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?
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 IPart IIPart IIIAbout 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...