Testing the Practical Range of a .44 Magnum Carbine

[@boomdawg56]

I grew up reading Elmer Keith, Keith took game out to ridiculous ranges with handguns in .44 Mag. You are spot on in saying a guy needs to know the dope on his gun and practice. Great video.

[@guardianminifarm8005]

Appreciate the demonstration. We have harvested whitetail deer for over 20 years with 44 magnum revolvers & rifles. A 4x optic on rifle for most of that. I taught most of my daughters to hunt with this set up. Only a few deer harvested were beyond 100 and none beyond 125. The round is quite effective IMO out to those ranges. Though I have harvested deer out to 75 yards with a 44 revolver, I have set my max to 60 the past few years. That is partly because my older eyes limit better shot placement beyond it. I have found in our experience that it is difficult to hit a gallon jug of water consistently beyond 125. So we use that crude but simple standard to help establish a comfortable limit for us and our rig. The Marlin 1894 scoped is about 2" 5 shot groups at 75 yards. But seems to suffer beyond 125. This is with 23.0-23.5 grains of H110 and 240 XTP. The Henry Golden Boy(we never hunted with) is surprisingly very accurate in all of our hands out to 75 yards with open sights and range ammo. Thank you. Oh and good looking Labs.

[@tonya4157]

Don't be too hard on yourself, that's pretty good shooting. Im very familiar with the .44 mag from a handgun. It's amazing what you can do with a good gun and practice at long range.

[@dougmccoy1260]

Hey Drake, good to see a little old school. I'll let Denny know you have a new vid up. He watches on his big TV so he cant leave comments. My 44 is a Redhawk. At the Albany range they have an 18in bong at 200yds. We shoot this with our handguns. Once you get dialed in its pretty easy. I handed my 44 mag to a young sherrif deputy and told him where to hold the iron sights. He hit all six offhand at 200. These were light loads so recoil and anticipation factors were not bad. Custom grips and a trigger like butter. I had my ruptured disc operation. In one hour I went from painfull limping to walking with no pain. Home same day and now carefull recuperating. Dennys wife went out to eat with a friend. This is remarkable as she was almost gone a month ago. He is feeling a bit more free and asked how soon we can go out to shoot starlings at the dairy (in hot weather they come in for water and cattle feed) just an aside, offhand at 150 is dodgy with any gun. A scope shows you how wobbly you really are. Take care.

[@cwbristow]

Grew up using a Marlin 1894 in 44 mag to hunt. Now my son uses it. Recoil is very mild. Both of us have taken many deer with it. Within a 100 yards is golden. Especially in the woods as a brush gun. Back in the day it was the choice for bear hunters I knew in NC.

[@richardpugliese3391]

I own a Ruger carbine 44 rem mag. 1965 built . It’s topped with a Redfield 2.5 power fixed scope . I use IMR 4227 , 22.1 grains, with a XTP 240 jacket HP. On the comb of stock is a leather cheek pad. Very , very accurate! I aim center of rib cage , keep my shots under 75 yards . Great video, thank you .

[@bobclifton8021]

Elmer Keith already tested the range of the .44 back in the 1950's with great success. And he did it with a pistol too.

[@blueduck9409]

And he killed big and dangerous game with it. The states that dont allow the 44 mag for hunting are political hacks that dont know anything.

[@45-70Guy]

Elmer Keith’s writings really are great for explaining the 44 capabilities.

[@johnny.3693]

I can hit out 100yrds with my 44mag super redhawk. I noticed you're dropping and hugging your side with the right arm.

[@BCVS777]

@@johnny.3693 Agree. I have that same gun with 9.5 inch barrel and it shoots very nicely out past 100 yards.

[@BCVS777]

@@danbuffington75 He was before the tube. Died in 84.

[@languagesource355]

Great video and great topic! I am a lever action revolver caliber enthusiast and I'm also in a "straight wall" state, so it's either that or a slug/shotgun. I have skinner peep sights and I was one of the guys who felt "optics don't belong on a lever action". And then I was invited to a hunt in another state. Similar woods. I brought what I had. It should've been adequate. So my buddy wounds a deer and we track it. Then we see that it's swimming across a lake. No sense shooting it in the water, so we waited. It gets out on the other side, something like 300 yards. At this point the humane thing to do is try and finish it. We unleash on it. Then we walked around the lake to see and... it swims again, even farther. Anyway, it was then that I realized how important optics are. Even if you can see (most people can't), at those distances the open sights are just larger than the target, so precision is not possible, even if the rifle/cartridge are capable of it. At that hunt I also met an older hunter, maybe in his 70's, a combat veteran, likes his guns, etc, not a "fudd". He was carrying a Marlin 336 in 35 Rem and with a scope, the setup was probably 50 years old. Optics do belong on hunting lever actions. And they have since they've been invented (just ask Doc Brown from Back to the Future III, ha-ha). But for "cowboy" type plinking or for "trapper" lever carbines, yes, it's still fun to use apertures and buckhorns. I like that LPVO on your carbine, it looks very balanced. Larger optics can make the setup unwieldy. 5x-6x is probably all that is needed for 44mag or even 30-30.

[@tripplebeards3427]

I cast 263 grain Lyman devastator hollow points for my 44 mags. My Ruger 77/44 will shoot them sub MOA at 100 yards with several different powders and alloys. Ive bedded the action, floated the barrel, and lightened the trigger with the vorquatsen trigger kit along with polishing the trigger group and cutting a coil or two off the spring. It's under 2 pounds. Installed a leupold 3-9 i had laying around. It's a little light and high of an optic for hunting but wanted to see how accurate I could get it. It works great for a super light weight deer gun. I tried a group for the first time last year at 200 yards. It drops around 19” at 200 yards when zeroed at 100 yards with my 1600 fps load. I shot a group around 3” at 200 yards guessing my drop. It swung the metal gong pretty good at 200 yards. The biggest issue I have is the cartridge kills but most deer run with (archery) heart and lung shots and have traveled out to 100 plus yards with little to no blood. It kills but I don’t like the guessing game of where my deer went after the shot. I switched over to the 35 Rem with cast hollow points. That combo is the hammer of Thor loaded at 2100 fps with 200 grain cast hollow points with the same archery shot placement. Imo the extra 500 fps, or braking the 2000/2100 fps barrier really helps with getting some hydrostatic shock on Whitetails. Still like my 44’s. I have 4 of them. My biggest issue is a can't guesstimate yardage so I always wait for close range "archery" shots with my calibers that have rainbow trajectories. Still fun to see how far they will shoot accurately. I have a 1-4 bushnel engage optic on my ood school Ruger Deerfield. It's zeroed a 100 yards. That one hasn't hit the woods yet. Just prefer my bolt gun over it. The 44 mag rifles can shoot alot farther than most give them credit for. I just use them past 100 yards for plinking and varmint control only. I'm just not impressed with the caliber at close range deer hunting. Maybe a different bullet choice for whitetails might change my mind.

