Marlin 444
- Thread starter gmarr
- Start date
FrankenMauser
New member
It's a great cartridge - even better if you handload.
As far as factory ammo goes....
Companies like Buffalo Bore offer some specialty loads for the cartridge, but some of them don't have the best track records. I would avoid the specialty stuff.
The original and "classic" load for .444 Marlin is the Remington Express 240 gr Soft Point. It's a half-decent load, but I, personally, am not a fan of the bullet. It's fairly fragile for a rifle bullet, and is undersized (.444 barrels typically have .428" bores and .432" grooves -- and the Remington 240 gr SP is .429" in diameter
).
Hornady offers several different loads, in their different ammunition lines. The loads of note are:
(Note: All Hornady loads use .430" diameter bullets, that fit .444 barrels better.)
265 gr FP SuperFormance - This is THE best factory load for any .444 Marlin, in my opinion. It has the best bullet, the highest velocity, the best feeding reliability, and is extremely consistent. It'll take anything in North America, with room to spare.
265 gr FTX LeveRevolution - This works well for some people, but not all, and is generally only recommended for deer or hogs. It is not a tough bullet, and I don't think it should be used on larger game. In addition, this load uses shorter than standard brass cases, so you'll get a carbon ring in your chamber. Cleaning that carbon out is a pain, but failing to do so can cause chambering issues with other loads. The gummy tip on the bullet can cause feeding issues in pre-2003 Marlins, and especially pre-1975 Marlins.
265 gr FP Light Magnum - Some rifles love this load. Some rifles hate it. It's a reduced load, with slightly reduced velocity, to cater to recoil-sensitive shooters, but still be adequate for big game. It uses the same 265 gr FP InterLock as the SuperFormance load, but the lower velocity seems to make some rifles throw fits.
225 gr FTX LeveRevolution - This load was a tremendous flop. It didn't work well for anyone, and the bullet was incredibly fragile. It is no longer in production, but boxes can be found on store shelves occasionally. Like the 265 gr FTX load, it uses shorter cases and causes the same problems.
That being said..... Hornady is currently only producing the 265 gr FTX LeveRevolution load. All other are temporarily discontinued, or not due for production until August (or even 2015).
One thing to keep in mind about all ammo for .444 Marlin rifles is the twist rate of your barrel.
Older Marlins* had 1:38" twist rates with Micro-Groove rifling. Most of those barrels do not do well with bullets 300 grains or heavier, and some really hate the 265 gr FTX bullet. Those barrels say "Micro-Groove" on them.
Newer Marlins* have a 1:20" twist rate with Ballard ("standard", deep) rifling. They shoot pretty much everything well, and some things (like the 265 gr FP) fantastically. Many of we 1:20" owners shoot bullets up to 500 grains, from 1,200 to 2,200 fps, without issue. Marlin 1:20" barrels are marked with asterisks on each side of the model designation. -Example: **** Model 444P - Cal. 444 Marlin **** .
*(The change happened in about July/August 1998. Before then, everything was Micro-Groove. After that, everything was Ballard.)
As far as factory ammo goes....
Companies like Buffalo Bore offer some specialty loads for the cartridge, but some of them don't have the best track records. I would avoid the specialty stuff.
The original and "classic" load for .444 Marlin is the Remington Express 240 gr Soft Point. It's a half-decent load, but I, personally, am not a fan of the bullet. It's fairly fragile for a rifle bullet, and is undersized (.444 barrels typically have .428" bores and .432" grooves -- and the Remington 240 gr SP is .429" in diameter
).Hornady offers several different loads, in their different ammunition lines. The loads of note are:
(Note: All Hornady loads use .430" diameter bullets, that fit .444 barrels better.)
265 gr FP SuperFormance - This is THE best factory load for any .444 Marlin, in my opinion. It has the best bullet, the highest velocity, the best feeding reliability, and is extremely consistent. It'll take anything in North America, with room to spare.
265 gr FTX LeveRevolution - This works well for some people, but not all, and is generally only recommended for deer or hogs. It is not a tough bullet, and I don't think it should be used on larger game. In addition, this load uses shorter than standard brass cases, so you'll get a carbon ring in your chamber. Cleaning that carbon out is a pain, but failing to do so can cause chambering issues with other loads. The gummy tip on the bullet can cause feeding issues in pre-2003 Marlins, and especially pre-1975 Marlins.
