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Post by scrub-buster on Nov 15, 2014 20:45:43 GMT -5
I'm thinking about saving up for a new deer gun for me and my son to share. I would like to get a 44 mag. in a lever action. I am on a very tight budget so cost will be the biggest factor in choosing one. I would want a scope on it for sure. Any suggestions on a good gun and an idea of what its going to cost? I have never owned a rifle other than a 22 so I'm lost in this area.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 15, 2014 20:53:12 GMT -5
My buddy loves his Marlin. Not sure how that compares to your price limits, but he LOVES that gun!
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Post by firstwd on Nov 15, 2014 21:53:43 GMT -5
The most cost easy way to get into the PCR game is the H&R Handi Rifle. While it is not a lever gun, they are quite accurate easy to find. I believe one can still be picked up at Gander Mountain with a scope for about $350. I've watched deer DRT at 120 yards with a .44 Mag Handi Rifle. I'm sure the same effect can be had with a lever gun, but I believe they will run about twice the price.
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Post by scrub-buster on Nov 15, 2014 22:42:20 GMT -5
That might be the way I have to go. I guess a single shot is all you need if you put it in the right spot.
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Post by windingwinds on Nov 15, 2014 22:55:33 GMT -5
My youngest son has a 44 h & r handirifle with a scope. I killed a very nice doe with it two years ago. Only thing I am cautious about is the blood trail was nonexistent. I just tracked her down a known deer trail about 80 yards. I have heard similar stories about lack of blood to track. (Was a liver shot)
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Post by scrub-buster on Nov 16, 2014 0:02:09 GMT -5
I've killed a few with a 44 mag revolver. Two dropped and the other ran a couple hundred yards. It left a decent blood trail. At least enough for me to follow. I have heard the same thing about the lack of blood though.
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Post by steve46511 on Nov 16, 2014 3:37:23 GMT -5
Always the odd ball, Ill still stick with my gut reaction and "what I would do if me" but it might be out of what you and yours like so take it FWIW. With the new proposal, I think I would wait and see how that goes. There are some entry level bolt guns out now in some decent short action rounds that one could pick from that are low recoil and versatile for both varmints and deer (within reasonable ranges). Nothing wrong with the 44mag. Ive used it myself. From my perspective I found that the 250 gr Keith style cast bullets were superior in a lot of ways for me to get DRT results that I prefer. With a handgun taking at least one of the shoulders out shortened any tracking job considerably for me and the 250gr Keith cast bullet provided me with several deer from a Contender pistol that went NO place but down. Regardless, I just feel there are better mouse-traps for a father-son combo rifle if the proposal goes through that would be usable year round which would be MY preference for me and my son. YMMV The more one uses any firearm achieving high levels of confidence by becoming just that much more familiar with it is probably at LEAST as important as what the particular cartridge it fires is capable of. The icing on that cake is Dad and Jr spending even MORE time out and about.  IMO ONLY, of course. God Bless ALWAYS good to see Dads taking the kids out!! |
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Post by ms660 on Nov 16, 2014 5:36:54 GMT -5
That might be the way I have to go. I guess a single shot is all you need if you put it in the right spot. One of my favorite quotes,I don't know who first said it "Pay heed to the man that carries a single shot rifle, for he likely knows how to use it". |
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Post by firstwd on Nov 16, 2014 6:16:45 GMT -5
About what Steve said, I have a handirifle in the cabinet in .243 as well. Same price range.
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Post by drs on Nov 16, 2014 6:26:06 GMT -5
Don't overlook Ruger's Model 77/44 bolt action carbine. I bought mine back in 1999 payed $350.00 for it NIB. It is very accurate and scope mounting is easy due to their built-in scope bases. With good factory or reloaded ammunition groups in my Ruger .44 Magnum run on average a shade under .75" @ 100 yards.
I use to have a Winchester Model 94 in .44 Magnum, but it was not the angle eject version, and scope mounting was not practical. I had a Gunsmith install a Lyman receiver sight on it which improved accuracy. The only fault I had with this '94 is that it KICKED like a Mule.
