44mag rifles accuracy

[artjr338wm]

Was wondering what is the typical accuracy to be expected out of Marlin lever action rifles with scopes in .44 magnum, and scoped Ruger bolt actions in .44 magnum. Was at the range recently in IN and was quite surprised at how poorly these rifles were being shot by their owners. I was getting much better accuracy out of my 10ML-II and even my Marlin 512 Slug Master. I am hoping this was a case of operator error, but this poor accuracy was the case with no less than five scoped Marlins and 2 scoped Rugers.

I will add they were all shot using factory ammo. My best guess without having actually measured any of the groups was the average at 100yrds was 2.5-3.5" for a three shot group. Granted that is well with in "minuet of animal" accuracy, but for well over $500 for the eithor rifle I should think it could shoot a little better, but then again, any rifles accuracy is 100% dependent on the person pulling the trigger.

Thanks,
Arthur.

[whyohe]

Art, I have a Marlin 44Mag lever action and got about 2.5 inch accuracy at 100 yards with factory ammo too. I think in alot of cases 2 to 2.5 is normal. Me not being satified with that too i went out looking and i actually found a guy that manufactures a load specifically for this gun! Moutaineer Custom Carterage. it is a 200 grn Hornady XTP shooting at 1950 fps 10 feet from barrel and i git just over an inch. now i think that is pretty darn good out of a short barrel lever action. I hope other chime in and i hope im not the only one that had this problem too. the only other factory ammo that shot well out of mine was Winchester supreeme silvertip 210 grn. i got 2 inch and under from that. now i have not shot the new leverloution ammo but i hear it does pretty good!

[tar12]

I bought a H&R .44 Rem Mag for my daughter.So far I have been able to easily keep everything under 1 in. It has the Marlin bull barrel and flat shoots lights out! $200 out the door... ;D









It is also fond of 240 grn XTPs....

[ricksalisbury01]

I can get the Ruger 77/44 to shoot subsonic 240g XTP and 300g XTP's to group MOA to Sub-MOA at 100, and hit 12in X 12in Steel at 300 yards. That said, the factory barrel has been tensioned, and the rifle is integrally suppressed. I have never fired "off-the-shelf" ammo through it (defeats the point of having a suppressed system, and I am unsure how well the baffles will tolerate the pressure of a 44 mag full house load). Based on my research prior to having the 77/44 built, the Ruger 77/44 mag is generally around a 2 MOA rifle. Just drop in an aftermarket trigger sear, and know that this is a 200 yard gun. Bottom line, the super sonic, and transonic factory ammo is dropping like a rainbow passed 150 yards.

[ricksalisbury01]

One more note...The Ruger 77/44 is very sensitive to COAL. Many have found that the COAL for most accurate shooting exceeds the length that will fit into the magazine, turing your reapeater into a single shot!

[Rifleman]

I have not shot the Ruger, but have set up several of the Marlins. I typically shoot the 240 gr Win JSP Q load. I like the terminal ballistics of that load. Reloads must be of very good quality to function with the lever guns, as they can be somewhat problematic when it comes to feeding anyway. If you use mixed batches of brass with different length, you will be constantly adjust dies to get the crimp right, just a hassle. Anyway as far as accuracy, well these Marlins are not tack drivers out of the box. If I do it all right, it can hold 2 moa. These rifles are fussy about heat as well. Once it gets hot, it is flier city. Also they are sensitive to hold, and placement of the front bag. But where they shine is with a cold clean barrel zero. If you take the time to zero to a cold shot, clean barrel set up, one can often place that first shot on a quarter at 100 yds. My personal 1894 is just an average shooter that demonstrates the traits I mentioned. However it is now refered to as Mary Money, because when Marys talks, it's money honey. This deer season I shot a coyote on the run at 80 yds, a doe in the bean at 25, a doe left handed at 55, a buck on a hard run at 35 yds which I shot twice just 'cause he did not know he was allready dead, and another yote down in a holler at 95 yds. Not a fancy rifle, but shoots good enough and doesn't kick the snot out of me. It holds zero and I trust it. Last year I dropped a buck at 150 offhand. So I don't let the paper bother me on this one, it does fine.

Tar 12- Rick don't take this wrong, as I am not commenting on your shooting or reporting. Me and you have shot enough that I know your a shooter. But, I noticed the very fine groups you posted were all 50 yd targets. I notice with my 44 lever guns that they will shoot about as well at 50, but at 100 things open up more then I would expect from the 50 yd results. So my friend, tell me, have you had opportunity to shoot your rifle at 100 much? I shot my Marlin the other day at 200 and it was not pretty. I suspect that my ammo choice may be partially to blame at the longer ranges, and am considering testing some of the expensive leverpollution ammo at 200, if you can tell indicate to me it is worth the expense, as I have about a case and a half of the Q loads allready. ( I know I am an ammo hoarder, but everyone loves that about me when they need some ;D)
I still consider a 358 hoosier whitetail wildcat, but with all the fuss over the regs seems like a gamble to spend the big bucks when the rules keep changing.
I was also thinkin of getting a Ruger to try, but in the mean time I have no problem at all tagging out with my second hand Marlin.
Anyway Rick, tell me about your testing with the Leverolution ammo at 100 and beyond if you can.
Also there Private Snowball, you mentioned that the rifle you have has the Marlin bull barrel. Does this rifle come available with different barrel contours? I thought they were all the same. Can you take a pic that would show the contour so I know what to look for on the used market.
Thanks Dwight

[tar12]

Dwight,
The only 2 that have held @1in at 100 yds has been the 225 FTX and the Hornady 240 XTP.I shot the white box winchesters @100 yds and did like the accuracy compared to the Hornady.As far as barrel contour goes this barrel is thicker than the other 2 examples of .44 rifles that I have seen. I call it a bull barrel but it may not be. It looks like all of the other H&R .44 rem mags you see setting on the racks at the local sporting goods stores.I will be doing some 200 yd testing as I like packing this little dude and want to see what it is capable of.Shania got the honor of doing the first hair test with the 225 FTX.Big doe facing her @approx 60 yds.She put the crosshairs where the neck meets the sternum and let her fly.She dropped right there with part of the FTX exiting out the right side.I was surprised by that.So thats it in a nut shell there Sgt. Creampuff. I have some more ammo ordered and will report back with the 200 yd results....

[Rifleman]

Thanks for the reply Rick.

[deadeye]

i have noticed out long & longer (125-200yds) a vertical stringing not to shooter error but gas seepage aka straight walled cartridge.

[Chris Champion]

Pvt. Snowball & Sgt. Creampuff...

Too funny ;D