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Does anyone have any info on the early 444 rifles marked “Model 336-444 Magnum”? This is a Y prefix (1964) made rifle with 20” barrel. If anyone has any details/production estimates I’d greatly appreciate it.

Thanks!


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Maybe it was stamped 336-44Magnum??


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There is an old thread from 2011 over on the Marlin owners site. In the thread it states that in the first 12-18 months of production in 1964-65, marlin roll stamped the rifles “336-444Magnum”. They changed to the regular roll stamp after that. It didn’t state how many rifles were stamped that way, but didn’t think there were that many.

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I remember them being called Marlin 444 Magnums back in the early 70's. I got mine around 75 and could not figure out where everyone was getting the "Magnum" from, now I know.

Last edited by pullit; 03/08/22.

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I would love to get a 444 again. It really hammers the snot out of deer.

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Originally Posted by pullit
I remember them being called Marlin 444 Magnums back in the early 70's. I got mine around 75 and could not figure out where everyone was getting the "Magnum" from, now I know.


Here is something to jog your memory
[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]


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A 444 Marlin is on my bucket list.

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I always loaded 240 gr bullets as that was what the factory loads were. Never had to worry about a whitetail getting away as all but one dropped in their tracks. I did not understand why everyone jumped on the 265 bullet band wagon when the 240's did such a great job. As I got older I figured that not everyone was hunting timber like I was and most of my shots were inside 75 yards (most were 50 and under). Never shot a whitetail that when you cut thru the diaphragm that the whole front cavity was not just jelly, heart , lungs, etc. were just soup. Don't know how you could ask for more.


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Originally Posted by pullit
I always loaded 240 gr bullets as that was what the factory loads were. Never had to worry about a whitetail getting away as all but one dropped in their tracks. I did not understand why everyone jumped on the 265 bullet band wagon when the 240's did such a great job. As I got older I figured that not everyone was hunting timber like I was and most of my shots were inside 75 yards (most were 50 and under). Never shot a whitetail that when you cut thru the diaphragm that the whole front cavity was not just jelly, heart , lungs, etc. were just soup. Don't know how you could ask for more.

That’s good to know, thanks for posting. I just picked up a 444 recently and got some 265gr ammo with it. I will have to load up some 240gr and see how they group. Likewise, most of the shots I have are well within 100 yards.

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The problem with the 240 bullet...as loaded by Remington is it was designed for 44 Magnum velocities and when used against bigger game, they sometimes failed. The 265 (Hornady Interlock) is a much better bullet, but for me, I shoot 300gr hard cast.


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I think that is what made the 444 such a killer on TN whitetail was the 240 bullet. I figured pushing a 240 pistol bullet close to 2400 FPS was what made everything forward of the diaphragm turn to soup.
I know there are basically 2 school of thought on bullets. 1) some want a entrance and exit hole for better blood tracking 2) some want the bullet to say in and dump all of its energy in the deer. I guess after seeing a dozen or 2 whitetail fall to the 240 gr 444 bullet/rifle that I found myself in the second camp. I never had a bullet failure and as stated before all but one deer dropped in their tracks. The one that did not drop is mounted on the wall in my reloading room so none got away.
I will say if you are wanting consistent pass thru shots, the 240 Remington soft point may not be your bullet.


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The very early production models were stamped Model 336-444.

I could find no data on how many were produced with this stamp before they changed it to Model 444.

I do know they are rare, and if you find one in decent shape and at a decent price, snap it up.

I have a 444S from the 70's that I bought 3 years ago for $450.00 in very nice condition and with a scope on her and I'm about to get a 444XLR with original box.

It won't be for a song and a dance, but I'm hoping to get it for around $1,200.00.


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