Your other Lever Action (Marlin) can be scope mounted, but I've heard that the bore diameter on this model is larger on some and smaller on other carbines. Also the rate of twist is slower than on the Ruger 77/.44 Magnum.
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Post by scrub-buster on Nov 16, 2014 7:06:38 GMT -5
Thanks guys. What are some of the calibers in the new proposal? It will probably pass or fail by the time I've put enough away to buy the gun. The only reason I was thinking 44 mag was because I hunt with my revolver and I could use the same ammo in both. I would be fine going with more of a rifle round than a handgun round if it passes. Might be easier to find a deal on a used rifle also.
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Post by scrub-buster on Nov 16, 2014 7:30:09 GMT -5
How soon will the new proposal be decided on? Bass pro has a .243 CVA Hunter Compact Single Shot Rifle with Scope for $250
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Post by Deleted on Nov 16, 2014 7:32:33 GMT -5
.243 and up would be legal if proposal passes. It would start next season is my understanding.
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Post by scrub-buster on Nov 16, 2014 7:38:57 GMT -5
when will we know if it passes?
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Post by scrub-buster on Nov 16, 2014 7:41:15 GMT -5
That CVA might work as a combo Christmas gift for me and my son. But I don't want to buy a rifle and then the proposal doesn't get approved. I'd be stuck with a gun I can't hunt with then.
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Post by schoolmaster on Nov 16, 2014 8:33:52 GMT -5
I have owned, shot, and hunted with all three of the rifles mentioned. The H&R single shot was consistently under two inches at 100 yards with WW white box ammo. The Ruger 77/44 was next at 2-3 inch groups and the Marlin lever action shot 4-6 inch groups. Just my experience. The best advice I can give you is to wait and save up your money and if they pass the high power law buy a Savage axis or a Ruger American in the caliber of your choice and get the best scope you can afford. I recently purchased a Savage axis in .223 and put a Leupold VX-1 3X9 on it. It shot into an inch at 100 yards using some cheap bulk ammo for Initial sighting.
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Post by drs on Nov 16, 2014 8:35:42 GMT -5
Thanks guys. What are some of the calibers in the new proposal? It will probably pass or fail by the time I've put enough away to buy the gun. The only reason I was thinking 44 mag was because I hunt with my revolver and I could use the same ammo in both. I would be fine going with more of a rifle round than a handgun round if it passes. Might be easier to find a deal on a used rifle also. Found this ad on another website: www.gunsinternational.com/RUGER-77-44-RS.cfm?gun_id=100502637I have a "gut" feeling that High Powered rifle proposal, for Indiana, won't pass, BUT it will be close. Due to the number of non-Hunters and City Folks, that don't understand firearms, that using a HP rifle is not anymore dangerous than using a rifled shotgun load or sabot M/L load, in a safe manner. <SAD>  It was like "PULLING TEETH" getting them to pass the ruling allowing the use of PCR's like the .44 Magnum in a long gun. |
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Post by foamyflyer on Nov 16, 2014 9:42:49 GMT -5
How soon will the new proposal be decided on? Bass pro has a .243 CVA Hunter Compact Single Shot Rifle with Scope for $250 CVA also has the Scout in 44 mag which is what I bought last spring. Using the Hornady FTX ballistic tipped hollow points. Hope to see how this combo works out. I think I'd wait and see what the regulations do before dropping cash on a new handgun caliber rifle. |
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Post by scrub-buster on Nov 16, 2014 9:44:22 GMT -5
I will wait and see. I was just thinking Christmas is a good time to fit in a purchase like that.
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Post by greyhair on Nov 16, 2014 23:03:20 GMT -5
Just my two cents worth - I have a Ruger 77/44 stainless all-weather. I put a good Nikon scope on it. I am extremely satisfied with it. I spent more than I wanted to, but I guarantee it will be around to hand down to one of the kids.
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