[@quackman7]

My 77/44 is topped with a 3.5-10x40 vx3. I load it with 270gr speer deep curls over h110. I shoot high shoulder and only had one deer move other than straight down. 99% of the time i tote my little 44 for deer. I think ive killed over 10 with it and my buddy bought one as well and killed 3-4. His like 200gr xtps over 2400. Ive read how unaccurate the little 77/44's are but mine shoots great. Easy golf ball group kneeling at 100yds. 44 kills way better in real life than it says on paper

[@tripplebeards3427]

@@quackman7 they will shoot sub MOA if you bed them and lighten the trigger as long as you find a load it likes.

[@vincentnastri7736]

Regularly shoot my Winchester 94ae’s with skinner rear sights at 200/300 yards on a 8/10 inch steel. My 94’s are in 44 and 357 mag. Love my Winchesters .🇬🇧🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@redteam9881]

Ruger Carbine 44 Mag Always 100 yard zero It’s a brush gun with Leupold 1.5x5 VX3 Especially with 240gr Underwood XTP

[@JohnLOdle]

I can tell you I have a 44magnum rifle for over 40 years, I reload ,I use 180 grain bullets and have taken deer plus my kids used it to take deer at 150 yards with ease. Where I live you don't need to shoot much farther than that. I even took a black bear at 75 yards with that rifle. I also zeroed my rifle at 100 yards.

[@FocusedHands]

did you use optics or irons for this?

[@codybarnhart7161]

Mostly hunt timber where longest shot is 75 to 90 yards. I shoot a ruger 77/44. Love the gun amazing power. Regular cloverleaf at 75 yard zero. One day walking out took a off handed shot on a doe in a bean field which was around 150 yards. Aimed high shoulder thinking it would drop a bit. Hit high shoulder double lung amd nicked the spine. Deer went 25 feet and died.

[@toddr9836]

You have inspired me to duplicate this test with my stock sights on my Henry 👍

[@insidethegunworld]

Good Video, thanks for your time doing the work. I am a fan of many rounds and 44mag s one of my top rifles (4 so far). I agree with you it is about the equipment, and that CDS scope is awesome. Since you reload, and probably crono your rounds, do the math & set the elevation correctly and you can be on target... Ok all the haters will say "but does it have enough power for an ethical kill" Do your math, limit your shots to your skill while hunting. But in the off season I like to run my 44 mags subsonic with a can and shoot out as long possible. Hollywood quiet at the muzzle and a huge steel DING down range. 308 for most everything in Colorado, 44 mag on my land out to 100yards hunting.

[@jodyregier6176]

Fantastic shooting. I had to laugh at the 75 yard with 44mag carbine since ive shot deer with .357mag 6 inch barrel pistol at a little over 75 yards and not have it take a third step before collapsing. Beautiful river valley property there.

[@massimothetrog7111]

"it's a 100 yard gun" was my dad's favorite for anything less than a .308 or 30-06.

[@AmericanArmsChannel]

haha! I've known the type who say that. .308 and '06 are both great cartridges. Love those too. thanks for watching and the comment - Drake

[@usa-rb5fi]

My dad when I would ask if I could use his .30-06 would say “that’s a man’s gun” oh the memories

[@sorshiaemms5959]

With a Marlin 94 iv e hit as far as 150 with v notch sights at a antifreeze jug rith the sights at top notch and a 2 foot target at 200 vrds but 125 is where i limit myself with open sights great video thanks

[@theoriginalOSOK]

I have a Rossi R92 in 44 Mag - 16" as well. I have a Stevesgunz aperture sight that replaces the little flip safety and the stock front sight. I put the brass bead 'on' the desired point of impact. Works well for me - 2" group with my medium velocity handloads at 50 yards from a rest. I just mounted a red dot mid-barrel - 2 MOA dot which should help in low light and farther shots. The brass bead is susceptible to lighting which can cause errors depending no which side of the bead is shiny... thanks for the review! Nice carbines!

[@charlestravis9798]

I use a 14” Contender pistol with a 4x scope. At the range, I hit a 12” gong regularly at 312 yards. 240g XTP handloads were deadly.

[@MrOldclunker]

Your pretty darn good at off hand shooting!

[@Iceaxehikes]

Nice shooting! Interesting comparison. Thanks.

[@MasterK9Trainer]

I was interested in this video because there seem to be people who are real fans of lever action rifles and it seems to me that if you're a little shy of shooting 357 and 44 Magnum and some of those more powerful pistol calibers that you can get a lever action rifle and then you have something that doesn't offer you punishing recoil

[@AmericanArmsChannel]

In a rifle or carbine the common magnum pistol cartridges are very pleasant to shoot and offer a lot of versatility and ease of use.

[@Voxguitarsrock]

My dad regularly took Whitetail deer with his Ruger Deerfield out to 200 yards.

[@iaidagger8278]

Nice...nice..!! The 44mag is an awesome caliber for medium game in a lever gun!!!😊😊I think though that with buckhorn sights and 240gr SJSP factory standard bullets will be just fine up to 100yds😊😊!!!

[@thomjarman]

Totally with you on the brass retention.

