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444 Marlin, 375 Winchester or...

nakneker

nakneker

Gold $$ Contributor
Over the last couple of years I’ve had fun playing with lever actions. I have two old Marlin 30-30s, two Marlin 35 Remingtons, a Miruko model 71 348 and a new Marlin (Ruger) 1895SBL. The reason I have two 30-30s and two 35 Remingtons is barrel length. All of the above have been fun to load for. I have AA5744 and Trail boss if the wife wants to shoot them too, makes it fun. Reloading for these rifles have been enjoyable. Shot bolt actions most my life and it’s fun to do try something different, the levers and Ruger #1s, fun!

The reason for the post is I’m gonna pic up a couple more. When I was looking for an older style 45-70 Marlin I kept seeing quite a few clean pre safety bar 444s and 375s. I prefer those older marlins with the pistol grip style stock. I can get brass for both of those easy enough, dies are easy, bullets are easy. If you’ve had either cartridge or both and have an opinion on your experience please share. I don’t know much about either cartridge and welcome any thoughts on the subject. The rifle doesn’t have to be an old Marlin either.

I’d also like to get into some of the smaller cartridges for levers, 218 bee, 25-20, 32-20 etc but that’s for another day.

Thanks in advance for any input.

Sean
 
The 375, look at 38-55 data. That is what I used in my 94 BigBore with good success.
99.99% of my lever gun shooting is with cast.
 
You mentioned 45/70. In an early Marlin 95 or other strong action it is more versatile than the .444. 300 to 405 or so grain bullets at a wide assortment of velocities will meet most requirements. Do remember that those 500-grain bullets that made the reputation of the old 45/70 usually don't work in most lever guns. Loaded length too long to make the angle through the action from the magazine.
 
Sounds like ya need to start a lever action collection. The 444 is good ...but the 454 Casull 92 lever in a 16" barrel has the same power level in a smaller package...also don't forget the big 1886 in 50-110, for some real fun...one 50-110 owner, on video is shooting 500 gr bullets at 2250 fps or 300 gr 2780 fps ...6000 ft/ lbs out of a levergun...I too, like the older lever guns without all the new safety crap installed,...same way I prefer my single actions, 1873 style, firing pin on the hammer, no transfer bar...only my newer Win 86 45-90 has a thumb safety on the tang. I was just looking at a ...44-40! ...take down.
 
Got one, haven't shot it in 15 years. My last load was with the FTX bullets. My memory (not good!) is it was very accurate.
 
nakneker said:
Over the last couple of years I’ve had fun playing with lever actions. I have two old Marlin 30-30s, two Marlin 35 Remingtons, a Miruko model 71 348 and a new Marlin (Ruger) 1895SBL. The reason I have two 30-30s and two 35 Remingtons is barrel length. All of the above have been fun to load for. I have AA5744 and Trail boss if the wife wants to shoot them too, makes it fun. Reloading for these rifles have been enjoyable. Shot bolt actions most my life and it’s fun to do try something different, the levers and Ruger #1s, fun!

The reason for the post is I’m gonna pic up a couple more. When I was looking for an older style 45-70 Marlin I kept seeing quite a few clean pre safety bar 444s and 375s. I prefer those older marlins with the pistol grip style stock. I can get brass for both of those easy enough, dies are easy, bullets are easy. If you’ve had either cartridge or both and have an opinion on your experience please share. I don’t know much about either cartridge and welcome any thoughts on the subject. The rifle doesn’t have to be an old Marlin either.

I’d also like to get into some of the smaller cartridges for levers, 218 bee, 25-20, 32-20 etc but that’s for another day.

Thanks in advance for any input.

Sean
Click to expand...
Just for fun or hunting?

If it's just fun have at it you can't go wrong with any decision. If it's hunting deer or elk the 444 Marlin with the new Hornady 265 FTX is very good. The points being within 200 yards and avoid the big bears. Any bear hunt where you can be sure to see 800 pound + bears only 45-70 and 450 Marlin custom bolt rifles carrying 500 grain projectiles are my recommendation.
 
David Milisock said:
Just for fun or hunting?

