Which 44 carbine/rifle...

[panzer426]

Should I get a Marlin 1894 44 Mag lever action or a Ruger semi auto 44 mag?

Truck gun, brush/thick country white-tail deer rifle, home defense gun, target/fun gun. Leaning towards the Marlin but I know nothing about Ruger except that they make great revolvers and 22's...I assume that reputation holds true with their semi autos? Which would you pick and why? Both handle powerfull 44 magnum loads and wil function 44 specials. Weight is about the same.

Marlin has 10 round capacity and Ruger only has 4+1. Not being used to fight off invading armies or even in a function where quick target re-aquisition is important so huge magazine capacity is not a big factor...only as far as having to stop shooting targets in order to reload.

Both accept scopes fairly easily...not even sure I would scope either one though as I will not have more than 150 yard shots, mostly under 100 yards.

[jim]

I vote for the Marlin. I've used them, and prefer them, but the Ruger could be a very good gun also. No experience there.

jim

[BamaGator]

I vote for the Marlin lever action. I dont have one, but I want one in .357

[Whiskey_D.]

As much as I love Rugers I still would have to go with the Marlin. I have a Marlin in .357 and love it.It's a great little dear rifle for around here.

[scoutinlife]

My vote is for the Marlin love lever actions I have a Winchester 44 mag and would not trade it for anything my brother-law has a marlin 44 mag and it's a great shooter as well!n It's the go to gun next to a 22 cal that you'll end up grabing for the most when your trekking around in the woods matter of fact the 22 I grab the most is a lever action as well!!!

[hunter63]

I have two of the Rugers .44 mag.
Love them, but the action gets stiff in very cold weather, hard to chamber.
They did make a lever action for a couple of years, Almost look the same,'cept w/ a lever.

I am looking at the Henry "Big Boy", as I have "The Golden Boy". So they would "match".

IMO the .44 mag is a poor hunting load, 'cept at close range. Big and SSLLOOWW.
I swear that at 100 yds, you hear the "bang",then can almost see the bullet go down range, then hear the "wap".

[DM]

I've taken several whitetails with my "old" Ruger carbine chambered in 44 mag.... It's a pretty good deer rifle out to 150 yards.... a little closer is better..

Buy the rifle that "fits" you best, not what someone else likes... You are the one that is going to be useing it.... Shoulder them both and see which one YOU like best....

DM

[Bearfootfarm]

Youd be better off with the Marlin if you want to shoot 44 Specials. The Ruger Semis dont like lead bullets. They can clog up the gas system