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I've been a fan of Marlin lever guns for decades and some of my favorite firearms are my 39M, 1894 and a few 336's in 30-30 and .35 Rem. But until last week with a fortunate stop at a pawn shop while visiting out of town I had never owned a big-bore lever. This .444 immediately caught my eye as soon as I walked in the door and the salesman told me that the price was "not negotiable", but with a bit of persuasion he finally gave in and lowered it a bit. As a result, I was able to pick this jewel up for a VERY good price, especially in today's market. I have a set of dies and some bullets on the way, so hopefully I can find a bit of brass soon as well.
Last edited by Jcon72; 12/10/21.
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I did not see the caliber mentioned. Care to share?
CRS, NRA Benefactor Life Member, Whittington Center, TSRA, DWWC, DRSS Android Reloading Ballistics App at http://www.xplat.net/
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Oops, sorry, I edited the post to say it's a .444.
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She's a beauty. Doesn't get much more American than that right there.
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Joined: Apr 2011
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
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You did great with that one!
Semper Fi
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Big question; keep the Williams peep or ditch it?
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Semper Fi
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Joined: Aug 2012
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Campfire Regular
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Please come back with your range report. Very impressive long gun.
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I own the same Marlin. It’s the original configuration from when the Marlin/Remington collaboration first designed the 444. Lasted from the mid-60’s until 1970 when Marlin did a redesign by shortening the barrel and changing the stock.
These originals are exceptionally well made firearms and very accurate, I load mine with a close to maximum charge of H4198 and a Hornady 265 grain FP. Mounted a period Nikon 2x7 scope. It groups 3 shots at 100 yds into an inch and a quarter with boring regularity. Functions like a Swiss watch.
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Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
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Very nice! I love my .444
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Nice find!
I believe some of those early models were fitted with a shell lifter that allowed an OAL of 2.65”.
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Absolutely one of my favorite rifles and calibers....shoot it!
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Absolutely one of my favorite rifles and calibers....shoot it! Waiting to get some brass!
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Very nice. I had a very similar rifle, 1969 model. I sold it when I had to move across the country. I regret selling as it’s a perfect North Country deer rifle. I’ll own another at some point, fun rifle. I ended up buying a 300 grain mold from Mountain Molds. The .444 with a 300 grainer is quite impressive.
“One thorn of experience is worth a whole wilderness of warning.” - James Russell Lowell
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Campfire Outfitter
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The .444 with a 300 grainer is quite impressive. Yes it is. Loaded with LBT-type bullets, it becomes much more capable of dealing with very large bodied animals than with the lighter 240 grain projectiles, broadening the capability of the cartridge no small amount.
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https://mountainmolds.com/44-caliber-cast-bullet-molds/There’s the Glen Fryxell mold for Marlin micro groove barrels. It has worked well in my experience.
“One thorn of experience is worth a whole wilderness of warning.” - James Russell Lowell
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Nice score! Best kept secret in a tube feed lever gun. Loaded from light to heavy there’s only a couple of animals on the planet that you’re not supposed to try it out on. But even then with Barnes solid 300 gr Buster or a HC 335 gr and hit right there’s a high probability they would succumb. A very underrated, underestimated cartridge, and most who underrate it or underestimate it have never used it or have seen it used on big game.
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Joined: Mar 2019
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I have one that’s a centennial model has the little inlay in the stock. Bought it years ago from a small lgs it had $240 on the tag. I offered $200. And walked out the door with it. Had a slight feeding issue (forgot what it was). My smith charged me $40 to repair and clean it. Gun was and is 99% condition. Hard to believe where marlin prices are now. Glad I got this one and a few others years ago
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