Just recieved a Marlin .444S in a trade

[janttihunter]

Ya they do!!

[pd]

Pre Cross bolt safety?  Very beautiful. I have the short carbine in .30-30. Love it. .444 a tad big for me.

Keep it.

[janttihunter]

Yes Pre-safety. Yes it's a beautiful gun, can't wait to shoot it!

[6x6in6]

Yes Pre-safety. Yes it's a beautiful gun, can't wait to shoot it!

You should have a safety.
We should trade.   

[yorketransport]

If you handload, the 444 is very impressive! Stay away from any of the 240 gr bullet factory loads though. The bullets are just too soft for the velocity that the 444 can hit. If you don't handload you should give some of the Buffalo Bore or Corbon ammo a try. That's when it reaches it's full potential.

There isn't anything in Maine that a 444 can't kill inside of 150 yards with the right load. The trajectory makes things complicated beyond that.

Andrew

[SemperFidelis97]

I have a 760 pump in 30-06 that I would part with reasonably its not perfect, but it would make a great brush gun.

[wildmanoutdoors]

Although the leverevolution ammo doesn't get the best reviews. It's shoots good! My marlin in 45-70 kicks the crap out of my shoulder with the 325 leverevolution. I have it sighted at 100 yards and is right on anywhere out to there.
That being said I think your effective range could be near 300 yards. It doesn't drop as bad as other ammo with its ftip.
My buddy has the 444 guide gun. We haven't done much with it yet to see as he won't order ammo. He looks for it in stock here in kitsap and doesn't find it. Lol

[janttihunter]

Thanks for all the info! Ive been doing some reading. Think I might keep it. Its a beautiful gun, seems like I can be accurate to 150 yards and its good for any big game in North America. Perfect brush gun! Only downfall is the Ammo is pricey...

[Come Get Some]

I have a couple of these. My Dad gave me one for graduation in the 70,s. It is very accurate and shoots farther accurately than most would think. Very good gun. Nicely done.

[Mtn.Ghost]

Thanks for all the info! Ive been doing some reading. Think I might keep it. Its a beautiful gun, seems like I can be accurate to 150 yards and its good for any big game in North America. Perfect brush gun! Only downfall is the Ammo is pricey...

I own 2 of the exact marlin .444's like yours and one of the win. ported short barrel guide model. I have always hand loaded my own ammo and have a very good reliable load worked up they love to spit Hornady 265gr FP's. I have no hesitation to take a shot out to 300yds on any big game with my .444 and load. I can punch 3 leaf clover holes at 100 meters and keep less than 2" at 200 meters that about 220yds. My load is pretty hot but still within limits. I zero 4" high at 110yds and It smacks dead on at 220yds.

I have shot deer and elk with them, contrary to most people's chatter it does not blow massive chunks of meat away. I have shot elk in the vitals punching thru ribs on both sides dead center of the bone and it looked just like a perfectly clean 1/2" hole like it was done by a drill, that was at around 75yds. Also people tend to over dramatize the the recoil......"Oh!!! No!!!" look it's it's a big bore it's gonna hurt me!!!

As far as range is concerned? Consider how many people hunt with the .44mag pistols with scopes ect. Most of them have no problem shooting out to 100yds+.....well the the .444 marlin round is basically a .44 mag on roid rage      

For sure you need to keep the gun and love it especially in maine.
Never ever underestimate the power of the lever guns.

There an old saying about the lever action " It's killed more deer and *.......* than any other.