[@chuckhoward3626]

Over the years I have used all manner of sights on lever rifles, and I always keep coming back to the 1/2 Buckhorn rear sight. It is designed to raise or lower the front sight post in the rear sight for range compensation. The human eye wants to naturally center the front sight post in an aperture rear sight - you will just be fighting nature trying to use a ghost ring in the same way as a 1/2 buckhorn. Try, try as you may, you can't beat what people knew to be true over 100 years ago.

[@thomasreece3903]

I’m taking white tail deer with my Henry 357 mag. I have it scoped and it works for me out to 75 yds maybe further

[@christoFlair777]

Nice shooting!! Buddy!!!

[@altonguis8870]

I used to shoot silhouette with a Ruger Super Blackhawk 10 1/2" barrel open sights at 200 yards, all day long can knock over those rams. The round is more than capable, I also have and use Ruger carbine .44 mag I use for deer open sights no isues...

[@TonaldDrump686]

Owned the same pistol for 20 years, And I agree.

[@calebdoner]

I'm pretty sure this video convinced me to put a scope on my 44

[@RayFortenberry-ry6tp]

I have had a CVA single shot 44 rifle for a couple of years. Last hunting season and this one. 5 deer have been taken with it from 60 yards to 110. I got 3 of them my wife one and my sister one. All with 5 shots taken. Neither of them have done much shooting. Recoil isn’t bad and I really like this rifle. I’m using Bear Creek ballistics ammo and don’t believe that 200 yards would be a problem. Enjoyed your video. Keep them coming

[@jimmoseley2983]

I wanted the CVA 44, but they are back log with orders. No updates so far.

[@NC-xk1eg]

THAT is a great rifle!

[@usa-rb5fi]

If you have a military ID, the PX website had some of those recently that you could order and just do the paperwork at the PX when it comes in.

[@noahmercy-mann4323]

I can keep shots on a paper plate at 300 yards with a Rossi 92 with a Marbles tang peep rear, and a front with some hash marks on it for holdovers. (These are grooves on the vertical part of the rear face filled with white paint that I center in the rear peep while keeping the target on top of the front sight like normal.) Since I use LBT-style cast bullets, I don't need to worry about insufficient velocity to initiate hollowpoint expansion. So I would say my practical maximum is 300 yards, but I don't shoot that far on game animals...I like getting close!

[@DrAgan_tortojed]

Don't pay too much attention to those "critics" - a "75/100 yards brush gun" is in and off itself a SERIOUS hunting or self-defence gun, capable of dealing even with large game and dangerous animals within 100 maybe 150 yards. A well placed head-shot and that grizz or a wolf is going down. Probably the best caliber that money can buy, if you think of all the aspects: availability, versatility (huge numbers of models of revolvers, repeater/semi auto rifles/carbines chambered in that cal.), typically huge reliability of such guns, huge amount of stopping power at short to medium distances in ANY given scenario...

[@DeeDeeDee-be4iq]

Love the Henry 44 mag and love mine

[@TheRoche22]

My Model X Henry is perfect out to 125 with a Primary Arms 1-8 LVPO. Choose the BEST AMMO that works amd sight in at 80 yards amd Adjust from there. PEW PEW PEW .. AWESOME result. 🔫🔫🔫

[@normanmallory2055]

I use a T/C Contender in .44 mag with 14” bull barrel , mounted on top is a Leupold 2X EER scope ! My longest shot to date is a black bear @178 yards ! Fine ctg for game ! Deer no problems at all with over 13 years hunting using it !

[@bobborlog1677]

That pup wants to hunt . He hears the shot and is wondering why he isn't allowed to go get it.

[@JeffreyCotle]

Hi Nebraska looks beautiful. I'm in Pennsylvania. We live in the country right next to sgl 073 game lands. 26,000 acres of forest.i use a 44 for deer and bear. It will get them. And blood trails are easy and short.i love the 44. I also carry a Ruger super Blackhawk hunter 44. Close use the Ruger. Far use the Henry. Love your videos. I can hardly wait for hunting season. Im hunting 2 weeks in Maine ,2 weeks in Pennsylvania . God bless you and your family.

[@nathanduckeorth806]

Shoots good enuff for this Ole boy!!

[@robertfree1908]

Thank you for not saying “carb-EYE-n”. And thanks for an informative video. I just acquired a Ruger/Marlin 1894 in 44mag and have been checking out KZbin for info. This popped up and I’m glad it did. I ‘liked, subbed and notified’. I’m looking forward to what this 20” carbine will do with my handloads. I will be chronographing loads consisting of PMC brass, 300gr XTPs(new single cannelure type) and primers appropriate for igniting different powders while accuracy testing. I’m hoping for enough velocity to get good expansion out to 100 yards. I will also be testing the Montana Bullet Works 300gr WFN GC(if that will not feed I will try the LFN GC). Chime in if anyone has advice on these choices. Thanks again for an informative video

[@BillColigan]

Thanks, I have a Rossi .44 in a 24 inch barrel. Based on your' video , I can see that it will shoot farther than I expected. WC.

[@blackie1of4]

From my experience.. the front sight covers the target at 100 yards! While using six o'clock is preferred.. I've shot three inch groups off the bench.. haven't tried off hand at that distance. So.. you're doing pretty good with the peep sighted carbine. The scope definitely is the way to go if you're hunting and taking shots at 100 yards!

[@cranerigging3604]

Well done and that's a great pattern at 7:15 !👍

[@shelley131]

Enjoyed your content. It is very common to over shoot your target when doing a standing free hand shot from further distances. Reason being is that many hunters or shooters do not take into account that the muzzle of the barrel is already at a minimum 5 feet off the ground and when they compensate for bullet drop it is over the target . I carry a 1911 as my edc and I practice to 100 yards with it constantly. When I first started I too would shoot over my target than later realized that I was standing and the gun was already a few feet high. So I adjusted my point of aim to the center of the target and I got 5 out of 7 hits. So next time you shoot at that distance try aiming at a minimum center on target or at the six o'clock position of target and see what your results are. Also I always practice off hand shooting at 200 yards with a 22lr rifle. I use a 52C Winchester or a Remington 513T no scope which is not bad for an old man that has been hunting for more than 58 years. By practicing frequently shooting off hand with a 22lr muscle memory transfers over to your hunting rifle and using 22lr won't break the bank. I just use a round paper plate for a target, If there are bullet holes in it, they are basically in the kill zone for a deer. Good video, thanks for sharing.

