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Author Topic: How good is the 444 marlin.  (Read 794 times)

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Offline fredster22

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How good is the 444 marlin.
« on: September 10, 2009, 04:53:18 PM »
  Have a chance to buy a 444 Marlin Handi. Are these a good choice or because I already have a 45-70 and a 44 mag a waste of
time and money? Would appreciate opinions?   Thank fred
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Offline quickdtoo

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Re: How good is the 444 marlin.
« Reply #1 on: September 10, 2009, 05:15:04 PM »
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Offline fredster22

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Re: How good is the 444 marlin.
« Reply #2 on: September 10, 2009, 06:02:37 PM »
  Thanks for the heads up Tim. Just bought one tonight on Gunbroker. Unfired in box, 30 miles from home so it cost me 210 + tax &
callup for 227.60 out the door. Auction # 139564554  Of couse this means as a Handiholic I have to get brass & dies..Does it ever end?
                                                                                                                                                                        Fred
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All H&R 17m2 Sportster-17hmr Sportster-22lr Leatherneck semi-22mag ultra-22mag 700semi-22 hornet/20 258-221 fireball
223 bull-22-250 bull-243 bull Ultra--762x39-7x57m
30-30 157man-30-30/20ga 258--32-20 cust
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ga 258-45lc-45/70-50 Sidekick-50
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Topper-410 slug-410 22"Topper-410 Charmer

Offline dpe.ahoy

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Re: How good is the 444 marlin.
« Reply #3 on: September 10, 2009, 06:23:19 PM »
Nope.  Congrats on the Triple 4, I really like mine.  DP
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Handi's:22Shot, 22LR, 2-22Mag, 22Hornet, 5-223, 2-357Max, 44 mag, 2-45LC, 7-30 Waters, 7mm-08, 280, 25-06, 30-30, 30-30AI, 444Marlin, 45-70, AND 2-38-55s, 158 Topper 22 Hornet/20ga. combo;  Levers-Marlins:Two 357's, 44 mag, 4-30-30s, RC-Glenfields 36G-30A & XLR, 3-35 Rem, M-375, 2-444P's, 444SS, 308 MX, 338Marlin MXLR, 38-55 CB, 45-70 GS, XS7 22-250 and 7mm08;  BLR's:7mm08, 358Win;  Rossi: 3-357mag, 44mag, 2-454 Casull; Winchesters: 7-30 Waters, 45Colt Trapper; Bolt actions, too many;  22's, way too many.  Who says it's an addiction?

Offline briannmilewis

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Re: How good is the 444 marlin.
« Reply #4 on: September 10, 2009, 08:53:16 PM »
What can you do with the 444?

Where does it fit in range, energy, what it is best for etc., compared to other 40 cal rifles?
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Offline cwlongshot

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Re: How good is the 444 marlin.
« Reply #5 on: September 10, 2009, 11:54:25 PM »
DEFINEATELY NOT a waste of time, the 444 has been a solid performer since its inception in '64. BUT there is little it cant do that the 45/70 (hand loaded) and 44mag cover for you now. It used to be that, if you don't hand load, the 444 makes for a great heavy hitter. IMHO, MUCH of this calibers greatness went out the window when Remington, in its infinite wisdom, discontinued the 265Gr loading. BUT this line of thinking is DETROMENTAL as many of us have a 30-06. So following the same line of reasoning, you really need little else once you have the '06.  ::) ;D ;) ;)

Just go buy and enjoy it!!! I have a safe room FULL of stuff I don't "need" but very much enjoy ALL OF THEM!! ::) ;D ;D ;D

CW
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Offline fredster22

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Re: How good is the 444 marlin.
« Reply #6 on: September 11, 2009, 05:59:41 AM »
  This bbl has the newer 1 in 20 twist, how does this compare to the older 1 in 38 in relation to bullet weight as far as reloading for it?
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All H&R 17m2 Sportster-17hmr Sportster-22lr Leatherneck semi-22mag ultra-22mag 700semi-22 hornet/20 258-221 fireball
223 bull-22-250 bull-243 bull Ultra--762x39-7x57m
30-30 157man-30-30/20ga 258--32-20 cust
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ga 258-45lc-45/70-50 Sidekick-50
Huntsman-12ga Trap-12ga TDC
20ga TDC-20ga 22" 258x2-28ga 22"
Topper-410 slug-410 22"Topper-410 Charmer

Offline quickdtoo

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Re: How good is the 444 marlin.
« Reply #7 on: September 11, 2009, 08:38:58 AM »
See the 444 thread started by Default in the Marlin Lever Action forum, there's quite a bit of info related to twist posted on it there. FYI, the only 1:38" H&R 444s made was the Ultra which was only made for a little while several years ago, H&R reintroduced the 1:20" Handi in 2007, I got one of the very first accessory barrels produced, in fact it may have been the very first, they tested it with Rem and both Hornady factory ammo and did great, they kept it for almost a week after it was ready to be returned just so they could check accuracy on my frame, this was before Remington was involved. There's even a thread with guesses as to when I'd get the barrel back!!  ;D This forum and my H&R/Marlin contact were instrumental in getting the twist rate changed to 1:20", H&R was going to make in it 1:38" again, but we got that error corrected!!  ;D

Tim

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,178409.msg1098855157.html#msg1098855157
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Offline greg916

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Re: How good is the 444 marlin.
« Reply #8 on: September 11, 2009, 03:43:46 PM »
About the time I bought my first H&R 45-70, a friend bought a Marlin 444. I shot 300 gr hornady hand loads at the time, he shot 240 gr Remington soft point factory loads. We used to have many discussions about which was best. His was a litte more accurate, I felt mine hit harder. In all honestly, there was prolly little difference between the two. The only deer we ever had to track was hit whth the 45-70. A broadside shot that just missed the heart. I was shooting a 350 gr bullet that I had just started loading. The bullet put a finger sized hole in, and another finger sized hole out, didn't expand at all. I have not used 350 gr bullets since.started loading the 400 gr speer and have never looked back. I think it has it all over the 444. That being said, his 444 and his 240
gr bullets put 5 or 6 deer on the ground every year.
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Offline BBF

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Re: How good is the 444 marlin.
« Reply #9 on: September 12, 2009, 01:21:06 PM »
for small deer the 240 gr are OK. I prefer the 265gr Hdy which was the only alternative available when I had a .444
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