I recently acquired a 444 Marlin with an exchange.
Does anybody has hunting experiences with this rifle on european game like Boar, Roebuck, red deer? I already shot the rifle a few times on the range and the caliber seems vey potent to me as long as you don't exceed 150 meters.
Any experiences are welcome!

DIRK SCOUT

Dirk,

I have owned one for over 20 yrs. I don't know if you are handloading or shooting factory ammo.

With a 240 grain bullet and above, the 444 will drop anything in its path. It will put a bullet hole the size of an American quarter ( 25 cents) going in, and turn any organs into a bowl of spaghetti.

I took an 8 point Whitetail buck in Northern Minnesota that weighed over 300 pounds on the hoof. It field cleaned at 265 pounds. A 240 grain slug from the 444 cut a sapling about 6 inches in diameter in half and then hit the buck in the lungs at a distance of about 125 yds or so. The buck went down instantly.

At the butchers, as we were unloading several deer to be processed, the butcher picked up the head of mine and asked " who shot this one?" before I could answer, he answered his own question " Al Capone?" He was refering to the bullet holes on each side of the buck.

Keep it at 150 to 160 meters and it will definitely do any job you want it to do in Europe.

seafire
On game above 450 lbs would you recommend the 265gr bullet?
Dirk, the 444 Marlin is kinda like a Super 44 Mag.
It hits like Thor's Great Big Hammer.

I have watched a buddy clobber numerous deer in the past with a 444. He uses the Hornady 240 XTP running about 2k fps. It has been an absolute sledgehammer (Hammer of Thor )! I like it so much that had a contender barrel rechambered and have been able it easily achieve the same velocities. I have shot a few varmints and other small animals and it does its job well!! The 240 Nosler pistol bullet makes a great varmint bullet.

For larger animals (than deer) i would probably select the 300 XTP.....

I have used my 444 for a number of years. My rifle prefers the 265 Hornady with H-4198. It has performed flawlessly and the accuracy seems magical at times. I have used it on feral pigs as far away as 250 yards and it has knocked them DOWN! (Hammer of Thor?)It leaves a big hole as have other have stated. I wouldn't be afraid to use it on too many animals.

Thanks guy's

Yiepieyaayee..... It's seems that i purchased som'ting damned good! We did already some tests in the local indoor range with handloads: terrific effects on hard rubber carpets that are used to stop bullets!

I call"BS" on the .444 busting a six inch sapling, then dropping a 300lb buck!!! Ain't going to happen!!!!!!!!

Tac............

I see no problem with a .444 going through a 6 inch sapling and then killing a 300 pound buck.
If the tree was hit square, and the buck was not too far from it, no problem.

Tac:

The rack I have from that buck shot after the bullet cut the sappling, must be in my imagination.

Tomorrow I will start doing a search of that Buck so I can give him his rack back. I know he is out there, because a Guy In Florida said that it was BS that he was killed.

The venison from it was also in my imagination.

Just a quick question tho: Do you PERSONALLY have any successful game hunting experience with the 444 Marlin?

If so, I might at least appreciate some of your prospective. However if you don't, I can appreciate your experience from all the reading you must have done from the comfort of your toilet seat in the bathroom.

And since you were THERE to verify that particular buck did not die, after that bullet cut that sappling in half, I apologize to all the people who believe you and think I have nothing better to do, but lie and make this stuff up.
Thanks for setting me straight.

seafire,

tacshooter does not say a .444 can not cut a sapling about 6 inches in diameter in half.

neither is tacshooter saying a .444 is not capable of dropping a 300 lb deer on his tracks.

what tacshooter thinks is that both things can not be done in a row.

maybe he is just one of those armchair wimps who does not now that 240 grainers maybe shot out of a .444 at 2,800 fps.



regards,

montero

Montero; Dear Friend, at 444 will shoot 240 grainers at 2400 fps, but not at 2800 unless you know some inside handloading info the rest of us don't know, but would sure love it if you could share it!

If MR Tac is a NRA Firearms Instructor etc, I respect his experience. I would like to add tho, that I do not have anything to gain by making up stories to post on here. However, I can respect someone's doubts as we do also have a lot of "visitors" on here that do have nothing better to do than to sling shit about others and sling BS period.

I also have had 444's at my disposal for several years and have the utmost respect for it's abilities. derf

Hey boy's,

Up to now i tried only one load:
47 grains of reloader 7 with Sierra power jacket 240 grainers. The max. load indicated is 51 grains but at 47 the shell is already quite full.
I had good accuracy with this load.
Any other reloading dates?
You're welcome!
Dirk

I've one and I love it!!
A "working tool" for the thick bushes down here.
LG

I use the Hornady 265 grains bullets with 48.5 grs of H-4198. It's my favorite.

dirk:

While tombo is right with the 265 grainers, if you have Hornady's XTPs available in Europe try some of those. You won't be disappointed!

I have pretty muched settled on my favorite load where I live now, basically for Bear and Elk in thick brush on a load of 20 grains of Blue Dot shotgun powder and a 300 grain XTP. Recoil is mild, and all the extra powder of other loads will give me is more range, which I don't need in this type of service. Velocity is in the 1650 fps range. If velocity is giving up anything that 300 grains and the XTP bullet more than take up the slack.

Shoot a few saplings or a medium size pine tree with it and you will see what I am talking about.

.Sorry Guys: Blonde moment evidently.
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[ 09-04-2003, 09:36: Message edited by: seafire ]

I've had my 444P for a few years now, haven't shot any deer with it yet, but I can attest to it's power. I use mostly 300 grain Cast Performance bullets and 330 grain Beartooth bullets both at about 2,000fps (both solid, non-expanding designs). Based on things I've fired into I have no doubt they can pass through a sapling at short range. Where I hunt you are bound to have some brush shots and that's why I like the heavy bullets. I think you always risk deflection no matter what size bullet, but heavier and wider is better.
PS: An expanding bullet will account for more internal damage and may be a better choice for deer. Although I wouldn't shoot an elk in the shoulder with an XTP at 2,000fps--a solid would be better I think in that case.

I shot through a tree with a 232gr 9.3mm bullet to get my bull in 02. It wasn't deliberate nor fatal but it did go through the 6" pine and it did hit the bull and (I think) slow him down.