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I've been looking for a dedicated "woods" gun, one that I can tote with me during rifle season when I go to the woods and use a climber or lock on stand...something used that shows some "love"...I've found a used Marlin 444 and I although I hate to add another caliber to the collection (I'd much rather have an 1894 in 44 mag) I'm coming around to idea of this big bore levergun...This gun has the microgroove barrel and no crossbolt safety...it has $400 on the tag, but I could probably do better on the price...for short range deer hunting, will this rifle fit the bill and what should I pay...?


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I had my hands on one yesterday, it had a 3 power scope on top and was in great shape in my eyes. It had a price tag of $450 on the rifle.

I personally adore this caliber for the woods or up close to medium range. Now last year I took on some of those Hornady Leverevolution bullets and I was impressed at the range. Those 265 grain bullets make a 200 yard deer rifle out of that lever gun. If you use those hardcast bullets in 325 grain it will take on the biggest of North American game.


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The only thing to watch is using bullets meant to operate at .44 mag velocities. The .444 case can really sling them out there and the bullets can't hold up. I liked the 265 Hornadys the best for deer.

With heavy hardcast, it is a giant-killer.

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The 444 sure augtta stomp any deer that ever walked if you want to put up with that level of recoil just to kill deer. Personally, I see no need whatsoever for that kind of power just for deer at woods ranges. I've killed a trainload, including 9 bucks that dressed in the 180-210 lb. range with one shot apiece from my .30-30 and can see no need for anything more powerful inside 200 yards.

Last edited by Blackheart; 12/19/10.
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A .444 ain't that bad. Try some rip-snorter .45-70s in a Guide Gun. I use one of those, too.

And I agree with you on the .30-30. I've been shooting deer for 40 years with the one I have. But, I like playing with big-bore levers, so I go a few times each year with one.

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$400 is a decent price on a nice pre-safety 444. I have a 45-70 & 444 and they are surprisingly accurate - 100 yd cloverleafs with the 444 are common.

Do you need a 444 for deer? Nope, but that great big hole in the end of the barrel is so cool...


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I have shot deer with a 30-30 when I was knee high to a grasshopper! Yep, shoot em and they run a 100 yards or so. Lost a deer one season because two other hunters smacked while running after I had hit it behind the shoulder mid-way up.

You hit em with the .444 or 45/70 they don't run half as long especially if you hit that shoulder or that Texas Train going North from ya. They hit the ground like a piano was dropped on their heads.


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I've shot probably 60 deer with the .30-30 and have yet to have one go more than 75 yards. The vast majority have gone down in less than 50. Of course that's with lung or heart shots. Through the shoulders, neck or head are DRT like you flipped a switch. Killed a 194 lb. 9 point with my .30-30 two weeks ago yesterday. One shot tight behind the shoulder from 120 yards and he was all done in 40 yards.

Last edited by Blackheart; 12/20/10.
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hell of a hog gun.

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Nothing for nothing, but I have a Win. Timber Carbine in 444. Even with the muzzle brake, it kicks like a mule and the bark will knock the stripes of a racoon. Just though you should know before you lay the bucks out.

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I just purchased at an aucgtion a Savage lever action 30-30 with no model number that I can fine. It has a serial number of 230009. Can anyone tell me the year or value of this gun?

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This is my '71 refinished cut-n-recrown (no porting) double band PG that I call "Shorty"...

[Linked Image]

Obviously I am biased... I hunt with a Browning 300 Win Mag and a Marlin in 444... I have taken my two biggest deer with this gun (9 pt and 11 pt)... The deer I have shot have never gone more than 10 to 20 steps if that, most (If I do my part) do what I call the KA-BOOM-PLOP... I do not even hear the click anymore... I saw a nice early model (pre-safety) for $300.00 this morning... Good luck with your choice, it is great to live in a country where we have choices!!!

