Felt recoil in my opinion is very subjective. I am 6 feet tall and weigh 220 pound. The level of felt recoil to me will be a lot different to someone 5 feet 6 inches tall that weighs 165 pounds. With that said I would like to know what a lever action rifle/carbine chambered in 44 magnum feels like. I have shot many rounds of 12g slug. Some were out of a smooth bore and some from a rifled barrel. I also shot a model 94 Winchester in 30/30. The rifled 12g slug had the most felt recoil followed by the smooth bore 12g slug and the 30/30 being the mildest of the three. Can anyone describe shooting a 44mag from a rifle/carbine in regards to recoil? The gun will be primarily used for paper punching. I reload so I will be able to tailor make a mild or heavy hitting load. Also I would like to shot 50 to 100 round without my shoulder falling off. Thanks for any replies.
Felt recoil from a 44mag lever action rifle/carbine
- Thread starter 357mag357
- Start date
- Status
Shawnee
member
The Hornady factory 240-grainers from a 6.75lb. rifle will be somewhat less than your 30/30. Not a lot less, but enough to notice.
rallyhound
Member
In my opinion.
half a 30-30.
less than 1/4 a 12 ga slug
half a 30-30.
less than 1/4 a 12 ga slug
hoghunting
Member
- Joined
- Feb 16, 2006
- Messages
- 1,604
As the others have said, recoil isn't bad. It is definitely lighter than the 30/30, but even so, after 50 rounds of 44 mag, you'll be happy if you installed a recoil pad. I did on mine.
countryrebel
Member
Our winchester 94 feels like it kicks harder than our marlin 1894 because of the butt pads. I agree with the half as much as a 30-30.
Thank you all for the replies. So if I 44mag feels less than a 30/30 how would the 44 special compare? Again I know it is very subjective but I was going to buy a 357mag rifle/carbine and someone stated I would be disappointed. That person said it would be like shooting a 22mag and get the 44mag instead of the 357.
Shawnee
member
The .44 Specials are a gem. The recoil is hardly worth calling recoil.
steveno
Member
I had a Browning M-92 in 44 mag and the best shooting bullet was the 265 grain Hornady. the recoil would best described as snappy
Ya know, I have a .44 Trapper and did have a Marlin .30-30 and I probably would have said the .44 had more kick. The .44 has more muzzle energy and with a heavier bullet as well. Neither one are crushers of course. I think the discomfort that they do have is from the old school stock with small hard butt plate. With a heavy jacket you won't feel much. In a T shirt, the trapper has marked my shoulder up.
coosbaycreep
Member
I had a ruger .44 semi-auto carbine for awhile, and with the cheap WWB 240gr, it didn't really kick so much as just bounce around quite a bit, if that makes any sense. Kinda like shooting an AK.
Furncliff
Member
OP said "Again I know it is very subjective but I was going to buy a 357mag rifle/carbine and someone stated I would be disappointed. That person said it would be like shooting a 22mag and get the 44mag instead of the 357."
I haven't been disappointed with my Marlin 1894c. The .38 special is a great way to introduce rim fire shooters to a center-fire rifle. It's an economical paper puncher, and is very comfortable for extended shooting periods. The .357 as you probably know can be loaded pretty hot. Buffalo Bore advertises some real zippy loads. The .357 mag happens to be one of those cartridges that sees a very large increase it speed when shot out of a rifle, it is definitely not like a .22 mag.
Probably ought to have both
I haven't been disappointed with my Marlin 1894c. The .38 special is a great way to introduce rim fire shooters to a center-fire rifle. It's an economical paper puncher, and is very comfortable for extended shooting periods. The .357 as you probably know can be loaded pretty hot. Buffalo Bore advertises some real zippy loads. The .357 mag happens to be one of those cartridges that sees a very large increase it speed when shot out of a rifle, it is definitely not like a .22 mag.
Probably ought to have both
Macchina
Member
- Joined
- Nov 14, 2006
- Messages
- 998
I load 240 grain XTPs at close to 2000 FPS with a max load, and the recoil feels like shooting a 20 gauge with bird shot. Enough to be a fun gun to shoot, not enough to hurt you. I love my Marlin 1894, and the .44 Magnum is the perfect round for it. Cheap to reload, fun to shoot, and great on deer under 150 yards. If you get one, invest in the XS Halo sights, they are amazing!
Not all rifles are the same.
A LOT of people think a lever action .30-30 kicks more than a bolt action .308, this has less to do with physics than ergonomics. Those lever guns are lightwieght.
To me, a range day with my 1894 CB .44 magnum firing 50 or even 100 rounds is not a big deal, though without a heavy jacket I've managed to bruise my shoulder. I've fired a lot of 240gr Winchester sjsp and Privi Partisan 300gr sjsp out of it.
Can't imagine doing that kind of shooting with a .30-30 without a pad on the rifle or over my shoulder.
Then again, I routinely shoot my 8mm Mauser that often (with a steel buttplate and no pad) 80-100 rds a session.
A LOT of people think a lever action .30-30 kicks more than a bolt action .308, this has less to do with physics than ergonomics. Those lever guns are lightwieght.
To me, a range day with my 1894 CB .44 magnum firing 50 or even 100 rounds is not a big deal, though without a heavy jacket I've managed to bruise my shoulder. I've fired a lot of 240gr Winchester sjsp and Privi Partisan 300gr sjsp out of it.
Can't imagine doing that kind of shooting with a .30-30 without a pad on the rifle or over my shoulder.
Then again, I routinely shoot my 8mm Mauser that often (with a steel buttplate and no pad) 80-100 rds a session.
woof
Member
According to Chuck Hawks recoil table a .44 mag recoil is a tad more than a .30-30 with the .44 mag from a 7.5 lb rifle. From the carbines it would be even more. So half a .30-30 shows just how subjective it is.
Seafarer12
Member
I always thought 44mag and 30-30 felt about the same. I guess it all depends on what kind of load you are using.
I can't remember when I last fired a 30-30 so I can't compare the two. The WIN 94AE I have is very light with it's 16.5" barrel and recoil is an enjoyable *thump*, I can honestly say that it's recoil makes my day. I installed a recoil pad later, not to lessen felt recoil but to get a longer length of pull. I'd compare it to a lighter 12ga target load now, the pad also helps keep the butt secure on your shoulder and yes it still puts a smile on my face. It is a favorite at the indoor range and when I bring it - it gets passed around all night.
- Status
