1894 44 Mag

[kb]

Im tossing around getting an 1894 in 44 mag.  I would like to hunt whitetails with it, and would like to hear your experiences with it.

What is the accuracy that can be expected with it? 

What is its effective range of the round?

Ive shot a 44 before, but not in a rifle.

Thanks,

kb

[Rangr44]

IMHO, it's a 125yd rifle.  150 yards is stretching it a bit.

My 1894P gives me 1 1/4" 100yd groups, from a rest, with factory 240JSP's.

That said, no animal will stand around to await the hunter to "shoot a good group".
IMHO, It's more important that a rifle shoot the first shot's POA/POI as one spot.

Within it's yardage limitations, the .44 Mag in a rifle is a DRT deer slayer.
In my Northern New England annual hunting party of the last thirty years, 8 of 9 hunters use the .44 Mag in one rifle or another, most of the time. (Some switch off to another gun for specialty reasons/stands/etc)

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[243dave]

Well I figured someone would have jumped on this by now, so let me. First of all I shoot the 45colt but I reload it to be a stout 44mag. Second, its a 94 win trapper. Third, its became my favorite gun. For hunt'n deer I use 300gr xtp mags behind lots of h-110. This bullet will go end to end on deer. Don't confuss the regular xtp with the xtp mag, not even close to the same bullet. I haven't shot it for groups but it will ring a 6in. gong every time at 200yds with ease. Could I do that with the factory sights Nope, I have a 1.5x4.5 scope in quick detachable rings that I absolutely love. Its taken my gun from a 75yd to a 150yd deer gun. Its got the accuracy to be a longer range gun than a 150yd gun but not the trajectory. A 44mag in a lever IMO will be a good 150yd gun and the accuracy with most guns will be around 2 to 3 inches at a hundred yards if scoped or a good aftermarket sight is installed. A good hard cast or a tough jacketed is the way to go. With the added velocity from a rifle barrel, pistol bullets can over-expand and limit penetration. I almost lost a deer when shot with a regular 300gr xtp, no exit wound, very little blood coming out of the entry hole. The bullet held together it just expanded to much to penetrate like a 300gr bullet should. I suspect if that bullet was shot out of a pistol it would have gave full pentration. Hoped this helped.    Dave  

[Oldtimer]

The reasons to use the Trapper rather than a full sized rifle is ease of carry and being able to get it into action quickly.  These do not call for tack-driving accuracy.  My rifle will do minute-of-deer for about a hundred yards in factory trim.  I don't see any reason to change it over to anything else or mount a scope, since that would affect the ease of carry.  Since ease of carry is one of the main reasons to get a rifle like this, I would also look at a 16 inch barreled Model 92.  I find it carries a bit better than the M-94 and the action was originally designed for pistol cartridges. 

[dpe.ahoy]

The 44 mag in a rifle is a very good choice for hunting whitetails.  If ya want penetration, go with cast.  I've had no problems with the XTP's, but I go for heart/lung side shots.  I have taken quite a few deer, whitetail and mulie, with the 44mag.  First 44 rifle I got was an old, beat-up 336 Marlin, didn't know they were kinda rare till after I traded it cheap.  Had a Marlin 1894 that ran pretty smooth and accurate enough, now have Puma 92 and Handi-rifle in 44Mag.  Both shoot quite well, the Handi is an 07 with the tighter bore and I have broken clay pigeons at over 100 yd with open sights.  My eyes usually don't do that well with open sights, so was real pleased with the new Handi.  DP

[mwhaught]

I'm a little late to the party here, but I have to chime in on the Marlin 1894s.  I love 'em!

I picked up my 1894 last fall. I haven't used it on deer yet, but the factory sights do well for me at 50 and 100 yards. It likes the Winchester 240 gr JSP white box and American Eagle 240 gr JHP just fine. I wear out a paper plate at 100 yards with that gun, with good groups.

I know several folks who have a Marlin 1894 .44 mag. I have yet to hear one complain about how it has worked on whitetails.