18.5" Bbl, Matte Black metal, Matte Black bedliner coating on the wood, a small slip on Limbsaver "Sissy Pad" (drops the "felt" recoil to that of a .243), Marlin sling since replaced with a black one amd topped with a Simmons Pro-Diamond 1.5 - 5 x 32... I have escorted two does to the cooler this year with Shorty (so far)...

See you in the woods...

Ron

Last edited by Marlin_444; 12/21/10.

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I shot through a deer long ways once. Hit this little buck as he was facing me in the brisket. A 300 gr cast bullet went all the way through, breaking the back leg bone on the way out.
Amazing penetration, but I pick my shots better now. What a mess.

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[Linked Image]

A Timber Carbine is a good choice...light a handy....

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The 444 was my first experience with Marlin big bores thus my handle here on the fire.

It is a great short range gun. Out to 200yds it will put the smack down on deer, black bear and elk type critters.

The 265gr hornady is a good bullet as is the 270gr speer gold dot.

I believe the big bore marlins are at their best when used with hardcast lead though. Check out marlinowners.com and beartoothbullets.com for all you'd like to learn about Marlins and hardcast Lead.

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The 444Marlin is a bit more than a short range gun. If its a pre-safety, I think they can do with a barrel lop as they are slightly nose heavy. I'm setting mine up to be used more next year ... either the 300gr Speer Uni-Cor or new 280gr Woodleigh ... I'll lop the barrel to 19" ... paint the action and stock for weather durability ... fit a Skinner rear peep and replace the front sight with a blade sight.

I've owned both 45/70 and 444Marlin and oddly find the later more versatile and interesting.
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Quote
100 yd cloverleafs with the 444 are common.


They were the norm with the one I had, which was the "original issue" version with 24" barrel. Scoped it one year to see how accurate it could be and was impressed with the outcome.

Never killed anything with the factory 240 gr soft point loads, did kill several deer with my own 200gr HP loads. Had no problems with bullet failures on deer, using those pistol bullets. All were pass-throughs on boiler room pokes, all one shot kills.


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Originally Posted by Nhouse
I just purchased at an aucgtion a Savage lever action 30-30 with no model number that I can fine. It has a serial number of 230009. Can anyone tell me the year or value of this gun?


Here is a complete list of the Savage Lever boss Codes

and their corresponding year of manufacture:

[Linked Image]


A= 1949
B= 1950
C= 1951
D= 1952
E= 1953
F= 1954
G= 1955
H= 1956
I= 1957
J= 1958
K= 1959
L= 1960
M= 1961
N= 1962
O= SKIPPED
P=1963
Q= SKIPPED
R= 1964
S= 1965
T= 1966
U= 1967
V= 1968
W= 1969
X= 1970

Check out the "Savage Collectors" forum above for a lot more info on your rifle


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Well this old man just might not have any nerves left because I just don't feel that so called "smack" in the chops are recoil some think is sooooo nasty with the .444 caliber Marlin 1895 rifle. It will get your attention sitting down at the bench firing a dozen rounds or so, I'll admit that but it sure is not like getting cracked in the side of the jaw by a left hook from Mike Tyson.

You load this rifle with 325 grain hardcast bullets, like Beartooth Jr. Pile Drivers and you can go hunt friggin Polar Bear, as it will send em through that bruin from bow to stern. If you use that Hornady "Leverevolution" ammo, it makes for a 250 yard gun for deer you betcha!!!

Last edited by Tonk; 12/25/10.

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Not to be too much of a nitpicker, but the 1895 is the 45-70 and the 444 is just the M444. ;O)

Not that I could ever see any difference in either model, other than the chamberings?

My M444 Marlin was the original version: Heavy 24" barrel and large, clunky buttstock. I ain't much for abiding recoil, but even with 240gr bullets, mine never bothered me none.

With my choice of 200gr HPs over 47 grs of IMR 4198, no problems at all with recoil, bench or otherwise. It was superbly accurate and killed every deer I ever fired it at.


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