16" ported 44mag marlin: for 10 year old girl? & how much should gun cost used?

[GTR done]

My 10 year old girl wants to go hunting (age 12 in California). She is good with a bolt action 22, but needs to shoot left handed (left eye dominant). I can't find a youth sized left bolt rifle we like. 6 pound 16" ported barrel lever action seems like a good bet. I found a used one - Marlin 1894P and put it on lay away. I will start her off with 44 special cowboy loads, then  44 specials and 44 mags before hunting season.
1. What is a good price for this used gun? I have it on lay away, so I am not commited. It already has a Lyman receiver sight on.
2. Any reason this is not gonna work for her?  I would like to put a large loop on it, but I don't know if that will help her get the lever moving that much easier. Thoughts?
3. She is big for for her age.
4. I thought we would start hunting pig, then move up to deer. I live in Ventura county. I have never done any hunting myself yet. Any ideas on inexpensive ways to get started?
5. I have a scout scope that I might put on it later. Anybody have a mount that works for you?
Thanks!

[only1asterisk]

My 10 year old girl wants to go hunting (age 12 in California). She is good with a bolt action 22, but needs to shoot left handed (left eye dominant). I can't find a youth sized left bolt rifle we like. 6 pound 16" ported barrel lever action seems like a good bet. I found a used one - Marlin 1894P and put it on lay away. I will start her off with 44 special cowboy loads, then  44 specials and 44 mags before hunting season.
1. What is a good price for this used gun? I have it on lay away, so I am not commited. It already has a Lyman receiver sight on.
2. Any reason this is not gonna work for her?  I would like to put a large loop on it, but I don't know if that will help her get the lever moving that much easier. Thoughts?
3. She is big for for her age.
4. I thought we would start hunting pig, then move up to deer. I live in Ventura county. I have never done any hunting myself yet. Any ideas on inexpensive ways to get started?
5. I have a scout scope that I might put on it later. Anybody have a mount that works for you?
Thanks!

1. I'd start around $400 and deduct for any flaws.
2. I know a lady that started hunting with a similar rig.
2a. The porting disagrees with cast bullets.  
2b. You don't need the large loop.  The standard lever is fine.
3.  My daughter is 5 and is about 4'6".
4. I'd go out with an experience hunter a few times first myself, if I were you.  You want your daughter to have a good experience.  
5. No experience with the scout scope on Marlins.

[only1asterisk]

Interested in alternative suggestions?

[GTR done]

Totally open to other ideas.
Any thoughts on reasonable options are welcome.

[GTR done]

The other thing I like about this gun is it has a thick recoil pad. The length of pull is too long now, so I will take the pad off until she grows into it. With light loads it shoudn't hurt. That way I don't have to cut down the stock. I would like to put some kind of thin pad on it to keep the stock from splintering. Any ideas?

[Avenger29]

I almost brought one of those.

Decided against it in the end, but it was a sweet handling gun.

Scout scope? XS Sight Systems makes something that you are looking for. Check out their scout mount. I've got one on my 336. http://www.xssights.com/store/scope.html


Make sure to get her some good earpro and have her wear it out in the field in addition to the range. If that means getting a set of cheap electronic muffs, do so.

[Bo Smith]

I'd recommend not cheaping-out on the ear pro. She's young, still growing, and only has one set of ears to last the rest of her life. Hearing damage is cumulative. Get her some good electronic earmuffs.

Nice choice on the carbine, too. I'm not a fan of porting, but if it helps her tame the recoil, it's worth it.

[only1asterisk]

If she's going to shoot off the left shoulder a Winchester ('92 or clone for my money) might be a better choice.  The Marlin ejects to the right while the Winchester ejects up.  Also left eye dominant people do well shooting from the right shoulder and closing the left eye (or using an eye patch).  This is how my Dad shoots.  Although it isn't ideal, it feel more natural for many people and it keeps them from being condemned to the world of lefthanded guns.

Lefty friendly rifles:
Ruger #1
TC Encore and Contender
Browning/Winchester 1885
H&R/NEF Handi Rifle
Winchester lever actions.

Other kid friendly cartridges with factory deer loads:

6.8 SPC
7.62x39
30-30
7-30 Waters
257 Roberts
6.5x55
7x57
250 Savage

I like the Handi Rife for their light weight and available youth stock.  The TC Encore costs more, but are more nicely finished and available chambered for a wide variety of cartridges.

[GTR done]

I have a swedish mauser, still think 6.5 will be to much. I do like the handi rifle. I think we decided they were not versatile enough.
I also have a M-1 carbine. A Cor-Bon DPX .30 carbine round has the same muzzle energy as a DPX 44 mag (10 inch shorter barrel length though.)
Hornady Lever Evolution .44 mag has lots more energy (20 inch barrel). However, hunting ammo has to be lead free in California. Can't use the Hornady then.
 
I will have to see if the DPX 44 would gain much from 8-10 inches more of barrel length.

[Avenger29]

Also left eye dominant people do well shooting from the right shoulder and closing the left eye (or using an eye patch).  This is how my Dad shoots.

That's the way I shoot rifles, too.

[GTR done]

Now I am thinking about the Rossi 454 stainless carbine. 16 inch barrel, 5 pounds, lots of ammo from cowboy to 454 casull. I heard they are not made any more. Any body know?

Thanks!

[only1asterisk]

Now I am thinking about the Rossi 454 stainless carbine. 16 inch barrel, 5 pounds, lots of ammo from cowboy to 454 casull. I heard they are not made any more. Any body know?

Thanks!

I don't know if they are being produced currently but their distribution was changed recently.  They appear to have some models in stock at one wholesale distributor.  This particular model has a spotty reputation as the action doesn't quite seem up to a steady diet of full power Casull loads.  In addition, the OAL is really too long for the action leading to feeding problems with some factory ammo.  Early on there split stocks and magazine tubes working loose were common complaints.  Both have been addressed but the stock is still a weak point. 

These are interesting guns, being the strongest version of the Model '92 (my favorite Browning design).  I personally think that an experienced handloader gets the most benefit out of these rifles, being about to download the cartridge slightly and control the OAL.


Did I mention they kick like the devil's mules? The recoil can be downright vicious with full power loads.