Perfect Brush Gun .. make mine a Marlin 1894SS 44mag - Page 2

sammoh · 12-28-2007, 09:40 PM

Personally, I just like the idea of being able to put a big hole in the animal I've decided to shoot. Often, I don't get the luxury of being able to take time to sight in on a target. As for big guns, I doubt a .44 mag is a big gun. I've seen the big guns at the range, "safari rifles" some have coined them and while I'm not familiar with particular calibers, they make the .44 mag look like a pea shooter. Those are big. I've also seen the injuries from those. One poor fellow suffered a separated retina from the recoil. Not what I want to have. Anyway, I don't think I'm a particularly bad shot. With most any rifle, I can shoot out 2MOA, maybe better if I have a better quality rifle. The only thing I haven't been able to shoot better than 3MOA is with AK types and SKS types. I still like the idea of being able to put a big hole in bigger animals. If I'm out hunting in bear country, I like the idea of big holes. I've put down bear with a bow but for a protection scenario, an easy to wield carbine in a large bore is a plus.

texnmidwest · 12-28-2007, 09:48 PM

I watched a show the other night about big cats in the USA. They were trying to determine if the cats were in the area by setting up trail cameras where they thought the cats were frequenting. When the rancher and the professional hunter (PH) went out to set the cameras they both went out with firearms. The rancher had a scoped mini 14. The PH had a 12 gauge riot gun. I tend to side with the PH and the above poster. If a bear was about to make a snack out of me I would want a 12 gauge loaded to make a big hole.

ArkansasHunter · 12-28-2007, 10:30 PM

Guys I'm sorry that I failed to mention what Marlin center fire rifle I do own.
I bought one of the 1st Marlin 375's to hit the stores.
A year earlier or more Winchester who developed the cartridge also built a beefed up
model 94 it had a slab of extra steel on each side of the rear of the reciever.
All the hunting and gun magazines wrote how wonderful it was (winchester also had 2 other caliber come out at the same time for the 94 ) The 375 caliber was the one to buy.
So I thought if Marlin comes out with it I'll buy one, well they did and I got one.
It turned out I cold put 3 rounds in a 50 cent piece size circle at a 100 yards.
Every deer I have ever shot with that gun that shoots that 375 bullet falls dead in it's tracks and I would'nt hesitate to shoot any animal in all 50 states with it at certain ranges or distances.
Mine still looks new and it's got some value...A.H

Midas · 12-28-2007, 11:06 PM

I would prefer the 45-70 in a Marlin 1895, with hot reloads, it will stomp any game in NA, and has a lot more energy than the .44 Mag for those "close encounters"

SwedeSteve · 12-28-2007, 11:53 PM

AH, you stole my thunder! Winchester Big Bore M94, 375 Win, 220gr. Put a deranged bus down! I carried that baby for true Russian Boar. 2 shots, 2 boar. If''n you want more, research 450 Alaskan! Based on a 358 Win. Most that shot mine cried! Myself included, but it'd make that bus turn and run!

ArkansasHunter · 12-29-2007, 08:27 AM

SwedeSteve you had a Big Bore 94 375 too ? I go to a gun auction site ever so often and sometimes you'll see a Winchester Big Bore.
About 2 years ago I saw the Marlin 375 Big Bore, the bid was $999.00 I didn't go back to see what it sold for. I wished I had.
Around the time the 375 appeared Winchester also revealed I think the 356 and 307
But all the gun and sport magazine writers wrote about the 375 Big Bore.
The other 2 if you research them were also outstanding cartridges too and there even more rarer than the 375 caliber. Though Marlin only produced the 375 I think.
Even Thompson Center made a barrel in 375 years ago for the Encore.
It's a great Deer and Bear rifle withen it's range.
2 weights of bullets/cartridges were offered 200 and 220 gr. The gun kicks less than my 308 and the blast is milder than my 308 ...A.H

texnmidwest · 12-29-2007, 08:41 AM

AH, do you find that you have to reload for the 375? Want another one? I know where one is for less than 300. Seems to be in very good condition and shot very little. I like the look of it because of the short magazine tube. Really sets the rifle off. Didn't buy it because if the limited availability of ammo up here.

Oh BTW it is a marlin.

wraco · 12-29-2007, 04:43 PM

My choice is the 38-55 in an old Winchester 1894 made in 1899. The gun's in beautiful original condition and it's a pleasure to carry, on foot or horseback, and a pleasure to shoot. After 108 years it'll still lay them 255 gr bullets in with tight groups at 100 yards. Still has the big ole Buckhorn sights on the rear, so the target comes up on sight real quick.

