Picked up a 444 Marlin

W

wisconsinteacher

New member
I picked up a 444 Marlin last night. It has a micro groove barrel and nice metal. The wood has some marks on it and some of the finish is chipping off. I might refinish it this winter if I get bored. I like the feel of the rifle and hope to make it a winner in the deer woods next fall. It is my first lever gun so I have some learning to do, like cleaning procedures, loading for accuracy with a crimped round and maintenance. I would like to get a bigger lever loop for it and will be mounting a scope this winter before I start load development.
 
You'll want a good recoil pad on it. The butt plate I had on mine was fairly abusive, the round has some pop to it.
 
Try marlin owners website. A mountain of information on Marlin guns and the 444 has a lot of load info there.
Congrats on a great gun.
 
The only bullet I ran when I owned a 444 marlin was a 240 jps at about 2200 fps through out the late 70-late 80s. Nothing from 0-200 yards was safe in those days hunting.
I kept mine all stock w/no pad then just because I was tough in those days...Ha.
 

I purchased a Marlin 444 way back in 1976. I still have it. I don't use it a lot but it sure drops hogs on the spot.

I think you will love the rifle / cartridge. I shot a small deer with 240 gr. Rem factory loads, but the hogs were taken with the 265 gr. Hornady Flat Point handloads. The Hornady bullets are the only ones I use now. Great accuracy and big bore performance.

 
i have a 444 marlin in tc encore with a 23" MGM heavy factory barrel. i'm still trying to find the sweet spot for 265gr hornady fn with h4198. right now i only did one load with 33.0gr and it was .78" at 100 yards. although it is like a 44 rem mag, the next test will go up to 45.5gr!

 
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Many of the 240 grain bullets commonly loaded in the 444 were originally designed for the .44 magnum. .44 magnum pistol bullets at 444 velocities did not yield the performance results I was wanting. That 265 grain Hornady flat point was designed for the 444, is quite accurate in my rifle, and provides the performance I was looking for (better penetration). Interestingly I have seen (first hand) similar issues in other big bore rifles (45/70 and 10 ML II). As I recall Speer makes a 270 grain bullet for the 444 that is also a good choice.
 
You will fall deeply in love with this gun. I have had my '76 444S for 8 years now, and it is killer on deer up here in Minnesota. I went with a Leupold VX II 2-7x33 scope and have run nothing but my handloads with 265 Hornady #4300 flat points, this has killed deer from 80-220 yards with one shot DRT. I have learned a great deal of info from Marlinowners.com Enjoy your new toy and Welcome to the Lever Gun Addiction.----Riflemann
 
I have a Marlin 1895 GBL 45/70. Seemed like finding 45/70 ammo was easier than locating 444. I don't reload. Love it for bear. I'm shooting the HSM 430gr loads out of it.
 
Originally Posted By: 5spdThe only bullet I ran when I owned a 444 marlin was a 240 jps at about 2200 fps through out the late 70-late 80s. Nothing from 0-200 yards was safe in those days hunting.
I kept mine all stock w/no pad then just because I was tough in those days...Ha.

I once took my marlin and a pretty accurte ar to the range, the marlin to zero and the ar for fun. I ran about 40 rounds out of the lever before i switched, then saw my normally moaish ar turn in minute of hillside groups. Threw me for a loop to say the least.

So i slowed down and started paying attention through the glass, watched my crosshairs jumping massively about once a second. Then ii looked at my front deltoid, it was pulsing about 1/2 an inch with every beat of my heart
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like i said, get a good recoil pad!
 
Quote:there's just something about a big bore lever gun that gives me warm fuzzies...Stu, I have to agree with you 100%...The old 'JM' Marlin .44 magnum I inherited from an Uncle is still a treasured item...I've recently worked up some 270gr loads for it just for grins and giggles...She's as accurate as I can shoot...
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Thanks for the info guys. Mine is a 444s made in 1977. I am looking forward to getting it ready for deer season next year. I still need to get a scope for it. I am not an open sight guy. I hope to get the 265 Hornady bullets in the near future also. From there, brass and dies will finish off the shopping list.
 
The 444 has been a personal favorite of mine for years. It works great on the deer/black bear I have shot with it. The Marlin is capable of fine accuracy and carries plenty of thump.

I had a VXII 1-4x20 on mine.

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Then used a weaver Classic 2.5x20 for some time. It now wears a VXIII 1.5-5x20 heavy duplex:

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The 240gr Rem loads are adequate for deer. The 265 Hornadys are much better for black bear IMO, and I cannot recommend the 270gr Speer Deep Curl enough. It is fantastic, and my personal choice for deer/blackies. For bigger critters, the 300gr Speer or a hard cast bullet would get the nod.

I wonder why Speer doesn't offer a 270gr 444 load? I guess the 444 isn't popular enough. But the bullet sure is up to the task, and performs better than good IME.....
 
and don't forget the cast bullets!!!! beartooth bullets is the best, followed by carolina cast bullets(ranch dog bullets).
 
Hey Wisconsinteacher, I hate to be this nosey but a fellow at church wants to sell his 444T to me and what did you pay for yours, he wants $600 for this one. Good condition.
 
WisconsinTeacher, 444 brass if very hard to find, I have not seen any for over 2 years now, I am working off my original 100 rounds of Remington Nickel brass I ordered 8 years ago from Midway. I have over 400 rounds of Hornady 265gr. bullets though so I think I am set for at least a little while.

Yukon21, a good 444 is hard to find, some might say $600 is on the high side, but I would pay that in a heartbeat if the gun is in good shape. (I just paid $600 for a mint 2003 1895GS (Guide Stainless) in 45-70 this fall
 

Time seems to get away, as does prices for guns these days. It's mind boggling when I look at new prices while still living in the past (in my mind). I can't remember exactly how much I paid for my Marlin way back in 1976, but I'm thinking it wasn't much over $100, maybe $150.

Ditton on .444 brass being difficult to find now. I too am still using the Remington brass I purchased way back in the 70s. It's not like I shoot it all the time, so the brass has lasted me quite well. I guess if a guy wants brass now, he may have to just purchase a box or two of ammo, providing he can find it.









 
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