Marlin 44 or 357 for hunting

[Unoid]

My only IN legal hunting gun would have to be a shotgun. My .270 and ar-15's are a no go. My 870 with 20" barrel is more of a smooth bore bird gun than a slug shooter.

I'm thinking of picking up a Marlin in 357 or 44. Ammo prices seem very close to the same. Which would you go for for hunting?

I assume the 44 magnum would be best. How accurate are people hunting with iron sights on marlins and 44 or 357?

100 yards standing 10" group possible?

 

[longbarrel]

Marlin is out of business in Jan. I would consider alternatives. .44 mag is good. Out of an 1894, you can get a 10" group with iron sites.

 

[Nsw550]

44 mag for sure! Much more knock down power

 

[jnicol6600]

Ive got an 1894ss in 44mag. It shoots about 4" groups at 100yds with factory remington ammo. I havent played with reloads for accuracy yet. I assume I can do better. It will not stabilize 300 grain bullets.
Ive heard some people have problems with accuracy from these guns but marlin is pretty good about customer service.
AS far as 44vs 357 Id say go with what suits you best. Both will kill a deer.
btw Marlin is not going out of business just moving

 

[ironjaw]

Me personally I like the .357, but I have shot the marlin 44. 10" groups at 100 yards is easy to do if your not trying. If you get a 44 marlin and practice with it enough...2" groups standing without a rest is very feasible.

 

[paperboy]

I have hit an 8" plate at 110 yrds with a Marlin 44. At regular deer hunting distances, that kind of accuracy is perfect.

 

[hntrdav]

I have a 44 and 357 and they both shoot well. I always seem to take the 357 hunting because my handloads are more accurate in it. They are both easily 150yd deer guns.

 

[Unoid]

Sounds like I'm sold! Now I just need to find a used one!

500+ for brand new one doesn't suit me well. My ar-15 pistol build was costly :P

 

[hntrdav]

You can get a HR single shot 44 or 357 for around $300 new if you want to go that route.

 

[kwatters]

You can get a HR single shot 44 or 357 for around $300 new if you want to go that route.

That is the route I took for cheap. Put a Nikon scope on it and love it. You only need one shot from a .44 to put a deer down.

 

[Jack Ryan]

I assume the 44 magnum would be best. How accurate are people hunting with iron sights on marlins and 44 or 357?

100 yards standing 10" group possible?

If you can do it with a 22, you can do it with either 44 or 357. I use a NEF 44.

 

[prtrrssll]

dont know about 357 probably be ok but i bought a 44 SS marlin last year never go back to a shot gun 50 yards little bigger than a quarter 100 deadly also

 

[Zoub]

My 870 with 20" barrel is more of a smooth bore bird gun than a slug shooter.

100 yards standing 10" group possible?

Is it about hunting or buying a gun? Both are fine but if money is an issue just buy a used rifled barrel for your 870 and make it a tack driver or as I call it a poor mans 50 caliber. For that matter a cheap muzzle loader works.

If it is about gun buying, to me the coolest lever gun lately is the stainless steel 16" Rossi in .357 or .44. The single shots are cheap beaters too.

 

[WLW]

Is it about hunting or buying a gun? Both are fine but if money is an issue just buy a used rifled barrel for your 870 and make it a tack driver or as I call it a poor mans 50 caliber. For that matter a cheap muzzle loader works.

If it is about gun buying, to me the coolest lever gun lately is the stainless steel 16" Rossi in .357 or .44. The single shots are cheap beaters too.

A lot of good practical advice!

 

[Leadeye]

I always liked the 44 Marlins, have had one for 30 years. I shoot 265 grain cast in it now, lots less expensive and I don't give up any accuracy.

 

[rhart]

Sounds like I'm sold! Now I just need to find a used one!

500+ for brand new one doesn't suit me well. My ar-15 pistol build was costly :P

You and everybody else wants to find a good used one for 300 bucks!
Its very hard to find a clean used one for much less than brand new. New can even be hard to find. Since the new laws, these have brought a premium and even been very hard to find.
There is a certain romance to lever guns, but there are advantages to single shots as well.
Good luck either way.

 

[jy951]

I'd definitely go with 44 mag. You might consider the Puma/Rossis for a little cheaper and the Ruger 96/44 Bolt action 44 Mag. Although the Ruger might not be so cheap.