In the Pacific Northwest and the interior of British Columbia, when hunting thick brush forests, the shots are usually under 100 yards, with 75 yards as an average. The heavy flat point 255 gr bullet barges through that brush like a freight train.

Regards:
Rod

irish murphy · 12-29-2007, 05:02 PM

What you fellas call brush we call scrub.My favourite scrub gun is by far my shortend No1Mk3 303,I can cycle it just as quick as a levergun and it has 10 shots in the mag.Just the thing for when you come across that mob of pigs.I have also owned a marlin 44mag 1894 and a winchester 30/30 leverguns.They are simmilar in the way they shoot like a rainbow but under 120m they are tops.What i would like to own is a marlin 336 in 45/70,my mate has one and anything inside of 200m is toast if he can see it.But i will stick to my smle,its very robust and is very easy to use on fast moving targets.

nathangdad · 12-29-2007, 05:39 PM

Since you asked for opinions I wish to agree with the poster who suggested the 12 gauge slug.
Personally, I feel it is superior to a .44 magnum in
terms of brush penetration. However, if the .44 magnum is your cartridge of choice and you get good with it then it is the right cartridge for you.

GMCGUY · 12-29-2007, 06:36 PM

My favorite brush gun would have to be my 348. It kicks a lil bit and isnt exactly a 300yrd gun but it sure has some power to it.

Mooseman684 · 12-29-2007, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Midas

I would prefer the 45-70 in a Marlin 1895, with hot reloads, it will stomp any game in NA, and has a lot more energy than the .44 Mag for those "close encounters"

Same thing I was gonna say Midas....45/70 is Minimum.
.44 mag just aint gonna cut it against a charging Bear or Moose...Fine probably for the Lower 48 states and Hawaii...LOL
Rich

ArkansasHunter · 12-30-2007, 12:36 AM

The Ammo is still available for the 375 Big Bore in 200 grain from Winchester.
I bought 2 boxes this year at $ 34.99 per 20 round box.
I can't afford to shoot it any more with prices that high LOL.
I do have a lot of brass and a reloader for it in case the ammo drys up.
I might be interested in the Gun but does the person that owns it not know what he has ???
I said above I saw a bid for one at $999.00 for one that looked like it had been dragged down a gravel road.

tbonecpk · 12-30-2007, 04:03 PM

my garand hands down

madtrapper1969 · 12-30-2007, 06:40 PM

definatly a Browning BLR in 450 marlin magnum. quite a bit hotter than a 45-70 and still a wide variety of bullet choices. I chose the browning over the marlin 1895 guide gun (which I own one and love it) because I can carry extra magazines full of ammo for a quick re-load if necessary.

ArkansasHunter · 12-30-2007, 09:43 PM

I sure like Browning BLR's and was intending on buying one but sprung for the new Ruger.
We all make mistakes

A.H

texnmidwest · 12-30-2007, 10:18 PM

Like the BLR. The one thing I didn't like at the time I was looking at one was the trigger creep.

ClamHammer · 02-09-2008, 02:04 AM

My father gave me my Marlin 444 almost 15 years ago. I belive it to be one of the best brush guns to be found. Mine is deadly accurate and has always functioned flawlessly. I have always used the factory open sights and never had any desire to mount any type of optics. I did several years ago buy a Lyman Tang peep sight for it after a friend of mine sang the praises of said sight but have yet to ever have it installed. If I was to be stranded out alone amongst the large furry, hungery and horney and could only take one gun my 444 would be it. Its buttons been pushed on Pigs, deer, elk and even a few unlucky coyotes and has always proven itself to be a true slobber knocker. But this is just my opinion.
If you are a wee lad of slight build and plan for aiming at no larger a target than an Oklahoma Whitetail, I would say choose the Marlin with only two 4's.

5pdc · 07-22-2008, 08:24 PM

Does anyone know off hand what the velocity at the muzzle is of a Ruger .44. It seems to me that if a .44 mag w/ a 5-6 inch barrel is acceptable for big bear then the added length of the carbine would make the lead fly at a great deal more energy???? But how much and any experience of yourself or reliable word of mouth is appreciated. pd

5pdc · 07-22-2008, 08:26 PM

The first line in this post should read "Ruger carbine in .44 mag" I'm first timer so don't hate me for the error pd

12-28-2007, 11:06 PM	#24
Midas Troll B' Gone Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Springdale, Arkansas Posts: 3,786 Images: 2 Blog Entries: 6	I would prefer the 45-70 in a Marlin 1895, with hot reloads, it will stomp any game in NA, and has a lot more energy than the .44 Mag for those "close encounters" __________________ "Recoil lasts for a second, gravity lasts forever"

