La Pedersoli Jackal 44 It is a manually operated, pump-action rifle in .44 magnum caliber, designed for hunting and sport shooting. It is a successful modernization of the "Lighting," a Pedersoli replica in turn modernized of the Lightning rifle produced by Colt from 1884 to 1904 and originally chambered in .44-40 caliber and later with three different frame sizes to accommodate cartridges from .22 Short and .38-40 to .50-95 Express. Colt's pump-action rifle never achieved the popularity of the lever-action rifles of the time, although it was used as a sporting weapon in America and adopted by the San Francisco Police Department. Pedersoli's modern replica has a toggle-action, striker-fired, single-action trigger with an external hammer, and is equipped with many more safety features than the original version: a trigger disconnector, a hammer safety, and a bolt release for unloading.
Hunting update
Like the 1886 lever-action rifle, which underwent several upgrades with the Boarbuster and Droptine models, making it highly desirable for hunting, this Jackal version, presented at EOS '25, is chambered for the .44 Magnum caliber, a powerful cartridge that retains 1.000 ft. lbs of energy at over 100 meters. It is suitable for big game hunting, particularly with the most modern cartridges, such as those developed by Hornady for lever-action, and for recreational shooting. It retains the safety features introduced in the first replica, with the addition of a two-position manual mechanical safety on the back that locks the hammer in the rest position, thus preventing the bolt from retracting. The reliability and speed of the repeating system developed by Pedersoli remain.
The trigger group, housed in the lower receiver, is equipped with a disconnector: it is impossible to fire consecutive shots simply by holding the trigger down while operating the repeater. The firing pin is of the fired type, shorter than the bolt and resisted, in its forward travel, by a helical spring that also prevents the risk of accidental discharge. Furthermore, the hammer has a half-cocked safety, making the rifle completely safe to handle.
The repeating mechanism has also been improved, with a cartridge retraction control controlled by the forend and a two-pronged follower that allows for the smooth feeding of cartridges with all types of bullet profiles. The cartridge guides are hinged to the frame and activated by the movement of the bolt. The bolt release control housed in the trigger guard allows for the weapon to be unloaded without touching the hammer, in complete safety.
So much substance
The Pedersoli Jackal 44 features a generously sized stock and forend with a modern style, crafted from oil-finished walnut to ensure a firm and comfortable grip. The microcell recoil pad absorbs some of the recoil produced by the cartridge, yet is not punishing. The forged and CNC-machined receiver has a high-quality matte Cerakote finish to resist corrosion and wear, available in gray or green.
The feed port, with a polished, blued spring-loaded door, stands out on the right side: the cartridges must be pushed with your finger into the magazine until they pass the cartridge retaining lever, which automatically locks them in place. The tubular magazine under the barrel holds 6 cartridges. Ejection occurs through the port in the top of the action.
The high-quality PMG barrel, broach-rifled, is threaded 5/8×24 UNF at the muzzle. It is 483 mm long, optimized for the .44 Magnum caliber, with 6 grooves at a 1:20” twist.
The sights, supplied with the weapon, consist of a ramp-mounted fiber-optic front sight, adjustable for elevation, and a U-shaped rear sight adjustable for elevation and windage, also with fiber-optic dot inserts. Holes are provided for mounting a long Picatinny rail on the barrel.
The rifle is just over 900 mm long and weighs approximately 3.500 grams. The high-quality rifled barrel and adjustable sight (or optic, if installed) ensure accurate shooting, while the pump-action action is known for its speed, reliability, and ability to function even in difficult conditions. Finally, the .44 Magnum caliber offers high power, suitable for driven hunts of large boars, but the rifle is also suitable for trackers and hunters due to its ease of handling and safety.
Try in Gardone
I tested this fun rifle by firing almost a box of Federal American Eagle 240-grain hollow point bullets. I did so on the new 150-meter range at the TSN in Gardone Val Trompia (Brescia), achieving a group of approximately 60 mm in slow, aimed fire (with rear sight and front sight) at 50 meters, and on the 25-meter range, firing the six rounds from the tubular magazine in rapid succession and in several series. The rear sight window is quite large, so I couldn't do much more with little practice, but it always functioned without hesitation or jamming. Perfect for short-range driven hunts.
The Pedersoli Jackal 44 is a versatile and powerful rifle that stands out for its modern design, robustness, and accuracy. It's an excellent choice for shooters and hunters looking for a reliable, high-performance .44 magnum rifle. It costs €1.799.
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Data Sheet
- Producer: Davide Pedersoli, via Artigiani 57, 25063 Gardone Val Trompia (Bs), tel. 030.89.15.00, [email protected]
- Model: Jackal44
- CALIBRO: .44 Remington magnum
- Capacity: 6 rounds in the tank
- secure: mechanics on the dog, half mount
- Percussion: striker-fired
- canna: 483 mm long, with 6 grooves pitch 1:20”, it is threaded 5/8×24 Unf at the muzzle,
- Football: oil-finished walnut wood
- Targeting organs: adjustable notch and front sight
- Total length 927mm
- Weight: 3.500 grams
