Hello all,Am new to 24 hour campfire and also to levers.Have bought a new 444 Marlin s/s xlr just waiting for paperwork to clear before picking it up.Am going to mount a 2.5-8x33 leupold in weaver one piece mounts,any thoughts on this setup(will be used mosyly on Red deer,Fallow deer,Sambar deer,rabbits,Foxes,Pigs,Goats and Roos).Made the mistake of only getting a 2 die set so collapsed the neck on 4 cases out of 25 when trying to seat bullets,does anyone have a spare neck expander die that they want to get rid of?Have only loaded 240 gn. jhp Winchester behind 47 gns of ar2207(H4198 equiv.)This should be a mild starting load around 2350 fps.How would you blokes sight in ie.inch high at 100 and for what yard zero?I know im selling the gun a bit short using these projectiles but they will have to do till i can find something better,you blokes might be interested to know that factory 444s here are $70Aus. a packet!a bit ridiculous when you can reload them for 60 odd cents.Thanks fellas,good to be here and greetings from Down Under.

They say pistol bullets loaded slow work fine in a 444. Aughta be the thing for small critters. Got a hammer spur? They sell spring kits to make the lever easier to lever and such. The scope is about perfect, I think.

I have used the 265 Hornady exclusively and have had great success. The 240's will work especially on the smaller animals but I would go larger on the deer being hunted. I have not tried them but many swear by the 250 Nosler Partition which maybe a good compromise for ya.

Have used the Hornady Light Mags 265gr FP factory ammo on elk and muleys with excellent results. Real hole punchers. Killed a muley doe with the Rem 240gr, worked just fine. Folks have dissed the regular Rem 240gr SP, but on deer, no problem what so ever. Nothing wrong with the pistol bullets on medium game.

Want substantial short range (150 yds. or less) knock down power.Already have 30-06 and 25-06 for longer ranges.Slugs in .427 are apparently hard to get here but can get some 300 xtp's.I thought someone said these were a bit light in the jacket for use on big deer,any thoughts?

If you hadn't already seen these articles, here is some good reading on the 444:

444 Marlin - Part I

444 Marlin - Part II

444 Marlin - Part III

Enjoy the reading. I'm not sure, but perhaps Beartooth Bullets can ship to your neck of the woods. Could check and see whether it is feasible. Here's a link to Beartooth Bullets.

Welcome to the Fire. I shoot the 265 Hornady's in mine. I was given some Hornady ammo when I bought the gun. I don't have a lot of kills with this load, but the kill I do have was very impressive. Some of my buddies shoot the 270 Speer Gold Dot and they swear by them. Good luck.

Joseph

I own one for about 35 years and I love it! It always shoots well and shot 240gr.to 270gr. with good accuracy. The hornady 265gr. is a rifle bullet the speer 270gr. is a pistol bullet Speer's spokeman said the 270gr.would work well in the 444 Marlin and it is accurate in my old 444 as for your setup well what works for you is it. My setup is weaver see thur mount and a weaver 3x9x38 it's sighted in at 50 yards. I shot both bullets 265gr. and 270gr. at 50 yards the accuracy was the same. If you are going for deer size game go with the 265gr, or 270gr.. I JUST READ THAT THE 444 MARLIN CAN BE HAND LOADED TO 405 WIN. level. good luck

I shoot the 270 Speer Gold Dot at about 2050 fps in my Winchester 94 BB. Have killed one caribou with it, at about 65 yards. The bullet seemed to work just fine .

I use H 335 for all bullet weights, and can easily run 300 gr bullets well over 2100 fps out of a 20" barrel.

I sight in 3" high at 100 yards, for about a 175 yard zero. Mine carries a 3X Leupold, which seems to be nearly perfect for it.

Happy hunting,

DN

Thanks guys,will see how we go.3 inches at 100 it is,thanks Mule deer,happy new years to all.