First off I found a decent one for sale, bluing is very strong, has a couple handle marks on the stock. Want to use it for deer hunting in Iowa and was wondering a little about the value, rarity, and effectiveness of the caliber. I’m a marlinaholic, I might as well admit it😁 Any feedback would be appreciated, thanks!

Not really rare.....but highly desired.......some don't care for the porting

Sold my 2001 a few years back.....fetched $1100 with 1-4x20 Leo scope

Was a real clean one owner......shot well.....never actually hunted with it

Its more than enough for deer.....handload ? The 265 Hornady is the only

bullet you need for it..Factory 265 ammo also...maybe new gummy tips

444 has nothing over the same rifle in 45-70 though.....both are great cartridges

I'm a Marlinnut too..........

http://www.leverguns.com/articles/anderson/444Outfitter.htm

tikkanut, thanks for the reply, i sent you a PM.

So? How did it work out?

I have eight Marlin 444s. The 444 is a very effective round with better ballistics than the 45-70. The round is also easy to reload. The Hornady factory loads are pretty stout pushing 265 grain bullets at 2400 fps at the muzzle. Those rounds are more than one needs for whitetail and offer pretty heavy recoil. Tissue damage on whitetails I have killed with the Hornady loads has been massive.

I developed a lighter load pushing 240 grain Hornady XTP bullets at 2150 fps. It works well on whitetail with much less meat loss.


I have only seen one Marlin 444 with the Remington REP stamp (DOM 2011) and I own it. Remington was having a lot of trouble building levers and quit producing several models including the 444. I haven't been tuned in to Marlins for a while but I have heard several times that Remington plans to start producing 444s again. I have yet to see a new production Marlin 444.

That said, the "JM" Marlins are favored and generally sell quickly if fairly priced. I would need more information on your particular rifle to offer an opinion on value. I will say that a JM Marlin 444 in nice condition should be priced from $650 on up. Anything less would be a very good buy. also, as mentioned in an earlier post, many do not like ported levers.
Merry Christmas!!

T.S.

Recently handled a new RemLin 444 at a LGS in north Houston area. They are out on the shelves. Appear to be of decent quality, but some will likely continue to voice complaints on wood/metal fit.
I recently acquired another JM stamped 444 and have it at my Gunsmith's being cerakoted as the rifle had a previously rough life, or I might have dragged the Remlin home for a shooter.