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

357maxm · 12-28-2007, 07:08 PM

What is the perfect Brush Gun? Make mine a Marlin 1894SS 44 mag.. At 1700-1800 fps at the muzzle, the 44mag has more killing power than a 30-30 and a 35 remington. You can shoot ammo from 180 to over 300 grains. The recoil is around 11lbs.. Every game animal in North America can be taken with the 44mag. The only downer is that it's drop, but if sighted right you can get a -3.0 at 159 yds. 159 yds is more than enough for a Brush Rifle. What is your opinion?

texnmidwest · 12-28-2007, 07:23 PM

Can't argue too much with that. May opt for a Ruger 44/99 carbine just for quicker follow up shots. Or just step up to a 45-70 just for the added whallop but that would also increase recoil. Tests by the great Jack O'conner showed that one of the best brush busters was the 12 gauge slug. But sticking to rifles I would choose the 45-70, 444 marlin, 450 marlin or (hee hee) 458 win mag. However, if I could find a nice ruger 44 carbine I would snap it up. That little 44 carbine has intrigued me for quite some time. Having an auto for quick follow up shots would be a plus.

"If you hit what you are aiming at the first time you won't need a quick follow up shot." Book of Tex, Chapter 12 paragraph 2.

ArkansasHunter · 12-28-2007, 07:30 PM

I would much prefer the 35 Remington over the 44 mag. If I had to choose between the 3. The 35 calibers are deadly. Read up on the 35 caliber cartridges and you shall see.
A.H

texnmidwest · 12-28-2007, 07:34 PM

Hey AH, If you had a choice between 30-30 and 35 rem may I assume you would choose the 35? I own both calibers and am trying to decide which Marlin 336 to put some money into. I tend to agree with you but what I read makes me doubt my own opinion. On paper both are equal but how has it performed for you in the woods and bushes?

ArkansasHunter · 12-28-2007, 07:45 PM

Hi feller and yes I would prefer the 35 Remington. I've never owned any 35 caliber rifle though. I was reading in a magazine sometime back about 35 calibers which were
the 35...358...35 Whelen.
I then sought out every thing I could find on the Internet. Do the same and you'll understand why I like them...A.H

357maxm · 12-28-2007, 07:53 PM

The 30-30 has better range
The 44 mag has more killing power.
The 35 rem is between the two...

If comparing a 30-30 170 grain , a 35 Rem 200 grain , and a 44 mag 240 grain. versus a grizzly bear at 50 yards I would have the go with the 44 mag.. Killing Power means something. BUT, I have to say that these are the top three brush rounds.. so we are all right cause there is no perfect round.

texnmidwest · 12-28-2007, 07:58 PM

Well said!! ROFL!! Fun to debate though.

ArkansasHunter · 12-28-2007, 07:59 PM

I don't give a chit I like the 35 Reminton the best...A.H

texnmidwest · 12-28-2007, 08:12 PM

Arkansas, I picked up a marlin 336 with trash brand scope in 35 rem for a little over 200 a couple months back. Keep your eyes open if you want one. A friend of mine picked one up for 100 bucks last year! In a world where the bolt is king and magnums determine how much testosterone a man has the humble little deer slayers go for bargains!

sammoh · 12-28-2007, 08:12 PM

Marlin 1894SS in .44 mag is on my list as the next gun I buy. Take that and load it woth some Garretts 310 gr Hammerheads and you've got one hell of a brush gun.

Btw, my choice of rifles has nothing to do with cahones. Instead, its got to do with the fact that when I'm out hunting, I'd love to have only one type of ammo on me. It's great to have the .44mag six gun on my hip/leg and my hunting rifle would be the 1894SS. Shoot the same ammo, carry more ammo for either gun.

Take the .44 mag and you can shoot everything from small coyote to grizzly. I suppose you could shoot rabbit too, a hard cast lead bullet would just shoot clean through the rabbit, leaving a nice little .410 caliber (maybe a little larger) hole. Now chance for expansion. Well, that's just theory. Maybe next small game season, I'll go try that.

