The 444 is a great round! Most 444 owners I know consider Hornady's Superperformance loads tops. Some refer to the FTX loads as "hamburger on the hoof" because they cause so much meat damage. I have lots of levers including some in 45-70 but, the 444 is my favorite. I have eight Marlin 444s and a Winchester Big Bore in that chambering. I don't see Marlin making any more on the horizon.
Like most straight walls, the 444 is very easy to load your own.
BTW, $575.00 is a good price.
T.S.
