Home Forums Lever Action Central Big Bore Levers 444 Marlin Opinions

The 444 isn't all that bad and in fact isn't any worse than anything else out there, so relax. Yes...it will lay the smack down on deer...it is a lot more than is necessary to kill a deer...it is both effective and fun. If you can get one, and if you want one, get it. Marlin big-bores are a world all of their own! If you haven't already, go over to Marlinowners.com...it is a good source of information on Marlins and the 444. I started out with .45-70's and expanded my horizons to include the 444. I love it.

Now just so some of you realize, I would give up half my model 70 Winchesters before I ever got rid of my 1895 Marlin in the .444 caliber and that is a fact, it kills deer that good gents.

Any pictures of your kills you can post up?

Bought mine in 1981 at Mills Fleet and Farm in MN, for $219.
Super accurate... killed the largest buck I ever took with one at about 340 lbs or so on the hoof south of International Falls MN.

After I started handloading, I pretty much use the Hornady 300 grain XTP in mine....

For off season playing with it, by loading any 44 Rem Mag load in a 444 case, will equal the same MV in the Marlin as listed for a 44 Mag with an 8 inch barrel...low recoil also..

Trail Boss and 180 and 200 grain XTPs, give an MV from 800 to 1100 fps, depending upon charge...with very minimal recoil.. but those XTPs still put big holes in stuff, and that XTP also still can blow a sapling tree in half, which excites the heck out of a 12 to 14 yr old when you let them shoot it.

I use mine for 150 yds and under... and SR 4759 is pretty much my GoTo powder... sure I can pump it up more, but the Hornady bullet don't need the extra velocity at that distance, and also substantially reducing recoil, makes it even more enjoyable to shoot. Lack of any aerodynamics in those FN bullets, surprisingly gives up very little point blank range when you slow it down... they shed velocity exceedingly fast otherwise..

With this 444 I never saw the need for a 45/70...

Tried that new 225 gr Hornady FTX meant for the 44 Rem Mag, with a charge of 30 grains of SR 4759...within 150 yds, that is a very very effective new bullet for the 444....

however if I need to load it up bear or elk in timber or tight quarters.. the 300 grain XTP is still what I go back to..

Me and "Shorty" my Custom '71 444s Marlin (cut-n-crown to 18")helped these two does take a ride in the truck to my processer on January 22nd.



I popped the air out of them using some hoarded Old Stock - .265 Grain Hornady Light Magnums, I hear tell Hornady is bringing the .265 Grainers back in the Superformance line... WOO HOO!!!

Me and Shorty took 5 of the 8 deer the big guy blessed me with this season, I took 2 with a muzzle loader and a third with my 300 Win Mag...

I am not much for punching, but when deer season is in; 80% of the time me and shorty are in the thick stuff loking to punch a hole in something

See you in the woods...

Ron

So I am not the only hoarder of the original 265 grains... I still have 26 left... saved for special occaisons.

No you are not the only one� I have 3 full boxes of Remington 265s and 2 boxes of Hornady�s original 265 gr. ammunition. Midway offered a window of opportunity two weeks ago and I purchase two boxes (100 ea) of Hornady 265 gr. bullets. So, I am OK for the short term with my Triple 4. CP.

Yes but I know that hard kicking strip stripping rifle kills like the Hammer Of Thor!!!

Indeed.

Chaseguitar,
No question the .444 is more than needed for deer but who cares. It and the 45-70 are simply fun to shoot. I like to shoot paper and bang on the steel with them. Usually the same person who thinks it's to much gun becomes a convert after shooting it. As to the gun you're considering, if you can buy it cheaper all well and good. If you can't but like the gun go ahead and buy it. The price being asked is not out of line.

Years ago I was looking for a 444, but all I could find was a .45-70, which I bought. I never cared to much for the .45-70 because of the recoil. Last week I traded a buddy a Remington 1903A3 that shot well but looked ugly for a 444. I haven't had a chance to shoot is yet, but I've got my bullets, cases, dies and trimmer for it. I'm going to try the 265 gr. Hornady/R-P cases/WLR primers/H335. I bought a Williams guide receiver sight for it, but it looks high, and may require a taller front sight. Has anyone used one of these sights on their 444?

I love the .444. Great cartridge and very accurate.

I have a williams receiver on my marlin .444. I had to put on a taller front sight.

This isn't the regular FP or 5D. On Winchester and Marlin rifles those haven't required taller sights on my rifles. This sight is the little on that screws on top of the receiver in the rear scope mounting holes. It doesn't seem to go as low as the regular ones.

Tamed the KICK with a Limb Saver "sissy pad" many moons ago... Topped Ol'Shorty with a 1.5-5x20 Barska Mildot for this season... Never did like that 32mm bell on the shotgun scope I used last season...



*v*

I love big bore Marlins! My 444 with 265 gr. Hornady handloads will shoot a 1" 3 shot group @100 yards off of a bench. The 444 and 45-70 Marlins are my favorite rifles.

The 444 was indeed my first lever ever!

WOW...

The Barska "Tack Drives" with Shorty at 100 yards in the orange dot...

I have 10 .265 Grainers left for 2011 - 12 Season...

Then it's back to the 300 rounds of .240 Remingtons...

WOO HOO!!!

*v*

If anyone is looking for the Hornady 265gr. FP bullets check on GB. One listing has them at $65.10 for 200 rounds.

The wonderful 444 Marlin...loves the Hornady LeverEvolution 265s!

This one has a custom trigger, large loop, fire sight & Lyman peep, custom leather sling