[@patrickbelongea6896]

My best 240 grn.load, out of my 18" h&r single shot, achieves nearly 1800fps. Sighted in at 125 yds with 1.5" groups. 2 inches high at 80 yds, 2.6 inches low at 150 yds. Still has 950 ft-lbs at 150.

[@tcburgess2939]

The 240 grain xtp is often used as a projectile in muzzlelaoders with a sabot along with it..pushing it from 1700-2000fps being right in the same area for velocity as you are and we have personally takin whitetail successfully out to 200 yards with alike loads. That being said i think the 44 mag is quite underrated as a 125-150 yard deer rifle. In fact bear creek ballistics makes a 44 mag round with a 225 grain projectile moving at a little over 2k fps.

[@AmericanArmsChannel]

It all comes down to knowing your rifle, the load, and being a competent marksman. The round has the ballistics to do what it needs to with the correctly selected loads to morally take medium game out to 300 yards. It really comes down to being able to land it in the vitals. For that reason, for most hunters it will be limited to 150 yards and less (which is honestly where it can live comfortably for many big woods and tight bottomlands hunters). Thanks for watching and the comment. - Drake

[@danny_the_K]

I have the S & W model in 44mag and put a 3-9X Vortex scope on it… great 125-150 yard gun. I think 200 yds is pushing it a bit on the ballistic front… I am search loads for next season right now. I had only found a couple boxes of 240 gr PSP ammo this fall, and they were $50/box. Yeah, I’ll be reloading the brass I’ve saved to come up with a stouter load across the summer…

[@jimmoseley2983]

Your off-hand shooting was excellent. I would like to see how well it shoots off a benchrest just to see the accuracy of the rifle. I have a S&W Model 29 44 mag and my longest kill shot is 85 yds with the 185 gr XTP. I enjoyed the video. Keep up the good work!!

[@garycates9911]

It was a fun video , the first of his I have seen. Did subscribe . The .44 M has a lot of killing power . My Win. 94 Trapper and R.S. B. H. are ones to ride the river with . Stories they could tell you would not believe . The 40-70 Sharps would make most of these childern's jaw go slack.. A side note, I just put a 1x 6 on the Fn-Fal. Gettin old . Like this fellow , will be watching more of his stuff.

[@jeffholifield3770]

Hitting at 200 with the 44 carbine is doable. But does it have the velocity needed to expand and get an exit wound. Hunting in Louisiana if you don't get an exit wound you don't get a good enough blood trail to recover a deer that runs. Most of the woods here are thick as hair on a dogs back. Trying to find a deer in a thicket without a good blood trail is nearly impossible without a tracking dog.

[@Diemerstein]

I have a Henry Big Boy 45 colt and a Buffalo Bore Deer Grenade has the mass and velocity to push the round through and through on a broadside hit on a Deer at 260 yards. Most .44 magnums don't have the power of this round, but it's not far off, so yeah I think with a on target hit, it will go through at 200 yards.

[@aaronwilcox6417]

Expansion is nice but not necessary it's already around .43 caliber starting from the muzzle. Put it thru heart, lungs or shoulders. No little whitetail is going to shrug it off.

[@chriskell8479]

Step up to the 450 bushmaster

[@dlynn2634]

How do you shoot 200 yards if the brush is that thick?

[@samuraiS30v]

I bet an old school cowboy ladder flip up site would work wonders on that setup.

[@claiborneeastjr4129]

You are a damn good shot. I have a Marlin #336 Carbine in 44 Magnum, and I've never killed game beyond 100 yards. My best group at 100 yards is 1"-7/16" with the Speer 225 JHP. That is with a Burris 2.5x scope. And shooting off a benchrest. I never really "tinkered" with that load, and might have improved the group a bit. One could likely kill game at 300 yards - IF you practiced at that distance, as the trajectory gets really parabolic at such distance. You would hafta be a good judge of distance, or use a range finder. .430" bullets have such a low BC, even the 300 grainers, that they lose MV and ME very rapidly. I love the cartridge, though, especially in pistols (I have seven of them, plus the Marlin). My loads are all handloads.

[@dennisspottedwolf1019]

I hafta laff at ol' Sounder. He brings back memories of my beloved Akita, Jake da bear dawg, who would scream bloody-murder when the guns start bangin'. Ya gotta love the ones that are not scared at all but actually come alive when Dad starts shootin'.

[@SyrupCanuck]

Love the video. I have a 16in Henry Big Boy Steel frame 44mag and threw a Eotech eflx 3moa micro dot on. It's a handy setup.

[@TheClayCoKid]

The dude abides!

[@OldManMontgomery]

The .44 Magnum, used in a carbine type rifle is essentially a 'brush gun'. This is in contrast to a bottle necked rifle cartridge, which may be deemed a 'plains gun'. A brush gun is easy to carry for some distance (light and smallish) where a 'plains gun' can be heavier and somewhat more unwieldy. The question of 'Can a .44 Magnum carbine take a deer (or whatever) at 200 yards?' is rather dependent. One aspect is can the hunter connect (the bullet) with the game at that range. A second aspect is will the bullet have enough power to kill the game cleanly at that range. The accuracy question has to be answered by the specific hunter. Just because the gentleman in the video can does not guarantee I will. So that will vary. The power question can be somewhat settled by measuring power at various ranges. Certain ballistic tables or programs do a good job of calculating the power levels at varying downrange distances. However, this is based on the rifle used and the ammunition being used; it may or may not be an exact duplication. Also to be considered is the reaction of the individual animal involved. One will run away and be lost, while another of the same type will fall like a empty burlap bag. The video (dismissing vulgar suspicions of 'Hollywood' trickery) demonstrates the possibility of accuracy success by an average person with decent eyesight and self control, concentration and a suitable rifle/carbine. The late Elmer Keith (designer of the .44 Magnum) reportedly said, "All long ... [firearm]... shots are a matter of luck. But with practice my luck gets better."

