Gtscotty
Member
- Joined
- Jul 2, 2007
- Messages
- 3,635
So I've been toying around for a while with the idea of getting a big bore rifle/suppressor combo that would work well for sub 75 yd deer hunting. I'd be interested to hear who has done it, what you used, and how it worked.
The main two cartridges and rifles I'm currently looking at are the .44 Mag in a Ruger 77/44, and the .45/70 in a Marlin 1895GS.
The pro's and con's of each as I see it are:
.44 mag/Ruger 77/44:
Pro's
-I'm already set up to load .44 in quantity.
-.44 bullets are designed for lower velocities, so with a decent 300 gr hollow point I should get some expansion.
-Ruger 77/44 is twisted fast enough that I should be able to use most available .44 bullet weights.
-Cheaper
Con's
-.429<.458
-I'd be stuck with the Ruger as all the lever guns (which I'd prefer) seem to use too slow of a twist.
-Bullet weights are limited to a tad over 300gr
.45/70 Marlin 1895GS:
Pro's
-.458>.429
-Very heavy bullet weights available
-Available in a decently twisted lever gun, 1895's are twisted such that I should be able to stabilize 500 gr bullets
-Full power loads should be good for just about anything I'd hunt
Con's
-.458 Bullets are probably not going to expand at subsonic velocities
-Will use more powder for the same velocity, probably won't be as quiet as .44 mag
-More recoil in regular powered loads.
-More expensive.
I'm interested to hear yall's thoughts, experiences and ideas on the subject.
The main two cartridges and rifles I'm currently looking at are the .44 Mag in a Ruger 77/44, and the .45/70 in a Marlin 1895GS.
The pro's and con's of each as I see it are:
.44 mag/Ruger 77/44:
Pro's
-I'm already set up to load .44 in quantity.
-.44 bullets are designed for lower velocities, so with a decent 300 gr hollow point I should get some expansion.
-Ruger 77/44 is twisted fast enough that I should be able to use most available .44 bullet weights.
-Cheaper
Con's
-.429<.458
-I'd be stuck with the Ruger as all the lever guns (which I'd prefer) seem to use too slow of a twist.
-Bullet weights are limited to a tad over 300gr
.45/70 Marlin 1895GS:
Pro's
-.458>.429
-Very heavy bullet weights available
-Available in a decently twisted lever gun, 1895's are twisted such that I should be able to stabilize 500 gr bullets
-Full power loads should be good for just about anything I'd hunt
Con's
-.458 Bullets are probably not going to expand at subsonic velocities
-Will use more powder for the same velocity, probably won't be as quiet as .44 mag
-More recoil in regular powered loads.
-More expensive.
I'm interested to hear yall's thoughts, experiences and ideas on the subject.