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Marlin .444

tim355
I was looking for information from anyone on their opinion of the Marlin .444 (not the guide series) and what kind of accuracy they have achieved at 100 yards. Most of my use would be for whitetails in thick brush. I currenlty use this caliber in a Thompson Centender 14 inch barrel with good results.

Thanks in advance fro any info,
Moose

"I will follow the path of others some of the time, but most of the time I prefer to make my own path." - Mike Moyle
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Comments

11 comments

Date Votes
  • tim355
    I'm interested in this caliber and have been researching it. I understand it uses a .429 bullet, same as a .44 Remington Mag and that it was brought out before the resurgence of the Govt 45/70.
    What I have been unable to find out is the following.
    Since the .444 Marlin is essentially a .44 Rem Mag that has been stretched out, does that mean that a .44 Rem Mag can be fired through the chamber, like a .44 Special can through a .44 Mag or a .38 Spl through a .357 Mag ?

    Also, I have read considerable conflicting information regarding the micro groove barrel and the accuracy of cast bullets. I haven't found any bullets in .429 that specifically state they are designed for the .444 Marlin and would like to use hard cast bullets so the micro groove barrel becomes an issue when selecting a firearm for this caliber.

    Thanks to all in advance,

    Dan R
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  • gskyhawk
    tim355: I just sold my marlin outfitter in 444 , this is the rifle with the 18.5 " ported barrel that you're asking about, yes its a very easy rifle to carry in the brush BUT it is a very loud gun to shoot and the recoil is very heavy, if you look you will see that Marlin no longer makes it with the ported barrels just to hard the the ears. Enery at 300yds for the 444 is listed at 630 ft-lbs and 1445 ft-lbs for the 150 gr 30-06 .
    short range trajectory for the 444 if zeroed at 100 yards is -3.2" @150yds , -9.7" @200yds and -20.8" @ 250yds. trajectory for the 45-70 for the 300 gr bullet is 50 yard zero -1.3" @ 100yds, -6.6" @ 150yds, -16.5" @ 200yds and -32" @ 250 yds
    I would very much doubt that they where used in Nam

    if you're looking for a new marlin take a look at their new offerings. maybe a
    336 Cowboy in 38-55
    1894PG in 44 mag has nicer wood stock
    1894FG in 41 mag
    1894 cowboy in 44 mag or 45 Long Colt
    check out their web site a www.marlinfirearms.com
    good luck
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  • spasmcreek
    been playing with 444 marlin for several years..marlin 444 ss with slip on stock boot...prefer new cut rifling...265 gr flat point at 2200 fps takes a deer out like a mack truck downhill in the passing lane...also play with a #3 ruger 44 augered out to 444, just longer case...easier to carry but give shoulder time to heal....ports---no way...would stick to clad bullets in 44 or 45 at higher reload fps...have fun
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  • Iroquois Scout
    Forget the short barrled carbine. If a rifle is carried in the hands, as it should be, rather then slung over the shoulder you will have no problem with barrel length. I have used muzzle loaders with 40 inch barrels in the brush with no problems. Also, forget 300 yard shots with either the .444 or the .45-70. Keep all shots at 200 yards or less. 99% of all game is shot at less then 200 yards anyway, so this should not be a problem. If I was going to buy a Marlin .444, I would get one of the new production guns with the 1 in 20 rifleing twist as it will handle the 265 and 300 grain bullets better then the older 1 in 36 twist. In these large bore, basically straight case black powder cartridges, bullet weight is worth much more then velocity. This is one of the hardest things to try to teach people that are not familiar with this type of cartridge. If the choice were mine, I would pick the .45-70 over the .444 as the .45-70 is much more versatile and more loads are available for it. If you handload the possibilities are unlimited. As to the .444 being used in Viet Nam, I spent three tours in country and never saw the rifle or even heard of it being used. However, stranger things have happened.
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  • michael minarik
    Too bad you sold your 444, w/ported barrels have two of'em and am crazy about both..love'em. Hate the 240 grain pistol bullet, this bullet really s.u.c.k.s! As for the noise... how can it be louder if noise flow is just re-directed...decibals do not change just because of direction...don't understand your reasoning on that...As for the recoil...@5'7", 200lbs, 32" waist...can't believe you think recoil is bad...try shooting a Mag caliber rifle with your t-shirt on like I do...
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  • gskyhawk
    I don't find the recoil to be bad out in the field but shooting off the bench it did get the shoulder a little sore after about a box and a half and as far as it being loud it is ! if not then why did Marlin quiting making them with the ported barrel?[:)] anyways just my 2 cents worth
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  • bambihunter
    I have found my group... A big bore lovers group. LOL
    I have only shot the .444 a few times and loved it. I just wasn't ever a lever fan. I like the 45/70 for the reasons stated - versatility... I used to have a .458 mag, shoot it with the real heavy loads, then we're talking recoil...

    I disagree with scouts comments on the validity of short barreled guns. There is a time and a place. I use a Ruger .44 carbine (1971 model, not the new P.O.S.) and have shot ~ 10 deer with it, the longest shot was 60 yards and one shot was LITERALLY under the stand. I was in a 10' ladder stand and I could have almost kicked her in the head. In fact, I had to shoot with left handed and the gun wasn't against my shoulder (thank goodness there was no scope). I couldn't have gotten the shot off if it weren't for the short carbine length. Another big-bore attribute - I haven't ever had to follow one shot with anything larger than a .40 bullet, they have all dropped in thier place. The area I hunt (described aboe) is only after the deer are into hiding after a heavy first week of pressure from surrounding areas. I normally carry my .300 WinMag for the rest of the time.
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  • heyman47
    444 is a Great rifle, I had to curtail shooting mine as much especially from a bench rest, it has a tendency to knock your fillings out!! Also beware when shooting from a tree stand it will put you on the ground. Man on man the damage it will due to a deer or wild hog!!
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  • Jim Rau
    I spent two tours in RVN and I didn't see any John Wayne Assault rifles (lever actions) there.[;)]
    I own a 444 with a non ported 16.5 bbl that, I am told, came from the factory that way. It has the pistol grip stock (not the straight grip like the outfitter). I load 300 gr XTP's (2100 fps) and have a 1.5X5 Leupold on it. It shoots 1.5 to 2 inch gps at 100 yds. The recoil is not bad (but I shoot 338's and 340 WBY often).
    I would disagree about the bbl length too. In the heavy growth (scrub oak in CO and alders in AK) it is a necessity to have a short bbl.[:)]
    It is a very good close quarters gun (less than 200 yds).[^]

    Self defence is an ablsolute and natural right. Keep your powder dry! J. Rau, Alaska
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  • gunluv280
    If you don't believe the sound can be louder if it's re-directed, try taking a shot while standing next to a metal building sometime. I about rang my ears off doing it once. The sound of my 12ga bounced off the building and right back at me. Very loud.

    Direction of sound waves can DEFINITELY affect how loud they are. After all, if somebody is yelling at you while facing you, it will be louder than if he is yelling at you but facing away.
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  • bambihunter
    I agree gunluv... The decibels might not change, but the direction on which they are faced will affect the percieved sound...


    It doesn't matter what you shoot, just shoot it well...
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