Marlin .444 owners

[bosley]

Looking for info.

I've come into possession of a Marlin .444s and I'm looking for information on ammunition possibilities due to the costs of the commercial choices available (holy crap $$$). I'm not in a position to reload at this time but hope to correct that in the future but for now that is not an option.

First off I'm looking for something under 35 bucks for a box of 20 that will give me a chance to get a feel for the rifle at the range.

I realize that this is a loaded question but after my warm up period is there a good all around round for deer, black bear and predator control? Something that you would pack before another and why?

I've seen some reference to people using .410x2.5" shotshells in the .444. Is there a risk with this round, barrel damage etc., should it's use be limited. How well do the different manufactures shells work, options?

Looking to pick the brains of those that have been there and done that so I can get the most out of my new bud

Thanks in advance

Bos

 

[huntinstuff]

2.5 inch 410's out of your Marlin is no problem. Shot hundreds with no trouble or damage or anything to be concerned about. That topic has been beat to death here......

 

[JeffR]

As far as I know there are only 3 choices available for commercial 444 ammo. Remingtons 240 grain loads, Hornady's 265 grain light mags, and Hornady leverevolution. Depending on what type of rifling you have the leverevolution stuff may not work for you, apperently it won't stabilize the bullet in rifles with micro-goove rifling. The other two loads are great though. The 265 grain load has quite a bit more kick and hits 6" higher @ 100 yards than the 240 grain in my rifle.

Either would work for what you want, but both are over your price limit of $35 a box. I think I paid $41 for the last box of light mags.

Congratulations on getting a great caliber

 

[Win94]

I have owned two Marlin .444's I only owned them because i reload. There are some calibers that pretty much need to be reloaded due to either price per box or rarity in the stores. I won't own a gun or caliber that i can't shoot often and with lots of practice. If i didn't reload .444 i would have never have been financially able to shoot it often. Take it for whats its worth but thats just how i roll.

 

[Johnn Peterson]

Its been a long time since I've shot factory ammo out of my 444S, and that was the Remington 240gr loads. Because I found these somewhat lacking, when I reloaded for it I used the Hornady 265gr FP bullets and found them to be a considerable improvement for use on Moose. Accuracy was better as well.
And probably the sooner you reload or get someone to load for you the better. Shooting cast bullets loads adds another aspect to the fun.

 

[dnepr]

I definitly agree the 444 is a reloaders cartridges. But I am a big fan of the 444. I load my own shotshells in .444 cases and shoot handloads. My marlin is good for every thing from Moose to Grouse. It is my go to gun . I may get my deer with my bow, muzzle loader or some other rifle I am playing with but if it gets late in the season and I need meat in the freezer I grab my marlin.

 

[bosley]

Thanks for the info guys. And I get the point that I will have to start reloading .444 to make it practical. On the upside my total cost to date is $0.00 (freebie).

JeffR - It has Micro-groove so I guess that I'm down one of a very few options. Just want to try it out before I get serious about investing in more reloading stuff. Like I have any real control of where the funds are spent!!!

Boz

 

[JeffR]

I don't reload either and while the 444 ammo is expensive, I still find myself shooting it as much as possible as the gun is so much fun to shoot. Considering you got it for free, you can burn through a fair bit of factory ammo and still be way ahead.