Bought a Marlin 444P

[ruhler]

Got the paperwork done, now I own a 1999 Marlin 444P "Outfitter" in 444Marlin.

[Vaquero]

Some 300 or plus gr cast over 25.0 grs of 2400 is a hoot. Very easy on the shoulder, and slaps the large gong around like you won't believe.
I have a '99 P also, haven't taken any game with is yet.
I don't have any experience with that powder of yours.
45.7 grs of H4198 and the 265 gr Hornady pill are very accurate out of my SS model 444 and the P.
Can't wait to hear about your first range trip.
I call mine the Big grin guns, because that's what it puts on my face after pulling the trigger.

Congrats on a fine firearm.

RP

[daytime dave]

That's a nice looking rifle. I'm keen to see it dressed up in it's leather. Congratulations.

[North Country Gal]

Great find. Not a lot of those ported versions out there, now. I've had a couple of the standard versions back when I was collecting Marlin lever guns. Really enjoyed the 444. Great cartridge, but now a reloader's cartridge.

[leverjc]

Nice looking rifle, congratulations.

[ruhler]

Thanks everyone, I was originally in the market for a 45-70, but this rifle got offered to me and I already got everything for 44 caliber so it was really a better option for me. I really liked the model, didnt know it was a pretty rare gun before I bought it. Anyone actually know how many it was made?

Was thinking I would probably want some spareparts like ejector, extractor, extra ramp/ladder for the original buckhorn sight and such but there is no spareparts to be found. I just took the ramp out of the buckhorn because I didnt want to loose it, so the folding sight just lay there.

I got hornadys customgrade 444marlin dies and a bag of new starline Brass. I completed the set with a Lee factory crimp die to get good control of the crimp.I have made a loadladder with my cast 265gr NOE Bullet with vithavouri n120, just need to borrow a chrono and try it out.

So I got my work cut out for me trying different loads, dont know how skinner sight will work if I need a different frontsight, maybe I need to mount a scope to really get the precision to try the loads more consistant. Anyway thats the fun part, just need to find the time for it.

[Vaquero]

Ruhler, not sure about the numbers, I will do some digging.
I do know they were only made in '99' '00, and '01.
I never hankered for a 45 70, but like you I already had a few 44's and 2 molds,
so it was a better fit, and now have the two.
Enjoy, searching for the right load. It's half of the fun.

RP

[Hatchdog]

Good looking rifle and that’s a nice find. Like NCG, I had one back when I was a Marlin guy. Mine like yours was ported. I can’t give you much info because it was several years ago and I don’t recall shooting it very much. Enjoy that beauty.

[North Country Gal]

I think Vaquero nailed it. The ported version was a very late to the game version, only made for a few years, late 90s/2000.

[The Happy Kaboomer]

Nice rifle. You're gonna enjoy it.
I purchased my first one in 2001. I have killed lots deer with my home cast 250 gr and 310 gr cast bullets. And 300 gr soft points. I have a 3x9x50 Meopta scope with heavy duplex on the first one since I hunt early and late. My second one was purchased in 2002 as a "backup". It's never been needed. I shoot it with with iron sights a couple of times each year. Mostly it just resides in the safe.

[ruhler]

peepsight

[ruhler]

At last some leather arrived. Looks great, high quality craftsmanship.

[Vaquero]

Looks good.

RP

[BigAl52]

Looks great. I always liked the 444 should have kept mine. That 265gr Hornady was also killer in mine with IMR 4198