444

[Old Time Hunter]

Just acquired a '94 Win Black Shadow chambered for a .444 Marlin. A buddy of mine has been bugging me about getting one, so I bought it. Are they any good? Synthetic stock kind of scares me, usually need REAL wood. Still going to buy a Marlin XLR in either 450 or 444 and have the barrel turned down to 18.5 when they become available, but if the Black Shadow is any good I'll keep it in the family instead of selling it to my buddy. We use them for normal hunting, like; Deer and Bear in Wisconsin, Mule Deer and Elk in Montana, and next fall; Brown Bear in Alaska.

 

[swampdog]

Synthetic stock kind of scares me

Might really scare you after you shoot it a couple of times.
You might appreciate the extra weight of wood as well as
the look. Only you can be the judge.
As far as caliber goes, the 444 will certainly do what you want
it to. I don't see too many boxes on the shelves around here, but
it might be more popular up there. I see 45/70 ammo just about everywhere
I shop, btw.
I'd sell it to my buddy before you take him to the range with you.
I've always preferred wood on lever actions, though, so I might be
biased.

 

[zeke]

A local shop had a that model for awhile, till the Win announcement. It seemed very light for the caliber, which may be nice if carrying it for long distance. Your probably gonna feel it when touching off a heavy load. Have never actually fired one of the Win 444's.

Have a Marlin 444 outfitter. After firing it first time, updated the recoil pad. HDY factory 265 grainers are extremely accurate in it, Rem 240 grainers are a lighter load and had poor accuracy. H322 has given excellent accuracy/velocity for reloading.

from NW Wi

 

[Preacherman]

The .444 is not a bad deer load, but there is one well-known problem with it: it shoots bullets designed for .44 Magnum velocities at a speed significantly higher than that caliber can achieve. In early iterations of .444 ammo, this led to bullets "blowing up" or not performing properly on game. A lot of factory ammo is now made with tougher bullets to prevent this problem, but handloading still requires careful bullet selection. Given that precaution, it's probably 80% of the way to a full-bore stomper such as .45-70.

 

[Old Time Hunter]

Thanks guys, the 444 cal is fairly popular up here and west of here so availablity isn't an issue. My local Wal Mart stocks them. I own and shoot both a .300 Win Mag and a .450 Marlin 1895M now so the recoil can be expected to be some where in between, but the synthetic stock has been an issue regarding maintaining accuracy due to it's inherent none consistant flexibilty is what I've heard. That is what I am trying to ascertain and if there is any way to modify the stock to absorbe some of the kick, maybe that will improve consistancy. I guess the real question in my mind is the 444 cal, as I stated in the original thread, my wish gun right now is for the Marlin XLR in 444 or 450 with a shortened barrel to guide status. The reason is, is that I preffer to have the pistol grip stock and my current 1895M is a straight grip. By the way if I can get the recoil down from the 450, while still having the knockdown power at 100 yds, I would rather have the 444 then.

 

[JNewell]

There's a series of three (IIRC) articles on the Beartooth Bullets website on the .444 by Marshall Stanton. I think they're in the Tech section -- you'd enjoy reading them. Some very good load info, too, btw.

 

[mountainclmbr]

I have one of the Marlin 444 carbines. The recoil is pretty strong, but it is pretty accurate - I can shoot 2 inch groups at 100 yards. I would recommend a long eye relief scope if you plan to put a scope on it. Many 444 loads seem to use bullets made for the 44 magnum which may be too light for large or dangerous game. The Hornaday 265 gr loads use a stronger bullet. I reload using the Nosler 250 gr partitions which are made for the 44 Mag, but the partition should help prevent total jacket/core separation.

 

[zeke]

The 444 Marlin outfitter owned, is the most accurate lever currently owned. Am thinking it may have alot to do with the short heavy barrel (18 incher) and Ballard rifling.

 

[Coltdriver]

I shoot a 450 marlin with an 18 inch barrel from an encore frame. The entire rifle weighs about 7 1/2 pounds.

The limb saver recoil pad makes shooting it possible. Highly recommended. You put one on your stock and it will tame that recoil. It will still boot you but the limb saver will not bruise you.