12-28-2007, 11:53 PM	#25
SwedeSteve Bullet Maintenance !! Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: The anchor point, Alaska Posts: 10,261 Images: 1	AH, you stole my thunder! Winchester Big Bore M94, 375 Win, 220gr. Put a deranged bus down! I carried that baby for true Russian Boar. 2 shots, 2 boar. If''n you want more, research 450 Alaskan! Based on a 358 Win. Most that shot mine cried! Myself included, but it'd make that bus turn and run! __________________ Thank God we don't get as much Government as we pay for! -Will Rogers

12-29-2007, 08:41 AM	#27
texnmidwest Listen to yur Inner Hippo Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: South east Wisconsin Posts: 3,369	AH, do you find that you have to reload for the 375? Want another one? I know where one is for less than 300. Seems to be in very good condition and shot very little. I like the look of it because of the short magazine tube. Really sets the rifle off. Didn't buy it because if the limited availability of ammo up here. Oh BTW it is a marlin. Last edited by texnmidwest; 12-29-2007 at 09:12 AM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost

12-29-2007, 04:43 PM	#28
wraco Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Vancouver Island Posts: 21	Perfect Brush Gun, or close to it. My choice is the 38-55 in an old Winchester 1894 made in 1899. The gun's in beautiful original condition and it's a pleasure to carry, on foot or horseback, and a pleasure to shoot. After 108 years it'll still lay them 255 gr bullets in with tight groups at 100 yards. Still has the big ole Buckhorn sights on the rear, so the target comes up on sight real quick. In the Pacific Northwest and the interior of British Columbia, when hunting thick brush forests, the shots are usually under 100 yards, with 75 yards as an average. The heavy flat point 255 gr bullet barges through that brush like a freight train. Regards: Rod

12-29-2007, 05:39 PM	#30
nathangdad Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 2,435	Opinion Since you asked for opinions I wish to agree with the poster who suggested the 12 gauge slug. Personally, I feel it is superior to a .44 magnum in terms of brush penetration. However, if the .44 magnum is your cartridge of choice and you get good with it then it is the right cartridge for you.

12-28-2007, 09:40 PM	#21
sammoh Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 42	Personally, I just like the idea of being able to put a big hole in the animal I've decided to shoot. Often, I don't get the luxury of being able to take time to sight in on a target. As for big guns, I doubt a .44 mag is a big gun. I've seen the big guns at the range, "safari rifles" some have coined them and while I'm not familiar with particular calibers, they make the .44 mag look like a pea shooter. Those are big. I've also seen the injuries from those. One poor fellow suffered a separated retina from the recoil. Not what I want to have. Anyway, I don't think I'm a particularly bad shot. With most any rifle, I can shoot out 2MOA, maybe better if I have a better quality rifle. The only thing I haven't been able to shoot better than 3MOA is with AK types and SKS types. I still like the idea of being able to put a big hole in bigger animals. If I'm out hunting in bear country, I like the idea of big holes. I've put down bear with a bow but for a protection scenario, an easy to wield carbine in a large bore is a plus.

12-28-2007, 09:48 PM	#22
texnmidwest Listen to yur Inner Hippo Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: South east Wisconsin Posts: 3,369	I watched a show the other night about big cats in the USA. They were trying to determine if the cats were in the area by setting up trail cameras where they thought the cats were frequenting. When the rancher and the professional hunter (PH) went out to set the cameras they both went out with firearms. The rancher had a scoped mini 14. The PH had a 12 gauge riot gun. I tend to side with the PH and the above poster. If a bear was about to make a snack out of me I would want a 12 gauge loaded to make a big hole.

12-28-2007, 10:30 PM	#23
ArkansasHunter Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 10,677	Guys I'm sorry that I failed to mention what Marlin center fire rifle I do own. I bought one of the 1st Marlin 375's to hit the stores. A year earlier or more Winchester who developed the cartridge also built a beefed up model 94 it had a slab of extra steel on each side of the rear of the reciever. All the hunting and gun magazines wrote how wonderful it was (winchester also had 2 other caliber come out at the same time for the 94 ) The 375 caliber was the one to buy. So I thought if Marlin comes out with it I'll buy one, well they did and I got one. It turned out I cold put 3 rounds in a 50 cent piece size circle at a 100 yards. Every deer I have ever shot with that gun that shoots that 375 bullet falls dead in it's tracks and I would'nt hesitate to shoot any animal in all 50 states with it at certain ranges or distances. Mine still looks new and it's got some value...A.H

