Home Forums Lever Action Central Big Bore Levers Marlin 444P

So over the last year and half or so, the 444 Marlin bug has bit me.
Coming from an extensive bout of 358 Win affliction for many years, I seem to be going up in diameter. ...and yes, I have also now dipped my toes into the 45-70 pond as well.

The 444P had my interest, but the ported barrel concerned me. I searched quite a bit, all the reading I did on it gave me absolutely conflicting opinions.
Some guys hated the ports, some guys really like the ported barrel. Some said the ports made it way too loud compared to normal barrels, others side they didn't notice any noise difference having the ports. Well damn....

Late last year a local deal popped up rather close to me, beautiful JM stamped 444 Marlin 20" barrel, XS Scout rail with Burris Scout Scope, XS Ghost Ring sight, Pachmayr Decelerator Pad, two boxes of ammo, and sealed set of reloading dies for a very nice price. While not exactly what I was looking for, I was weak, couldn't pass it up a package deal like that, and snagged it.

I've been partial to using scopes on rifles most of my life and was never that fond of open sights. But after tinkering with that Ghost Ring setup, I was impressed with the quick shooting ability as well as the accuracy. Not a long range sight by any means, but I don't think that was the intent of this design.

Wouldn't you know it, about a month or two later I found a lovely Marlin 444P for sale. Not the cheapest, but wonderful condition and the only direction they seem to be going for price is UP over the last few years. I bought it.

Finally got around to shooting both side by side this past weekend. I had read some complaints about the 444P and the port loudness while shooting from a covered bench area. Our bench is open air, nothing near by. I shot three rather quick ones from the normal 20" barrel 444, and then three from the 444P using the same ammo. I had earplugs in, I couldn't really notice much of a difference between them. I asked two friends who were about 50 yards behind me if they could tell a difference in sound between the two. Both said they could not.

I put the XS scout rail and scope on the 444P for now, I may switch over to the ghost ring setup at some point but for this year in the woods it's gonna be the 444P with scout scope. Both these Marlins seem to be very accurate, surprisingly so. While the LeverRevolution is not my top choice for ammo, I cannot complain about the accuracy from an 18" barrel and 2x scout scope:

Good!

Keep it up Todd, I'm getting the bug.

Had a 444-P back in the day......was a '99.......great little rifle......

ended up selling it about 5 yrs ago.....they are in high demand...ports & all.........

Remember though.....factory Hornady gummy tip ammo.........the brass has a shorter OAL.....

If you buy Horny factory new brass.....its the normal OAL.......just food for thought

https://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/7013

https://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/74105

The Hornady Superperformance ammo (non-flexitip) is normal brass, I have several boxes of that.
It also shoots just as good out of my 444p.

If I get a 444 next year that's the bullet I'm going to run.

Just a note, neither of the Hornaday 444 ammo works in my Winchester 444 Timber Carbine. Too long to cycle from the loading gate up into chamber.
The pointed flexitip of the LeverRevolution makes it way too long, I thought the SuperPerfomance would work, but that too is just a few thousandths too long.
That Hornady ammo was made for the Marlin action. Remington ammo works fine.

Todd,
I found the same with the flex tip leverevolution but the non-flex tip super performance seems to work fine in my winchester.

I shot my soon to be diamond jims 45 70 p guide gun. Unbelievable! I love the accuracy. I don't know how to post photos. Maybe diamond Jim will. I am gonn e mail him the target.

The recoil is definitely reduced when shooting 405 grain handloads.

Wondering about Jim brockmans ported system where you can use it or not.

I love them Marlins.