Marlin 44Mag Carbine: Effective Range?

kalifornian

September 07, 2002 09:33

Hi All:
I'm halfway through my waiting period before I can pick up my new .44 Magnum Lever Action Marlin Carbine, with a 20" barrel. This is my first time with a rifle, other than a (.22).

What is it's effective range at stopping a deer or person sized animal?

It has a hooded site and probably won't ever have a scope.


Thanks in advance.



So many guns, so little money . . .

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  gunpaq

  September 07, 2002 09:40

  With mine, I have found 150 yards +/- to be the max before the bullet signicantly drops. To be accurate in an in field hunting environment keep to shots within 150 yards, atleast that is my experience. Have shot mine beyond 200 yards at the range and the .44 will easily penetrate 2 Philly phone books. You are getting a really nice gun.
  
  Pack slow, fall stable, pull high, hit dead center.

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  kalifornian

  September 07, 2002 12:47

  Thanks, gunpaq!
  
  I've been thinking about it for quite a while and when I saw it on sale for $299 I just couldn't pass it up.
  
  So many guns, so little money . . .

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  hornet

  September 08, 2002 03:16

  Hi, I have a Ruger 44 mag carbine. Mine is one of the first smi-auto carbine's that Ruger made and mine has an 18" barrel. I generaly keep my shots around 100 yards, but I would not have a problem shooting out to 150 yards. Down here in the swamps of the deep South we don't have too many places were you can shoot over about 75 yards.You have a fine rifle and you should be very pleased. If you get into reloading try some of Speers Gold Dot bullets. These soft point bullets seem to hold togeather better than the factory rounds. But the factory rouns in 240gr soft point do a good job. Your 44 mag will do a fine job on white tail deer. I would think the 44mag with the right bullet would do for black bear also. But I have never shot a black bear.
  Good hunting, shoot stright
  Hornet

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  gskyhawk

  September 08, 2002 17:58

  kalifornian: I have 2 marlins in 44 mag one is like yours with the 20" barrel and the other has a 16 1/2" barrel both will hold about 2 1/2" groups a 100 yards and are good to say about 150yd ,, I use Hornady 240gr. xtp or 300gr. xtp both rounds function just find in my rifles and hit very hard on deer , hell of a note to have to wait for a rifle !!! here in WI long guns are just a phone in to big brother and handguns are a 48 hour wait

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  kalifornian

  September 08, 2002 22:13

  Thanks for the ammo advice. I believe CA is one of the only places with the stupid 10 day waiting period for rifles, but it's the law and I'm stuck with it until us good guys can convince people to throw out our politicians and use some common sense.
  
  I too was thinking it might pack enough punch for a black bear, but wasn't really sure.
  
  150 yards sounds good, as being new to rifles, I'm not sure how much farther than that I could see to hit with open sites even if the rifle is up to it. That should meet my needs for now.
  
  Thanks again.
  
  So many guns, so little money . . .

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  leeblackman

  September 08, 2002 22:15

  Come on over hear to Texas, I'll get you one of them bumper sticker that says "I wasn't born here, but I got here as fast as I could..."
  
  If I'm wrong please correct me, I won't be offended.
  
  The sound of a 12 gauge pump clears a house fatser than Rosie O eats a Big Mac !

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