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444 marlin

1s1kwade
I the 444 marlin caliber strong enough to put down a grizzly bear from 100 yards or less?
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11 comments

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  • 1s1kwade
    navy arms martini target rifle in 444.....i shoot a marlin lever & ruger #3 augered out & have tried to find one of the navy arms but have been told this is the rifle that never was???????anyone who has owned, seen, or have any info?????? thanks
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  • MIKE WISKEY
    THE .444 MARLIN IS LIKE A .44 MAG ON STEROIDS, QUITE A HANDFULL IN A PISTOL, THE LONE EAGLE IS A WELL BUILT HANDGUN BUT EASY TO GET OUT OF ADJUSTMENT (I HAVE WORKED ON A FEW). THE FACTORY WAS VERY HELPFUL SETTING THINGS RIGHT.
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  • Iroquois Scout
    I don't know anything about the pistol, but, the 444 is a great cartridge for lever action rifles. Useing 300 grain bullets you can handle just about anything in North America. It is a lot like shooting a stout loaded .45-70 with 400 grain bullets. Iam not sure that I would like the level of recoil produced by this cartridge in a "hand rifle". It seems to me that if you would add two more inches of barrel length and a butt stock you would have something more worth while,but then to each his own.
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  • 1s1kwade
    thanks for the info folks. I'm still interested in hearing more. Would anyone out there know the value of this gun if it is in good shape? Thanks,Wade

    w.wade brinson
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  • captkirk3@dslextreme.com
    Tell You what: Clarence Bates of Sedona, Arizona Built me a Side by Side Double Rifle in .444 with 22inch Barrels and sighted at 75 Yards...Took it to Africa...Was truly Impressed with the Gun and caliber..Only took a Lion and Camp Meat with it...But only needed one shot for any of the above...But don't think much of the Hand Cannons..Makes for a Sore Wrist...but then...its in the Eye and Mind of the Owner and Beholder...
    By the Way...The Gun was Stolen from My Home in Arizona back about Five Years ago...Its the Only .444 Double made by Clarence Bates...If You ever run across a Bates SxS in .444 Contact the Cottonwood, Arizona Police Department...Its still on the Currant Wanted List..Best....

    Captain Kirk, Tech Staff
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  • bambihunter
    I agree with some of the other's statements on the .444 Marlin cartridge...
    The .44 mag fired from a carbine is pretty weak. It is good for 75 yards or so then plummets. The .458 mag is awesome, but recoil and price keeps its use down in all but dangerous enviroments. Here's where the .444 comes in, moderate recoil, moderate price, and moderate report (although a ported barrel seems to make it closer to the .458, but reduces the recoil).
    Now for the gun, it is made (or at least sold by) Magnum Research, the same people that sells the desireable Desert Eagle. Their website is: http://magnumresearch.com/. They'll give you the MSRP on there. You didn't list the condition or finish so appraisal is difficult at best. The Gun Traders Guide's listing doesn't make a lot of sense, but they have $295 listed for it. That sounds a tad higher than what they're selling for around here, but I'd bet the .444 Marlin would be less common (don't know if that'll drive the price up or down on this gun).
    Hope that helps!
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  • nam barney
    Can't help out on your particular handgun but I have a 14" contender 44Mag. rechambered to 444 Marlin that I have shot extensively. If you are even a tad bit recoil sensitive, stay away from it. I'm 6'2" and 260 Lbs. and this baby is a handfull even for me with 300 Gr. bullets. I liken it to a 22 cal.reworked by Tim Allen. I'm just at the low level of reloads and working muy way up to the point where shooting this behemoth ceases to be fun and than I will back off. But for me its a fun gun to play with. nb
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  • NOTPARS
    For Iroquois Scout:

    Would you consider the Marlin 444 a decent deer rifle. Here in Missouri, distances probably run from 40 to 60 yards. I looked at the Marlin 444 lever action and like it. A gun smith told me they were no good. He said the only bullet I could use would be 240 grain pistol bullets. He claimed the pistol bullets couldn't handle the velocity of the lever action 444 and would break apart on contact (Deer) and not penetrate. I never heard this before and like the 444. I was wondering if you had any take on this?
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  • bambihunter
    Notpars, you weren't asking me, but I have used the .444 to take 2 deer, and a buddy of mine that hunts in S.E. Kansas has taken a lot with his (upwards of 30 deer) and I don't know the specifics on what he shoots, but I do know he doesn't reload.
    I'd consider the .444 an ideal rifle for the area/situation you described, for those kind of ranges I'd get the carbine.
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  • Sunray
    NOTPARS, that smithy is confused. Any bullet that can be used in a .44 Mag can be used in a .444. Don't think I'd want a .444 hand gun though.
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  • Iroquois Scout
    Notpars,
    Who ever told you that about the 444 doesn't know the muzzle from the butt or was trying to sell you something else. While I personally don't like the 240 grain bullet, it will certainly do the job on deer at the ranges that you mentioned. I prefer the 265 grain bullet as it is a tougher bullet for deeper penetration. This bullet is available in factory loaded ammo. I also load and shoot a lot of cast lead 300 grain bullets for the ultimate in penetration. If not cast to hard you will still get some expansion, but, with a bullet that is already .429 in diameter, expansion or the lack of expansion is not really important. The new Marlin model 1895 in 444 Marlin has the 1 in 20 rifleing twist which handles these heavier bullets better then does the 1 in 36 twist of the older rifles.
    Best of luck, Scout
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