I bought a 444 Marlin around 83, pre-hammer block. It was accurate with both factory Rem offerings (240gr & 265gr iirc). Grouped about an inch at 100 yds, trigger was excellent. Mounted a small Bushnell and killed a buck with it. Kicked pretty hard or maybe I was too young?
[Linked Image from i.ibb.co]

Later I sold it due to my brother telling me it's a rifle shooting pistol bullets and that's not good???