Marlin 94, .357 or .44?

[Lupinus]

I want to get another lever gun to go with my 30-30 and have pretty much zeroed in on a Marlin 94.

Question is to go with the .38/.357 or the .44mag/special caliber?

As it is right now I am leaning to the .357 for a few reasons. The first is that I can shoot .38 specials out of it with very low recoil and also fairly cheaply. And for hunting I can step up to the .357 magnum.

The .44 does have its own level of appeal though by having more power to it. And looking around it shouldn't cost me a whole heck of a lot more to reload. A few more dollars but not a really a whole world of difference.

So the basic question is which one would you recommend? I have a bum shoulder so recoil is a bit of an issue. I can handle recoil and shoot 30-30 but I want something that I can plink with and be able to do it for awhile. I mentioned hunting, this would be in SC and possible game would include deer and I have been tempted lately by hog hunting. But the primary use is going to be plinking and shooting for fun, with hunting being a bonus. Keep in mind I have the 30-30 if need be, but I'd prefer to be able to hunt with the Marlin I decide on as well.

Secondary question is price. For a NIB Marlin 94 what should I expect to pay as a reasonable figure? I understand it is hard to say based on area, so I am just looking for ballpark in order to get an idea.

 

[hoghunting]

Since you plan on the 30-30 for hunting, get the 357 Marlin. I have one in that caliber and it is a fun plinking rifle. The 44 mag in a rifle does have a bit of recoil if you shoot more than 20 rounds. 38s are fairly cheap and function without any problems.

Forgot to add - check www.thegunsource.com for their prices. If they are a lot cheaper, buy from them and have it shipped to your FFL

 

[xtarheel]

I agree with Hoghunter. I bought a .357 Model 94 back in December. I paid about $425 from a local dealer. It is a lot of fun to shoot, almost no recoil with .38spl. I changed out the sights to a ghost ring which for me with my older eyes is a real improvement.

 

[Brian Williams]

Get the 357, and if you reload get some Lil' Gun. 18Gr of Lil'Gun and 158gr XTPS are deadly.

 

[ravencon]

In .44 mag there is more recoil than you might expect. With a bad shoulder factored in--I'd go with the .357.

 

[Nhsport]

You can't really go wrong here. I wouldn't recomend the 44 to someone who doesn't reload,but sounds like you have that covered. If hunting is a possibility I would always recomend the 44 but you have the 30-30.
I have the 44 in the cowboy model and even with the heavy barrel it does have some recoil with heavy loads, I also own a fairly light win model 94 in 30-30 and it is a different type of recoil. The the 30-30 is a sharper rifle type recoil,and the 44 with a stiff load is more of a slower shove,more like a shotgun. With my heavy barrel gun any load lighter than heavy is fairly mild and a 44special type load is a real pop gun type recoil.About anybody could shoot boxes of them with no worry. The thing to remember is even the light weight carbine type 44s have to weigh 3 or 4 times what a full size pistol would weigh .
I went with the .44 ,If you do the same try a plain base 240 gr cast with a full load of 2400 (consult your load manual and do the right thing and work up your own load) with a heavy crimp.I have used this same load in my 2 1/2" and 8" S&W629s and my Rughr Blackhawk along with my Marlin and it is a tackdriver in all of them.

 

[Lupinus]

I figure if people use the .357 for defense out of a pistol, and also use the .357 for handgun hunting deer, out of a rifle I shouldn't have a problem. Least that is the way I am figuring it and have never personaly hunted with a .357 revolver or shot it from a rifle, so I am going purely on hearsay and personal thinking.

 

[dmckean44]

Definately go with the .357 mag, the 44 has some kick to it. While low recoil loads exist even those kick harder than a .357 out of a rifle.

 

[Ranger J]

The .357 will shoot great with little recoil and will handle deer size animals out to 100 yards. My .357 is very accurate and while the .44 mag is interesting I have been scared off it because of concerns about its accuracy. If the .44 has the same oversize bores that Marlin uses in the Handi rifle this would be a real worry as getting the .44 Handis to shoot good can be a real problem.
RJ

 

[fletchbutt152]

Same Problem

I currently have .44 mag and .357 mag winchester model 94 trails ends...wife says i can't keep both. can't decide which to part with. anyone know which caliber is more accurate?
Thanks

 

[Ohen Cepel]

Don't know which is more accurate.

I've never really shot mine .357 for accuracy and don't have a .44 to compare. It shoots well enough for the range I would try to take a deer with a .357 that's for sure.

I would go with the .357, ammo a bit cheaper and since you have a more capable hunting rifle I think it fits your need better and you'll get more use out of something with lower recoil.

 

[YodaVader]

But the primary use is going to be plinking and shooting for fun, with hunting being a bonus. Keep in mind I have the 30-30 if need be

I would say the 357 would be the east choice here! I used to own the 1894 in 44 mag. It was one of the micro-groove older models. It shot really well with 240 JHPs.

A friend let me try out his 1894 in 357 mag and for a plinking lever action it seemed like the perfect rifle! His was an older micro-groove version also. It shot the 158JHPs very well.

The new Marlin 357 lever gun I saw at a gun show last weekend was right at $400.