I have a .22, 30-30, .35 rem, and a .450 Marlin all in Marlin lever actions. They are all fun to shoot though you don't want to shoot the .450 too many times in a row. We play with mine and shoot a lot of different things with it and it is amazing what it will do. It works great on hogs as well which is what I bought it for. For what you are wanting the .44 might be best.