How do the Pumas compare in quality to say a Ruger or Marlin 44 mag rifle? I am still considering a handi rifle but really would prefer to have a quicker follow up shot.....otherwise, I would just take the muzzleloader.
I think all 3 are fine rifles. I am a bit biased as I have a Marlin and have never owned a Rossi or Ruger in .44. If you intend to do a scope mount I believe the Marlin will be a better fit in the levergun dept. The bolt gun that Ruger makes in .44 would be an awesome all weather gun.
Does it shoot the lighter bullets better than the heavier ones? I plan on using this as a close quarters or brush gun. Probably will not go with a scope to start with anyway. Do you reload or shoot factory loads?
Does it shoot the lighter bullets better than the heavier ones? I plan on using this as a close quarters or brush gun. Probably will not go with a scope to start with anyway. Do you reload or shoot factory loads?
I have had my blued .44 Rossi for about 8 or 10 years. I have only shot 240 grain JHP and LSWC through it. Both group well and it is very reliable. Even with .44 specials.
As stated above, If you want to mount a scope on one, get the ruger or Marlin. I avoided the Marlins at the time because they mostly had microgroove rifling. Didn't want to spend hours scrubbing lead out of the first 2 inches of barrel.....John
I have owned a Marlin 1894 44 and hunted with it for a few years, never was as accurate or fit me well as I'd like, I bought the puma scout model, better accuracy and with the scope out front and the cheekpeice if fit much better and used it for a few years hunting and it did ok but then I came across the 77/44 and it was everything I wanted, it fit me better and accuracy was much better. For pure hunting the 77/44 if you care about looks probably the marlin but I"m a hunter not a collector.
I would not think of ever going back to the levers, I can run the bolt on the 77/44 as fast as I can run the lever, the scope fits better on the bolt gun.
I run a burris fastfire2 on my 77/44 and love it, I put down several deer with the setup and can't say anything more
I have shot the Ruger and own the Marlin. I like the marlin over the Ruger because I had issues with racking the bolt and accuracy. I could kill a deer @ 100 yds. with both the Ruger and Marlin ,but I was about 1 1/2 inches better with the Marlin. I shoot Reloads with 240 grn. Hornady XTP's @ about 1600fps at the muzzle.