Hunting 44 mag rifle?

I'd rather drive a POS 4x4 and shoot a nicer rifle.
Some JD Byrider patron texting aint gonna wipe out my rifle.

CraigC said:

So I guess we should all hunt with whatever is the cheapest firearm that performs the same task and minimize our requirements so preclude anything not strictly utilitarian? That sounds like a lot of fun.
I reckon the $3000 I spent on a custom flintlock was a total waste of money then. I'm too dumb to realize I could've spent $200 for whatever is on the rack at Walmart instead

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Not at all, but my post was in response to criticism that somehow anybody who wasn't using a highly expensive platform was somehow making hunting "cheap freezer filling".
I happen to own what was then a $900 flintlock, and is now $2000 IF I was to replace it. Which, btw is hand built, not factory produced as is a Ruger #1. Just as your flintlock is hand built.
Nobody is saying if you want to own and to use a piece of artwork, that is bad. I could've bought a used TC flintlock Hawken for 1/3 the price, and had as accurate a gun...IF we're talking about harvesting deer.
What my post pointed out is that there is no advantage once you have accuracy, to using the artwork over the utilitarian piece, when it comes to harvesting deer, and since that's the discussion, ..., don't belittle other people's choices or suggestions because the choice or suggestion doesn't match your aesthetic sense.

LD

theboyscout said:

Anyone hunting with a 44 mag rifle? I'm interested in moving that direction for a 100yrds or less hunting rifle.

Anyone hunt further than that, any issues, and concerns. I am we'll aware of the hype hy bullet expansion and how the bullet falls faster. That's why I was thinking 100 or less. And I would want to hunt deer and/or hog, other big games.

What do you think the limits of big game would be for this rifle, at 100 yes or less. I'm hunting more wooded areas, not major long distance.

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If you can hit it, a 44 will kill it.

If you can't hit it, won't' matter what you shoot at it with.



A hundred yards is a pretty fair shot for my rifle at least but I'd take shots out to 150 if I had a good rest and an unaware target who's movement seemed predictable. But I don't like spending my hunting time searching all over and around my hunting area for one somebody half missed, only to find 25 pounds of meat and 100 pounds of gut shot and crippled ruined mess.

I'm shooting my own hard cast wheel weights.

You guys are talking past each other. I don't think you read that post right. The full statement was "I get how some folks see deer hunting as cheap freezer filling." Which is to say, some people view deer hunting ONLY as a cheap way to fill the freezer. That is, instead of buying meat. In other words, they don't care 'what' they hunt with, it's jut a tool for a job. Which is absolutely true.

Further, your comments about "a lot of coin for a 100yd deer rifle" came before that. In effect, you belittled his choice but he did not return in kind.

theboyscout said:

Anyone hunting with a 44 mag rifle? I'm interested in moving that direction for a 100yrds or less hunting rifle.

Anyone hunt further than that, any issues, and concerns. I am we'll aware of the hype hy bullet expansion and how the bullet falls faster. That's why I was thinking 100 or less. And I would want to hunt deer and/or hog, other big games.

What do you think the limits of big game would be for this rifle, at 100 yes or less. I'm hunting more wooded areas, not major long distance.

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Yep, he caught that hunk of wheel weight to. One pitch, once catch. Dead right there at home plate, he never took a step.

I’d say the 44 Mag is plenty effective for me. Would have no issue taking it past 100 yards. But haven’t had to yet.

I think hunting a noble pursuit.
Nice rifles don't change the flavor of the venison, but can make the experience sweeter.
Mentioned the Ruger #1 in .44 magnum for a couple of reasons.

Strong rifle (they shoot elephants with Ruger #1s)
Good looking rifle (best looking production rifle IMHO)
Truly ambidextrous (there is no hammer to thumb, has a tang safety)

And it has class

Local shop has one of the .44Mag #1's. It's a neat rifle and not too bad in the weight department. It's tempting but when I see that lofty price tag, I remember that I paid only $465 for my one and only #1 and put it back.

I always loved the looks of the Ruger #1, and for years considered getting one when the thrill of deer hunting with a repeating rifle lost some of it's thrill. Always wanted one with a full Mannlicher stock(like my Ruger 10/22). Then I got into hunting deer with handguns and the appeal disappeared. I think the affordability and versatility of the T/C single shot platform, along with it's aggressive advertising, has significantly impacted the sales and ownership of the ol' Number Ones.

