Marlin M444 Question

Dempsey · 11-07-2009, 06:10 AM

We are considering a "camp gun" for bear camp. The Marlin 444 seems a good choice.

There are a couple of .44 mag revolvers present, so .44 mag ammo is always present.

The question is can the .44 mag ammo be use in the Marlin 444?
Will it cycle through the action?
As a last resort, can it be single loaded?

Thanks for any input.

-Dempsey

quietman · 11-07-2009, 12:01 PM

No. If you want to use the 44 mag rounds, get an 1894 that's chambered for the 44 mag.
http://www.marlinfirearms.com/Firear...rfire/1894.asp

Shooting from a rifle you'll get more fps and ft lbs force than out of a pistol

44 mag Rifle ballisitics
http://www.accuratepowder.com/data/P...page%20330.pdf

44mag handgun ballistics
http://www.accuratepowder.com/data/P...20to%20135.pdf

Dempsey · 11-07-2009, 07:22 PM

Quietman:

Thanks, but the intended use of the rifle is a rifle that provides more power than the .44 mag. (Even a rifle in .44 mag.)

The thought of using .44 mag ammo is one of a last resort. First choice would of course be to use .444 Marlin ammo in the rifle.

I am told the .444 Marlin is a lengthened .44 mag.

But in a pinch, could one use the .44 mag in the rifle?

-Dempsey

big shrek · 11-08-2009, 02:16 AM

Well...I'm no expert on .444 Marlin...

.44 Magnum
Parent case - .44 Special
Bullet diameter .429 in (10.9 mm)
Neck diameter .457 in (11.6 mm)
Base diameter .457 in (11.6 mm)
Rim diameter .514 in (13.1 mm)
Rim thickness .060 in (1.5 mm)
Case length 1.285 in (32.6 mm)
Overall length 1.61 in (41 mm)
Rifling twist 1-38
Primer type - Large pistol

.444 Marlin
Bullet diameter .429 in (10.9 mm)
Neck diameter .4530 in (11.51 mm)
Base diameter .4706 in (11.95 mm)
Rim diameter .5140 in (13.06 mm)
Rim thickness .0630 in (1.60 mm)
Case length 2.250 in (57.2 mm)
Overall length 2.55 in (65 mm)
Rifling twist 1-38"
Primer type large rifle

That's the bare bones statistics.

Whether it would work or not...I don't know.
Whether it's safe or not...I don't know.

I did notice that the neck diameter on the .44 Magnum is Larger than the neck diameter on the .444 Marlin, which may or may not cause an issue in getting a round chambered.

To be safest...I just use the ammo that's listed on the side of the gun in question

Dempsey · 11-08-2009, 08:38 AM

Thanks Shrek.

I think I will go back to the good old .45-70 as originally planned.

The thought of ammo interchangeability was intriguing, but not realistic.

-Dempsey

nathangdad · 11-08-2009, 09:13 AM

is truly a niche market caliber kept alive by Marlin in their level action rifles. That does not make it a sub-par cartridge. It is just not one with much market share.

So, if you are interested in it study the ballistics and make a final decision.

It is not a switch out with the .44 handgun cartridge.

If you mean opening the action of a lever rifle and dropping a cartridge in the chamber that can be done but, realistically, in an emergency such as a charging bear you will not have time to empty the lever action rifle.
This is a sort of lost point.

big shrek · 11-08-2009, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nathangdad

is truly a niche market caliber kept alive by Marlin in their level action rifles. That does not make it a sub-par cartridge. It is just not one with much market share.

So, if you are interested in it study the ballistics and make a final decision.

There was a time when the .45-70 was Obsolete...as in no longer made...it was then that Marlin came up with the .444 to fill the gap left by the .45-70, but with slightly better ballistics, with the same WHOMP

For awhile, it was the only big bore cartridge on the block. However, the other MFR's noticed that they were loosing market share to the Marlins & started making .45-70's again, mostly because they didn't want to have to put .444 MARLIN on the side of their rifles.

Now that .45-70 has gained resurgence...the .444 Marlin has taken a backseat, but Marlin still makes the best Lever-action rifles, so everyone STILL goes to them for the most precise Lever-action rifles ever built in any caliber.

nathangdad · 11-08-2009, 02:29 PM

Marlin does make great lever action rifle.

But so does Browning.

Tack Driver · 11-08-2009, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nathangdad

Marlin does make great lever action rifle.

