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Big Bore II
I hope this shortens the load time of the previous thread for a while.
Doc, I use a .44 Mag rifle and I like it. Mine is the old Ruger Carbine that is more like a shotgun action than a rifle. I also like the Marlin Levers. I also have the Marlin in .357 Mag and it is also a good gun. I know Browning and other make good .44 guns.
I had a Big Bore top manufactured for an AR15. It shoots one of my favorite calibers...10mm. It uses M3A greasegun magazines. 10mm does real well in a rifle, although you will probably not find many around.
These are guns that I love to take with me for general purpose use, especially when I am carrying a pistol of the same caliber.
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Big Bore II
A 10 mm in a lever gun now there is a capital idea. My dad used a ruger 44 mag carbine for years. I can not think of any thing I do not like about the cartridge with the exception of wanting another 50 yards. I like the 45-70 and have had a few over the years but I am not fond of the recoil and have thus far shyed away from the 444 although I admit to likeing it ballisticly. I do like the overall deseign of the Marlins and have had a few of the newer ones. The thing I really disslike about them is the trigger pull and the fact that it is not adjustable except with a lot of patience and a stone. The modern Winchsters certainly have their drawbacks as well. It sure seams like someone new wwould step up to the plate and make a high quality lever gun with a decent piece of wood, case colored options and a real trigger.
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Big Bore II
Doc, I have a Marlin 444S on consignment right now, asking $350, if you are interested.
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Big Bore II
Mark, thanx but for all the reasons above I sold off the Marlins I had. The 444 is just too brutal for me. I am planning on picking up a model '94 trapper in 44 mag next week. I do like the Marlin concept/deseign but I really think they need to put more fit and finish in their product. On The other hand they have a huge following based on a very affordable price tag and that is more than a fair price. I do like the Case colored cowboy special they came out with all though I am not sure which pocket protector pencil pusher came up with the brilliant idea of only chambering it in 38 special. Good grief at least use an actual origional caliber like 44-40.
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Big Bore II
There was a 44 Mag pump rifle imported from IMI a few years ago called the Timberwolf. A friend of mine had one and I really liked it, but they were in short supply and I was never able to find one. I haven't looked for one for a long time, especially after I acquired the Ruger Carbine.
Ruger is making a pump or lever action 44 Mag with a 4 round rotary mag like the 10-22 style magazines if I am not mistaken. I do like having a little more magazine capacity with the Marlins, Winchesters and other classic style lever guns.
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Big Bore II
The new rugers I have seen are levers. I am certainly a 44 mag fan. I am getting the trapper for a couple of reasons, I like the cartridege, with a 16" barrel and a fixed 4 power scope it will be a great brush gun and very reliable plus it will weigh next to nothing. I really like this type of gun, for the connection to the past. Lever action trapper with the classic Winchester look. Dont let me sound like I am singing the praises of the USRAC as they could use a real shot in the quality cheek as well. I used to see a lot of old Winchester model 92's that had been converted to 44 mag in the late 60's but I haven't seem one in a long time. I remember reading a article about a fellow who I think was one of Elmer Keiths pards. He used the converted Model 92 in 44 mag almost exclusively includeing on safari for a succesful elephant hunt.
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Big Bore II
With the right loads, elephant can be on the menu.
Larry Kelly (of Magna-port fame) has shot factory soft-points completely through the chests of some very large Brown bears.
The Ruger 44 mangle-en rifles can be a little fussy about ammo because of the autoloading mechanism and the limited magazine length in the rotary magazine. The Marlins and Winchesters are more forgiving.
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Big Bore II
My Ruger Carbine is very fussy about loads. It will only work the auto action with heavy loads. That is not a problem, because most of my handloads speak with authority. The old carbine has a tubular magazine with a floor trap door. It operates like an auto shotgun magazine and feed system. I did not put a scope on the carbine, but opted for a Williams peep sight instead.
I have the typical problem with eyes that are over 40, and I have trouble using open sights in many cases. Peep sights work well for me as well as scopes. I can use open sights, but they are more than just a little blurry even with my glasses and so my precision is not as good.
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I think I have also read his input on bullet selection for the 44 mag in the Nosler reloading manual but I am not positive. Magna Port is just a few miles away from my wifes office. They are just outside the Selfridge ANG base. When it comes to lever guns I probably am a bit of a snob or at least I have pretty strong opinions. I do prefer the Winchesters but for me the Marlins can come a pretty close second especially on some of the older ones with the case colored frames. If its case colored I like it !
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They are a little expensive and I have never bought one, but I really like some of the high quality Sharps rifles with the long barrels in 45-70. I have seen some beautiful case hardening/coloration on some of those guns. The workmanship from some of the guns coming from South Dakota or somewhere in that area is outstanding. I don't remember who the manufacturer is.
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