I have a Marlin 1894 .44mag lever rifle, and I love it.
It goes well with my Ruger .44 mag Super Blackhawk.
Now - that being said, I bought my rifle used. It was well worn but the action still felt good.
My rifle is micro-grooved which is unfortunate because I shoot cast bullets.
With the stock iron buckhorn sights the best I've been able to get at 100 yds is 3-4 inch groups, and that is with a very reduced powder load (15gr 2400 and cast bullets). I bet it shoots better using jacketed bullets - but I've never tried....
But - and this is a big but! I love that Marlin .44 mag lever gun! I'm going to trade in the one I have for a new Ballard rifled Cowboy version!
The Marlin lever action rifles are great in any caliber, I own four of them.
The .44 mag rifle, while being a pistol round, will still give you a recoil that lets you know it still ain't a woussy round....