But so does Browning.

But the Browning costs twice as much, nevertheless the BLR is one nice looking levergun.

Tack Driver · 11-08-2009, 02:41 PM

I have heard of .410 shotshells being fired out of the 444 Marlin to take birds, but that can't be good for it.

nathangdad · 11-08-2009, 09:15 PM

Yes, Browning does carry a bit of price tag although you do get cartridges you do not have in the Marlin line.

However, Marlin lever action guns are accurate and tough along the lines of the new German main battle tank (Leopard). Logically, I know some Marlins have gone to gunsmiths for some type of repair but, honestly, I have no direct knowledge of this happening.

big shrek · 11-09-2009, 01:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nathangdad

Yes, Browning does carry a bit of price tag although you do get cartridges you do not have in the Marlin line.

However, Marlin lever action guns are accurate and tough along the lines of the new German main battle tank (Leopard). Logically, I know some Marlins have gone to gunsmiths for some type of repair but, honestly, I have no direct knowledge of this happening.

95% for trigger jobs

I must admit, even though I love Marlin rifles, the only ones that don't have heavy triggers are those in the XL-7/XS-7 line. THOSE got the Accutrigger-type adjustable triggers.

On the upside, a trigger job for any particular Marlin is easily handleable by even the most novice gun owner...if they are careful and folow ALL the directions properly

Heck, if I can do it...LOL

Must be easy

HEMI · 11-09-2009, 03:11 AM

Good choice on a 45-70, and the marlin.

Tack Driver · 11-12-2009, 01:30 PM

What's the most powerful cartridge the Bronwing BLR is chambered for? I know they chamber it in the .325 WSM, which makes for a nice elk combo.

Tack Driver · 11-12-2009, 01:54 PM

The marlin XL-7 is not chambered in any magnum cartridges...yet.

ArkansasHunter · 11-12-2009, 02:02 PM

I just went and looked and your right. I also went to Mossberg to see what the ATR's come in and it's the same as Marlin...30-06 is the largest caliber they both sale for now.
I wonder what the largest caliber a Savage Stevens come's in ?.

Just trien to hep...A.H

Tack Driver · 11-12-2009, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArkansasHunter

I just went and looked and your right. I also went to Mossberg to see what the ATR's come in and it's the same as Marlin...30-06 is the largest caliber they both sale for now.
I wonder what the largest caliber a Savage Stevens come's in ?.

Just trien to hep...A.H

The Savage Steven's most powerful chambering would be .30-06, however the Mossberg 4x4 and another bolt action model they offer are chamberedin all the standard cartridges as well as the 7mm Rem Mag, .300 Win Mag, and even the .338 Win Mag.

Tack Driver · 11-12-2009, 02:25 PM

That Mossberg 4x4 in .338 Win Mag looks like a nice rifle at a good price. I might have to get one of those.

big shrek · 11-13-2009, 01:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tack Driver

The marlin XL-7 is not chambered in any magnum cartridges...yet.

The Magnums are planned for summer next year

So is a .223, from what I hear

11-07-2009, 06:10 AM	#1
Dempsey Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Western Wisconsin Posts: 5	Marlin M444 Question We are considering a "camp gun" for bear camp. The Marlin 444 seems a good choice. There are a couple of .44 mag revolvers present, so .44 mag ammo is always present. The question is can the .44 mag ammo be use in the Marlin 444? Will it cycle through the action? As a last resort, can it be single loaded? Thanks for any input. -Dempsey

11-07-2009, 12:01 PM	#2
quietman Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 50	No. If you want to use the 44 mag rounds, get an 1894 that's chambered for the 44 mag. http://www.marlinfirearms.com/Firear...rfire/1894.asp Shooting from a rifle you'll get more fps and ft lbs force than out of a pistol 44 mag Rifle ballisitics http://www.accuratepowder.com/data/P...page%20330.pdf 44mag handgun ballistics http://www.accuratepowder.com/data/P...20to%20135.pdf Last edited by quietman; 11-07-2009 at 12:11 PM.

