[Peter]

I'm looking to get a lever action .444 . I think i'm going to get either a winchester 94 or marlin 444. I'm leaning towards the winchester because it is slightly lighter and has one more round in the magazine. However, they no longer list the big bore in their catalog. was there a reason they discontinued it? Also I hear the marlin comes in stainless? i'd appreciate any thoughts on reliability and accuracy. Thanks

 

[ScottD]

Own it in a Marlin and shoot the hell out of it.

Handload it with 250 gr. Noslers and it literally breathes fire. It's a hand full. Factory ammo is punky.

 

[Double D]

Go visit Marlinfirearms.com/marlintalk/bigbore. I don't own a lever yet but from all I've gathered that last gfew months, the Marlin will out shoot the Winchester, and is held to a tighter manufacturing standard. My two cents says get the Marlin.

 

[Peter]

yes that seems to be the impression i'm getting, but i was hoping to get some feed back from the winchester side, but i guess the silence says it all. looks like marlin. thanks for the input.

 

[Cuzzin Mitch]

Hey Pete! get the Marlin. I've got one and I love it.There are a few different factory loadings for them now, from 240gr. SP's to 320gr Corbon's.(expect to pay dearly for the corbon's!)
They are very accurate. I have a receiver mounted peep sight on mine (Lyman)and this cuts down group size considerably.Also put a fiber optic front sight on her fer low light huntin shots.
As to the feller who thinks the 240 grainers are for pusses............maybe he'll volunteer to stand down range a 100yds. or so and let me lob
a couple of those wimpy Remington factory 240 grainers in his direction.I think not!
Those Remington 240gr JSP's are the cat's hind end fer pluggin any white tail buck on the face of this here earth.You put on of them in his boiler room and he's gonna just drop dead as a hammer.
No trackin or wonderin if you hit him. He'll be layin right there in his tracks.Just have yer guttin knife ready!Later cuzzin.Yer ol cuzzin Mitch.

 

[Pumpkinheaver]

Get the marlin, you won't be sorry!

 

[live2hunt]

winchester only made the .444 for one year as i understand it and they are very hard to find (in Minnesota anyways.)

 

[Dkkell]

My 444 is very accurate. I handload Remington 240 JHP with 4198 for the deer here in north Alabama. It is an extremely accurate load and stops them fast. Used to have receiver sights but now have a 2.5 scope.

Like they say: you want a big hole, start with a big bullet.

 

[DANA]

MARLIN 444

HAVE USED ONE WITH A BALVAR 8 SCOPE FOR YEARS. YOU WILL NOT BE SORRY. QUALITY ALL THE WAY (THE CENTENIAL MOD ??)