Marlin 444

[bandit1250]

I ran in to a women that her husband had bought a 444 Marlin from me about 7 years ago. I heard he had passed away several years ago but never knew how to get hold of her to ask about the 444. She wrote down my phone number after we talked about it but I never heard anything from her until about three months later she called me last Friday. She said she located the rifle in a soft case in a closet and wanted to sell it. I asked if she had a price on it. She said she didn't price it and so we agreed on me giving her what he had paid me for it and she would be happy with me getting it back and she had no reason to keep it. So we went to our local FFL and did a transfer from her to me and we both left the dealers place happy. So now the search starts for some empty brass and bullets for loading. I sold my brass and bullets when I sold my last 444 thinking I would never get another one. I have owned 6 over the years and I can take deer hunting or leave it. Doesn't bother me to go or stay home. This rifle I just bought back the lady told me she didn't think he took it hunting after buying it. It looks the same as the day I sold it to him which I feel is a very nice one with no bluing wear and no marks on the wood. Maybe I will put a Leupold M8 4 power scope on it with a Weaver base and a nice set of rings and keep it mounted low. If I don't hunt deer with it I may try it on chipmunks. We have mean chipmunks in Pa. Take care and go out shooting. bandit

[HenryFan]

Must be aggressive chipmunks also.

Always use enough gun.

[HenryFan]

I think the .444 Marlin is a chambering Henry should consider for the single-shot rifle line. It might prove to be a seller.

[Vaquero]

Congrats Bandit, on getting it back.
I own two, one has the 22' tube and a pistol grip, the
other is a model P, which means the barrel is ported, they came with an 18.5" tube and a straight stock.
I killed a deer with the first the second day I owned it. It was a 135 yds shot open sighted.
She fell on the spot.
But the P sees the most action, I like slapping the gongs with those heavy cast.

RP

[North Country Gal]

Good for you, bandit. I also had a Marlin 444, 22" barrel. I even shot the 444 in an Encore pistol for a time. I really enjoyed the cartridge. Liked how flat it shot compared to a 45-70, for instance. Got out of reloading, though, and that pretty much put an end to my tripleT shooting. I see some factory ammo every great now and then, but the price is just insane.

[Handloader]

Last summer at the range I picked up several 444 cases, by the end of the year I had several hundred of them. I ended up decapping and running in my ultrasonic cleaner. I just traded them for some H-4895 powder. I typically pick up all kinds of cases and clean them for trading. I almost purchased a 444 and waited too long and it got sold. They are a good all-around cartridge.

[BigAl52]

Congrats Bandit. I dont need one but I did own a Marlin at one time. It shot great with some IMR 4198. I should of never sold it. But Id like to see one in a single shot Henry also.

[5shot]

Al. I have no first hand experience with the .444 but have run 300's and 320 gr. cast out of a HO15 .44 mag at around 1600 fps and they were potent but managable. I'd guess those same bullets booted out of the little SS about 500 fps faster would cause things to get a bit lively.

[HenryFan]

There is something satisfying, at least to me, when a firearm which I foolishly traded away or sold returns home. It has happened to me on two occasions. The first was a Remington Model Seven rifle in 7mm-08 which I sold to a friend and later on, we traded again and, in that deal, the Model Seven returned to me, the original owner. The second rifle is a Ruger 10/22 RSI I sold to a different friend. It sat in his safe, never used, and I worked out a deal where I traded for a utility trailer and then, traded the utility trailer for the International.

I think that at the time I sold the Model Seven, I thought I had a sufficient number of deer rifles but I am not sure one ever does.

I most likely sold the International to fund some other project but it stayed in the back of my mind. I like full stock rifles and I was glad to see it return to it's original owner.

Bandit - To me, that .444 would be worth more than one just bought at a gun show or a gun shop. Congrats.

[BigAl52]

Al. I have no first hand experience with the .444 but have run 300's and 320 gr. cast out of a HO15 .44 mag at around 1600 fps and they were potent but managable. I'd guess those same bullets booted out of the little SS about 500 fps faster would cause things to get a bit lively.

5Shot
Exactly why I dont have the 44 mag either. The 357 gives me all the esplainin I need anymore and if I want a big charge I go get the rock lock pour about 90 grains of 2FG Old Enysford down the bore with a round ball and let her go. That gives me a refresher course of the 444 days.