11-08-2009, 02:16 AM	#4
big shrek Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Northwest, FL Posts: 3,128 Images: 56	Well...I'm no expert on .444 Marlin... .44 Magnum Parent case - .44 Special Bullet diameter .429 in (10.9 mm) Neck diameter .457 in (11.6 mm) Base diameter .457 in (11.6 mm) Rim diameter .514 in (13.1 mm) Rim thickness .060 in (1.5 mm) Case length 1.285 in (32.6 mm) Overall length 1.61 in (41 mm) Rifling twist 1-38 Primer type - Large pistol .444 Marlin Bullet diameter .429 in (10.9 mm) Neck diameter .4530 in (11.51 mm) Base diameter .4706 in (11.95 mm) Rim diameter .5140 in (13.06 mm) Rim thickness .0630 in (1.60 mm) Case length 2.250 in (57.2 mm) Overall length 2.55 in (65 mm) Rifling twist 1-38" Primer type large rifle That's the bare bones statistics. Whether it would work or not...I don't know. Whether it's safe or not...I don't know. I did notice that the neck diameter on the .44 Magnum is Larger than the neck diameter on the .444 Marlin, which may or may not cause an issue in getting a round chambered. To be safest...I just use the ammo that's listed on the side of the gun in question __________________ In every Unit...there is a Scrounger...

11-08-2009, 09:13 AM	#6
nathangdad Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 5,177	The 444 Marlin is truly a niche market caliber kept alive by Marlin in their level action rifles. That does not make it a sub-par cartridge. It is just not one with much market share. So, if you are interested in it study the ballistics and make a final decision. It is not a switch out with the .44 handgun cartridge. If you mean opening the action of a lever rifle and dropping a cartridge in the chamber that can be done but, realistically, in an emergency such as a charging bear you will not have time to empty the lever action rifle. This is a sort of lost point.

11-08-2009, 02:29 PM	#8
nathangdad Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 5,177	Hi big shek Marlin does make great lever action rifle. But so does Browning.

11-07-2009, 07:22 PM	#3
Dempsey Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Western Wisconsin Posts: 5	Quietman: Thanks, but the intended use of the rifle is a rifle that provides more power than the .44 mag. (Even a rifle in .44 mag.) The thought of using .44 mag ammo is one of a last resort. First choice would of course be to use .444 Marlin ammo in the rifle. I am told the .444 Marlin is a lengthened .44 mag. But in a pinch, could one use the .44 mag in the rifle? -Dempsey

11-08-2009, 08:38 AM	#5
Dempsey Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Western Wisconsin Posts: 5	Thanks Shrek. I think I will go back to the good old .45-70 as originally planned. The thought of ammo interchangeability was intriguing, but not realistic. -Dempsey

11-08-2009, 02:41 PM	#10
Tack Driver Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Caswell County, NC Posts: 392	I have heard of .410 shotshells being fired out of the 444 Marlin to take birds, but that can't be good for it. __________________ If pro is the opposite of con, is Congress the opposite of progress?

11-08-2009, 09:15 PM	#11
nathangdad Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 5,177	Hi Tack Driver Yes, Browning does carry a bit of price tag although you do get cartridges you do not have in the Marlin line. However, Marlin lever action guns are accurate and tough along the lines of the new German main battle tank (Leopard). Logically, I know some Marlins have gone to gunsmiths for some type of repair but, honestly, I have no direct knowledge of this happening.

11-09-2009, 03:11 AM	#13
HEMI Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 1,180	Good choice on a 45-70, and the marlin.

11-12-2009, 01:30 PM	#14
Tack Driver Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Caswell County, NC Posts: 392	What's the most powerful cartridge the Bronwing BLR is chambered for? I know they chamber it in the .325 WSM, which makes for a nice elk combo. __________________ If pro is the opposite of con, is Congress the opposite of progress?

11-12-2009, 01:54 PM	#15
Tack Driver Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Caswell County, NC Posts: 392	The marlin XL-7 is not chambered in any magnum cartridges...yet. __________________ If pro is the opposite of con, is Congress the opposite of progress?

11-12-2009, 02:02 PM	#16
ArkansasHunter Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: South Arkansas. Posts: 17,218	I just went and looked and your right. I also went to Mossberg to see what the ATR's come in and it's the same as Marlin...30-06 is the largest caliber they both sale for now. I wonder what the largest caliber a Savage Stevens come's in ?. Just trien to hep...A.H __________________ IN GOD WE TRUST NRA MEMBER

11-12-2009, 02:25 PM	#18
Tack Driver Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Caswell County, NC Posts: 392	That Mossberg 4x4 in .338 Win Mag looks like a nice rifle at a good price. I might have to get one of those. __________________ If pro is the opposite of con, is Congress the opposite of progress?