265 gr FP Light Magnum - Some rifles love this load. Some rifles hate it. It's a reduced load, with slightly reduced velocity, to cater to recoil-sensitive shooters, but still be adequate for big game. It uses the same 265 gr FP InterLock as the SuperFormance load, but the lower velocity seems to make some rifles throw fits.
225 gr FTX LeveRevolution - This load was a tremendous flop. It didn't work well for anyone, and the bullet was incredibly fragile. It is no longer in production, but boxes can be found on store shelves occasionally. Like the 265 gr FTX load, it uses shorter cases and causes the same problems.
That being said..... Hornady is currently only producing the 265 gr FTX LeveRevolution load. All other are temporarily discontinued, or not due for production until August (or even 2015).
One thing to keep in mind about all ammo for .444 Marlin rifles is the twist rate of your barrel.
Older Marlins* had 1:38" twist rates with Micro-Groove rifling. Most of those barrels do not do well with bullets 300 grains or heavier, and some really hate the 265 gr FTX bullet. Those barrels say "Micro-Groove" on them.
Newer Marlins* have a 1:20" twist rate with Ballard ("standard", deep) rifling. They shoot pretty much everything well, and some things (like the 265 gr FP) fantastically. Many of we 1:20" owners shoot bullets up to 500 grains, from 1,200 to 2,200 fps, without issue. Marlin 1:20" barrels are marked with asterisks on each side of the model designation. -Example: **** Model 444P - Cal. 444 Marlin **** .
*(The change happened in about July/August 1998. Before then, everything was Micro-Groove. After that, everything was Ballard.)
.
Early Remington .444 Marlin ammo was loaded with .44JSP pistol slugs that wouldn't stand up to a shoulder shot on whitetail deer (BT, DT) - but IDK about recent Remington .444 ammo.
At the time (late -60's), I simply handloaded 265gr Hornady's & never looked back.
Today, I would recommend one of the 265gr factory loads for deer/hogs.
.
Early Remington .444 Marlin ammo was loaded with .44JSP pistol slugs that wouldn't stand up to a shoulder shot on whitetail deer (BT, DT) - but IDK about recent Remington .444 ammo.
At the time (late -60's), I simply handloaded 265gr Hornady's & never looked back.
Today, I would recommend one of the 265gr factory loads for deer/hogs.
.
Magnum Wheel Man
New member
I've always been a fan, though I don't have a Marlin, & today, just use light loads, shot, & ball loads in a custom Contender...
when I was in high school, my buddy had a shiny new Marlin 444, that thing would shoot off 4" wood fence posts, in a single shot... ( I'm sure that was the original pistol bullet load, & the bullet mushroomed enough to break off 4" fence posts ) but I was sure impressed with the power over my 30-30, it left a lasting impression
I think with the right bullet selection, you'll have one of the best hog / deer combo rifles you could get
when I was in high school, my buddy had a shiny new Marlin 444, that thing would shoot off 4" wood fence posts, in a single shot... ( I'm sure that was the original pistol bullet load, & the bullet mushroomed enough to break off 4" fence posts ) but I was sure impressed with the power over my 30-30, it left a lasting impression
I think with the right bullet selection, you'll have one of the best hog / deer combo rifles you could get
Sure Shot Mc Gee
New member
Lots of gun for just about anything hunted in the lower 48 at medium ranges. Some say if intending to purchase a 444 why not step up to its big brother the 45-70 instead. But your situation is a little bit different. Your knowing of a lightly used one. How can you not buy it. Like any other big bore center fire cartridge. It is a bit expensive to shoot for fun and giggles at (2.00) bucks a pop. But other than that. It no doubt is a terrific and powerful big bore caliber.
I have one w/ the Micro grooves...I shoot a Lyman 429244 sized to .431" and use aluminum gas checks w/ 17.0 grains of Unqiue. Last weekend I was popping a 4" wide steel plate at 225 yards with it. Had a nasty crosswind yet I hit it consistently. Never could get that kind of accuracy with any .44 magnum carbine and I tried three different brands. I have fired a wide variety of jacketed bullets with it... all shot very well. I prefer cast as they cost so much less and I can shoot more. The Lyman 429540 is also an excellent bullet but that mold is hard tro find.