I recently bought a Marlin rifle in 444 Marlin and was wondering what are the limits of use for this rifle. I am currently working up some loads using Speer 240 and 270 gn. Golddots. I will also be working up some loads for some 290 and 330 gn LFN from Beartooth when they get here. So with the 240 gn Speers covering the light end and the 330 LFN covering the heavy, what are my limitations on both ends of the spectrum. :)

Please do a search of the site for info on the 444.
It is probably one of the most discussed calibers on the forum, a favorite of many here. Lots of info, more than the time to read it all.

Welcome to the forum.

I had a 444 Marlin, I was using 320 gr hard cast bullets with gas checks. I took bear and deer with them. Personally I don't like any hollow point bullet for hunting, most bullets for the 444 are pistol bullets and are not as good at higher speed of the 444 Marlin. Now the hard cast in my opinion is the way to go, if you must use a hollow point, get a Nosler Partition or the Hornady Mag bullets, the jackets are thicker than the standard 44 mag bullets.
I use only hard cast bullets in my 45-70 now. They work great, and well on bear and deer, no need to switch bullets for hunting either. And you don't have to worry about impact, it stays the same. JMHO.:D

Check out Marshall's 3-part article on BTB about the .444 Marlin being America's most versatile rifle.

Just use the 290s for everything. Problem solved! They certainly work on whitetails, and I think that's also what Marshall shot his moose with.

Just use the 290s for everything. Problem solved! They certainly work on whitetails, and I think that's also what Marshall shot his moose with.

You got that right Mike. 1 bullet, 1 load literally for 99% of the big game in the world. Frankly I all seems too easy and straight forward to me but that's reality. Hey, did'nt Marshall also take a big Elk with that load in the last year. Not sure but I think so. I have also been told the 444 has seen some good action in Africa. All the way up to Cape Buff but don't know the load or any specifics.

From it's birth in 1964, it took a long time until people began to understand that the 444 was more than just a larger 44 mag. That came about as people like Marshall Stanton started testing heavy, high quality cast bullets in it.

For now you'll enjoy that Speer 270 gr bullet. When you the 290 & 330 you'll begin to discover the potential of the 444. Enjoy. You are on a great road.

I can't get 320g bullets to stabilize in 1:38 twist barrels and gave up trying. Now I load 405g in my handgun and if I still had a 444 I would take the advice posted above and stick to a cast 290g bullet.

Grizz

Even the 240 to 300 gr. hard cast will do the job. Take the time to find out what your gun likes, just because they work in my gun does not mean you will get the same results in yours. Every gun will tell you what it likes, you just have to listen...

First of all, the upper limits of the .444 can be defined by how much felt recoil you can tolerate. Second, here's a link that collects many articles from the net in place about this broadly applicable caliber--http://www.marlinowners.com/board/viewtopic.php?t=25049. You'll need to scroll down past the first part to get to the links. I found one of the articles by Glen Fryxell to be quite interesting. According to Glen, this caliber may have been investigated as a military one in the 1870s. And, Paco Kelly points out that you can load a 250 grain cast to about 2400 fps which kills like lightening. Marshall Stanton (owner of this site) has published a Technical Guide for Cast Bullets that I would highly recommend for understanding the effectiveness of cast bullets. The Ranch Dog postal matches discussed on this site provide some discussion about amazingly accurate loads for this caliber that surpasses the performance most people obtain with the best bolt guns.

I can't get 320g bullets to stabilize in 1:38 twist barrels and gave up trying. Now I load 405g in my handgun and if I still had a 444 I would take the advice posted above and stick to a cast 290g bullet.

Grizz

Any idea how fast they were running? I cut down some 330s to about 323 grains and they did OK at about 2,000fps muzzle velocity. When they were still 330gr., would get about 6-8" groups, with one of the holes oblong here and there.

Any idea how fast they were running? I cut down some 330s to about 323 grains and they did OK at about 2,000fps muzzle velocity. When they were still 330gr., would get about 6-8" groups, with one of the holes oblong here and there.


Hey Griz,

I am running a 444 Outfitter with the 1 in 20 twist. However, I recall reading how people get their 1 in 38's to shoot well. From what I read, the devil is really in the details. First it has to be a very hard alloy like the BTB. Second, the bullet has to be "oversize". That's a .432 bullet that typically mikes out at .4325. Firelapping helps a lot too. I know Marshall Stanton is a big fan of using the slowest burning powder that will still fit enough in the case to get full power. Look at his 444 articles to be sure but I seem to recall it H-335 that he had so much success with. He has had good luck with the 330gr LFNGC and the same bullet in 290 gr. I think he uses mostly the 290 gr now (??).

I think the common experience is that the 290 gr is optimum. I like the 330 gr in the ported outfitter as I get about the same velocity as the 290 gr and similiar recoil. In retrospect I'd probably shift to the 290gr except I have LOTS of 330 and that shoot moa in my outfitter out to at least 200 yards with manageable recoil.

BTW... Griz, did you get my pm? How are you liking those 405 gr bulllets. Did my data match yours?

Sorry guys, I didn't catch your questions until tonight. Asleep at the switch again I suppose.

MikeG, I didn't make myself clear. I was talking about the 320g bullets in a Marlin 1894. They keyhole. I don't know the exact velocity, but they were running around 1139fp from my redhawk. Add something for the longer barrel. Also they won't feed thru the 94 so I gave up trying. 320g cast was my deer load for years when I lived in Alaska.

BillM, sorry I missed your post and pm until today. I'm using .432 dia. Are you getting 320g to feed thru your outfitter? I imagine so. 1:20 should be perfect for those. Time to run some 405s thru and see what you come up with. Good bear/gator/boar stopper is what that'd be. I think part of the problem with heavies in the .44 carbine is the lower case capacity and smaller frame, pressure wise. I wish Marlin made all their .44 carbines with the 1:20 barrels, 'cause I'd love to have a stainless 1894. That'd be the berries, eh?

Regards,

Grizz

1894 - yeah, that's a .44 mag, my mistake. Thought you were trying them in a .444 Marlin which was what I was using. They should work fine in a .444 with the added velocity, that has been my experience. But a 290 will do it all, too.

I believe several people here have stated they used 290s in a 1-38" Marlin 1894, .44 Mag. No, I don't think you could go much heavier with the .44 mag Marlins and the slow twist.

I understand the desire to just use one bullet. Got many loads where the bullet is perhaps overkill or more expensive than needed, but works too well to change to something else (other projects being more pressing).

Good luck with it all.