Home Forums Lever Action Central Big Bore Levers 444 Marlin vs 450 Marlin

Pros and cons? I will be hunting bear and deer. I will be reloading for it also. I am looking at them in lever action only.

Thanks, Dave

Isn't there some complaint about the 444 that the jacketed bullets available were designed for the 44 Mag aren't designed for the higher velocities of the 444 and thusly don't perform well?

I'm a traditionalist (as well as being a pragmatist, which is somewhat of an oxymoron when applied to gunnuttery). I have 2 other 45-70's would be more inclined to go that way rather than a 450 Marlin. Mind you, there's no chance of stuffing a hot smokeless loaded 450 Marlin into my original Rolling Block that I use for BPCR. Whereas having two different 45-70 loads in the house might not be a very bright idea...

This was true back in the 1960s but not so now. Handloaders screw it up by not puchasing the correct bullet. The only 240-grain bullet Remington offers as a component is the R44MG2. The 240-grain bullet offered in the Remington 444 ammunition is the R444M. It is not offered as a componet for reloading. The Remington factory ammunition is very effective on our Texas deer and hogs. It's probably better suited for the task than the Hornady ammo. IMHO, the Hornady bullet is too tough for our deer and better suited for large-big game (elk, moose, and large bears).

As to the question of choosing the 444 or the 450, I have both and would go with the 444 for your hunting needs. I have several 444 but feel the current production rifle has the best balance of all the features ever offered in the rifle. Barrel length, rifling, and comb on the stock make this an excellent choice.



Wal-Mart sells the rifle for $416[/u] through their online purchasing (buy online, pickup at your local store without shipping and FFL fees like other online purchases). I have several friends that have bought the rifle through Wal-Mart and love their rifles plus you just can't beat that price. The average online price for a 444 this last year was $341. Tack on up to $20 on each side of the transaction for shipping and an FFL to accept the rifle and the above deal is outstanding. BTW, new 444s online averaged $417.

A good primer on the 444 is offered through [u]The .444 Marlin [i]by Glen E. Fryxell[/i][/u]. Marshall Stanton at Beartooth Bullets has spent a career developing the potential of the 444 with cast bullets. Some of his work is highlighted in his three part series, 444 Marlin- America's Most Versatile Big-Bore:
[u]Part I
Part II
Part III

About the 450 Marlin... an outstanding large big game rifle. I have the 1895MR, which is the rifle version vs. the current production 1895G carbine. To date, I haven't taken this rifle into the field. Same with my 1895G (45-70). I guess the 444 is all I need. Here are some thumbnails of the critters I've taken with the 444 this year...

Ranch Dog,
Mighty fine "action photos" as I call them. I have the .450 Marlin. Having never used the .444, I can't speak with authority about the caliber. Mine has done excellent for me and as such, I would recommend it. I really consider this to fall into the "which is better, the .270 or .30/06" category" Deer Dave, buy whichever one you want and most importantly, have confidence in. Remembr, a big hole going in lets a lot of blood out.

Catmandu

Dave-I have a Marlin Guide Gun in 450 Marlin. I recommend the 450 without reservation. I have used this rifle for deer and for hogs over the past 3 years. Mine is equiped with peep sight and is good for max of 100 yds or so. It is a thumper on both ends and is especially potent on hogs. I have shot over a dozen hogs, up to 280 lbs. A shoulder or lung shot brings them down with authority. I have used it on 4 deer, 3 does and one buck at no more than 50 yds, all dropped on the spot with shoulder shots. I do hand load, but not for the 450 as I think it would be very difficult to achieve Hornady balistics by hand loading. I don't shoot that much to make it expensive to buy factory loads. I probably shoot about 2 boxes a year. The rifle is very light to carry in the field and I have it sighted on at 50 yds, it is about 2 inches low at 100 yds. I recommend the 450 marlin, I have no experience with the 444, but understand it to be very potent as well.
God Bless

Why do you believe that?

450 Marlin 24" barrel
350 GR. HDY JFP (Maximum Loads)
DIA. .458
COL: 2.530"
Hodgdon Powders
Powder Charge Velocity Pressure
BENCHMARK 59.0 C 2129 38,600 PSI
H322 58.0 C 2196 42,300 PSI
H4198 48.5 2119 42,200 PSI

450 Marlin 24" barrel
350 GR. SPEER FP (Maximum Loads)
DIA. .458
COL: 2.550"
Accurate Powders
Powder Charge Velocity Pressure
2015 55.5 2207 41,900 PSI Compressed
2230 62.0 2247 39,100 PSI Compressed
2460 62.0 2185 36,700 PSI Compressed
2520 62.0 2154 31,900 PSI Compressed