If I do, I'll be sure to give a report on how it performs.

357maxm · 12-28-2007, 08:17 PM

Now you are talking sammoh.. I read on the garretts last night. They are great rounds... The site has a multitude of picture of LARGE game taken by the rounds. BuT they say the rounds wouldn't work in the lever action yet people still use them and the pictures show it.

texnmidwest · 12-28-2007, 08:18 PM

Burn the brush and use a 22-250.

ArkansasHunter · 12-28-2007, 08:20 PM

All Jokes aside I'm sure a 44 magnum is a jim dandy within it's ranges.
Given the choices I like the 35 calibers. Each to there on likeing.

texnmidwest you and your friend are very fortunit to have those 35's and what you paid for them, you got a deal !
Never ever get rid of it and try to buy your friends.
There getting harder and harder to find because the people that have them love them and keep them...A.H

texnmidwest · 12-28-2007, 08:32 PM

Come on up to the snow country Arkansas and I will let you warm up my 35s barrel as much as you would like! When I was a kid the lever gun was old news and the 35s and 30-30s were "throwing rocks" at the game. I have learned. I love my marlins and will never part with them. Of course over the years I have also learned that if I have to take a 250 yard shot I ain't huntin' good enough!

sammoh · 12-28-2007, 08:35 PM

Garrett's site said the ammo isn't suggested for lever guns because the cartridge OAL is longer than your normal factory load .44 mag but after reading up on them, there are stories in Shotgun News and other magazines detailing how those cartridges were shot in Marlin and Winchesters (I read the other lever guns didn't chamber the longer cartridges properly).

The 35 cal rifles are nice guns. Frankly though, if I were to downsize to a smaller caliber round, I'd go with a 308. More bang for the diameter of the hole. Of course, I'd really like not to carry more than one type of ammo in the field so again, it'll be the 44 mag for me.

357maxm · 12-28-2007, 08:40 PM

tex .. you know most deer are shot from 50 to 150 yds and majority are taken at less than 100yds.

the farthest shot I have ever made was a 400 meters (440 yds for those who don't know) and it was on a coyote with a .243. Usually, most of my deer and coyote was within 150 yds.

I did shoot a mice at 10 feet once with my bb gun

texnmidwest · 12-28-2007, 08:49 PM

243 is a hell of a round for long range varmits. My varmit rifle is a Remington 700 VLS with a leupold 6.5 x 20. I once hit a pasture poodle at 425 yards (laser range finder). Please don't ask me to do it again. I don't think that was due to skill. LOL!

Yep, you are right about the range most deer are killed. That was really my point. If as close as I can get to a deer is 300 yards I need to change the way I am hunting. I read about these guys who shoot elk and other game at extreme long ranges and I just shake my head. Yes, it is quite a show of marksmanship. And my hat is off to those that do it successfully, but I will leave that to them. I can't see that far and don't practice enough to attempt such feats.

357maxm · 12-28-2007, 08:55 PM

I think most of the bigger the better magnum types are just to lazy to work for their game. Plus, most of them don't know how to shoot so they have to make up for their not hitting at least 4 MOA (which is minimum for hunting deer). It makes me laugh watching the big guns come out at the range (sore shoulders , cuts above the eye, mostly when I out shoot them with my small .308.

blaster · 12-28-2007, 08:55 PM

I've got an old style Ruger carbine. loaded with 265 gr flat points and 22.2 gr. of h-110, its a real thumper. the only thing I would trade it for is the Ruger Deerfield carbine because I would rather have a detachable magazine instead of the tube feed.

texnmidwest · 12-28-2007, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 357maxm

I think most of the bigger the better magnum types are just to lazy to work for their game. Plus, most of them don't know how to shoot so they have to make up for their not hitting at least 4 MOA (which is minimum for hunting deer). It makes me laugh watching the big guns come out at the range (sore shoulders , cuts above the eye, mostly when I out shoot them with my small .308.

