musicman
09-24-2008, 05:30 PM
OK, like the title says, I've never hunted before. Well, I used to hunt down lizards in the backyard with my bb gun in Miami as a kid. :D But other than that, no real hunting of any kind.
I have a couple friends who are all willing to take me deer hunting this year, and I've got to choose which rifle I will use. I don't have the money to buy another gun, so I've got to choose between my Mosin 91/44 carbine, or my Marlin 1894C in 357 mag. I'm asking for all of you experienced hunters' help in weighing the pros and cons of these guns, and helping me make a decision.
I reload for 357, and have worked up some pretty hot and consistent loads for the Marlin. I do not reload for the Mosin, and at this point I just have about 30 round of old surplus ammo. I know there is modern, non-corrosive soft point ammo available if I choose to go with the 91/44.
Neither of these guns are currently scoped, so I have to go about getting mounts and scopes for whichever I choose. I am having problems with the marlin at 100 yards with open sights. It shoots WAY high, with both 125 and 158gr loadings. I cannot crank down the rear sight any more, and the front sight is not adjustable. Other than being way high, it shoots good groups for a levergun, I think. I've been getting around 4" with my bad eyes at 100 yds. I think with a good 2 or 2.5x scope, I could cut that in half. I get about the same with the Mosin, but need the bayonet extended to shoot to sights. With it folded, they land far low and left. Again, if I scope the Mosin, I can just sight it in with the bayonet folded, and the problem is taken care of.
The Mosin is one heavy beast. I don't relish the idea of carrying that monster through the woods. The Marlin is not the octagon barrelled cowboy version like Eddie's (molonlabetn's) gun, and is of a much more manageable weight.
Stupid noob question: do you wear ear protection when hunting? I know you want to be quiet, and to be able to hear everything, so I would guess you do not wear muffs/plugs while searching for your animal. Do you stop and take the time to put on earware when you've foun him? I would think that would take a lot of time and make noise, which would maybe make you lose your shot. Do you just take the shot and deal with some ringing for awhile? The Mosin (as most of you know) is L O U D!!!! I really don't look forward to the idea of shooting that thing unprotected. The Marlin does have a strong report with hot 357 loads, but not even in the same realm as the Mosin.
I don't have a chronograph, so I can't give real velocities for ammo in either of these guns. I am positive that the Mosin has more power, based on velocities listed in ballistics charts. Its bullets also have a better profile for longer and flatter shooting. However, I don't know of and good hunting bullet designs in 7.62x54R. I know there are modern softpoints, but I don't know if they have a strong reputation or not. In 357mag, a lot of velocity is gained by the longer barrel (18.5" on my gun) producing, in some cases I've read about, 25-40% more velocity than in a 4-6" handgun. There is also no loss due to cylinder gap. The shorter, wider, gaping hollowpoint of the .357 bullets produce more drag, and more bullet drop. I have Hornady XTP hps in 125gr, 140gr, 158gr, and 180gr on hand. Though I have no real world experience, I tend to like heavier than faster. I am leaning toward a 158gr or 180gr loading, and then testing so see the flight curve at 25, 50, and 100 yards. With the 158gr load, I don't think it will be too bad. Should I even b concerned so much with drop beyond 100 yards, and velocity loss?
From what I hear, most deer in TN are taken well inside 100 yds anyway. Am safe in assuming that I can hold a 3-4" group at 100 yards, and that if the bullets lands in the right place, I should have venison for dinner?
Whaddya think guys? Tell me what you think, and tell me what you think I have completely missed. I am a noob, and really appreciate and look forward to your advice. Thanks!
;)
I have a couple friends who are all willing to take me deer hunting this year, and I've got to choose which rifle I will use. I don't have the money to buy another gun, so I've got to choose between my Mosin 91/44 carbine, or my Marlin 1894C in 357 mag. I'm asking for all of you experienced hunters' help in weighing the pros and cons of these guns, and helping me make a decision.
I reload for 357, and have worked up some pretty hot and consistent loads for the Marlin. I do not reload for the Mosin, and at this point I just have about 30 round of old surplus ammo. I know there is modern, non-corrosive soft point ammo available if I choose to go with the 91/44.
Neither of these guns are currently scoped, so I have to go about getting mounts and scopes for whichever I choose. I am having problems with the marlin at 100 yards with open sights. It shoots WAY high, with both 125 and 158gr loadings. I cannot crank down the rear sight any more, and the front sight is not adjustable. Other than being way high, it shoots good groups for a levergun, I think. I've been getting around 4" with my bad eyes at 100 yds. I think with a good 2 or 2.5x scope, I could cut that in half. I get about the same with the Mosin, but need the bayonet extended to shoot to sights. With it folded, they land far low and left. Again, if I scope the Mosin, I can just sight it in with the bayonet folded, and the problem is taken care of.
The Mosin is one heavy beast. I don't relish the idea of carrying that monster through the woods. The Marlin is not the octagon barrelled cowboy version like Eddie's (molonlabetn's) gun, and is of a much more manageable weight.
Stupid noob question: do you wear ear protection when hunting? I know you want to be quiet, and to be able to hear everything, so I would guess you do not wear muffs/plugs while searching for your animal. Do you stop and take the time to put on earware when you've foun him? I would think that would take a lot of time and make noise, which would maybe make you lose your shot. Do you just take the shot and deal with some ringing for awhile? The Mosin (as most of you know) is L O U D!!!! I really don't look forward to the idea of shooting that thing unprotected. The Marlin does have a strong report with hot 357 loads, but not even in the same realm as the Mosin.
I don't have a chronograph, so I can't give real velocities for ammo in either of these guns. I am positive that the Mosin has more power, based on velocities listed in ballistics charts. Its bullets also have a better profile for longer and flatter shooting. However, I don't know of and good hunting bullet designs in 7.62x54R. I know there are modern softpoints, but I don't know if they have a strong reputation or not. In 357mag, a lot of velocity is gained by the longer barrel (18.5" on my gun) producing, in some cases I've read about, 25-40% more velocity than in a 4-6" handgun. There is also no loss due to cylinder gap. The shorter, wider, gaping hollowpoint of the .357 bullets produce more drag, and more bullet drop. I have Hornady XTP hps in 125gr, 140gr, 158gr, and 180gr on hand. Though I have no real world experience, I tend to like heavier than faster. I am leaning toward a 158gr or 180gr loading, and then testing so see the flight curve at 25, 50, and 100 yards. With the 158gr load, I don't think it will be too bad. Should I even b concerned so much with drop beyond 100 yards, and velocity loss?
From what I hear, most deer in TN are taken well inside 100 yds anyway. Am safe in assuming that I can hold a 3-4" group at 100 yards, and that if the bullets lands in the right place, I should have venison for dinner?
Whaddya think guys? Tell me what you think, and tell me what you think I have completely missed. I am a noob, and really appreciate and look forward to your advice. Thanks!
;)