.44 Mag Carbine - What Should I look For?

[CraigC]

No and a 1-20" twist is plenty fast. Far as I know any of them can be tuned to run properly but all would require a new barrel. Marlin 1894's are popular for this conversion. That said, those 300gr GA loads should function through any available.

Is this fast enough to stabilize a 300gr JSP bullet at 1100fps?

Yes, as stated before.

 

[Mike1234567]

Thanks, CraigC. I'll take a look at the Marlin 1894.

ETA: Okay, after a little more research, I've noted that the Marlin with 1:38 twist rate stabilizes bullets up to 320gr... unknown velocity but assume max (maybe 1250fps??). I'd really like to stabilize 340gr bullets at slower than 1150fps and the 1:30 Rossi "might" come close. I'll be happy if it "easily" stabilizes 300gr at 1150 and it looks like it will. Any caveats??

 

[CraigC]

Well, it sounds like you're talking sixgun velocities but nearly any .44Mag load will gain at least 300-400fps in a rifle barrel. If you wanted to be able to use 320-340gr bullets, you should've specified earlier. Because you're gonna need a 1-20 twist. The Marlin's 1-38" twist is at its limit with 300gr bullets. Also bear in mind that the slower you run them, the faster your twist will have to be. No .44Mag on the market will feed AND stabilize 320gr and heavier LBT's. Like I said, you'll need some tuning and a custom barrel on a levergun. Ruger has the proper twist rate but the mags are too short.

The answer was simple but your question(s) very convoluted.

 

[Mike1234567]

Thank you. Yes, my questions probably are convoluted. This is because I'm a noob and, thus, why I'm asking for help. I would appreciate the help without the need to point out my obvious ignorance. I already know I'm ignorant.

Can the Ruger mags be modified to accept longer cartridges and, if so, will they chamber properly?

 

[CraigC]

I'm not trying to point out your ignorance but all your questions have already been answered, twice.

Plainly, if you want to run long, heavy LBT's over 300gr, you need a custom barrelled levergun. It can be a Marlin, Winchester or Rossi but expect to pay at least $750 for rebarrelling. David Clements' package that includes a new barrel is $1350.

Or just buy a later model Marlin .444 with 1-20" twist.

 

[Mike1234567]

Thanks, Craig. Well, if I must step away from .44 Mag into another cartridge (or overspend on customization) I might as well opt for 45/70 or similar. I don't have an issue with that. I was just trying to share ammunition with a .44 Mag revolver without spending a small fortune. It appears I was pipe-dreaming.

 

[Jonny V]

There is a neat little ghost ring sight that goes in the hole where the ugly factory safety is located on the Rossi 44 mag. Here's a link to where it is.

http://store.stevesgunz.com/

 

[CraigC]

What is silly is that Marlin put the same 1-38" twist barrel on the .44 they put on the .444. Now they've gone to a proper 1-20" twist on the .444 but the 1-38" twist remains on the .44's. Makes no sense.

Due to case capacity and added velocity, you can run right up to 405gr in the .444, which puts it handily in .45/70 territory but shoots flatter. Sectional density equal to a 460gr .458" but at higher velocity.

 

[Mike1234567]

I hadn't considered the .444 but I'll research it. In regards to velocity; I'd like the option of shooting heavy bullets at subsonic speeds.