Thinking of getting single shot pistol in .444 marlin, does anyone have experience of hunting with this calibre in a pistol?

DW

Yes I do. I have a 14" T/C contender barrel chambered for the 444 marlin. I have killed one deer and a javalina with it, both one shot kills.

I don't have one but have been thinking about it. In Ohio we are limited to staight wall cartridges in hand guns. I asked the game warden last year about 45-70 and he said "It's not staight walled!"

I said "OK how about 444 Marlin?"

His angry reply was "Well if you want to ruin handgun hunting for everyone in the state go ahead!!"

I guess that has been holding me back. The thought that I, all by my lonesome could mess things up for the rest of you Ohio handgun hunters. OH the burden!

How does he figure the 45-70 is not a straight walled case? Last time I looked it didn't have a bottleneck, while it does have some taper to it, it is still a straight wall.

I use my 444 in Ohio, so don't be too hard on yourself. I will take the blame for ruining the hunting.

quote:

Originally posted by Ohiosam:
I don't have one but have been thinking about it. In Ohio we are limited to staight wall cartridges in hand guns. I asked the game warden last year about 45-70 and he said "It's not staight walled!"

I said "OK how about 444 Marlin?"

His angry reply was "Well if you want to ruin handgun hunting for everyone in the state go ahead!!"

I guess that has been holding me back. The thought that I, all by my lonesome could mess things up for the rest of you Ohio handgun hunters. OH the burden!

It has always amazed me, whether here in Wisconsin or back home in Indiana, how the bunny police consider the game in their state their own personal property. The proper response is: "Hey Possum Cop! Those are my deer and you work for me and you are governed by laws that were made by people that I hired. So if the people I hired say that a .444 is legal, then you better just accept it and can the condescending attitude." Might want to make sure you follow all the regs to the letter after that though.
Wisconsin laws are much simpler. "...centerfire cartridge and at least a 5" barrel."

Dan,
i havent hunted with my 15" 444 marlin encore yet, but i plan on it. I bought the gun around a month ago and have only had time to go out and shoot once (8 rounds). I love the gun. i call it my wrist cannon. haha. i am 22 and most of my shooting friends, who are older than me, are a little scared to shoot it. to tell you the truth i might see if i can find a .450 marlin as well. I'd reccomend getting a 444 even if u don't use it for hunting. and for the game warden... well he is a good example of what i think of when someone says game warden. Errogant a$$holes. give someone a badge andthey are automatically better than the human life. Matt

Bk its pretty interesting what us retired police officers get to read on the web. I to have to agree with you in regards to SOME ass issued a badge and becoming god like. In some places there are far to many of the bad apples around. However, having to work side by side with many officers and several different places there are far more regular guys like me that are really trying to make a difference.

I have hunted with the awesome .444 for a decade. The 265gr Hornady at 2000fps will stop
anything that needs shooting. Range 250 if you practice. From Dodgeville Wi to Madison to North of Wausau. No major food destruction and the results are immediate.

If you haven't shot one before I wish to suggest a good muzzle brake. I shot one for eight years without and have developed problems
with my shooting wrist and elbow over time. Not to mention the scabs on my elbow when I forget
to put my mouse pad down on the bench. One does not have to load this hot!!!

Got to love the power!

Did you ever get that .444 barrel? I was going through old posts and saw you were thinking of getting one. I have a 10" barrel I am selling. It has been used a LOT for hunting and have shot several deer with it.

yeah i did get the bbl i was looking for. It is a 15". real nice shooting. i've started reloading, so now i can play around a little.