I have the Marlin Cowboy but mine is chambered in .45LC . Just a little more case capacity than the .44 mag and i went to the .45LC for 300 grain bullets . I use 300 grain hard cast gas checked over 23 grains of H110 for 1,840 fps . Two deer , 3 bear and 1 moose . Both deer were about 110 to 120 yards . 3 bear were 50 to 60 yards and the moose was about 80 yards . This rifle with this load gives me 5 shot groups into 1.500 inches consistantly at 100 yards . I kinda , sorta messed up the shot on the broadside moose by pulling the first shot and putting the 300 grainer directly into the should . I saw the impact . The moose went down to my suprise but was trying to get back him . I ran to it and finished it off with a headshot . The whole shoulder bones the bullet entered were shattered , the opposite shoulder was broken and the bullet was found in the inside of the hide . Although trying , that moose wasn't getting back up . The bear and the deer were complete shoot throughs , a big hole in and a slightly bigger hole coming out . Those were one shot kills . 2 bears were killed on the spot with 1 making it 200 yards where i found it dead . Both deer took off and i found both dead 200 yards from where i shot them . The downside of my 300 grain hard cast is that they deform very little but the upside is that they will smash through heavy bone . For deer or bear soft or hollow points may be better . From my experience i'd go to 150 yards on deer , 100 yards on bear and 75 to 100 yards on moose . 23 grains of H110 under a 300 grain bullet is a top load but lots of guys use it and i experience no signs of pressure . I use the same load in my Ruger Super Blackhawk when i go deer hunting in Minnesota and Wisconsin .
.44 mag for Moose?
- Thread starter skokie
- Start date
Thanks, I appreciate your advice and experience.
ATR, I think that the .45LC is an overlooked cartridge, I myself had not considered it simply because the factory loads I have seen are so tame, but you make a good point and that load should do the job. I may end up buying more than one rifle, oh darn!
I have a Marlin 1895 GG in 45/70. I will never shoot leverevolution out of it again. Too much recoil. A 405 gr cast bullet at 1400 is more that enough.
I have two Marlin 336s, C and Y models. Leverevolution helps here to give a little more range and flattens the trajectory nicely.
I have a Marlin 1895 C in 44 magnum. I am not going to waste my time with Leverevolution. I can load cast bullets hotter and heavier.
Think about how many Moose you expect to hunt. Remember getting a moose tag in Ontario is like winning the lottery. For deer and bear, your more likely targets, the 44 mag should be more than enough if you place your shot correctly. Yes you have 9 or 10 second shots. But don't you want the bragging rights of a one shot kill?
Just my thoughts.
I have two Marlin 336s, C and Y models. Leverevolution helps here to give a little more range and flattens the trajectory nicely.
I have a Marlin 1895 C in 44 magnum. I am not going to waste my time with Leverevolution. I can load cast bullets hotter and heavier.
Think about how many Moose you expect to hunt. Remember getting a moose tag in Ontario is like winning the lottery. For deer and bear, your more likely targets, the 44 mag should be more than enough if you place your shot correctly. Yes you have 9 or 10 second shots. But don't you want the bragging rights of a one shot kill?
Just my thoughts.
I'd take the 45/70, or even the Casull over the .44 mag., but I wouldn't worry if i had to use a .44 on Moose. I'd load a heavy, cast flat point of over 300grs., at top speed, and the moose will be toast(with proper shot placement). This is not the same as using too small a caliber on big game, like the 243, 7.62x39, etc....It is what it is and a 325gr. bullet is just that.
So it would seem not so much a question of energy or force, but one of bullet placement and confidence in the round itself. As has been pointed out there are a handful of capable cartridges available in lever actions and a variety of loads to make them more suited to the job at hand. You make a good point tbrwlf, moose tags are hard to get, and I didn't get in the draw this year. Thanks for the advice, it really helps. You wouldn't believe the people here that tell you ya need a .375 h&h to go for moose, I know a guy who's go-to deer rifle is a .416 Rigby, needless to say we are not very close. I also know some farmers who wouldn't hesitate to take a gut shot at moose with a.22! Anyway thanks and keep the help coming.
blasted_saber
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- A blue part of Ontario
Go for it. Under 100m it will work fine.
I cant speak to 44mag, but Hornady LE is devastating on deer in 3030.
I hunt near Sprucedale just to the northwest of Huntsville and am well aware of the type of bush you hunt.
I cant speak to 44mag, but Hornady LE is devastating on deer in 3030.
I hunt near Sprucedale just to the northwest of Huntsville and am well aware of the type of bush you hunt.
hey skokie the rigby makes a fine deer rifle 
My 458 win is going black bear hunting this weekend,shoots as well as any rifle I own.It never seems to shoot over an 1" @ 100.
