Am I doing it wrong? Rossi 1892 44 Mag

[booyah]

So, I really want a 44 mag 16" rossi 92 in stainless.

I love the light weight and how the rifle handles, my state (Michigan) is considering pistol caliber carbines in the areas that are otherwise only muzzle loader or shotgun (and handgun) for deer hunting, and it would nicely compliment my 44 mag revolver.

What I'm wondering is, in closer ranges, would this still make a decent bear/elk/moose gun?

I reload, and am running "cheap" rounds with WW231, and saving H110 for the top end rounds. Was thinking a hot 300 grain LBTWFN round with 19 grains h110 would be good medicine for anything in North America at least to 100 yards.

Am I doing this wrong, am I asking too much of the little lever gun? Or am I thinking the right thing, and this is the money spot to be?

[AJMD429]

An awful lot of those larger game animals were killed by skillful hunters over the years using far less powerful guns then a 44 Magnum carbine.

I think the key is "skillful hunters" who stalk to "closer ranges"; these days the majority of hunters use high velocity magnum rifles and never get closer than 300 yards to their quarry.

P.S. WELCOME to the forum. By the time we are done influencing you, you'll have a bunch of other lever guns too, so it won't matter. The only question is whether you will be hunting that elk with a Winchester 1886 in 45-70 or a Marlin in 444, or a Savage 99 in 308...!

[booyah]

Generally I spend most of my time bow hunting, so 40 yards or less is my usual shot.
Revolvers, bows, etc all are plenty at home at that range, but I would like to have something that will reach out to 100 or so that is light and easy to bring through the woods etc.

I have bolt action guns for longer ranges, but they just dont feel as nice in the hand or on the shoulder

[Griff]

and Welcome to THE Forum.

What I'm wondering is, in closer ranges, would this still make a decent bear/elk/moose gun?
I reload, and am running "cheap" rounds with WW231, and saving H110 for the top end rounds. Was thinking a hot 300 grain LBTWFN round with 19 grains h110 would be good medicine for anything in North America at least to 100 yards.
Am I doing this wrong, am I asking too much of the little lever gun? Or am I thinking the right thing, and this is the money spot to be?

I don't know, are you successful hunting at those shorter ranges? 'Cause the round & gun are capable.

[gamekeeper]

Welcome and what the Doc and Griff have said..

[earlmck]

And welcome to the forum, booyah.

What you are looking at is real close to the load I've successfully used on a couple cow elk, but it was the 280 grain version and shot out of my Redhawk revolver. I quit using that particular combination because I didn't get complete penetration and therefore didn't get much of a blood trail. And even a solid-hit elk runs a ways before it goes down and a good blood trail can be a fine thing to see.

Out of your carbine you should get a couple hundred more fps velocity than I did with the revolver, except that your 19 grain load is so light you are still talking revolver velocities. I'd think you will probably work up to something closer to 22 grains with that bullet and get close to 1500 fps and that should go plumb through a 100-yard elk with a hard-cast bullet.

[Grizz]

A consideration is the twist rate of the rifle. My son's Marlin 1894 will not stabilize a 300 gr bullet. I hand gun hunted with 325 grain bullets and always got 2 holes in deer. Have not shot moose or bears with that load. I don't consider this a good bear load, and don't know about moose.

Something to think about. There are trapper length 45/70s if you want to use heavy bullets. I shoot a 44 cal 420 gr bullet from my redhawk but can't stabilize it from the carbines I have.

Grizz

[AJMD429]

Something to think about. There are trapper length 45/70s if you want to use heavy bullets.

I warned him wed be tryin' to get him to buy more leverguns...

[kevind6]

My own experience with using a 44 Mag carbine rifle on big game animals is that for archery type ranges (40 yards or less), I feel pretty confident in it's ability to deliver a knock out blow. Beyond that, not so much. I've killed a few deer and bear with mine, but I limit my shots to under 100 yards. I've never seriously considered using mine for elk, they are a tough animal and I have other rifles and calibers better suited for the task.

The big game load I have pretty well settled in on for my Browning 92 is 18.5 grains of 2400 pushing a 265 grain Hornady flat point.

[Grizz]

Something to think about. There are trapper length 45/70s if you want to use heavy bullets.

I warned him wed be tryin' to get him to buy more leverguns...

I know, right?

[booyah]

i think the new little rossi's are a 1:20 twist, faster than the marlins and generally good with the heavier loads from what I have heard.

from what I saw in my reloading info a 19 grain charge of h110 or win296 with a 300 wfn lbt round should be in the 14-1500 fps range out of a 16" barrel. not the hottest of the possible loads, but pretty decent punch for a shooter I think.

