[andym79]

Is a Ruger 99/44 Deerfield a good rifle?

By that I mean is it easy to handle, but good at meduim range and able to bring down large game?

How does a .44 rifle compare to a .44 revolver when it comes to muzzle velocity and range?

[GunGoBoom]

1. First, complete errornet hearsay, but I hear it's not just too darned reliable. However, you only need one shot for hunting anyway, or if you do need a follow-up, you won't need it in semi-auto time frame 99.95% chance - you can reload.

2. Yes it will bring down large game pretty easily, if you hit it in the right spot, with a well-constructed bullet, at fairly short range. Perhaps light for elk, but plenty for deer-sized creatures, I would think.

3. With the right ammo or especially the right handloads, you can get *significantly* more performance out of a carbine/rifle than with a handgun in .44 mag - velocity/energy, and therefore range. For example, Lyman's 47th shows .44 mag 240 gr JHP at about 1,100 fps from the 4" test barrel. Same weight bullet is going over 1,700 from an 18.5" bbl - that's 600 more fps - quite significant.

Hope that helps some.

[andym79]

Does anyone have any recommendations for a .44 rifle that cost less than $750?

Would a .308 be a good rifle to begin with or would I be better using a .22?

[GunGoBoom]

I would say *definitely* get a .22 first, and then quickly also get the .44 mag and/or the .308. Here's an outstanding little .44 mag gun under $500 in US dollars:

http://www.marlinfirearms.com/firearms/1894_centerfireRifles/1894.htm

also shoots .44 special. I want one. If you want a recommendation for a .22, why not just stick with Marlin - this is a great little rifle for about $110 US for the base version:

http://www.marlinfirearms.com/firearms/selfLoading22wTubularMag/index.htm

[andym79]

Thanks for the reply GunGoBoom, do you know if the 1894 is available with a 5 roung mag? If I am going to be using/owning this gun in Canada it can not have more than 5 rounds. I notice that the 444 Marlin has a 5 round mag, but the calibre is 444 Marlin, is that much more expensive ammo than a .44 magnum or a .44 special?

As I understand it, the 444 Marlin is a more powerful magnum chambered at .429, therfore accepting .44 Magnum ammo?

Does a 444 Marlin really have more punch than a magnum?

[GunGoBoom]

Yes, a .444 marlin is a "super magnum" .44 magnum - longer and more powerful than even the wildcat round in between the two calibers - called the .445 supermag, which can be had in Dan Wesson revolvers. All are .429/.430 bullets, correct. But alas, the .444 marlin ammo is going to be far, far more expensive than .44 special, and far more expensive than .44 magnum. Now, can one shoot .44 special and .44 magnum in a gun chambered for .444 marlin, such as the Marlin model 444? The answer, if I'm not mistaken, is yes you can, but they're not going to feed from the tube magazine by cycling the lever action - you'd have to feed them by hand 1 at a time.

Are you sure that the prohibition on mags over 5 rounds *includes* a probition on *fixed* mags and/or *tube mags*, rather than a prohibition on "detachable mags which hold more than 5 rounds"? Anyone from Canada know? Because I wouldn't think that they would ban tube mag rifles of any kind, regardless of capacity...

[Cpl Punishment]

I'd much rather have the Marlin 1894 in .44 Magnum.

The .44 Magnum out of a carbine (specifically the 1894), gives you about 2.5 times the muzzle energy as compared to a 6-inch revolver.

The range would be considered "short", no more than 150 meters. Not because the .44 Magnum is effective past that range, it's that the bullet drop precludes use much past there.

Check your laws in Canada. I think the 5 round limit is on semiautos (with the exception of the Garand). I have a Canadian friend who shoots cowboy action and has a Marlin 1894 in .44 magnum with its 10-round tubular magazine with no problem.

[sd]

I too am interested in a lever .44 mag. Can anyone tell me do I lose much range , accuracy or power compared to a similar lever in .30-30. This would be for shorter range deer hunting out to 100+ ??? yards. Thanks, sorry didn't mean to hi-jack thread.

[andym79]

Cpl Punishment:
It seems you are correct, non automatic weapons are not subject to this limit,
"All semi-auto rifle magazines for sale to individuals in Canada have a maximum capacity of five rounds".

As the 1894 Marlin is not a semi automatic, the ten round mag is ok!

[GunGoBoom]

I would say that the .30-30 is *generally* about a 140-150 yard proposition, whereas a .44 mag will do great if you keep your shots to 80-90 yards, give or take, which is quite easy to do in eastern/brushy areas. Both will still work fine far beyond those ranges, but you just have to know your basketball trajectories to use the proper hold-over. Looks like your answer is the 1894 for sure, andy! I want an 1894 in .44 mag definitely at some point myself - great little gun, it seems, and pretty cheap to shoot with handloads or .44 special CCI Blazers. Surely there are some others on THR who can help andy more than I have on this subject...??