[@travisjohnson73]

what I would like is for to to give us all a reson why any group such as government or any other controlling group should choose and agree 100% on rather or rather not to use a straight wallled carriage or a bottle neck cartridge "BEHIND" "A" "projectile" to make a kill in a rifle for taking game? and another reason for why this would have a factor in a mussel loading device! gotta have two ya know!

[@OldManMontgomery]

@@travisjohnson73 The main thrust of the action seems to be adequate ability (of the arm to be used) to humanly kill a game animal. I'm not sure when the law was put into existence, but I would suspect the M1 Carbine round was suspected. So were most of the handgun rounds of the period. I doubt any hunter champions the .32 S&W Long cartridge as a game round. (Yes, that's on the verge of absurdity.) I think cartridges like 38-55 Winchester (in black powder) was suspected and not currently (at that time) used. But one should see the concept. In older times, straight wall cartridges and .22 caliber most anything were not reliable for game of any size. The question of who gets to decide is a different discussion.

[@boomchang1]

Liked the video shooting in the real world in my area. I have a single shot CVA Hunter in 44 mag. 22" barrel cutting bullet holes off the rest at 100yds. and 1.5" high at 50 of rest, Using a 2x7 nothing fancy scope) with factory loads in 240 grain soft points. Off hand with the sling I got little bigger pattern, not afraid of 100+ off hand at a white tail. Good video I like this stuff.

[@johnmflores85]

Really cool video. I just bought a marlin 44 and wanted some info. Thanks for your take on it.

[@louisgiokas2206]

A sabot slug from my 24" rifled barrel bolt action shotgun Is accurate out to 250 yards (I have tested it, of course) and effective to that range. The gun is a Savage 210F, first model. I have never needed more than one shot even out beyond 150 yards. The last deer I took at that distance was a heart shot. There was a spray of red and the deer went right down. The ammo I use is 3" 12 GA Winchester Partition Gold. I have an old Winchester (US made) 1894 Trapper with a 16" barrel. It is the sweetest thing you can imagine. Unfortunately, in the state I am in I can't use it to take deer. By the way, I zero my S&W 629 Classis 6.5" at 75 yards. I have taken many deer with that gun as well (we can hunt with both the shotgun and revolver) out to that range. Actually, I did take one at almost 100 yards. So, I expect, like you do, that the 1894 can go well beyond that.

[@dougjust9518]

Nice shootin young buck

[@mikecollins8241]

I have a Marlin in 44 mag, i shoot mostly cast lead SWC handloafs, and have taken game from grouse, to rabbit and doe with it.. i have a Lyman peep, never shot it far but now I think I should try ;) fwiw it'll hold a bunch of light loads in 44 special cases, and shoot like a big 22 😅

[@blueduck9409]

Be careful with a peep sight on a 44 mag. You can lose an eye with those things. Lots of horror stories on google about it. Just keep your eye back off the peep quite a bit.

[@jetstreamx15]

Great video I liked and subscribed

[@70selvisfan]

Pup barking didn't bother me at all, loved hearing it! You said the carbine was topped off with 9 rounds. Does the magazine tube actually hold 8 rounds? Henry says 7 on their website. But, they also say the 20" 30-30 only holds 5 in the mag, but it takes 6 easily. New subscriber here, glad I found you!

[@AmericanArmsChannel]

Yes, both identical henry Color Case Hardened Side Gate carbines hold 8 rounds in their tubes. I too was confused with the 7 round capacity listing versus the actual, but the reality for the examples I have had my hands on is that they are 8+1 capacity.

[@jerrymoran8323]

Excellent video. Although when the studies for creating straight wall cartridge hunting zones in previously designated areas as shotgun only, this kind of truth would have wavered the legislators and testers. Their case was focused on the new long range shotgun slugs and in line muzzle loader capabilities to 200+ yards. Convicting statements were “ everyone knows that handgun range is 50-75 yards at best. “ I attended those hearings and kept quiet having shot up to 500 yds consistently striking mule deer size metal targets with half in vitals areas.” I have shot several deer with .44 and .357 cartridges at ranges up to 150 yards with shot placement in the scapula ( high shoulder) and head at ranges under 100. They drop as hit. Your advice on knowing your gun, ammo, personal capabilities, sighting equipment, and the weather conditions should be acknowledged as paramount, every time your out practicing to ensure the highest possible lethal outcome to humanely take games species when actually hunting. Peep sights were designed to for the human eye to automatically center the front bead (or post) in the aperture. Henry’s are excellent rifles, I have several in SS and lever. .350, .357, .44. RUGER M77 in .357, and several in .44. I especially appreciated your mentioning different positions and optics over irons when taking the longer shots . That tripod is a popular sales item at local GS. Will be watching for your next video. Elmer often remarked “ beware of the guy with one gun” 🙏🦅🍀✡️ TRJM

[@FISHUNTREECOUNTRY]

Thank you for this

[@JO-ew7ep]

Great example of securing our pups before practice

[@mkshffr4936]

It would be interesting to try with smaller peep. I really want a 20" Henry 44 sidegate.

[@ralphgreenjr.2466]

I can hold paper plate off hand with my Henry steel side gate at 100 yards. At 50 yards I can do 1" off a bench rest. I am using the buckhorn sights. I plan on putting a Leupold 1.5x4x20 pig plex on it. I have that set up on my Marlin 1895 Classic in 45-70. A really good set up to hunt with.

[@pablosuarez4592]

I have a Henry Model X in 44Mag, and she does very well at 200 yards.

[@ericlopez4615]

Love the carbines. I hunt with a Win. 94 Black Shadow in 44 mag. And I've been very successful with it, using 250 to 300 grain bullets/loads from Buffalo Bore, Cor-Bon, Grizzly. and Underwood. I learned that a brush gun is one that is easy to move around with in thick cover. Some people still think it is to shoot through brush. Not a good idea. Otherwise, in an area like yours, a long rifle would serve well. A .270 or so?