I bought my #1 RSI a couple yrs ago for 650 (bland wood, no rings).
Cheap enough I figured it to be the base for the project (was going to have Nonneman's rebarrel to .35 rem and go with 1A forend).
But my state changed its regs, and the RSI shot well........so I just used it.
Hunted opening weekend in a monsoon. Thought it a bit too nice for that.
Decided I needed a rifle I didn't mind soaking.
Buddy had three .35 rem 760's...........offered me the pick of two.
So away went the #1 (because I want a 1A in different chambering).

If I had to buy one deer rifle, under PCR spec...........I'd get a nice one

Figure a Ruger .44 auto, Remington 700 in .243 win, 760 in .35 rem and a Ruger #1A in .30-06 an OK deer battery (have yet to score the #1A)

Did check GB just a few ago, for a .460 Smith #1. No got.

When I look at .44Mag rifles in that price range, it's hard for me not to come back to the current Miroku Winchester 92's.

Avatar deer shot with Contender carbine.
Nice little rig but not without its quirks.
I hadn't hunted with a Ruger #1 for about 20 yrs.
Got the RSI, shot my deer on the move, and when he trotted back my way and stopped, I reloaded without ever taking my eyes off him.
I find the falling block #1 way more fluid than a break open.
And I've had Contenders a while.
Odd, I don't mind them in handgun form, or maybe even rimfire...........but for deer, I am not fond of a break open.
Peterlongo .25-06 I just couldn't bring myself to buy.

I might tolerate a break open deer rifle if it was a double

Even the skin heads like a 44!

I didn't have a camera with me when I used a '66 Fingergroove Ruger .44 for a slick.
Dangit !

.

CraigC said:

When I look at .44Mag rifles in that price range, it's hard for me not to come back to the current Miroku Winchester 92's.

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Which are simply beautiful, well built rifles.

Loyalist Dave said:

Ruger does make a .44 Mag lever-action, as do several other companies

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News to me. Model #?

jmr40 said:

I'd prefer it over a 45-70 for bear protection

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44 mag over 45-70 for bears???? You hate that 45-70, but it absolutely dominates 44 mag in every single way and does it at far lower pressure.

Obturation said:

44 mag over 45-70 for bears???? You hate that 45-70, but it absolutely dominates 44 mag in every single way and does it at far lower pressure.

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I could probably be called a .44Mag Kool Aid drinker but the .45-70 is absolutely a bigger hammer. One of the biggest differences is in the rifles themselves. An off the shelf Marlin 1895 will handle whatever heavyweight bullets you wanna feed it. The .44Mag's with their stupid-slow 1-38" twist and cycling limitations top out at standard length 300gr. That certainly broadens the gap.

The Ruger 96/44 has been discontinued for a while now. They were 1-20" twist and its magazine purportedly would handle a 320gr WFN.

I also have Marlin 1894 in 44 Mag & I enjoy the heck out of it. I load it with 200 grain lead round nose and 8 grains of Win 231. It has little if any felt recoil & I have no reason to believe that it will not kill a deer humanely at 100 yds if the bullet is placed in a vital area. However its primary purpose is home defense.

I hate to be a dummy but what is this PCR you re talking about?

Pistol Cartridge Rifle.
Usually ,35 cal or larger, straight wall case of some length requirement (min/max).
Idea is to allow rifles in formerly shotgun areas, due to cartridge specs making them medium/short range rigs.
.357 mag, .44 mag popular.
Winchester has the new .350 Legend to fit that niche.

Hookeye said:

Nobody offers a new .44 mag rifle I want

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The new Marlins are crap - so if I wanted a Marlin it would have to used and older. Remington has the same problem. Unfortunately, this is true of many gun manufacturers especially with long guns. When I think I want a "new" gun that generally means new to me but most often a used gun. Don't be shy - buy a used gun.

ChanceMcCall said:

The new Marlins are crap

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If you believe this, then I recommend against buying used Marlins from the mid 70’s through the mid 80’s. ‘Cuz they’re making better fit and finish stuff today than they did for about that entire decade.