LOL! I hear you loud and clear. I get a kick out of that as well. I watch them shoot and I have to shake my head. I want to help them as others have helped me but I have learned that most do not want my unsolicited advice.

12-28-2007, 07:08 PM	#1
357maxm Banned Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 37	Perfect Brush Gun .. make mine a Marlin 1894SS 44mag What is the perfect Brush Gun? Make mine a Marlin 1894SS 44 mag.. At 1700-1800 fps at the muzzle, the 44mag has more killing power than a 30-30 and a 35 remington. You can shoot ammo from 180 to over 300 grains. The recoil is around 11lbs.. Every game animal in North America can be taken with the 44mag. The only downer is that it's drop, but if sighted right you can get a -3.0 at 159 yds. 159 yds is more than enough for a Brush Rifle. What is your opinion?

12-28-2007, 07:53 PM	#6
357maxm Banned Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 37	30-30, 35 rem, or 44 mag. The 30-30 has better range The 44 mag has more killing power. The 35 rem is between the two... If comparing a 30-30 170 grain , a 35 Rem 200 grain , and a 44 mag 240 grain. versus a grizzly bear at 50 yards I would have the go with the 44 mag.. Killing Power means something. BUT, I have to say that these are the top three brush rounds.. so we are all right cause there is no perfect round.

12-28-2007, 08:12 PM	#10
sammoh Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 42	Marlin 1894SS in .44 mag is on my list as the next gun I buy. Take that and load it woth some Garretts 310 gr Hammerheads and you've got one hell of a brush gun. Btw, my choice of rifles has nothing to do with cahones. Instead, its got to do with the fact that when I'm out hunting, I'd love to have only one type of ammo on me. It's great to have the .44mag six gun on my hip/leg and my hunting rifle would be the 1894SS. Shoot the same ammo, carry more ammo for either gun. Take the .44 mag and you can shoot everything from small coyote to grizzly. I suppose you could shoot rabbit too, a hard cast lead bullet would just shoot clean through the rabbit, leaving a nice little .410 caliber (maybe a little larger) hole. Now chance for expansion. Well, that's just theory. Maybe next small game season, I'll go try that. If I do, I'll be sure to give a report on how it performs. Last edited by sammoh; 12-28-2007 at 08:17 PM.

12-28-2007, 08:55 PM	#19
blaster Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: big pine key, florida Posts: 435	I've got an old style Ruger carbine. loaded with 265 gr flat points and 22.2 gr. of h-110, its a real thumper. the only thing I would trade it for is the Ruger Deerfield carbine because I would rather have a detachable magazine instead of the tube feed. __________________ peace through superior firepower

12-28-2007, 07:23 PM	#2
texnmidwest Listen to yur Inner Hippo Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: South east Wisconsin Posts: 3,357	Can't argue too much with that. May opt for a Ruger 44/99 carbine just for quicker follow up shots. Or just step up to a 45-70 just for the added whallop but that would also increase recoil. Tests by the great Jack O'conner showed that one of the best brush busters was the 12 gauge slug. But sticking to rifles I would choose the 45-70, 444 marlin, 450 marlin or (hee hee) 458 win mag. However, if I could find a nice ruger 44 carbine I would snap it up. That little 44 carbine has intrigued me for quite some time. Having an auto for quick follow up shots would be a plus. "If you hit what you are aiming at the first time you won't need a quick follow up shot." Book of Tex, Chapter 12 paragraph 2.

12-28-2007, 07:30 PM	#3
ArkansasHunter Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 10,675	I would much prefer the 35 Remington over the 44 mag. If I had to choose between the 3. The 35 calibers are deadly. Read up on the 35 caliber cartridges and you shall see. A.H

12-28-2007, 07:34 PM	#4
texnmidwest Listen to yur Inner Hippo Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: South east Wisconsin Posts: 3,357	Hey AH, If you had a choice between 30-30 and 35 rem may I assume you would choose the 35? I own both calibers and am trying to decide which Marlin 336 to put some money into. I tend to agree with you but what I read makes me doubt my own opinion. On paper both are equal but how has it performed for you in the woods and bushes?

