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...?

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.

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.

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.

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.

$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...

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.

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.

hell of a hog gun.

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.

Tacksmacker

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?

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



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

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.

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

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.

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.
Cheers...
Con

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.

Here is a complete list of the Savage Lever boss Codes

and their corresponding year of manufacture:




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

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!!!

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.

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

another pic

I inherited my father's old .444 Marlin and it is one of my favorite guns here. Like I would expect from a Marlin it is accurate and I did not particularly notice the recoil until later that day. I added a slip on sissy pad which also lengthens the stock for me and helps protect it from our almost constant rain. If I had not inherited this .444 I would probably have a .45-70 guide gun more because they come in stainless than liking the round any better.

I don't think of the .444 as a kicker. It seems rather mild to me.

In my opinion they 444 does not kick that bad either with 240 or 265 grainers. I have never shot anything heavier. I had a 45-70, in CB model. It was not bad with 300 grain bullets but with 400 grainers, look out.

Not sure if this thread is too old to be read...
I'm really happy to hear so many like the .444! I've bought one for my wife as a saddle gun.. Have been looking for some tried loads for the 180xtp's (I have a pile of them), before I started experimenting on my own.. I'd like her to get used to the open sights and the lever action before hunting season next fall.
I LOVE my 45/70 GBL!! My practice rounds have been with the Hornady 300HP's. I didn't have any milk jugs to fill with water the day I got this beast, found a metal coffee can, filled it with water, put on the plastic lid and set it upside down at 50yds,, I won't do that again,, spent 25 minutes picking up all the shards of metal from the can.. the largest being about the size of a piece of banana peel...
Looked like a bomb went off in the pasture! Pretty cool!
Anxious to get the .444 going!

I like shooting 240 XTP's in mine, they have about the same POI as the LE's.

I have taken a bit of a different track with shooting my 444. I have had it for a few years and have used it not for deer but for Bear. 4 so far and all four DRT.
This year I started swaging my own bullets and the 444 is a natural to swage either 265 grain or .245 grain. The best though are buying 315 hard cast or cold water dropped and then swagged with a HP punch. Using slower velocities with the soft lead ensures accuracy and with the HP huge expansion. With the hard cast and the HP I can use higher velocity and ensure a slug that will drive through front to back or all the way through on a broadside leaving a huge hole.
I am trying to figure out how to shoot into clay blocks to measure the cavity but so far the clay has splattered. I think I need to make a shooting tunnel to contain the effect.
All in all the .444 can deliver plenty of velocity or huge momentum at slower velocities and now with the swagged bullets I can go clear up to .350 grain bullets once I start making my own copper jackets. Talk about a powerhouse.
Frank

Do the micro groove barrels shoot hard cast lead bullets accurately? I have always wanted one but for some reason I thought the micro groove required jacketed bullets.

For me as this is a hunting rifle and I am not much of a bench shooter anyway, if I can keep the hits inside a 10 inch pie plate I am happy. I cannot answer about the micro-groove VS Ballard rifling.
Frank

They will is you use the proper size bullet. Slug your bore and go at least .001" over.

Go over to the Beartooth Bullets websites. The owner is something of a .444 Marlin Guru and has a series of articles on the cartridge though he is a proponent of his heavy cast bullets.