Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Falling Block 44 Mag

Hey all, I have a Ruger No. 3 in 44 magnum and trying to get it to reach out farther consistently. I'm looking to see if any of you folks have tried any ballistic tipped handgun loads, like the Hornady Leverevolution? Or do any of you with 44 mag rifles consistently shoot past 100 yards?

I have this rifle zeroed at 100 yards, and always planned to keep shots inside that. But last week I took a doe at 120 yards, and the elevation stayed pretty flat but it was a gusty day and the bullet drifted really far forward on the deer. Shooting some Winchester 240 grain soft points.

Can this rifle be consistent and reliable out to 150 yards with the right round? I've legitimately almost perfectly stacked shots at 100 yards, really tight groups. Just trying to see what's the most reasonable range for this gun.

Thanks!

I have this same gun. I am working up loads for it now and just had some really promising results with 225 gr Hornady flex tips over 23.8 grs of 296 with federal 150 primers. I ran mine through a factory crimp due to get a good hold for ignition. Book shows max @24 grains do work up.

Have it punched out to 444 Marlin?

I have my 77/44 zeroed at 125 yards with 240 Grain Hornady XTP/HPs, and consider it good on whitetails out to 150 yards with no hold over.

Farthest I have shot one is 80 yards, however.

I really like this idea, and I've read others have done it, but I feel like I'll invoke a mob on me because of the scarcity of this rifle. But it does sound like a whole new animal at that point.

Check your rifling twist. I’m pretty sure the last of these was made in 85 or 86 and all the 44s has a 1 in 38 twist. I thought about the 444 as well but don’t think you would stabilize the heavy bullets to make it matter.

Do not go to the 444 Marlin. In the rifle you have recoil will be brutal. Also you will destroy a fine rifle. As to shooting your rifle , the 44mag was designed as a hand gun round. In a rifle a 150 yds should be max for reliable shot placement. Do not try to make it something it is not. Enjoy it for what it is.. If you absolutely have to shot beyond 150yds go to a 260gr bullet. It will carry better than any 225 or 240gr bullet even though it starts at a slower speed. It will make up for the slower start & then some.

Yeah, that's what I meant about bringing a mob on myself, and it just feels a bit wrong, given there's not a large supply floating around. Regarding bullet weight, I did not know that. I will take that into account.



I believe mine is an 82, and though I've not researched the twist or the mechanics of how it all works, I had heard that it's a large thing to consider if you were to make alterations like that. Heading to the search bar now...not for modifying this rifle, just general education.

You could sell it to a collector and replace it with something more capable and possibly come out ahead.