Southern MI Deer Rifle

[JD338]

MI has announced that the use of a center fire rifle will be legal in Zone 3, which has historically been the shotgun zone. Cartridge must be a straight wall, 35 cal or larger with a min length of 1.160" and a Max length of 1.800".
I'm thinking of a Marlin 1894 44 Rem Mag but am open to other suggestions.

JD338

 

[Guy Miner]

I think a .44 mag in a nice Marlin would be just dandy!

My doggone .500 S&W cartridges are just a tad long at a bit over 2" overall. Phooey. I keep thinking of one of those Big Horn Armory lever actions...

 

[Dr. Vette]

I thought the same, but after examining the ballistics, distance, etc I think I'm better off with my 12ga slug gun or my muzzleloader. I wish 35 Rem or 30-30 would qualify.

460 or 500 S&W would be cool, but again hardly worth buying another firearm (and yes, I'm shocked I said that line).

 

[filmjunkie4ever]

Too bad the .38-55 doesn't fit in those OAL parameters.

That would get my vote.

I think a .44 Rem Mag would be pretty hard to beat in this class.

 

[wildgene]

...like everyone else in my family, I shot my first deer w/ my granpa's Mod. 92 .32-20. That little rifle kept a lot of families fed thru World Wars, Depressions, recessions, mine strikes, mill strikes, shut downs, start ups...

...I've killed deer w/ .357's, .41's, & .44's, shouldn't be a problem w/ a carbine...

 

[JD338]

This would be for my daughter and girlfriend. I currently use a S&W 629 Classic

JD338

 

[wildgene]

This would be for my daughter and girlfriend. I currently use a S&W 629 Classic

JD338

...I carry a 8 3/8" Mod. 657. My granma would stay in camp while us boys trooped up to the top of the mountain. When we got back down, she'd point in the general direction, & we'd go over & dress & hang her deer, dispatched w/ the little Mod. '92...

 

[Vince]

It's amazing what the person staying in camp can find sometimes.

 

[pre6422hornet]

I think a 44mag or 41 mag would work wonders for under 100 yard shots on even the biggest MI whitetail.

 

[Thebear_78]

I'm very impressed with my ruger 77/44. It has become my Wheeler rack gun. It's proven very accurate out to 100 yards and I wouldn't hesitate to take 150 yard shots on whitetails. The winchester white box 240gr load clocks at 1780fps.

My dad has a marlin 1894 in 357 that has killed more whitetails than any other rifle in the house. 158gr JSP at 1700fps killed reliably out to 125 yards and was deadly in close swamp and standing corn hunting.

 

[SJB358]

Very nice set up Bear. I like that 77/44..

 

[Partisan]

Indiana has a similar cartridge requirement.
I think the hot setup there is a Handy-Rifle or TC Contender Carbine re-chambered to 357 Maximum.

 

[Dwh7271]

That 77/44 looks all business.
Nice setup. What scope?

Scotty,
Awesome patch and the history with it.

 

[Thebear_78]

It's wearing a leupy 3-9 compact right now but eventually if like to replace it with a lower power variable. I think a vx2 1-4 with the German #1 reticle would be ideal, but that's a custom shop only deal.


It's more of a "hey look right there!" Kind of gun that will be used on close shots 90% of the time. Sitting where it does it gets very wet an occasionally muddy. So stainless/synthetics was a must.

Very often we run across something close while riding, and I'm much more comfortable shooting the carbine past 25 yards than my short barreled 44 revolver.

My other hunting rifles are too long and would get beaten to death riding up there.

 

[FOTIS]

Yup a Marlin would be just dandy!

 

[Dwh7271]

Thanks bear!

 

[JD338]

Problem resolved...

I bought a Marlin 1894 44 Rem Mag.

Thinking a VX-3 1.5-5x20mm would be ideal. Loaded up with either a Nosler 240 gr JHP or a 300 gr JHP, it will be pure poison on WT deer out to 125-150 yards.

JD338

 

[gerry]

Nice looking gun JD, the 1.5-5x20 you mention would be great. Another scope which you might want to take a hard look at would be the 1.25-4x20 VXR, the illuminated reticle would sure be nice in low light and I bet your daughter and girlfriend would appreciate it.

 

[Dr. Vette]

For Leupold, I would do the 1.75-6 or even the 2.5-8 for a VX3. Going from a 20mm to 32mm wide objective makes a big difference.

Otherwise Vortex Diamondback 2-7x35 is what I put on my first 35 Rem this year.

 

[Thebear_78]

Nice rifle! I have many a fine memory of hunting whitetails with my dads 1894 in 357.

Do yourself a favor and get the WWG happy trigger for it. It makes a world of difference.


Don't discount the leupy 1-4, or 2.5 fixed. They are both sweet little scopes. Get the heavier reticle if you go plex. I had a German #1 on a scout scope and fell in love with that for a close range brush gun.

I thought hard about the 1894 but really needed stainless/synthetic for my application.