Wondering if any of you have a marlin levergun in 44 magnum? Got one for Xmas yesterday from my grandson (tell me I don't have the greatest grandson in creation!) Was wondering about the recoil on it. Doesn't appear it could be that bad with the weight of the rifle. Reason I'm asking is had back surgery (fused 3 vertebrae in my lower back) back in late November. Told the Dr he was messing with deer season, he said unless I had a recoiless rifle, I would be sitting out this season. He, of course, was wrong about that, as I have grandsons to take hunting. Haven't shot anything, saving it for them, but I would really like to use it on pigs coming up here this week. Recoil itself doesn't bother me that much, but would really like to not mess things up if it has much recoil. Thanks!

I have several .44s including a 44 carbine.

It's not crazy in the recoil department but it's not nothing either. A LOT of it depends on ammo used. It's not a 30 mag or even a 7 mag. but it's there.

If I was you I would get a box of 240 gr Federal American Eagle soft points. Shoot a three shot group so you know where it is then go blast a deer. You will be fine.


If you want to shoot it a lot get .44specials until the back heals.

If going after pigs at short range 44 Special should do the job with less recoil than mag loads. These are incredibly fun guns to shoot. If you feel up to it after firing some 44 Special then move up to 44 mag. But 44 Special is a pretty lethal round from a rifle.

I shoot 44 mag a lot. Should be good. In a carbine its more of a light punch than a sharp strong push back. Maybe wear a recoil shoulder pad for the first couple sight in shots.

I have the 1894, 44mag , but reload for it. I scoped mine and have it zeroed for 50 yds. It will punch one large hole at 50 and I've taken several deer with it. Fun to shoot and very reliable.

I'll go another direction still. Buy a recoilless rifle. Take out anything behind light armor.

Shoot the 44 after your back heals.

I used to have a Rossi 16" 44 Mag. Not heavy recoil. But not nothing.

normaleagle05 said:

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I'll go another direction still. Buy a recoilless rifle. Take out anything behind light armor.

Shoot the 44 after your back heals.

I used to have a Rossi 16" 44 Mag. Not heavy recoil. But not nothing.

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seems like great advice to me!

Love me a good 44 mag!

Appreciate all the replies, guys! I was just wondering. I have a pump Lightning in 45 colt, and it isn't a problem. Love shooting it, and I'm just as sure I'm going to love shooting the mag. They got me a box of the Hornady FTX 225 gr cartridges along with it. Muzzle velocity listed on the box is 1410 fps, which is like 500 fps more than the 45 colt, which is why I was asking. It is the 1894 version, and is significantly heavier than the Lightning. Cup, You are right about my family. This grandson and his brother have for some reason, as my wife says, think I hung the moon. Not sure I deserve such love. This particular grandson and I have always been close, I was closest thing he had for a dad I guess. But he's turned into such a fine man. I'll quit blubbering now, Thanks guys.