.44 mag for Moose?
- Thread starter skokie
- Start date
I like the .45/70 since she's a big pussycat in factory form and can be loaded pretty stout at the bench. I don't know anything shy of the Big 5 that would get up from a well-placed full-power .45/70 hit. Even then...
On a big bull at 100 yds. in the hands of an AVERAGE hunter shooting a quick shot off hand, the .44 mag is likely to wound. Same scenario with a moderately loaded .45-70 and the moose is likely to go down. Why handicap yourself with an expert"s rifle that needs ideal conditions to succeed?
- Location
- Lakes District BC
44 mag 240gr @100 yards is still over 1000 fpe and over 1200fps so weres the wounding here?
the boiler room is the boiler room and 1 in it = dead moose
the other factor is recoil of a 44 to a 45-70 + cost of ammo etc , 45-70 is a great cartridge but not the end all lever gun moose rifle
Yes, I read all your posts, and you were critical of the 44 Magnum for this purpose, so I wanted to know what your experiences with it was. Now I know that you have none, so I'll disregard your opinion and pay attention to others that have.
No, I don't own a 44 Mag. This is one of the reasons I was asking, since you seemed to have a strong opinion about it, I thought that you actually had experience with it.
moose cartridge 44 mag or 45-70
45-70 hands down over the 44 mag if you have the choice But would not hesitate to shoot a moose with a 44 mag with the right bullet and load- my 44 mag marlin is now owned by another gun nutz member -it has shoot moose (2) but not by me - the priv owner shot them with factory 44 rem mag 240gr ammo - no problem!
45-70 hands down over the 44 mag if you have the choice But would not hesitate to shoot a moose with a 44 mag with the right bullet and load- my 44 mag marlin is now owned by another gun nutz member -it has shoot moose (2) but not by me - the priv owner shot them with factory 44 rem mag 240gr ammo - no problem!
RememberTheSomme
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Nova Scotia
Will I guess with that, I'll sign off for both of us then.
Look. But do not post.
Post. But share not opinions
Opinions. They are like a$$holes ,everyones got one, right Gatehouse?
Will I guess with that, I'll sign off for both of us then.
Look. But do not post.
Post. But share not opinions
Opinions. They are like a$$holes ,everyones got one, right Gatehouse?
I didn't actually offer an opinion on the 44 Mag on this thread.
Your opinion was without any real knowledge of the topic, but I am not saying you should not share it, after all, everyone has one.
No personal experience with the .44 mag, but have heard it referred to as a "gangrene" gun around the camp more than once. I suspect this has more to do with inexperienced hunters taking pot shots at running deer than anything else.
I have never shot a moose with a 44, but have shot a number of bear. Three of the bear I have takken with the 44 were a quite a bit above average in size.From what I have seen it worked every bit as good as anyting else I had ever taken a bear with. All shot in the vitals, and not the ass I might add.
These average shooters you speak of are really bad shots. They would likely wound with anything availabe from the picture you paint.
The name was probably started by that guy.
These average shooters you speak of are really bad shots. They would likely wound with anything availabe from the picture you paint.
The name was probably started by that guy.
.44m vs the factory 45-70....toss-up for me but in that case I think the .44M would be my choice.
.44m vs 45-70 handloads...not even close the 45-70 is far superior..IMHO.
Either one will do the jo
)
What I have seen is far more penetration with .44m vs the 30-30 on deer, I would suggest the same results would occur on moose.
.44m vs 45-70 handloads...not even close the 45-70 is far superior..IMHO.
Either one will do the jo
)What I have seen is far more penetration with .44m vs the 30-30 on deer, I would suggest the same results would occur on moose.
Amazing discussion. I owned a .44 Mag Marlin as well as 7 inch wheelgun, and home-loaded for both. Problem is the muzzle blast, not the recoil. AND even a .308W has more killing power at 200 yds than the .44 has at 40.
I only used the Marlin on warthog at close range and it was quite good, save for the blast. I hunt everything from Eland (moose size, and heavier that the African Buffalo) down to springbok with my .308W. Have never needed to shoot more than one shot as it is an old thing not to take any chance on wounding.
If your moose is standing quite still at 50 yds and happens to be perfectly side-on as well, well then maybe go for it if you can consistently hit a 100 mm diameter soup plate offhand at 50 yds with your .44 Mag lever gun.
100 yds and moving? And not side on so that you have to penetrate through the font shoulder meat and bone to reach the vitals? Not me - I do not pull the trigger unless I am sure the bullet goes into the heart-lung area and penetrates either right trough or at least to the opposite skin.
I only used the Marlin on warthog at close range and it was quite good, save for the blast. I hunt everything from Eland (moose size, and heavier that the African Buffalo) down to springbok with my .308W. Have never needed to shoot more than one shot as it is an old thing not to take any chance on wounding.
If your moose is standing quite still at 50 yds and happens to be perfectly side-on as well, well then maybe go for it if you can consistently hit a 100 mm diameter soup plate offhand at 50 yds with your .44 Mag lever gun.
100 yds and moving? And not side on so that you have to penetrate through the font shoulder meat and bone to reach the vitals? Not me - I do not pull the trigger unless I am sure the bullet goes into the heart-lung area and penetrates either right trough or at least to the opposite skin.
Well, after checking the poll today I see a distinct hankering for the buffalo cartridge, almost a hundred voters and 58 figure on the .45-70, that seals it for me. I just have to decide, Marlin Cowboy or Shiloh Sharps? Ah, decisions, decisions.
RememberTheSomme
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Nova Scotia
Well Skokie now you have made your choice. You read all the banter and got lots and lots of opinions from experienced hunters
Now it's the Rifle that will chamber it for you. Guide gun???
Good luck, you have chosen an excellent go to caliber in a Big Bore Lever.
If you ever wonder from this choice, never rule out the BLR in .308W. A very practical choice in your woods, because I believe they are very similar to mine.
Well Skokie now you have made your choice. You read all the banter and got lots and lots of opinions from experienced hunters
Now it's the Rifle that will chamber it for you. Guide gun???
Good luck, you have chosen an excellent go to caliber in a Big Bore Lever.
If you ever wonder from this choice, never rule out the BLR in .308W. A very practical choice in your woods, because I believe they are very similar to mine.
Thanks, I always appreciate experience from whoever will offer it, I must say that there sure is it alot of experience in these forums. Thanks again and happy hunting.
Northman999
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Southern Yukon
I know two fellows (my brother being one) who hunted everything in the Yukon except Bison (couldn't hunt them at the time) with .44 mag rifles. They kept their shots to about 100 yards and used 240 - 265 grain bullets and neither of them ever had a wounded animal. Within range, the 44 mag in a rifle is quite an effective big game cartridge.
This statement is entirely true, don't get me wrong. A .44 hole is a .44 hole, but in specific where I hunt, I want to put the moose on the ground. Especially on a slightly angled shot, from a distance. Reason being this, if he is hit and starts running, he is going to end up in the swamps near the Big East River. Honestly if he falls in the mud, he'll sink, and pulling a dead moose out of the muskeg is not my idea of fun. I'm not saying it WILL happen just that it's a distinct possibility, one I would like to avoid if at all possible. Again .44 magnum, would definitely do the job, .45-70 doesn't make him deader, but perhaps is a little more forgiving. Happy Hunting.
