15 February 2007, 07:17
bob300wsm444 Marlin
Does anyone use the 444 marlin for feral hogs? If so, I'll like to know how it performed.. 1 shot 1 dead hog or so. thanks
15 February 2007, 08:00
Rancho LocoRL-7 and 300 grain Speer Uni-Cors blow big holes through pigs.
20 February 2007, 08:42
Mike_DettorreI have never used one but just remember a 444 marlin is 44 mag on steroids
MikeLegistine actu quod scripsi?
Never under estimate the internet community's ability to reply to your post with their personal rant about their tangentially related, single occurrence issue.
What I have learned on AR, since 2001:
1. The proper answer to: Where is the best place in town to get a steak dinner? is…You should go to Mel's Diner and get the fried chicken.
2. Big game animals can tell the difference between .015 of an inch in diameter, 15 grains of bullet weight, and 150 fps.
3. There is a difference in the performance of two identical projectiles launched at the same velocity if they came from different cartridges.
4. While a double rifle is the perfect DGR, every 375HH bolt gun needs to be modified to carry at least 5 down.
5. While a floor plate and detachable box magazine both use a mechanical latch, only the floor plate latch is reliable. Disregard the fact that every modern military rifle uses a detachable box magazine.
6. The Remington 700 is unreliable regardless of the fact it is the basis of the USMC M40 sniper rifle for 40+ years with no changes to the receiver or extractor and is the choice of more military and law enforcement sniper units than any other rifle.
7. PF actions are not suitable for a DGR and it is irrelevant that the M1, M14, M16, & AK47 which were designed for hunting men that can shoot back are all PF actions.
8. 95 deg F in Africa is different than 95 deg F in TX or CA and that is why you must worry about ammunition temperature in Africa (even though most safaris take place in winter) but not in TX or in CA.
9. The size of a ding in a gun's finish doesn't matter, what matters is whether it’s a safe ding or not.
10. 1 in a row is a trend, 2 in a row is statistically significant, and 3 in a row is an irrefutable fact.
11. Never buy a WSM or RCM cartridge for a safari rifle or your go to rifle in the USA because if they lose your ammo you can't find replacement ammo but don't worry 280 Rem, 338-06, 35 Whelen, and all Weatherby cartridges abound in Africa and back country stores.
12. A well hit animal can run 75 yds. in the open and suddenly drop with no initial blood trail, but the one I shot from 200 yds. away that ran 10 yds. and disappeared into a thicket and was not found was lost because the bullet penciled thru. I am 100% certain of this even though I have no physical evidence.
13. A 300 Win Mag is a 500 yard elk cartridge but a 308 Win is not a 300 yard elk cartridge even though the same bullet is travelling at the same velocity at those respective distances.
20 February 2007, 09:31
Rancho Loco300 grains at 2100 fps = 3,000 ft lb.s of energy.
That would be ALOT of steroids.

20 February 2007, 15:42
greghudshot placement may need to be considered if you want anything left to eat

greg
22 February 2007, 06:57
bob300wsmThanks for the relies.. I plan to use a 265 GR/fn bullet. I have't purchased this rifle yet. Wanted to get freeback on this caliber first. I'm going to Georgia this coming Dec to piggie hunt. Keeping my options open for now..
22 February 2007, 07:35
GeedubyaI don't have a 444. But with the new marlin XLR and Leverevolution bullets this ought to be and honest 250 yd gun. I do have a marlin guide gun in 45-70. I load 400 grain Speer soft points over 53 grains of IMR 3031. As I recall velocity is 1850 fps or so. With big heavy slow bullets you really don't have that much meat damage. In fact you usually have no blood shot meat like you would using a more frangible bullet like a nosler ballistic tip at 2700+ fps. I have shot numerous hogs deer and even a few coyotes with this load. I like to say that you can eat right up to the bullet hole (excluding coyotes).
GWB
23 February 2007, 12:56
MopaneMikeThey work great! The 265grn rolls them over nicely with little meat damage.. Not to throw rocks at others choices, but I used a 45-70 for a while and prefered the 444 as long as you don't use the pistol bullets that others claim works so well.. I've alway;s come back to the tried and true 265grn..
24 February 2007, 20:58
juanpozziIts an excellent cartrige ,i used it in the ADIRONDAKS with my friend Steve Willow.Here i always carry a marlin guide gun 4570.Juan
02 March 2007, 02:12
Swede44magWhen you get your 444 let me know so we can go and break it in. If it is anyway near as loud as your 460 everyone will be complaning about the noise.

02 March 2007, 05:45
bob300wsmJust wear your ear plugs and ear muffs...