12-28-2007, 07:45 PM	#5
ArkansasHunter Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 10,675	Hi feller and yes I would prefer the 35 Remington. I've never owned any 35 caliber rifle though. I was reading in a magazine sometime back about 35 calibers which were the 35...358...35 Whelen. I then sought out every thing I could find on the Internet. Do the same and you'll understand why I like them...A.H

12-28-2007, 07:58 PM	#7
texnmidwest Listen to yur Inner Hippo Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: South east Wisconsin Posts: 3,357	Well said!! ROFL!! Fun to debate though.

12-28-2007, 07:59 PM	#8
ArkansasHunter Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 10,675	I don't give a chit I like the 35 Reminton the best...A.H

12-28-2007, 08:17 PM	#11
357maxm Banned Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 37	Now you are talking sammoh.. I read on the garretts last night. They are great rounds... The site has a multitude of picture of LARGE game taken by the rounds. BuT they say the rounds wouldn't work in the lever action yet people still use them and the pictures show it.

12-28-2007, 08:18 PM	#12
texnmidwest Listen to yur Inner Hippo Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: South east Wisconsin Posts: 3,357	Burn the brush and use a 22-250.

12-28-2007, 08:20 PM	#13
ArkansasHunter Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 10,675	All Jokes aside I'm sure a 44 magnum is a jim dandy within it's ranges. Given the choices I like the 35 calibers. Each to there on likeing. texnmidwest you and your friend are very fortunit to have those 35's and what you paid for them, you got a deal ! Never ever get rid of it and try to buy your friends. There getting harder and harder to find because the people that have them love them and keep them...A.H

12-28-2007, 08:32 PM	#14
texnmidwest Listen to yur Inner Hippo Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: South east Wisconsin Posts: 3,357	Come on up to the snow country Arkansas and I will let you warm up my 35s barrel as much as you would like! When I was a kid the lever gun was old news and the 35s and 30-30s were "throwing rocks" at the game. I have learned. I love my marlins and will never part with them. Of course over the years I have also learned that if I have to take a 250 yard shot I ain't huntin' good enough!

12-28-2007, 08:35 PM	#15
sammoh Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 42	Garrett's site said the ammo isn't suggested for lever guns because the cartridge OAL is longer than your normal factory load .44 mag but after reading up on them, there are stories in Shotgun News and other magazines detailing how those cartridges were shot in Marlin and Winchesters (I read the other lever guns didn't chamber the longer cartridges properly). The 35 cal rifles are nice guns. Frankly though, if I were to downsize to a smaller caliber round, I'd go with a 308. More bang for the diameter of the hole. Of course, I'd really like not to carry more than one type of ammo in the field so again, it'll be the 44 mag for me.

12-28-2007, 08:40 PM	#16
357maxm Banned Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 37	tex .. you know most deer are shot from 50 to 150 yds and majority are taken at less than 100yds. the farthest shot I have ever made was a 400 meters (440 yds for those who don't know) and it was on a coyote with a .243. Usually, most of my deer and coyote was within 150 yds. I did shoot a mice at 10 feet once with my bb gun

12-28-2007, 08:49 PM	#17
texnmidwest Listen to yur Inner Hippo Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: South east Wisconsin Posts: 3,357	243 is a hell of a round for long range varmits. My varmit rifle is a Remington 700 VLS with a leupold 6.5 x 20. I once hit a pasture poodle at 425 yards (laser range finder). Please don't ask me to do it again. I don't think that was due to skill. LOL! Yep, you are right about the range most deer are killed. That was really my point. If as close as I can get to a deer is 300 yards I need to change the way I am hunting. I read about these guys who shoot elk and other game at extreme long ranges and I just shake my head. Yes, it is quite a show of marksmanship. And my hat is off to those that do it successfully, but I will leave that to them. I can't see that far and don't practice enough to attempt such feats.