[andym79]

I was just reading about a Degtyarev PTRD-41 rifle for sale for $1150.

What sort of hunting would you be doing with this specs?

Barrel 53.15"
Weight 38.40lb
It can project a 986 grain, 0.570 round at 3,280fps

Would that take out a polar bear or even an elephant?

[andym79]

Now, can one shoot .44 special and .44 magnum in a gun chambered for .444 marlin, such as the Marlin model 444? The answer, if I'm not mistaken, is yes you can, but they're not going to feed from the tube magazine by cycling the lever action - you'd have to feed them by hand 1 at a time.

So I am guessing that you have to hand load them because the lever mechanism is not designed for the shorter length of the .44 special and .44 magnum. Forgive the lack of technical accuracy here, but I am taking it that the "mechanism can not lift the smaller cartridge into the barrel for firing as it was not designed for those cartridges. I.e. they don't line up right?". Would there likely be any problems with residue or any implications to the inside of the gun if either of the .44 cartridges were used? :confused:

[meathammer]

If you want something similar to the Ruger 99/44, what about one of the Ruger 77/44s? Ruger 77/44 (http://www.ruger.com/Firearms/FAProdView?model=7401&return=Y)

Does anyone have one of these? I think a .44 bolt gun would be kind of fun.

--meathammer

[GunGoBoom]

So I am guessing that you have to hand load them because the lever mechanism is not designed for the shorter length of the .44 special and .44 magnum. Forgive the lack of technical accuracy here, but I am taking it that the "mechanism can not lift the smaller cartridge into the barrel for firing as it was not designed for those cartridges. I.e. they don't line up right?".

That's correct - they wouldn't feed right (would probably jam up in the action if you tried), because they are too short for the way the action works by design. And wait a sec, it looks like I may have mis-spoke earlier. Although the .44 mag and .444 marlin both have the same rim size (.514), the .444 has a wider case size (.470 vs. .457 for .44 mag), and therefore it would probably NOT be a good idea to shoot .44 spec or mag in .444 because the case would expand, and possibly burning powder could blow back into the action toward you. So I think nix that idea - my bad. Probably not a good idea at all, come to think of it. It may possibly be safe with light .44 specials, and it certainly would chamber and *fire* the round. But I wouln't do it unless you got it on good authority from someone who's done it a LOT and still retains 10 digits on their hands and both eyes.

Would there likely be any problems with residue or any implications to the inside of the gun if either of the .44 cartridges were used?

Yes, in addition to the above (larger) problem - and I was going to mention that, but you really need someone more knowledgeable than me on this. But yes residue/lead at the front of the chamber can and will build up from shooting a lot of shorter loads (.44 mag or spec) in a .444, and will be difficult (but certainly not impossible) to clean, even if it were safe. I'd say post a separate thread on the subject, in order to try to lure in someone who has been there/done that - I've never had a .444, but the progression of .429/430 calibers, from shorter to longer is .44 special, .44 rem. magnum, .445 supermag, with the .444 marlin being the granddaddy rather than the biggest brother, so to speak, because it's a a different case altogether. Then you have a very similar thing going on in .451/.452 cartridges, with the progression being .45 colt, .454 casull, then the new .460 s&w magnum. Similarly, the .45-70 gov't is *not* just a larger .460 - not at all - because with the .45-70, the case is wider than the former 3, AND shoots a different bullet size - .457/.458, not a .451/.452 bullet.

[Oldnamvet]

The Ruger lever action in .44 mag is accurate, light, and holds 4 rounds in the mag. I have had one since they were introduced and have not had any functioning problems. Light weight rifles in this cartridge do give a healthy kick though. I feel it more than with my .30-06 (which is also heavier).

[swingset]

I'd much rather have the Marlin 1894 in .44 Magnum.

Yup, and I have one! :D

It's a superb gun, and a great value compared to the other levers in .44. Very reliable, great trigger, fast and accurate.

http://home.alltel.net/swingset/temp/Marlin_1894_44.jpg

[Brasso]

You CANNOT shoot .44mag in a 444marlin. Very bad mojo. :what:

[SamlautRanger]

The new Winchester Timberline Scout lever action in .44 mag has only a 4 round magazine tube.

[SamlautRanger]

How does the 1894 Marlin in .44 mag compare in recoil to a Marlin 336 in 30-30?

[s2scout]

Will the Ruger 99/44 Deerfield drop a bear? providing of course I hit the bear just right? I was told this semi-auto 44mag will only shoot light loads.:confused: