Home Forums Lever Action Central Big Bore Levers Marlin 444S - what can the experts tell me?

I'm like Sgt. Schultz on the Marlin 444S - "I know no-thing!"

There's a used one I'm trying to track down. What can you tell me about it, date, models, what to look out for, pros/cons, etc. Anything specific about the 444S to watch out for, like cracked frames or broken parts, recalls or anything?

Sporter model made from 1971-1983 with a 22" barrel and pistol grip stock. May or may not have barrel bands (early ones did). 1 in 38" twist so you will have to reload if you want to shoot heavy bullets but they will work if you push them fast in most guns.

It's quite effective with standard 240 gr bullets to about 200 yards. The 444 really is an express cartridge, light bullet for bore diameter. It was never meant to be a long range option. I really like mine.

I had one, someone one the Fire bought it.

Awesome versatility. I used Tac and a 240 xtp. Even made 410 shot shell loads for it.

I also used the Hornandy load which is excellent.

I wish Henry would chamber it.

the 1 in 38" twist lets you shoot up to 350gr sometimes, 310-325gr everytime. speed is the key.

the 1 in 20" twist lets you shoot up to 460gr. slow, medium and fast velocities are the keys.

I am a long time 45-70 guy. The 444 Marlin is a smaller version, sort of. Recoil is less than my Marlin 1895 guns in 45-70, even shooting the 300 grain JHP bullets.
Early guns had the Mircogroove rifling and 1-38 twist. Newer guns have Ballard rifling with 1-20 twist. Not sure when they transitioned. When I was looking I just checked the barrel markings.
I have one from 2000. Recent purchase. I am developing loads with 240 and 265 grain bullets. If you reload be careful of case and oal. New cases run long. The Hornady 265FTX load uses cases shortened to allow for the long plastic tip of the bullet. I prefer the Hornady bullets due to their .430" diameter. For some reason Marlin bores are bigger than standard 44 barrels in other guns.
The XTP bullets are handgun bullets. I work around this by filling the HP of the 240 grain with JB Weld. I am trying the 265FTX with regular length cases by cutting off the plastic pointed tip, making it a flat nose.

These are .431 diameter and work VERY well in my Marlin 444.

They freight train a whitetail.

https://www.rozedist.com/mm5/mercha...e_Code=RZD&Category_Code=ZB-44Magnum

Thanks for the input. I'm not looking for reloading data at this early stage, though, as I haven't even seen it yet. Really looking for if there are any mechanical problems peculiar to this model rifle, recalls, defects, that sort of thing.

There's been no problems with the 444's I've
had/have. If there was anything that could be
called a problem, it would be unrelated to gun
and function and reliability.
Hornady discontinuing the #4300 bullet that
was specifically designed for the 444 marlin
has been my issue.

If you really want it, and can buy it reasonably,
buy it and enjoy it. They're a great hunting gun.

Well, given the availability/cost of 444 ammo lately, the next step after buying a 444 is looking to reload something for it. You may as well know up front what is what.

450 Marlin- you must reload
444 Marlin- you should reload
45-70- it's up to you

Great advice, thanks.

Good rifle, I had one from 1971 with the microgroove barrel. I liked the old Beartooth bullets in.431 diameter at 325 gr but they're no longer available. The 250 gr. from Sierra is a pretty good bullet. It's accurate and acts like a hard cast bullet. It doesn't expand much on game, but at that diameter it doesn't really need to. Heavy bullets do need to be driven on the fast side to get accuracy, otherwise they tend to tumble.

I have the 444S version with 22" barrel and no crossblock safety. I've shot many whitetails with it, many with the Remington 240 grain bullet - the reputation of blowing this bullet up is bullshit, it almost always exits regardless the range. I've shot deer at 10 to 200 yards with this bullet and they always worked. The best factory load I've used is the 265 grain Hornady Superperformance load, I've chronographed it a just under 2400fps - it hits hard both ways. The newer 270 grain Hammerdown from Federal is slower at about 2150 fps but is the best shooting factory load in my rifle with groups just over 1" at 100yds. My handloads with the Hornady 300XTP shot better but were about 9" low at 100 yards. Haven't shot anyhthing with them yet - mild load at 1850 fps, basically a factory45-70 load so they should do fine.