444 Marlin or 30/30 marlin?

I would go with the 444 as well since you already have a 30-30 ( but if you want another I wouldn't say no either). I would also recommend the 45/70 since you reload it is an incredibly versatile cartridge.
 
personally id go with the .444 just because you already have 2 30-30's and it would be a new caliber so experiment with:)
 
Did it.Picked it up today..444s 19 inch barrel and if I did my research right it was made in 78.No cross bolt safety and the PO put on a red Winchester slim recoil pad(its gotta go).Now time to look for reloading items.Thanks for you opinions folks.
 
You're right about that recoil pad, the skinny little red one with the Marlin logo. There's a prefit Decelerator made that's be a real close fit I got from Russell in Calgary (WSS was put) and what a difference. Didn't bother "super fitting" it - it's close enough and looks good. Haven't been smacked in the nose since - 4 in a row was enough with that little red thing. Hell, I dropped it on the garage floor from as high as I could reach and it didn't even bounce. Didn't bother with trimming the stock to keep LOP the same and it worked out real well - fits me better now.
A 19" barrel? My 444S has a 22". Sounds like you found yourself a carbine.....cool!
 
If you guys could have suspended your little lovefest with the .444 for awhile, you might have discovered the 45/70...a more powerful and versatile caliber, able to digest bullets from 250gr. to 500+grs.
 
Yes Sir.We are aware of the big one. It was brought up a couple of times.But it was not in my budget and I had the opportunity to get either the 30/30 or the .444.Maybe in the future if one becomes available at a attractive price I will pounce on it. For now it .444 for me.
 
ben hunchak said:
If you guys could have suspended your little lovefest with the .444 for awhile, you might have discovered the 45/70...a more powerful and versatile caliber, able to digest bullets from 250gr. to 500+grs.
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That's a bit insulting. I, for one, shoot both. They're very different rifles. The lighter, shorter 444S I have is nothing like my XLR .45-70. I get more speed out of the 444 with a 240 or 250 gr than a 300 or 350 out of the bigger bore, and the quicker 444 is a slicker smoother action with less throw length making it more suitable in the thick stuff for lighter game. Potentially I can launch light but strong .429 caliber bullets at up to 2500 fps quite safely for me and the gun, but 2100 or so is the max for the .458's. As for "discovering" the .45-70.....hell, I'm not even going to go there. If all I wanted was "flexibility" I'd shoot nothing but a .30-'06.
 
I shoot both as well and have tested both to no end, the .444 is handicapped by it's slow twist requiring relatively short bullets, in fact pistol bullets. The lower BC of these bullets, reduce downrange performance and penetration on big game, I am not knocking the .444 as it groups well and hits hard. The .444 is avail. in the same Marlin rifle as the 45/70 and shooters new to big bores should be given the choice.
 
If you go with the 444 marlin the check out Ranch dog molds. He has a two molds currently tha are made to fit the micro groove marlin 444. He also is soon to relase a 350 grain bullet the jan.

I agree with Ben the 45-70 can firea bigger chunk of lead down range. But again dead is dead.
 
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