The 44 will work on elk. A feller will be along later who has killed several elk with 44's.

 

I have seen several hunts for elk with a 44 mag revolver at distances from 60 feet to 104 yards with one shot kills. So if a revolver can do it, an 1894 44 mag otta do it better yet. Same thing with the 41 mag.

I think as long as a person knows their own ability and practices for the distance, and using the correct bullet to perform like it needs to they can hunt as well with a pistol cal. Marlin levergun as anything else. A Marlin 1894 44 mag w/ 20 inch barrel has about the same velocity and energy at 100 yds as 6 inch 44 mag. handgun does at the muzzle so it otta do well at 100+ for elk. Just stalk in close or set an ambush at a distance you are confident in at let'em have it. But first check the local laws and regs for cal. limits and such.There are some goofy made laws that don't make any since.

My granddad and his dad used to hunt elk and other large game with a Winchester model 1873 44-40 with 24 inch barrel back in his younger days and always came home with meat. I know a 44 mag has a lot more power than the 44-40.

I have a friend who has taken several elk over the years with a 41 mag in both a 6.5 inch blackhawk and a Marlin 1894s. That is what I have and intend to do the same.

 

I know a gentleman lives by Noxon MT. has killed Elk with a Ruger semi-auto 44 Mag for 30 yrs. Lost most of the use of his left arm from a stroke and can handle the little Ruger like you can't imagine. 240gr Soft point is all he has ever used. Not sure if he is still hunting, in his 80's now. DP

 

Me my dad and father inlaw are going elk hunting in Colorado next year. I have a .30-06 which I plan to use but just got to thinking about how neat it would be to hunt out west with my 1894 .44 mag. I know I would be limited on shots 100 yards or less but I just wanted some opinions on what others thought. Again, I will end up using my .30-06 but just wanted some input on using the old .44 mag with 300 grain bullets on elk. Let me know what you think or if you have done such as thing.

Needs to at least be legal as Colorado has specifications for elk (energy at 100 yds of 1000 or greater for centerfire rifle and over a minimum caliber- 6mm IIRC). Interestingly, the handgun requirements are greatly below that, so this is not all reason and will likely depend on by whom or if the limits are enforced.

Check this really great site for information on elk hunting in Colorado:
http://wildlife.state.co.us/Hunting/ElkHuntingUniversity/EHULessons/EHUGunsGear.htm

And also you can see that even the puny LeveRevolution 44 mag round just noses over the requirement:
http://www.hornady.com/store/44-Mag-225-gr-FTX-LEVERevolution/

But you might need ammo that has the right stats on the box just to be safe (or carry manufacturers information on the ammo with you-- somewhere in case you run into a by-the-book enforcement person).

 

If I knew I could get within 100yds the only reason I would not use the 44 is because my wife owns the 44 and would kill me for taking it without her permission.

 

men and women have killed elk and moose with 40 to 50 pound long bow and recurve for decades and still do so you can certainly do it with a 44mag no problem. Ken

 

I've never killed an elk, and my 1894 is a .41Mag, so I'm no expert on this topic. However, if you look at some of the ballistics of old cartridges that were considered great big game killers, like .38-55, you soon see that the old timers had different standards than we have nowadays. I rather suspect that gun companies, gun mag writers, and outfitters all get together to help market new stuff. They've convinced a whole generation of hunters that the .338Mag, or .375H&H, or maybe even the .30-378Weatherby are the best elk guns. If you can shoot the .44Mag carbine well, and pick your shots well, and use top notch ammo, then you should do quite well.

 

Thanks for all the information guys. I will check out the links above. What bullet would you suggest for an elk in .44 mag? I do not reload so that is not an option. I have enough tinkering/expensive hobbies so it will be a while before I can start reloading. This site is great.

 

This thread has great timing, My Remington 700 Titanium in 30-06 just had the bolt handle break off (factory defective that the factory won't warranty by the way ) and I was thinking about using my 1894SS for elk this fall in Colorado while my 700 is at the gunsmiths getting the bolt handle TIG welded on. ;D

 

It's funny, the older I get and the more history I know, the wider range of calibers become usable for a wider range of targets...

Yes, I think the 44 would do just fine on Elk. I've got a 444 that I think is better, but the more I think about it, the more I like my 44 1894. It's getting to be my favorite rifle. I'm considering taking it on the next varmint expedition...

 

This thread has great timing, My Remington 700 Titanium in 30-06 just had the bolt handle break off (factory defective that the factory won't warranty by the way ) and I was thinking about using my 1894SS for elk this fall in Colorado while my 700 is at the gunsmiths getting the bolt handle TIG welded on. ;D

Sadly, this may be where Marlin customer service is heading. It would be bad to break a lever and not have that under warranty.

Jon

 

Thanks for all the information guys. I will check out the links above. What bullet would you suggest for an elk in .44 mag? I do not reload so that is not an option. I have enough tinkering/expensive hobbies so it will be a while before I can start reloading. This site is great.

I'd look at WFNGC made by Grizzly or Buffalo Bore. A 240 might be a little light but they do sell some heavy loads that would be better if your rifle will stabilize them at long range(100yds).

Or see which one of your friends reloads and ask them if they could help you. This might be the time to get into reloading.

