I would love to try out a Marlin 1894 in .44 Mag for deer hunting...of course, I would also enjoy trying out my brother's father-in-laws Winchester lever action .45 LC.

I would equip the Marlin with a compact scope (since the entire rifle is only 36" long or so...look wierd with the scope sticking out past the barrel...LOL) and quick release rings, so that the open sights could be quickly available...

Most ML sabots are .44 caliber slugs, so I would imagine that you would get similar performance (my experience has been very positive).

I wish more people could realize what a great deer rifle a 44mag really is. Most all Ive seen are really short, light, and easy to handle and deadly on deer out to 100+ yds. My boss uses a marlim 1894 cowboy in 45lc for woods stalking and has dropped quite a few deer while I was around. A 44mag has a slight egde over a 45lc so there ya go. :) Ive been thinking about the cowboy myself to compliment my 1895 cb in 45-70. :)

Based on the wealth of experience on the blackpowder forum with many guys using .44 mag bullets in their muzzys, I'd recommend a jacketed hollow point in the 240 grain range. The 2 that seem to be the most popular and most effective are the Hornady XTP and the Speer Gold Dot. Either one would make a fine choice.

Ihave used a 44 mag frequently for deer in my Ruger superrehawk and TC both in Ohio and Pa. I have found that Speer gold dot 270 grnsp and Hornady 300XTP shoot terrific. in factory. I also handload speer 270GDsp H110 21 grns and at 100 yds of the bench i can shoot 2 in grps consistently and have shot some nice deer in Ohio with it, It seem my guns prefer the heavier load but you cant go wrong with 240GDSP.

Killed my first Whitetail with one about 27 years ago- remember it like it was yesterday. Small 8 pt that seemed like a BOONER at the time! Shot him with an XTP 240 and didn't have to follow- watched him go down. It will get the job done.

I hunt with one and its some pretty simple math... Big bullets+Shorter shots (100 yds and in) = dead deer. Get 'er sighted in and you should be good.

The deer that I shot with my 44 mag levergun was a bang flop at about 50 yards. What I liked about it was that there was very little wasted meat. The size of the bullet combined with a very moderate rate of speed just doesn't blood shot the meat like a real fast moving round does. Accuracy is acceptable and you will want to practice at different distances to get a feel for how the bullet reacts. I used a 240gr Winchester platinum tip bullet for the deer that I shot with my 44. They are also a very fun gun to shoot and load for.

The 44 is a must have deer rifle. Wouldn't part with mine.