[@AmericanArmsChannel]

I would agree, a brush gun is for close cover, not shooting through limbs and brush. I would call an AR or AK pistol/carbine a "brush-gun" if so desired or needed as they fulfill the same premise: a short, handy, typically light-weight firearm that is quick to bear and can place effective rounds on target in short order. A 16" barreled 30-30, .308 Win, 30-06, etc. could be called a brush gun if that was its purpose and use case. In Nebraska, many of the areas whitetail inhabit will be river bottoms. Fellows from the North woods or deep south would have familiarity with the brush and habitat conditions. These areas can be broken up by small to medium sized meadows, sloughs, pasture-land, and trails. Most opportunities will be from 20 to 100 yards, perfect for a "brush gun". Much of the state is very open farmland, sandhills prairie, or high plains (Pine Ridge area). These areas are where something such as a .270 is perfectly suited. Even then, most shots on deer will fall between 50 and 200 yards. So, all in all, you aren't under-gunned if all you have is a "brush gun". Thanks for watching and the comment. - Drake

[@howhardcanitbe4270]

I'm curious what your thoughts are on the effective range of a 30-30. The more I look into 44 magnum in a lever gun, the more I think it would be a useful tool around the homestead.

[@AmericanArmsChannel]

Effective… I’d say with an optimum load, around 400+ yards. Practical range? Looking at the ballistics of an optimum load (such as the “lever-evolution” with a good 200 yard zero, around 300+ yards. Either way, it has to be practiced with. The 44 mag in a carbine or rifle is a 150 yard and in cartridge for most folks. A 30-30 gives most an additional 50 to 75 yards over that.

[@usa-rb5fi]

From my experience and seeing it also in person. If using traditional round nose bullets in .30-30 the 150 grainers about 250 yards effectively on say whitetail. That’s holding the crosshairs at top of the back though. The newer leverevolution loads push it out to 300 yards. Just my experience, and I love using my revelation 225 aka Savage 340 bolt action .30-30 on them depending on terrain.

[@mussersbowsboatsandscience6610]

While you are correct, keeping it to 100 yards and less makes more sense, and use something else for longer distances like a .30-06.

[@AmericanArmsChannel]

Correct; each individual has to evaluate their equipment and know their own limitations. Thanks for watching and the comment.

[@billwiley7216]

I think a lot of people underestimate the capability of the .44 mag out of a carbine. I would say personally I would limit its use for myself at about 150 yards but that does not mean by any stretch of the imagination that is the limitation for the caliber just my personal limits for it.

[@denveradams4909]

Where I live, here in North Western West Virginia, a brush gun makes a lot of sense. There are very few wide-open spaces in this part of the country. Those would be corn or hay fields. I would really love to have a lever-action rifle, chambered in .44 mag and a double-action revolver, also chambered for .44mag. Both of these firearms are legal to hunt deer in my state. The handgun must have a barrel of at least 4 inches though. Basically, my 9mm S&W M&P9 M2.0 pistol would be legal for deer in West Virginia, because it has a 4 in barrel.

[@AmericanArmsChannel]

I have hunted in and enjoyed much of the Mountain Mamma state. It is mostly dense brush and heavy timber, broken by scenic vistas and wide valleys, perfect for a larger bore carbine. If I ever return to deer hunt WV, I will most certainly consider the 44 mag Henry carbine as my go-to rifle. Thanks for watching and the comment. - Drake

[@JeffreyCotle]

I have a brass big boy 44.she is a very good shooter. I have a 0-4 pentax scope on it . Ive taken deer past 100 yards. No problem. Complete penetration with Winchester 240 grn factory load.

[@AmericanArmsChannel]

Very nice! Thanks for watching and the comment. - Drake

[@dennismcfadden4371]

Fellow Nebraskan GBR! Just found your video - I've been looking for the exact carbine you have and enjoyed your video. I wanted a lever gun for the 50 to 100 yard brush gun without going to the 45-70. If I need to shoot out further than a 100 yards I have rifles that will take down elk at 500 yards. Thanks for your video.

[@davidanderson3999]

Love the 44 mag, I used to win lots of bets shooting 100/150 yards by cutting figures 8s with my Super Red Hawk with 9 5/8” barrel from guys who say can’t shoot 100 yards with pistol, the gun had trigger job done super smooth and probably less than 1 lb pull, the pistol was used in 500 yards steal ram shooting,had the see through sight so out to 250 used open sight,then out to 500 was scope used, and several people knew Elmer Keith took a dear eat 600 yards with his 6” S&W 44 mag, they didn’t want it published as he didn’t want people not proficient with 44 mag wounding animals at long range , great Vido and hopefully you played with the puppy that was unhappy in his kennel as he didn’t get to play lol

[@davidanderson3999]

It was witnesses by other out door magazine guys hunting with him they did want it published so other guys wouldn’t attempt it and wond animals @@gigabytes5955

[@billj5645]

1. You should be sure it is well sighted in before beginning a test such as this. As far off as the ghost rings were at 50 yards, it will get much worse at 100 yards and beyond. 2. Some printed reloading manuals contain ballistic tables that would show you the best range to zero at to achieve your longest point-on distance. If you are intending to shoot at 150 yards or farther that zero distance could be 75 or 100 yards. 3. I believe in aperture sights for a lot of uses. Optical sights will be easier for most people and will have an advantage in poor light conditions, i.e. hunting conditions.

[@AmericanArmsChannel]

All points I make in the video, especially at the end when I discuss the conclusion. And FYI, the best zero for max point blank range on a 16” barreled carbine and the load used is approximately 50 yards; comes out to be about. 145 yard PBR. Thanks for watching. - Drake

[@AKlover]

IME "Brush Gun" always meant HEAVY PROJECTILE that you can shoot through brush/thicket without having round veer off. I've never heard the label "Brush Gun" applied to range. A 45-70 can engage at long range, your holdover is probably going to look more like mortar than A rifle though.

[@hardingdies7811]

Billy Dixon did OK!