If you only see yourself going moose hunting infrequently and want a new rifle, I would go for something with more versatility... anything from 7mm up
My 458 win is going black bear hunting this weekend,shoots as well as any rifle I own.It never seems to shoot over an 1" @ 100.If you only see yourself going moose hunting infrequently and want a new rifle, I would go for something with more versatility... anything from 7mm up
Grit, I meant no disrespect to the cartridge, it is a powerful an venerable one, simply that I was always taught that a box of shells should never be more expensive that a tag for the animal you are hunting. Both the .416 and .458 are excellent on large game, perhaps too powerful for our ontario fodder, keeping in mind of course that even 5000 ft/lbs can't make an animal more dead. I must also add that i think you were right, I think I'm leaning toward the classic and also venerable .45-70. Thanks
I second it.
Edward Teach
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- who cares?
Get one of each.
I like the way you think
RememberTheSomme
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Nova Scotia
.44 Mag and Moose? No
.45-70 Big Bore classic and Moose? Solid 125yds may look for it for 75 yds, but if your an old time hunter, thats no problem right?
How about a BLR in .308WIN, now we have my minimun recommendation for moose and it will do the damage out to 250 yds. Deer and Black Bear the selection for the .308 is superb and unending.
You didn't say anything about Handloading in your OP and bordering your Rifle on a kaboom, so pick a good ballistic computer , compare the 3 cartridges above with their premium factory loads, see where they drop to 1500 ft/lbs(minimum reliable energy for penetration at target for moose, 2000 is better!) and then you decide how close you'd like to stand to Bullwinkle when you squeeze the trigger.
Brutus
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
I read a article from Guns & Ammo circa 1962 (the hardcover book) and good old Elmer Keith said he had a friend that used a Winchester Model 92 rechambered to 44 Magnum that this fellow used on elk close up in alpine meadows. He also did say hard cast bullets over 260 grains we used with much success. Can't see why it would not work with moose close up too. Seems there was some tracking involved too on well hit critters, but with big holes it sure made for a generous blood trail in the black timber. This puts this more akin to archery or traditional muzzleloader hunting, because there is less energy from the pistol case. I myself would confine my standing still broadside shots, to ranges less than 70 yards and shoot only in the early part of the day, so one has plenty of daylight for long tracking. Use WFN (300 grain or more, or don't do it at all) hard cast bullets, loaded to the maximum, just like the Garrett custom loads. Practice practice practice aplenty, before pulling the trigger on a critter.
I would be careful endorsing the 44 magnum over the 30-30. Mostly because I believe the 170 grain Nosler Partition in a 30-30 could easily outperform most all 44 Remington Magnum loads in two otherwise equal rifles.
I would be careful endorsing the 44 magnum over the 30-30. Mostly because I believe the 170 grain Nosler Partition in a 30-30 could easily outperform most all 44 Remington Magnum loads in two otherwise equal rifles.
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.44 Mag and Moose? No
.45-70 Big Bore classic and Moose? Solid 125yds may look for it for 75 yds, but if your an old time hunter, thats no problem right?
How about a BLR in .308WIN, now we have my minimun recommendation for moose and it will do the damage out to 250 yds. Deer and Black Bear the selection for the .308 is superb and unending.
You didn't say anything about Handloading in your OP and bordering your Rifle on a kaboom, so pick a good ballistic computer , compare the 3 cartridges above with their premium factory loads, see where they drop to 1500 ft/lbs(minimum reliable energy for penetration at target for moose, 2000 is better!) and then you decide how close you'd like to stand to Bullwinkle when you squeeze the trigger.
Not really a fan of the box mags, there are a number of .303 savage 99's available, but looking for a big bore, short to medium range, thanks for the statistics on moose , i was just about to ask about min energy on bullwinkle.
x2. A good stout 44 mag to the boiler room will result in .44 mag hole going in and bigger one probably going out. Moose is going to be in your freezer.
Pretty sure it's the same old problem of the deer and moose having internet access and finding out that they shouldn't die when they get a bloody great hole through them.
If the OP is a competent shot, a 44 Mag will be fine.
Were I in his position, I suspect I'd burn a fair amount of the midnight oil, trying to figure out the pros and cons between that and the 45-70.
Loading down is easy, loading up, easier in the bigger cartridge, I suspect.
Cheers
Trev
If the OP is a competent shot, a 44 Mag will be fine.
Were I in his position, I suspect I'd burn a fair amount of the midnight oil, trying to figure out the pros and cons between that and the 45-70.
Loading down is easy, loading up, easier in the bigger cartridge, I suspect.
Cheers
Trev
