot .44 Spl, and hot .44 mag hand loads with cast bullets. It has less recoil than a .270 IMHO.

I went through these mental gymnastics a while back, and ended up buying a Marlin 45/70. Got an 1895 GBL with 18.5" bbl, and 6-round magazine.

A 405gr cast bullet over 12gr Unique gives 1050 fps, 991 ft-lbs and shoots like a pussycat.

At the other end, a heavy charge of RL7 under a 405gr will make 1800+ fps, and you won't sleep through it.......grin

This all is exactly the info I was looking for. Thanks!

Shucks! The .44magnum lever gun tain't no problem A-tall.

Now when yall gets down to shoulderin that .444 Marlin, that is when you gotta worry some about the fillins in your teeth. LOL

I added this Pachmeyer pad so the carbine would fit me better. The heavier the bullet, the harsher the recoil. 200 grain Hornady XTP bullets have minimal recoil but slam deer REALLY HARD!!

TR

I forgot to add that the recoil on my trapper isn't bad at all, BUT it came with a nice Decelerator pad, so maybe that is part of the equation.

The .44magnum in lever gun is a piece of cake to shoot and hunt with in the hardwoods. I personally would limit the yardage to 150 yards for deer. No it is not an ELK rifle!~ However, under 75 yards I sure would give it a try you betcha.

I just bought an 1894 .44 mag. Also a Marlin Cowboy 24 inch .45 colt (fairly hard to find that cowboy 24 in)......

I am selling the Cowboy and keeping the .44 mag. I REALLLLY want a cowboy in .44 mag!!!!

AS for recoil....its aint no thing. And the ballistics are good on deer stuff within 125-150 with proper bullets!

I've had a 1894 Marlin in both 357 & 44 mag. The 357 is my favorite of the two. The 357 can ring a 12X12 metal plate at 200 yards. Since you already have a 357mag handgun, the 357 Marlin will compliment it nicely. Here's mine...

Yep, and yep. I love mine.

That's a good looking combo, and actually I have two .357's - a Ruger GP100, and a Ruger Vaquero (Bird's Head). My immediate reaction was just to match those things up and have fun popping away with a lever .357, but I know myself pretty well and I just know if I were to get that lever (with peeps) and started popping cans that would turn into popping rabbits, then the desire to chase javelina, then deer... thus the thought of maybe jumping to the .44 Mag.

My Winchester Trapper in .44 Mag with full load of H110 and a 240 grn bullet will kick the crap out of you. With lighter loads of 2400 or Unique it's just fine.

I've got a NavyArms Trapper 92, in .45 Colt.

I'm shooting a 300 grain Hornady at about 1800 FPS.

It'll get your attention, but is not unpleasent.

Have Cougar in my neighborhood, so this is my "go to" gun for woods walking.

Wife has a Browning 92 in .357 It's a pussycat to shoot. (ideal for her)

virgil B.

The 357 is entirely adequate for deer out of the carbine. Here's a couple of Campfire links.

357 on deer

.357 magnum in Marlin Lever gun for short range deer gun

If Colonel Wesson can take grizzly with a 357 mag revolver, we should have no trouble harvesting deer with the same round from a carbine.

I shoot the 44Mag/240gr. From a WIN94 Legacy 24" barrel with no hints of big recoil. It's a real soft shooten deer gun. And the .44 makes a big hole.