Marlin 1894 44 Mag for Moose
- Thread starter hawk-i
- Start date
What I like about the possibility of using a 44 magnum (out of a rifle) on a moose is the diameter and weight of the bullet but I have never used one for that purpose. I would expect it to work within 100 or less - yards, so I would give it the nod on that basis. I have only used the 30-06 (165 grain), 300 WSM (180 Grain), 300 Win mag (180 grain) and a 7mmRM (175 grain) on moose. Using more gun on a moose would easily fit the bill - like a 338 Win Mag, 35 Whelen, 9.3 x 62 or a 45-70. And if I was using a smaller and lighter caliber bullet I expect it could be done with a 7mm08, 308, 338 Federal, 358 Winchester. I think those have enough hitting power and would be fine too. One really doesn't know what any cartridge can do until it's used in real hunting situations. If we were talking about whitetail deer there are additional cartridges outside of the ones named above that will do the job adequately. Like the 243, 260 Remington, 30-30 Winchester, 35 Remington, 307 Winchester, 356 Winchester, 375 Winchester, 7x57, 7-30 Waters, and the 6.5 x 55 to name a few. Each cartridge has it's benefits and limitations to some degree. Some of these calibers can be used on whitetail deer, mule deer, caribou, moose and elk. There are many considerations and it's takes years to build credible knowledge to know what works, where and when.
I get what you are saying accept the part about "significantly more lethal then a .44Mag within their respective ranges"
If the animal dies not far from where the shot was made..... what's the significant difference?
Back in the 70's it was quite straight forward in BC to get a permit to take your handgun to General Delivery (Anywhere) for the purpose of target practice. No mention of hanguns in the hunting regs then. We took our pistols and practiced on... grouse, ptarmigan, small and large game as presented. I killed a mountain goat with one shot from my 357 mag but when I tackled a big bull moose at 15 yards I was badly undergunned, took nine good hits to put him down for keeps using hot loads with Hornady 158 gr jsp. In Arizona I have had one shot javelina kills with pistol and rifle in .41 mag, max maybe 40-45 pounds. Only kill with the .44 mag was a very large black bear, one frontal shot followed by a 50 yard fash, rifle a M94 in .44 mag and Speer Gold Dots. Moose with the .44 Mag? Not ideal but should be fine with a carefully placed shot and a good bullet. Pushing bush in thick willow swamp or jackpine or watching a lick or bait where legal. For moose you need penetration, they're big and their bones are strong and heavy. In a rifle look to Hornady 265 gr or similar heavy jacketed bullet or a heavy hard cast semi wadcutter profile like Elmer Keith recommended. Try to avoid the big heavy bones and bad angles.
Your knowledge and experience far out weighs mine in both these areas. Either way, your criticism of the 44Mag’s effectiveness as a short range moose shooter was over the top. Sometimes I think it surprises you when others disagree with you.
I am in the camp of with a suitable bullet placed well it will get the job done. Wouldn't be my first pick, but that doesn't really matter. You're looking at roughly muzzle loader performance with quicker follow up shots. Certainly a better performing choice than a .50 cal patched round ball.
ACKLEY ABE
Regular
- Location
- ST ALBERT, ALBERTA
Well said. Personally, I would and do take something else, but I have been very impressed with the 44 mag in The Marlin with 265's. Take a look at how many moose have been taken with a 30.30 and then look at the specs for both 30.30 and 44 mag out of a rifle. ... and no, I have not shot a moose with a 44 mag.
I did not criticize it, I said that I would not "choose it."
I have shot both bears and deer with .44 Mag carbines, but in my opinion moose have enough body mass to warrant a cartridge with more substantial means...
As far as disagreeing, I don't really care, everyone has an opinion, but I do have difficulty letting an erroneous or misleading statement stand... ie. Your statement about the lethality (or lack thereof) of archery equipment.
The average hunting bow can cleanly harvest much larger game than can a .44 Mag, up to and including cape buffalo... that is significant. I am not knocking anyones choices, simply acknowledging the physics and physiology involved in the application of both types of equipment. The dynamics of an archery wound make it more effective at penetrating. Coupled with the resulting tissue damage, it is an amazing thing to behold the brief final stages following a lethal archery hit... I have witnessed it hundreds of times and it is still an awesome thing to see.
BrotherRockeye
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Rural Saskatchewan
I concur.
I have had pass through on both deer and black bear that went back to feeding, teetered and fell over shortly after from blood loss. One black bear in particular, the arrow went through, and stuck into a 5 gallon pail lid on the ground behind him. He jumped at the sound of the lid being hit. He fell over dead while looking around for what made the noise. Saves time to bleed them out standing and definitely impacts the quality of the meat imo. No BOOM, no Adrenalin rush.
Lots of opinions and they are that only opinions . If you have no personal experience killing moose don't muddy the waters .Bow and firearm
hunting are two different games both are effective in the right hands but don't tell me you cannot kill a moose with a 44mag with the proper bullet . Excuse my rant but the BS is hard to swallow . My two cents and that's not worth much now days.
hunting are two different games both are effective in the right hands but don't tell me you cannot kill a moose with a 44mag with the proper bullet . Excuse my rant but the BS is hard to swallow . My two cents and that's not worth much now days.
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BrotherRockeye
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Rural Saskatchewan
I think you meant gun and bow...
If you are referring to my post as BS, I have a witness and possibly VHS tape of the pail lid kill...the "bleed them out standing" was tongue in cheek though.
And I've killed moose myself, as your stated qualification for replying in this thread, just prefer my 7RM for the job.
Since you aren't a mod or the OP you might wanna rethink trying to police someone else's thread.
Yer 2 cents is worth the same as everyone else's...
Yet another highjacked thread guns to bows to funny. And yes I meant bow post edited sorry old age. Lots of advice but the question was 44mag will it do the job simple yes or no . No reference to your bow kill I have bowhunted recurve to the present I know what a broadhead will do if placed properly.
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BrotherRockeye
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Rural Saskatchewan
No worries, threads here have a habit of going off the rails and coming back. Nothing wrong with a spur line if it's a short one.
the thing is, it's not a simple yes or no question as posed by the OP. Bullet, range of game etc play a role. I'd use mine in ideal circumstances but rarely when hunting does a fella encounter ideal circumstances...me anywho...
Love your Province hunted Moose mountain area years back 200 plus shots were the norm with my Win 270 . Most of my Moose and deer hunting has been in Ontario swamps with the Ruger 44 and Remington 350 mag and Win 338 where 10 feet to 140 yard shots are the norm they have been great tools as have my Hoyt and Matthews compounds. The 44 Mag inside of 100 yards with the right placement and bullet is a killer.
I want to see a picture of an 800lb buck
I learned something last fall when hunting moose in the northern part of NB, where the majority of people are of French background, that is that it is common for the folks there to refer to bull moose as bucks.
