Marlin 444XLR

[Billy Jack]

I have a like new Marlin 444XLR built in 2007. I have been told that these are hard to find and now that some "shotgun only for deer hunting" states have approved them for deer that they are highly sought after.
If I should decide to sell it (I just bought an older 444SS that I really like) what might it bring in todays market?

 

[Reloadron]

Really depends on location. Ohio is among the states where the laws have changed. Around here the ones I have seen on Armslist and similar are in the $600 to $700 range. I have had one about 18 years give or take, it was a gift from my wife. Never hunted Ohio with it but loved it in West Virginia.

Rifles like this can vary state to state so you may want to look for any for sale in your area unless you want to ship the thing. There are a few Midwestern states that have changed hunting laws, some allow the 444 Marlin and some don't.

Ron

 

[DM~]

Yup, they are limiting the case length to 1.800" and that leaves the .444 Marlin out of many shotgun area's...

DM

 

[dprice3844444]

dumb question,couldn't you just shorten the case to 1.8 inches and load accordingly?

 

[Reloadron]

dumb question,couldn't you just shorten the case to 1.8 inches and load accordingly?

I doubt that would work and here is why. The case length stipulation was added for a reason I figure and that reason was to take cartridges like the 45-70 Government and 444 Marlin out of the running. My guess is if I trim a 45-70 or 444 case down to 1.8 inches they will still see it as a 45-70 or 444. Just my thinking on the subject but I figure that is how it would play out.

Ron

 

[Billy Jack]

Yes I doubt game wardens are carrying any digital calipers for measuring case lengths.

 

[DM~]

I doubt that would work and here is why. The case length stipulation was added for a reason I figure and that reason was to take cartridges like the 45-70 Government and 444 Marlin out of the running. My guess is if I trim a 45-70 or 444 case down to 1.8 inches they will still see it as a 45-70 or 444. Just my thinking on the subject but I figure that is how it would play out.
Ron

I think you are spot on, plus the cartridge head would still say .444 and so would the bbl of the lever rifle... I think these DNR guys will educate themselves on what's legal and what is not and will look for guys doing off color things to cheat by.

I think the 44 Super Magnum would be a decent "rifle" cartridge that will extend the 44 mag. range...

DM

 

[dprice3844444]

but you whip out the shortened round and show them.they are regulating the ammo used,not the gun it is shot in

 

[DM~]

but you whip out the shortened round and show them.they are regulating the ammo used,not the gun it is shot in

You ever watch cops??? Std. line, tell it to the judge! lol

DM

 

[GooseGestapo]

Why not just have a gunsmith re-stamp the barrel .44mag and carry .44mag ammo.

The .444 is just a .44mag lengthened to 2.225".
Yes, the case head in front of the rim on the .444 is 0.018 larger, but until you reload the case, it's just like shooting a .22short in a .22lr chamber.
Accuracy may suffer just a tad due to the longer throat, but velocity over a .44mag will be slightly enhanced (ie: Weatherby free-bore).

And yes!, the standard reply is: "TELL IT TO THE JUDGE !!!"

but if the barrel is professionally restamped to .44mag and you only have .44mag ammo, it likely (original chamber) is unlikely to be questioned. This is of course if the rifle will cycle the .44mag. If not, then you have a single shot rifle.

But, you WILL be checked if the Officer see's the rifle in hand. WE aren't all firearms/ammo dummies...!!!


RE: the original poster was talking of the Stainless Steel XLR w/24"bbl in .444.
If it is a "Marlin" as contrasted to a "Marlington"; it will bring upwards of $1,000 on GunBroker.
I have a "corrected" Marlington .338MXLR and on GB would likely bring over $1,000 (Stainless .338MX w/gray laminate stock; no barrel droop).
Neither it nor my .338MX (blue/walnut circa 2009 w/o droop) are for sale...

 

[Scooter22]

There have been several articles about just shooting a .44 Mag in a .444 Marlin. Don't do it. Besides I doubt the .44 Mag will feed reliably in a .444 Marlin. OAL is criticle on Marlin 336 based lever actions.

 

[Reloadron]

but you whip out the shortened round and show them.they are regulating the ammo used,not the gun it is shot in

This is getting off topic but here is what I can do. This could be a niche to wealth. Call the nice folks at Clymer or PTG and send them a drawing of a chamber reamer I want made.

Here are the 444 Marlin cartridge drawings SAAMI specifications.

We remove the 2.225" -.020" and make that 1.800" -.020". We make a prototype rifle using a 444 Marlin and rebarrel in the new caliber called the 444 DEP (Deprice). Once we get things working we suggest to the guys at Marlin and Winchester (hell, Henry too) to start making rifles in the new caliber. A new niche cartridge for certain states.

Seriously, I don't know what would happen if you rolled your own. I just don't think it would go well. Now if the barrel was stamped to reflect other than 444 Marlin or 45-70 Govt. and the ammunition were modified to the new chambering they might buy off on it.

When Ohio went with the new hunting rules they omitted the length and as rifle is introduced to Ohio the 444 Marlin and 45-70 Govt. are acceptable. Thus with the spelled out length in other states I figure they did it that way purposely to eliminate certain cartridges. Thus, they will be making sure people do not use them.

Ron