Recomended Caliber for a levergun
Hello all,
lately Ive been looking at getting another lever gun in a pistol type cartridge, the rifle I,m looking into is the Marlin 1894 in .45 colt, 357 Mag./38 Spl., or 44 Mag./44Spl. This rifle would be a short range deer gun/ day at the range gun/ possible pack gun. Currently i live in Western SD if that helps at all. I,m also thinking of buying a pistol in the same cartridge. what caliber would you recommend? BTW, i picked marlin because I currently own a 336 in 30-30 that i love.
Thank you for any and all advice.
Eagle0800.
Should have added, i don't reload yet, plan on starting by this summer. Also, if its not to much could i ask why you recommend the caliber?
Thanks again.
lately Ive been looking at getting another lever gun in a pistol type cartridge, the rifle I,m looking into is the Marlin 1894 in .45 colt, 357 Mag./38 Spl., or 44 Mag./44Spl. This rifle would be a short range deer gun/ day at the range gun/ possible pack gun. Currently i live in Western SD if that helps at all. I,m also thinking of buying a pistol in the same cartridge. what caliber would you recommend? BTW, i picked marlin because I currently own a 336 in 30-30 that i love.
Thank you for any and all advice.
Eagle0800.
Should have added, i don't reload yet, plan on starting by this summer. Also, if its not to much could i ask why you recommend the caliber?
Thanks again.
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44 mag. 0 -
44 mag is the most versitile 0 -
I've got 1894's in 357+44mag. I would recomend the 44 for what you want. You can shoot 44spl. with both it and whatever pistol you go with.
EDIT, I hunt with both calibers, and the 44 does a better job on Ohio deer. I've taken them out to about 125yds. The 357 is OK out to about 50yds.0 -
I had two three screw Ruger Blackhawk revolvers with the 4 5/8 barrels in .41 mag. and a Marlin 1894 .41 mag. lever action to go with them. I shot the SASS matches for a couple of years with them. I hunted with them but never got a chance to shoot anything with the rifle. I like the .41 mag. cartridge but the Marlins in that caliber are few and far between. I'd say go with the .44 mag. as a close in hunting cartridge.
Bode0 -
FWIW I have a Marlin in 45 Colt, I equipped it with a Lyman globe front and adjustable peep rear sight and a 4X scope - I keep the rear sight ladder stashed in a hole in the butt stock. I reload so the 45 Colt has plenty of power for short ranges. I'm surprised at its accuracy, one nice ragged hole @ 75 yds.
You know, you could always buy one of those BFR revolvers in 30.30 ....[;)]0 -
.357 MAG would be a great choice. Georgia Arms makes a 158 gr +P round they call "deer stoppers." They work! I would reccomend 45LC, but finding ammo for that is like looking for hens teeth right now, especially Leverlution ammo. 0 -
Welcome to the forum. I think a level in 44 Mag is better. Also your selection of a Marlin is an excellent choice. 0 -
Another vote for the .44 Mag. 0 -
I have a Winchester 94 in .44 mag and love it. I don't think you could go wrong with a Marlin in that caliber. I saw a Cowboy version in .44 Mag at a gunshop yesterday-very nice rifle. Out of a rifle any of the calibers you mentioned would be fine on deer at open sight ranges-especially with the new Hornady ammo. A really cool combo for you would be the Marlin Cowboy in .44 Mag and a one of the 4 5/8" barreled Flattop Ruger Bisley .44 Special's from the Lipsey distributor-you can only get it from them(your dealer can order it)--beautiful handgun and would go great with the Marlin. I would imagine you don't run into many Grizzly bears in South Dakota so the .44 Special would fit your needs for both weapons 99% of the time[;) ]http://www.lipseys.com/itemdetail.aspx?itemno=RURNVB-444-SPCL&mfg=Ruger&family=Bisley+Series&type=Revolver&action=Single+Action&finish=Blue 0 -
44 mag[:)] 0
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