All,

Picked up a new Marlin 444XLR yesterday, probably be used to shoot relatively close range deer, as well as a few hogs... it should probably wear a scope, but to me a lever action begs for open sights. Any recommendations or advice??

Thank you in advance,

Regards,
Craig Nolan

Personally, since I don't have good adjustable eyeballs anymore, I like very low powered scopes with very large fields of view. I have a 1.5 x 4.5 Swift that I use for most things. The very wide field of view and the single aiming point make it very fast to acquire the target. I have guns with receiver sights and they are fine but I prefer the 1.5 setting on the scope. For me, it's quicker to acquire the target.

If you got the XLR version it is begging for a scope in my opinion. They are darned accurate too, more so than I can shoot with iron sights.

You vcould use a Williams foolproof and get a better sight picture for the occassional long shot. They are also quick for running shots. I would probably mount a 1.5 to 5 or 2.5 power fixed scope. If mounted low, they will be quick to use and not a short range handicap.

A Leupold 2.5x compact or a VX-II 1-4x can be mounted as low over the action as you're going to get. Whether that's low enough for you to have a consistent cheekweld depends on the shape of your face.

I went to the extreme with a 3 x 10 x 50 VXL on my XLR 450, plus a big break.





I think the 1.5 x 5 Leupold is most appropriate, as on my 35 Rem in XLR

The BIG scope on the 450 is just freakin hilarious....

AD

Yep, the recoil of the 450 is funny too, reason for the big hearkin break.

I mounted a Nikon Monarch 1.5 - 6 x 42 on my 450 XLR. It has a good f.o.v. and at the low settings, target acquisition is better than open sights; for me.

That is a whole new approach to the 450. What is recoil like with the brake? Relatively low pressure/velocity cartridge, they don't usually gain much with a brake.

What are your loads like? Do you shoot long range? I believe the 45-70 (hot) and 450 are fine for deer at medium ranges, although most people believe them to be a short range gun and use close range sights and scopes. If you have a laser rangefinder, any deer out to 400ish is in trouble as long as it isn't windy.

I have a bunch of Marlins, and I've not shot that one yet. I'm going to shoot nothing but the Leverevolution Ammo - pointed bullets from Hornady. They should run around 2100fps with that 24 inch barrel. I'm sighting it in zeroed at 200 yards, if I can get decent groups. That scope actually sits as low as a 36mm.

My 1895M (450) kicked the crap out of me with factory loads. I put mercury in the buttstock and a pachmyar triple mag pad and its very managable now.

I thought the break would help, as I have one on a 325wsm Browning A-Bolt and it recoils less than my 270, by far.

If I want to remove the break, it has an end-cap to screw on, plus the scope has quick release rings, I'm going to get another 1.5 x 5 Leupold and switch them out.

The rings come from www.brockmansrifles.com and have a ghost ring built into the rear base that pops up when the scope is removed.

How about an up close pic of the brake?

Hopefully those leverevolutions should become available to reloaders...you could probably get 2350 fps from the 24" barrel.

In the 45-120 I hope to build later this year I could get them to 2750 easy...that would be pretty flat shooting, anyone have the BC of the bullets?

450



325 WSM



Other Marlins . . .

Roger Bounds in Oklahoma City patented that break. A fine friend and Master Gunsmith - he's loosing a battle with cancer - prayers for him would be appreciated. The break works well - sends gasses out the side and away. On a muzzel loader, the break allows you to see through the smoke.

That's a big sucker on the end of that barrel!

thanx again for all of your input; I think I'm going to shoot it open for a bit before I decide which scope to install...

Nanook, you need a few more lever actions

Regards,
Craig Nolan

quote:

Originally posted by Allan DeGroot:
The BIG scope on the 450 is just freakin hilarious....

AD

LMFAO....So is that big ass muzzle brake.

I'm glad you two get a good laugh out of the one Marlin I have that is not set up in a tradional way. If I didn't have so many, I would not have fixed it up with a big scope and a big break. I hope you've both had the pleasure of shooting a factory 450 off the bench, if so you might see why I got the rifle for $330 off Auction Arms - many are sold after only a couple of rounds fired. Thanks for not taking any notice of the other rifles I have, and finding fault with the one unusual one. I don't own a TC, hope you enjoy it.

Remember, that scope comes off and the barrel has a cap made to replace the break, if I need to restore it to a normal state, for now I'm just having fun.

I have a 1.75 Leupold on my XLR and it think it shoots fantastically accurate with Hornady LeverEvolution bullets. Looks pretty good to boot!

I don't think he meant to offend you....

Thanks comment - I'm kinda sensitive from 8 years on another forum. It does look funny, i.e. different; I've not shot it yet, not sure how it will work out - but I had to take it to the extreme.