12-29-2007, 08:27 AM	#26
ArkansasHunter Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 10,677	SwedeSteve you had a Big Bore 94 375 too ? I go to a gun auction site ever so often and sometimes you'll see a Winchester Big Bore. About 2 years ago I saw the Marlin 375 Big Bore, the bid was $999.00 I didn't go back to see what it sold for. I wished I had. Around the time the 375 appeared Winchester also revealed I think the 356 and 307 But all the gun and sport magazine writers wrote about the 375 Big Bore. The other 2 if you research them were also outstanding cartridges too and there even more rarer than the 375 caliber. Though Marlin only produced the 375 I think. Even Thompson Center made a barrel in 375 years ago for the Encore. It's a great Deer and Bear rifle withen it's range. 2 weights of bullets/cartridges were offered 200 and 220 gr. The gun kicks less than my 308 and the blast is milder than my 308 ...A.H

12-29-2007, 05:02 PM	#29
irish murphy Banned Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Canberra,Australia Posts: 1,028 Blog Entries: 5	What you fellas call brush we call scrub.My favourite scrub gun is by far my shortend No1Mk3 303,I can cycle it just as quick as a levergun and it has 10 shots in the mag.Just the thing for when you come across that mob of pigs.I have also owned a marlin 44mag 1894 and a winchester 30/30 leverguns.They are simmilar in the way they shoot like a rainbow but under 120m they are tops.What i would like to own is a marlin 336 in 45/70,my mate has one and anything inside of 200m is toast if he can see it.But i will stick to my smle,its very robust and is very easy to use on fast moving targets.

12-29-2007, 06:36 PM	#31
GMCGUY Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 43	My favorite brush gun would have to be my 348. It kicks a lil bit and isnt exactly a 300yrd gun but it sure has some power to it.

12-30-2007, 12:36 AM	#33
ArkansasHunter Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 10,677	The Ammo is still available for the 375 Big Bore in 200 grain from Winchester. I bought 2 boxes this year at $ 34.99 per 20 round box. I can't afford to shoot it any more with prices that high LOL. I do have a lot of brass and a reloader for it in case the ammo drys up. I might be interested in the Gun but does the person that owns it not know what he has ??? I said above I saw a bid for one at $999.00 for one that looked like it had been dragged down a gravel road.

12-30-2007, 04:03 PM	#34
tbonecpk Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: San Diego Cal Posts: 1,590 Blog Entries: 2	my garand hands down __________________ "Speak softly but carry a big stick" -Teddy Roosevelt

12-30-2007, 06:40 PM	#35
madtrapper1969 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: springfield, Missouri.Michigan transplant Posts: 10	definatly a Browning BLR in 450 marlin magnum. quite a bit hotter than a 45-70 and still a wide variety of bullet choices. I chose the browning over the marlin 1895 guide gun (which I own one and love it) because I can carry extra magazines full of ammo for a quick re-load if necessary.

12-30-2007, 09:43 PM	#36
ArkansasHunter Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 10,677	I sure like Browning BLR's and was intending on buying one but sprung for the new Ruger. We all make mistakes A.H

12-30-2007, 10:18 PM	#37
texnmidwest Listen to yur Inner Hippo Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: South east Wisconsin Posts: 3,369	Like the BLR. The one thing I didn't like at the time I was looking at one was the trigger creep.

02-09-2008, 02:04 AM	#38
ClamHammer Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: North Central Idaho Posts: 9	My vote on a brush gun My father gave me my Marlin 444 almost 15 years ago. I belive it to be one of the best brush guns to be found. Mine is deadly accurate and has always functioned flawlessly. I have always used the factory open sights and never had any desire to mount any type of optics. I did several years ago buy a Lyman Tang peep sight for it after a friend of mine sang the praises of said sight but have yet to ever have it installed. If I was to be stranded out alone amongst the large furry, hungery and horney and could only take one gun my 444 would be it. Its buttons been pushed on Pigs, deer, elk and even a few unlucky coyotes and has always proven itself to be a true slobber knocker. But this is just my opinion. If you are a wee lad of slight build and plan for aiming at no larger a target than an Oklahoma Whitetail, I would say choose the Marlin with only two 4's.

07-22-2008, 08:24 PM	#39
5pdc Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 2	Ruger carbine in .44 Does anyone know off hand what the velocity at the muzzle is of a Ruger .44. It seems to me that if a .44 mag w/ a 5-6 inch barrel is acceptable for big bear then the added length of the carbine would make the lead fly at a great deal more energy???? But how much and any experience of yourself or reliable word of mouth is appreciated. pd

07-22-2008, 08:26 PM	#40
5pdc Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 2	The first line in this post should read "Ruger carbine in .44 mag" I'm first timer so don't hate me for the error pd