[@AmericanArmsChannel]

I suppose the term "brush-gun" is subjective. Brush-gun in this context is intended to mean a limited range firearm that is ideal for close-in shooting; most likely short, quick to shoulder and nimble in hand with very manageable recoil. It has been proven in the past that the ability of rounds to be "brush-blind" or "barrier-blind" is a bit of a misnomer (there was a Field and Stream or Outdoor Life article written years ago about exactly this, but the title and name escape me...). While heavier projectiles can have a higher penetrative potential (this comes down to the Sectional Density [S.D.] of the bullet, which is a relative of the weight and diameter of the projectile), that does not necessarily mean a direct correlation to reducing the impact to flight path and stability should the projectile strike an object between the muzzle and the target. The closer the obstruction or barrier to the target, the less the realized impact in trajectory and terminal ballistics; but, to say that a "brush-gun" will be obstruction defeating because it has a large bore diameter and heavy projectile is not really accurate or a realistic expectation. Regarding the 45-70 Gov cartridge and similar, since its inception it has been used for medium to extended range shooting. Yes, the original military loads had very elliptical trajectories, but it did not mean that extended range competition shooting on silhouette targets or large game animals was not accomplished by competent shooters. So yes, not the most practical to use for shooting past 200 yards by modern standards, but very achievable nonetheless. Thanks for the comment and for watching. - Drake

[@michaelpierson7256]

I was shooting my bone stock super blackhalk with a 10 1/2" bbl at 450yds at a 9x15" tank armor plate u could clearly hear 2 out of 6 hits. Most all my pistol shooting is at distance with any pistol. A derringer at 200yds is challenging though😊

[@patnoble1914]

That is not bad off hand shooting. I can't do that anymore at 68.

[@chriskell8479]

I have a Winchester AE trapper in 44 mag. WILLIAMS 5 D SIGHT. It holds 4 inches at 100 through the peep. And yes it kills quite well at 200 yards killed 1 buck 2 does while I lived in Missouri. And saying all that, those were my hand loads.

[@elvinirons5959]

I’ve got a Dan Wesson 44 with an 8” barrel n a 2-7 Burris scope that’ll shoot 2” groups at 100 yds off a rest all day long !!

[@davidfrydvm4960]

I appreciate the video. The info and the work it took to make. I’m reminded of Theodore Roosevelts quote “The man in the arena”. Most of your commenters should look it up and take note…. If your interested here it is: It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.” ― Theodore Roosevelt

[@AmericanArmsChannel]

Thank you for the kind words and referencing a fantastic quote. I am humbled

[@scottharmeling5439]

You did great it is hard to stand and deliver at anything over 100 yd. I know many will claim they can, and maybe they are able to do so but most won't just do a video to prove it like you did. Admittedly it takes practice. I have the RPP Cloverleaf peep sight on my Henry 44 mag, off a benchrest it can put bullets into very tight little groups two inch ten round groups with several bullet holes touching each other at 50 yd, at 100 yd's my ten round groups spread out to 4 and 5 inch groups. The gun is much more capable than I am with my 60 year old eyes. But I wanted to have at least one rifle without a scope on it in my safe. Even when I am using scoped rifles that can put bullets into nice little groups at two hundred yd's or farther, I am not capable and won't shoot game over 100 yd's standing without sticks or a tripod, just being honest about my ability and need for practice.

[@RobertJones-yq6jk]

P. S. Just to clarify, I was not promoting the 240 XTP as a long-range cartridge. Everything I shared is what I’ve made work for ME. I most often hunt the areas in open woods PA where I’m rarely able to see 100 yds. For that day where I had the shot at 100-plus yds, I trust myself. If I hunted longer ranges I’d have gone back to my .243, which is a burger-maker if you take short-range shots and hit the wrong spot on the deer. For those readers that were following your video, I recall that it was about range, not lethal energy. Energy is a “must” to understand. It is a different creature that requires a different approach.

[@tobyemerson8595]

Howdy just found your channel. Like you're content, don't mind the pup at all (sounds just like here) I'm a 1945 model and enjoy realism and humor. Following now

[@danielb.ransberger8872]

if you do the changes you mentioned to the iron sites I would like to see how that impacts your accuracy. I think you will push it out further.

[@tripplebeards3427]

If I remember right I have around a 19” drop at 200 yards when zeroed at a 100 yards with a 1600 fps 265 grain cast bullet. I can hit a 4” gong every time when I get my POA figured out. Never shot my Ruger carbine, andaconda, or nite guard 329NG past a100 yards yet. For deer I make sure to limit my shots to 100 yards or alot less. BUT the round is capable of a lot farther shots.

[@MichaelLakota-vc4tk]

Just came across this video. I had to watch it mostly because I have a Ruger Deerfield 44. A really fun gun to shoot,however accuracy is best without a scope and shooting it as if it were a shotgun! Point and shoot 🤷🏼‍♂️🤷🏼‍♂️. I can’t figure it out,all I know is I can hit 12 oz. Cans repeatedly at all distances and struggle with the shots if I try aiming. That being said I believe this would be the perfect gun for deer drives and still hunting! Any thoughts ?!?!

[@russellkeeling4387]

I used to own a .44 mag. carbine and did not like it. I thought of it as a pumpkin thrower. I sold it to a guy that took dudes out on over night horse rides. He wanted it for a camp bear defense rifle for which it would work ok.

[@blueduck9409]

I find that 200 meters (219 yards) is about the maximum practicle efective range for the 44 magnum in lever guns. There are exceptions o course., but 200 meters is the average.

[@GREATBASINSELECTIONS]

Id like to see what a ballistic gel at 200 yards looks like.

[@tihomirrasperic]

the bullet is deadly, it is a bigger problem to hit the rifle and bullet itself are not designed for more than 100 yards but the bullet is dangerous even over 2 km I know that once upon a time in the newspaper (in the early 80's) it was said that one person was killed by a bullet from a revolver that was fired at a wedding 4 km away

[@usa-rb5fi]

You can do 150 yards with a rifle version, met a guy last year who nailed a doe at 125 with his pistol version with an 8&3/8” barrel

[@jetstreamx15]

I can't believe you hit that...awsome..thanks for this video..cause I'm looking to get 44 mag Henry...this confirms against the nay sayers

[@1999fxdx]

I bought a Ruger 44 RS in 1975, took it for a hunt, got nothing, fired a few rounds through it, put it in the box and it’s still there. Every ten years or so I oil it up out of the stock. It has a lot of parts and I wouldn’t want to dissemble it.