 

Sadly, this may be where Marlin customer service is heading. It would be bad to break a lever and not have that under warranty.

Jon

May be?

It already is!

 

I understand when a guide wants a hunter to use a plenty of gun. But I think some have bought into that too much. A 44 through a rifle will do a bunch of killing. Enjoy those elk steaks.

 

I'd look at WFNGC made by Grizzly or Buffalo Bore. A 240 might be a little light but they do sell some heavy loads that would be better if your rifle will stabilize them at long range(100yds).

Or see which one of your friends reloads and ask them if they could help you. This might be the time to get into reloading.

I see what you're saying but I disagree...240 grain is just plenty for Elk..with the right bullet construction and keeping the shots withing 100 yards or so you'll be just fine....Elk is a very big animal but no monster....think of it like this....walk up to an Elk and put your model 29 44 magnum loaded with a 240 grain bullet to its head and press the trigger.....seriously....that's what it will be hit with from a Marlin levergun at 100 yards...
as far as factory ammo goes the Speer Gold Dot 270 grain JSP would probably do perfectly...but I bet you even an ol' winchester 240 grain jsp would do the trick...or even a hornady 240 grain xtp.....

 

They killed a lot of elk with a 44-40 and cast bullets back in the day. I wouldn't worry overly much about using a 44 Magnum provided you do your part.

 

They killed a lot of elk with a 44-40 and cast bullets back in the day. I wouldn't worry overly much about using a 44 Magnum provided you do your part.

Exactly my point...don't believe the supermagnum crazy uber power bullet hype...keep it simple and do your part and you will blow big holes into almost anything with a 44 magnum out of a rifle. anyone who tells you otherwise is WRONG.

 

I like these. Make 'em myself:

Feed very well in my 1894.

 

A 44 through a rifle will do a bunch of killing.

I love this! Can I borrow it?? (Awful good signature line lurking there....)

 

I was born and raised in Colorado and have hunted elk there.
A 44 mag will do the job if all the conditions are right.
But there is a lot of open country in Colorado and a 30-06 is a minimum if the country you hunt is open.

John

 

First elk I ever killed was with a S&W model 29 with a 4" barrel. I used a factory Rem 240gr SP. It exited and the bull came home with me. Since then nearly 2 dozen more have followed me home, all killed with .44's in both rifle and pistol varieties

I've only taken 1 with .44's that needed more than 1 shot. And that was the last one I took with a .44 Cowboy, turned out the other 2 shots weren't needed, he just didn't know he was dead yet. From his bed to where he succumbed was less than 50 yards. Most died within 20 or less yards.

Bullets. Of all my .44 elk, only 2 were with jacketed, and they were both Rem 240 JSP. The rest were with the 429215, 429244, 429640, 429421, SSK 320gr and RCBS 44-245 PB and probably a couple I've forgotten but am just too lazy to go through my moulds. I can't and won't complain about any of their performances. All performed superbly.

Velocity. I'm a big fan of big cast bullets going slow. Most elk I've taken (these are the BIG Roosevelt elk) were between 1150 and 1275fps from pistols and between 1400 and 1600fps from rifles. You know, I've NEVER recovered a .44 cal. cast bullet that killed an elk! 100% penetration. I've never lost an elk.

Shot placement with a .44. In the boiler room. Period. Oh, I've taken one or two through the throat, but most were right behind the shoulder. I shot one spike with a 320gr cast @ 1550fps from a 10" T/C right in the seat of the pants and it exited right under the throat. But for the most part, right behind the shoulder will do it everytime.

Distance. The closest .44 elk I"ve taken was 20 yards, the furthest somewhere between 150 and 175 yards. But most were under 100 yards and most of those under 75 yards. Here in the PNW where it is nearly a rainforest, a feller can sneak up mightily close if one has the patience and the want-to. Though I haven't yet, under the right circumstances, (gun, sights, bullet weight and velocity, standing broadside) I wouldn't feel like a 200 yard shot was impossible, though I better REALLY want that elk!

44

 

why wouldn't a modern day 44 mag lever gun kill an elk under 100 yds...a bow and arrow can do it ...a hole thru the lungs or heart is going to kill the elk...don't matter what puts it there...just know how to get it there that's the trick

 

The thing I really like about the 44 levergun is it takes an already potent 44 magnum handgun cartridge and just amps it up considerably.

 

The thing I really like about the 44 levergun is it takes an already potent 44 magnum handgun cartridge and just amps it up considerably.

+1 yes, it's like a different caliber in a levergun tbh.

 

Not elk but hogs, still a tough critter, the question is always active. Smaller, faster, expanding vs. big and dumb.

A .30 may expand or might hit a bone, fragment, maybe some of both. Everything is variable. A .44 solid is going to enter at .44, it may deform some but it will 'keep on truckin' usually out the other side.

Elk hunting is beyond my financial abilities but I read every article in hopes that I win a lottery. Inside of 150 yds. a .44 should put your elk DRT.

 

IF an elk was taken between 150 and 175 yards, then a 200 yard shot is also doable. No cartridge falls apart so fast that 25 yards will make or break the shot. Just do it, take pics, and file your report (after you fire up the grill)!

I like the looks of that 280+ cast bullet in the 44mag.

Jeff
NRA Life