buckster86
New member
- Location
- red deer, ab
does anyone have experience with this caliber? what kind of accuracy and range can you achieve? any info would be great thanks alot
.444 marlin
- Thread starter buckster86
- Start date
leveractionjunkie
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Kamloops, BC
In a Marlin rifle, accuracy will generally be quite good to excellent. I'd say it is effective to 200yrds, you could definately hit targets farther out than that, but on game 200yrds would be my max.
The perceived difference between it and the 45/70 is the lack of high BC bullets to aid in deep penetration on large game. Lately some, myself included, have been working on heavier,WFN style bullets, that are longer and heavier, yet retain a very short nose, necessary in the .444 Marlin. It seems accuracy with both the Microgroove and Ballard barrels is best with .432" bullets. These longer, short nose bullets must also have the crimp groove in the right place for trouble free shooting.
Just checked my log. My testing was with 300ngr Nosler and 265 Hornady. Both shot well.
With a 24X scope, off sandbags, the 300 gr got 1.5" with 47 to 49 gr of Benchmark.
I was very impressed with accuracy. nver got a moose, but spoke to a guy who did. He was happy with performance. he used factory ammo.
With a 24X scope, off sandbags, the 300 gr got 1.5" with 47 to 49 gr of Benchmark.
I was very impressed with accuracy. nver got a moose, but spoke to a guy who did. He was happy with performance. he used factory ammo.
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I was just about to post a range report for my marlin 444s 22" microgroove.
so here you go. Should I be using a magnum primer with this powder??
this is with Hornady 265gr FN and 30.5gr of IMR sr4759 powder and at 50 yards. shooting with a cheap and old 4x32 bushnell sharpshooter with front rest.
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and then 245grSWC over 16gr of sr4759 same distance and rest. This is my fun little plinking load. equivilant of a 44 mag load. very fun to shoot as there is no recoil and the barrel doesn't get warm at all.
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so here you go. Should I be using a magnum primer with this powder??
this is with Hornady 265gr FN and 30.5gr of IMR sr4759 powder and at 50 yards. shooting with a cheap and old 4x32 bushnell sharpshooter with front rest.
and then 245grSWC over 16gr of sr4759 same distance and rest. This is my fun little plinking load. equivilant of a 44 mag load. very fun to shoot as there is no recoil and the barrel doesn't get warm at all.
longbeardking
Member
- Location
- New Hampshire USA
I have been shooting a 444 Marlin for a good number of years now. Since 1989 to be exact. And at 100 yards with a 265 grain Hornady flat nose bullet, and 45.3 grains of IMR4198 I achieve 2196 FPS and it will shoot 1 1/2" groups with no trouble at all. I find it to be one of the most accurate rifles I own. I would not attempt a shot at a deer over 200 yards.
Ganderite.
Was wondering what nosler bullet you were shooting in your .444
I have been looking for a good hunting bullet for the .444. I can use a pointed bullets as I built one on a P14 action with shilen barrel. I took one black bear with it years ago but haven't been able to find decent bullets for it lately.
Thanks
Smokey
Was wondering what nosler bullet you were shooting in your .444
I have been looking for a good hunting bullet for the .444. I can use a pointed bullets as I built one on a P14 action with shilen barrel. I took one black bear with it years ago but haven't been able to find decent bullets for it lately.
Thanks
Smokey
Johnn Peterson
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Chemainus B.C.
Taking a quick 'peek' back through one of my hunting albums, I shot my first Moose with a 444S using factory Remington ammo in 1971. I am now on my 2nd Marlin 444S. Foolishly, I got rid of my 1st, kicked my butt for doing so and picked up another.
While not known as a long range caliber, it is an adequate and solid performer on Moose and Deer sized game comfortably out to 200 yds. In my estimation, the factory 240gr load left something to be desired and while it would do the job, I found handloads using the Hornady 265gr FP's to be a considerable improvement. In addition, I've been using a couple of cast bullets, a 250gr SWGC and a 325gr SWGC, and that adds another enjoyable chapter to shooting this caliber.
The 444, while similar to the 45-70, is a separate entity and is like comparing apples & oranges. I also have and shoot a Marlin 1895GS in 45-70. The 45-70 offers a step up in bullet diameter and weight, sort of like a 300WM and a 338WM. Both are great, but slightly different.
While not known as a long range caliber, it is an adequate and solid performer on Moose and Deer sized game comfortably out to 200 yds. In my estimation, the factory 240gr load left something to be desired and while it would do the job, I found handloads using the Hornady 265gr FP's to be a considerable improvement. In addition, I've been using a couple of cast bullets, a 250gr SWGC and a 325gr SWGC, and that adds another enjoyable chapter to shooting this caliber.
The 444, while similar to the 45-70, is a separate entity and is like comparing apples & oranges. I also have and shoot a Marlin 1895GS in 45-70. The 45-70 offers a step up in bullet diameter and weight, sort of like a 300WM and a 338WM. Both are great, but slightly different.
300 gr Nosler. I was wondering what it was, too. My log note did not mention. I did not shoot very many, so the box must still be here somewhere, after 10 years. My son cleaned up recently - now I can't find squat. But I will look.
Stay tuned.
Found the Noslers. My son put all the pistol bullets in one area. Nosler jacketed handgun bullets 44/300 hollow point #42069 A good looking bullet 0.875" long.
Stay tuned.
Found the Noslers. My son put all the pistol bullets in one area. Nosler jacketed handgun bullets 44/300 hollow point #42069 A good looking bullet 0.875" long.
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buckster86
New member
- Location
- red deer, ab
thanks for all the info guys its much appreciated
- Location
- Victoria, BC
I have .444 marlin, I'm extremely happy with it. I shot a bear standing with iron sights from about 80 yards with it in the Spring. I used 265 grain bullets, it blew out both lungs clipped the heart and crushed one shoulder. I've never scoped it so I can't tell you exactly what it's capable of, but I've gotten 2-3" groups at 100 yards off the bench with iron sights. I don't think you would be disappointed.