[@billwangler1690]

Want to sell it? Let me know. Thanks

[@trailguy]

Is a ghost ring the same as a peep sight? We said peep sight a lot but I never heard ghost ring here in the mid-Atlantic. Maybe it’s not a location thing but an era thing? I did most of my shooting in the 80s.

[@AmericanArmsChannel]

A ghost ring, for all intents and purposes, is a large aperture peep sight. It provides maximum light transmission while still focusing the eye and the front sight into the relative center of the sight picture. Great for fast shooting, but can have its limitations when taking farther, more precise shots.

[@milo8425]

Free standing shots are hard at 200 yards for anyone who doesn't practice that exact thing a ton. Could be using a 6.5 PRC non-carbine and it'd be even harder because it's a proper long gun you're trying to hold steady without support. Luckily, at 200 yards you generally are in a situation where you have time to at least kneel, if not get a bipod shot.

[@lastminuteman]

Guys are harsh on here man… I do disagree with you, but at least you are getting out there and putting rounds down range. I watched the whole video, good stuff man 👍

[@AmericanArmsChannel]

Thank you for watching. What do you disagree with?

[@lastminuteman]

Well, mainly the premise in the opening statement, that 75 yards is short for a brush gun, and then a shotgun is effective with the right slug out to 200… I live in Kentucky and I don’t know how things are in your area , but out here 75 yards would be a longshot in the brush. When I’m in the woods or what I call a brush setting, being able to see the game and having a clear shot to the game are two different things; Typically 50 yards would be the furthest that I would have clear line of sight to a humane kill shot. And any place where 150 or 200 yards would be feasible , would typically be an open field across two or more ridges… We get a lot of crosswinds out here for shots like that, and killshot on a deer with a shotgun slug of any kind, or a 44 mag for that matter. 308, 243, 30-06 are sort of the king cartridges out here for anything over 200 yards… And honestly for anything as far as 200 yards in my opinion… I commonly shoot out 400 yards just for fun here, I have a few videos on KZbin doing it. And I wouldn’t call myself all lousy shot, I would however never suggest anyone take a shot at a deer at 150 yards with a 44 magnum. Perhaps I’m placing too many limitations on folks, but I just don’t think it’s a humane or wise choice. That being said, I understand you were just testing the premise, and I think a lot of people have been out of shape over that, good on you for testing it out. I do appreciate the video. and by all means if I misunderstood something let me know

[@AmericanArmsChannel]

It is all conditional. The argument I ultimately am making is there are things that are completely possible and reasonable to accomplish, but the variables of the tools at hand, the skill of the user, and knowing all factors and limits is what determines “practical range”. I do not doubt the conditions you hunt dictate that a “brush gun” would be considered usable and good for the task so long as it can make a clean kill inside of 75 yards. I myself have lived in Appalachia and hunted enough of the terrain to know exactly what you are talking about. I also grew up in Western/Central New York state where conditions are similar in the dense woods, river bottoms, swamps, and lake shores. The difference being in nebraska, many areas alongside the rivers are sporadically covered in dense cottonwoods, ponderosa pine, juniper trees, and tall pasture grass. In one area a clean shot may not be further than 25 yards. Walk another 50 yards and you may be looking across a 50 to 100 yard clearing; another 50 yards and you are staring at the next set of edge-cover being 200 yards away (or more). Therefore, a “brush gun” does well to be usable for quick shots in tight and well calculated ones out to, or past, 200 yards. A note on the slug gun comment: Set up correctly using the load which it fires the best, CAN and WILL be potent to 200 yards (granted with a smooth bore and fosters that range being the outer limits). Yes, the practical range will land between 120-135 yards (just published a video on that topic exactly), but it is more probable to accomplish than you might think. The same can be said for just about any moderate to heavy cartridge with small to moderate powder capacity (such as 44 mag) out of a rifle. My contemplation of a “brush gun” is not what the limits of being in heavy cover and thick foliage limit for shots, but evaluating what a gun ideal for such a scenario is actually capable of and knowing both its limitations and your own. It is not to say that a “brush gun” is not a subjective term, but to show that such a firearm is much more capable than many would conceive or give credit for. That said, I start where I began: know your equipment and your own strengths and limitations, go practice, become proficient, then go hunt.

[@usa-rb5fi]

There are videos of the savage 220 slug guns hitting deer at 300 yards, I personally wouldn’t try it but it’s out there. Hornady revolutionized slug hunting when they introduced their sabots in the 2000’s. Also Lucky gunner in the last few years put out a video comparing 357 and 44 levers and they were showing most 44 loads with 100 yard zero only drop 4 to 6 inches at 150 yards, and a couple of the loads still had over 1000 ft lbs of energy which is more than plenty for say a whitetail. Since you mentioned brush hunting, I live in your western neighbor state (Missouri) there are some places here even in brush that a 100 yard+ shot is possible depending on setup.

[@RichardSmith-kb3uk]

Great video. Enjoyed it. It was hard to see because of camera angle, so I might be wrong, but I think you're using the sling wrong. Leaving aside the loop method (obviously not what you were doing), I didn't see you wrap it around your left forearm and bicep. If you're nice and tight, it should actually hurt and be hard to shoulder. But it will be absolutely steady and a part of your body. I shoot 30-30s with peep sights at 100 yards standing all the time. An 8 in plate is a guaranteed hit, not a maybe, not a most of the time, 100%. My lever rifles are 2 MOA guns and I never shoot without a sling. *I need* a 44 magnum carbine. I think if you get that peep dialed better and properly wrap your support arm in the sling, you'll be tack driving that rifle. You're a good shot already. People don't appreciate how hard that is. Hope I didn't come across as another internet blowhard. Thanks for the great dialog and entertainment.

[@lieugebo805]

The dogs were no annoyance at all you could just hear them in the background you were way over the dogs volume

[@mikedolqueist1130]

I don't think you talked to much, and you have good info,. Anyway good stuff, with my 44 mag win, carbine 100 yards is my max because you have to raise front post above target to get hits and can't see target. But I shoot 260gn hard cast. Thanks.