Home Forums Lever Action Central Big Bore Levers 444SS

Got a 444SS today , with cross bolt safety , micro groove barrel . Any idea as to approximate manufactor date ?
575.00 used , in excellent shape , you think that was too much ?
How is accuracy ?
Thanks , Kenneth

For year of manufacture check the Marlin sites. You subtract some portion of the serial # from 2000. I don't know what happened after 2000. You didn't pay too much, nor get a screaming deal. Mine has metallic sights, and is likely more accurate than I shoot it because of the recoil. Especially from a bench. It compares O. K. to my smaller lever-actions when shot from positions though.

Thanks for the reply . Action seems stiff , put some zero friction on the bolt , hammer and lever . Didn't seem to do much for it . Kenneth

Subtract the first two digits from 2000 and that gives you the year is was made. On JM guns at least...

Have been to a couple local shops , one a co-op , and no ammo . Went to a gun show today there was some hornady flex tip , 39.00 a box . Went to a gun shop across the road and they had the same for 42.00 . Also have had no luck finding ghost or peep sights at any of the stores , as popular as the lever gun is here in Va. Thought that odd . I am considering selling it to fund a 45/70 Marlin . Thinking a full length one with a 24" barrel . Have trouble with up close vision and long barrels seem to work better for me with peeps .
Kenneth

if it has a X/bolt safety........its post 1983.......

look at this chart.......S/N begins with '10' for example.....

mfg date was 1990....she's a keeper.........

http://marlinspares.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Marlin-Date-codes-ver8-396mb2-1024x791.jpg

other than date codes.....

subtract first two from 100...........IE again.....10

100 -10 = 90........1990 mfg

the barrel warning code on barrel's right side........

began in 1981......with Marlin & probably industry standard

Always wanted a 444.


Just sounds cool.


Like a triple nickle cummins.

I like the Williams WGRS sight for a peep. Fairly inexpensive and works well. It has more adjustment than the XS system. You will most likely have to change the front sight with the use of any aperture sight. The 444 is definitely a handloading proposition. My 444SS is a later version with ballard rifling. I had Tom at Accurate molds make a mold for me, although the Hornady XTP bullets work well also. My mold drops a 275 grain gas checked bullet and a 285 grain plain based bullet. I shoot mostly mild charges of Red Dot or Unique in mine. Somewhere between 1,000 and 1,200 fps. These loads put a lot of fun in what otherwise could be a brute to handle. My rifle sometimes thinks it's a benchrest rifle.
Best of luck with yours,
Rick

Hornady built the 265 gr boolit just for the 444..............

Every man who thinks he needs a .444, had better just go git one!! Fought the urge for years & took the plunge in 2008. I don't belive I'll be without one for the rest of my days.

Nice to see interest in the 444 Marlin. Most underrated cartridge out there. The 444 flat out hammers game. From 225 grain to 400 grain HC it will do anything asked. Thanks to Marshall Stanton and Poco Kelly for revealing what this cartridge is capable of. It’s well known that gun writers have no clue about the potency of this cartridge when loaded to full potential.

Sure did , the 265 gr FP is the only bullet I shoot out of mine. There ain't many folks out there that have trouble getting this one to shoot. Most 444's think they are bench rest rifles with this bullet. Does real well on game too.

Ok , I put it out there for sale locally for 500 , no takers . That's 75 less than I paid for it . So , I've decided I will keep it before I take anymore loss than that on it .
This 265 gr ya'll are talking about . Is it the same bullet in the Hornady light magnum load ?
Have any of you shot the light magnum in your rifle ? If so , how did it preform ?
Thanks , Kenneth

[quote=Kenneth66]Ok , I put it out there for sale locally for 500 , no takers . That's 75 less than I paid for it . So , I've decided I will keep it before I take anymore loss than that on it . /quote]

Maybe I missed something. Are you looking to sell it?

I was trying to sell it locally , wasn't interested in shipping it . Didn't fly , so I am going to keep it . But thank you for interest . I ordered some Buffalo heavy cast ammo for it and scope bases . Going to mount a trijicon red dot and use it for a stalking rifle .
may even reload for it , everything I've been reading has sounded good .
Thanks , Kenneth

Mine is an SS and definitely Ballard..

After you said that I double checked mine , it is definitely stamped micro groove . Box of ammo , scope base arrived today . Will get the Red Dot mounted tomorrow and see how she does .
Kenneth

My microgroove with factory 265 flex tips

Sweet.

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.

You can always reload tough bullets for less damage.

300 Sierra and 300 Beartooth cast with H335 both at 2150 fps. 3 shot groups

The 300 sierra BTW will have to be seated where the cannelure is NOT visible!!!! Seat to Max COAL and use a good crimp via the Lee factory crimp. It will not move!

Haven't shot the groups some of you have shown , but that's using a red dot . But , never the less , like it . Can't wait till rifle season comes around again , really want to try it on a deer . When loading for a laver action do you try to go as close to the lands as you can get and still feed , or just set it recommended C.O.A.L. ?
thanks , Kenneth

I am using a 2x7 vari x 2 Leupy

You'll want to use recommended COAL as a starting point, but create a dummy to test for feeding. I've found the Marlins to be finicky about feeding some bullets, and the throat is often very short. Using a few different cast bullets, the std crimp groove doesn't work, and I have to seat the bullet deeper and use a Lee collet FCD in order for the cartridges to chamber. Yours may be different, but this is common with the Marlins.