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I need a "walking around in bear country" rifle Quick. Locally
there is a Puma .44 Mag. (octagon) How dependable, accurate
(only to 25 yds., as its not going to be a hunting rifle) are they? Any bad experiences? I thought I saw where the bolt safety can be removed/deactivated. It seems to be priced right at $439(new). Thanks for your comment(s).

I have three of them. All fine, reliable shooters. My .44 is a round barrel. It'll definitely get your attention with factory ammo. It's a light gun and therefore you get more of the recoil. With cowboy loads it's an absolute joy.

I have the octagon, but in .44-40. I have run loads that run into .44 mag velocities. The extra weight of the barrel definately helps with recoil.

As far as accuracy goes. I shoot empty soda bottles filled with water at 75-100 yards with only an occasional miss. They all shoot that well. They point naturally for me. I really can't say I have made a concentrated effort at 100 yard groups on paper.

If it seems to come to your shoulder and point straight, get it. The .44 Magnum or the .45 Colt (both with rifle bullets) are very capable of fine accuracy and solid performance on some sizable critters.

The 2 Puma lever guns I have are well made, economical, accurate and even attractive. Factory ammo is fine or you can roll your own, just pay some attention to bullets (contour, some expansion maybe) and total case length.

The fit of a lever gun is pretty personal, though, and sight preference is part of that also. Get something that seems to be "self-aiming" like the fit of a good shotgun. Close your eyes, bring it to your shoulder and see how well it suits you.

I personally would not intentionally go looking for a bear with one of these, but they sure do nice work on feral pigs, deer, etc. (We're not talking Kodiak Island or Grizzly country, are we?)

The Rossi Puma also comes in a .454 casull version that would be worth a look.

Legacy International 44 mag version, here. 24" octagon, color case receiver, nice wood. Shooting fairly stout 200gr XTP loads, not much recoil in my opinion, due to the heft of the rifle. Although you won't have to wonder if it "went off"?

Accuracy is passable @ 50 yards (2 to 3 inches, offhand), although it needs better sights to suit me.

I'd think a shorter barrel and less weight would make for a handier "totin' rifle", though? And if my main objective was something to hinder bears, it would be stoked with heavier, stouter bullets?

Which means it would produce a fairly noticeable "kick", especially with that crescent butt plate. ;O)

I have a 16" ss in 44 mag that shoots good and a 20" 480 ruger that's still new in the box. I haven't shot the 480 yet but I thought it would make a good walking around in bear country gun. Especially with a 420g hard cast flat nose. I'll have to get it out and try it someday.

Bb

Give that 480 a whirl while wearin' a T shirt and get back to us. ;O)

In my Marlin Cowboy (26"), I shoot 300 gr. lead and JHP bullets at 1,500+ fps using max loads of H4227. Most of those Pumas will have shorter barrels, but the '92 John Moses Browning designed lever gun is probably stronger than the Marlin. So, the action and load won't be the limiiting factor, but the shooter's shoulder and tollerance for recoil from a light rifle.

300 gr. at 1,500+ fps isn't that far from a 45-70, in fact is at the Trapdoor level plus some. In my Marlin 45-70's I shoot 300 gr. JHP's at 1,800 fps. I could load them faster, but the recoil gets out of hand. My only "Weatherby trademark" cut over my eye was with a 45-70 shooting 300 gr. JHP's at 2,000 fps. And, the scope was set too far back. A deer will never know the difference between 1,800 and 2,000 fps, but I will...!

DF

Forgot to mention, the Marlin Cowboy is a .45 Colt.

DF

There are both drop-in plugs, and peep sights available to replace Rossi bolt-top safeties - about 5min job, no dsiassembly, only open the bolt.





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I have one on 454. Points and shoots great, although I am looking to upgrade to a ghost ring style sight. 9+1 of 454 or 44 in a light, fast handling lever makes a lot of sense to me for bear country. Of course, I don't expect to see a brownie here in NC!

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maarty
They use to so would have to look for a used one. A new one would have to come from Taurus-Rossi now. They quite making them for Puma.
Cheers NC

I have a octagon barrel puma in .45 colt I bought the replacement safety plug from Steve's guns he specializes in Rossi model 92 levers great guy to work with my gun shoots great very accurate at 75 yards I'd trust it even farther that's just the farthest I've shot it cycles pretty smooth I shoot cowboy action loads out of it almost no recoil And that's a good price for that gun new I paid 350 used for mine