Thanks everyone for the info, if any one has used this rifle for that type of hunting I would appreciate any testimonials

I've seriously considered a 45/70, but with the higher costs associated its just outside where I want to be I think. I want something that is still "cheap" to shoot. Since I already am geared up for reloading 44 mag, not counting brass I can get my cheap (win231 240 grain swc) reloads for about $0.17 a shot, the h110 hotter loads using beartooth WFN 300 grain gas checked are going to still be about $0.40 a pop (most of that in the bullet cost itself $27.75 for 100).

I dont think I can do 45/70 for anywhere near that unless I'm seriously working in bulk

[Grizz]

A stainless 92 will be a tremendously versatile arm. Your thinking on the 44 is right on, and since you already load for it you are set up. We harvested tons of venison with the Marlin carbine. It is fabulous with standard 240s, it will improve with your loads.

You might consider casting your own bullets to cut down on costs.

1500 fps is a good velocity and will hammer game and be easy shooting. The only advantage of more velocity is a moderately flatter trajectory. But if you think of the carbine as a long barrel hand gun rather than a short barrel rifle you get into the automatic Alaskan elevation mode and the holdover is always right.

I like 325gr hardcast in 44 mag a lot. If you have a 1:20 barrel you might like to try it. It will cycle thru my browning 44 action, but the barrel has the stupid slow twist rate.

My only observation about the rossis and their descendents is that the barrels are awfully thin walled. You won't be able to chin yourself the way Quigley did

...Grizz

[Nate Kiowa Jones]

i think the new little rossi's are a 1:20 twist, faster than the marlins and generally good with the heavier loads from what I have heard.

from what I saw in my reloading info a 19 grain charge of h110 or win296 with a 300 wfn lbt round should be in the 14-1500 fps range out of a 16" barrel. not the hottest of the possible loads, but pretty decent punch for a shooter I think.

Thanks everyone for the info, if any one has used this rifle for that type of hunting I would appreciate any testimonials

I've seriously considered a 45/70, but with the higher costs associated its just outside where I want to be I think. I want something that is still "cheap" to shoot. Since I already am geared up for reloading 44 mag, not counting brass I can get my cheap (win231 240 grain swc) reloads for about $0.17 a shot, the h110 hotter loads using beartooth WFN 300 grain gas checked are going to still be about $0.40 a pop (most of that in the bullet cost itself $27.75 for 100).

I dont think I can do 45/70 for anywhere near that unless I'm seriously working in bulk

Rossi still uses 1 in 30". Some of the earlier marlins were 1 in 38", just too slow to stabilize the heavier bullets. Your 44mag Rossi 92 with full power loads is plenty adequate for most any North American game out to 100 yards if you do your part.

[joec]

I have a Rossi 92 in 45 Colt and have recently gotten some Ranch Dog designed bullets in 290 gr gas checked that I load with 25 gr of Lil'Gun. Very accurate but are a bit hard on my old shoulders. I would bet they would take a black bear down with little trouble within 100 yards if one hits it right.

[booyah]

Thanks folks I appreciate the feedback

I would love to start casting bullets, but the Wife Acceptance Factor (WAF value) on melting lead in or near the house is so far down the scale I would never recover from it...

[booyah]

Heres another quesiton though, I am currently thinking the 16" barrel for the lighter weight, handier handling. Should I consider the 20 or even the 24 for the sight radius, or added tube length, velocity increase? Are they worth the balance shift farther forward and the weight/size increase?

I'm already planning on the rear peep that replaces the dorky safety from stevez, so I should net a few extra inches of sight radius off the 16"

Thx

[Ji in Hawaii]

I've been hunting with my 44 mag 1894 Marlin since 1976 and have dropped mostly wild pigs up 300+ pounds, never had to shoot one twice even at 125 yards. Mine is a 20" carbine which I feel balances perfectly. I also own a Winchester 94AE Trapper in 357 mag which I feel is a tad muzzle light but the handiness more than makes up for it. Both wear receiver peep sights which increases the sight radius as well as improved sight picture. I personally would not go beyond a 20" barrel for a pistol cartridge levergun. In a 357 mag the powder is pretty much burned up in 16", and a 44 in 20". 45-70 22" or even 24" preferred personally.

[Nate Kiowa Jones]

Heres another quesiton though, I am currently thinking the 16" barrel for the lighter weight, handier handling. Should I consider the 20 or even the 24 for the sight radius, or added tube length, velocity increase? Are they worth the balance shift farther forward and the weight/size increase?

I'm already planning on the rear peep that replaces the dorky safety from stevez, so I should net a few extra inches of sight radius off the 16"

Thx

I prefer the 20" round barrel. If you carry it holding it under the receiver in front of the lever the 16" is butt heavy. Plus optimum ammo performance is usually at around 20 to 22".