Marlin 1894 44 Magnum rifle for Elk?
#1
Marlin 1894 44 Magnum rifle for Elk?
I am not planning on using the said rifle for elk hunting, but rather I just want to know peoples opinion on it. The thought has crossed my mind though since it is the most comforatable rifle to carry for extended periods that I have. Where we will be hunting elk next weekend is very brushy and has little open terrain, so a brush gun would be ideal. Does it have enough power to take down an elk out to 100 yards? Or should I just stick with my .270 Winchester and use the 140 gr. Nosler ballistic tips that I worked up?
#2
Typical Buck
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 666
RE: Marlin 1894 44 Magnum rifle for Elk?
I wouldn't say it is too light, but it is limited on range. People do shoot elk with the 44 mag in handguns. In the brush in that gun it may be the right match. Go with a 240 grain or heavier bullet.
#3
RE: Marlin 1894 44 Magnum rifle for Elk?
I have about 100 Hornady 240gr hollow points worked up, would those work the best or should I use a lead cast 240gr bullet or the Winchester Platinum tips that I have?
#4
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location:
Posts: 218
RE: Marlin 1894 44 Magnum rifle for Elk?
With-in 100 yards, a 44mag from a rifle barrel will DRT any elk that walks the earth, with proper bullet placement.
I would prefer 240gr SJFP's over HP's..
Shoot till' they fall over.
early
I would prefer 240gr SJFP's over HP's..
Shoot till' they fall over.
early
#5
RE: Marlin 1894 44 Magnum rifle for Elk?
I wouldnt worry about any well placed shot out to 75-100 yards. I wouldnt use hollow point bullets in it though. Ive found that jacketed soft points are very good hunting ammo for a 44 mag. We tryed hollow points on deer for a few years and they didnt perform too well. I use my 44 mag handgun as bear protection when hunting so i want a bullet thats going to do its job.
#6
RE: Marlin 1894 44 Magnum rifle for Elk?
ORIGINAL: TUK101
I am not planning on using the said rifle for elk hunting, but rather I just want to know peoples opinion on it. The thought has crossed my mind though since it is the most comforatable rifle to carry for extended periods that I have. Where we will be hunting elk next weekend is very brushy and has little open terrain, so a brush gun would be ideal. Does it have enough power to take down an elk out to 100 yards? Or should I just stick with my .270 Winchester and use the 140 gr. Nosler ballistic tips that I worked up?
I am not planning on using the said rifle for elk hunting, but rather I just want to know peoples opinion on it. The thought has crossed my mind though since it is the most comforatable rifle to carry for extended periods that I have. Where we will be hunting elk next weekend is very brushy and has little open terrain, so a brush gun would be ideal. Does it have enough power to take down an elk out to 100 yards? Or should I just stick with my .270 Winchester and use the 140 gr. Nosler ballistic tips that I worked up?
I would NOT use a .270-caliber Ballistic Tip on elk-it tends to break up too quickly. It is a good deer bullet, but it is not tough enough for a bull elk, especially if you are close, where the bullet doesn't have a chance to slow down much before it hits! I'd use a Nosler Partition 150-grainer on elk in the .270 Win.
#7
RE: Marlin 1894 44 Magnum rifle for Elk?
Thanks for all of the advice. Actually, on the hollow point bullets for the 44, I listed them wrong, they are JHC, or jacketed hollow cast bullets. I think that I will just use the Winchester Platinum tips. They are designed for large game. I suppose that a Core Lokt bullet would break up too fast out of the .270 too?
#8
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location:
Posts: 218
RE: Marlin 1894 44 Magnum rifle for Elk?
ORIGINAL: TUK101
I suppose that a Core Lokt bullet would break up too fast out of the .270 too?
I suppose that a Core Lokt bullet would break up too fast out of the .270 too?
early
#9
RE: Marlin 1894 44 Magnum rifle for Elk?
That is probably what I am going to have to hunt with then, since I wasted all my extra ammo money on those Nosler Ballistic tips lol. I will waite to use the 1894 for that type of hunting till after I throw some peep sites on it and get it grouping descently out to 100 yards. At least with the .270 I am confident in being able to hit where I am aiming out to about 200 yards.
#10
RE: Marlin 1894 44 Magnum rifle for Elk?
ORIGINAL: TUK101
Thanks for all of the advice. Actually, on the hollow point bullets for the 44, I listed them wrong, they are JHC, or jacketed hollow cast bullets. I think that I will just use the Winchester Platinum tips. They are designed for large game. I suppose that a Core Lokt bullet would break up too fast out of the .270 too?
Thanks for all of the advice. Actually, on the hollow point bullets for the 44, I listed them wrong, they are JHC, or jacketed hollow cast bullets. I think that I will just use the Winchester Platinum tips. They are designed for large game. I suppose that a Core Lokt bullet would break up too fast out of the .270 too?