If it's just fun have at it you can't go wrong with any decision. If it's hunting deer or elk the 444 Marlin with the new Hornady 265 FTX is very good. The points being within 200 yards and avoid the big bears. Any bear hunt where you can be sure to see 800 pound + bears only 45-70 and 450 Marlin custom bolt rifles carrying 500 grain projectiles are my recommendation.
Click to expand...
I’ve just been having fun with these. I have a 200 yard range set up behind the house so it’s easy to play around with different loads and have some fun with both stout and soft loads. I shot a lot of 45-70 last year, most using AA5744 and Hornady 300gr HP and 350gr FP. I shoot a lot of the 325gr FTX out of the Ruger #1 so I don’t have to trim the brass. I shoot the 30-30s and 35 Remingtons quite a bit too. I haven’t really played around with the model 71 348 much. So to answer your question im having fun just shooting steel or taking them out and busting rocks. The only big game I’ve shot is an elk with the 45-70 #1 with an 325 FTX at 85 yards, crumpled where it stood. I just want a new cartridge to learn and have with, might go with the 444 just because of bullet selection more than anything and I can pull some Starline brass into inventory quickly.

I have other rifles for bears, still have a 338 win mag I carried everywhere with me when I lived in Alaska. Bear efficient.

Thanks for the feedback, gonna keep watching this thread and think about it.
 
nakneker said:
I’ve just been having fun with these. I have a 200 yard range set up behind the house so it’s easy to play around with different loads and have some fun with both stout and soft loads. I shot a lot of 45-70 last year, most using AA5744 and Hornady 300gr HP and 350gr FP. I shoot a lot of the 325gr FTX out of the Ruger #1 so I don’t have to trim the brass. I shoot the 30-30s and 35 Remingtons quite a bit too. I haven’t really played around with the model 71 348 much. So to answer your question im having fun just shooting steel or taking them out and busting rocks. The only big game I’ve shot is an elk with the 45-70 #1 with an 325 FTX at 85 yards, crumpled where it stood. I just want a new cartridge to learn and have with, might go with the 444 just because of bullet selection more than anything and I can pull some Starline brass into inventory quickly.

I have other rifles for bears, still have a 338 win mag I carried everywhere with me when I lived in Alaska. Bear efficient.

Thanks for the feedback, gonna keep watching this thread and think about it.
Click to expand...
What I really like about the 444 in terms of hunting whitetail (all other adoects aside) is in areas where the properties are close the 444 drops them in their tracks.
 
My take is the 444 Marlin and not what you would expect
Mine is a T/C Encore barrel that I had re-bored from 22 cal to .429 and more specifically the 444 Marlin
Now that gun is a blast and great fun to shoot
I stay away from pistol bullets and cast my own heavy for cal lead bullets
I don't see it giving much up to the 45-70 except in bullet weight
Have yet to harvest anything other that paper but that will come
 
Like White Eagle, I prefer shooting my own cast in both .44 Magnum and .444 Marlin.

I’ve owned a 45-70 Guide Gun that I played with for a number of years, but quite frankly, and depending on the twist, you should be able to shoot up to 325 gr. cast in most .444 Marlins, and much, much heavier if you have a 1-20 twist barrel.

I hunt with a .44 pistol or rifle at times too…so the natural gravitation to a .444 was really a no-brainer for me.

If you hand load you are good to go, as availability of factory ammo is a problem.

Let us know what you end up with!

MQ1
 
nakneker said:
Never seen those before.
Click to expand...
The Brits shoot a fun match called "gallery rifle" It's the Bianchi pistol course shot with rifles. They only permit straight wall pistol calibres. Been around a while - after the self loading ban in the UK. The Marlin is a popular. rifle over there.
 
I am the odd man out with the 444. I am a sucker for odd and strange. Ran across a 788 that was rebarreled and chambered in 444 Marlin. It is a single shot for now. I had done some measuring and checkin and thought I could get a magazine modified to hold one or two.
Has been a number of years since it has seen daylight. I shot it enough to be impressed with it and cast bullets.
The only 45-70 rifle I have at the moment, another odd ball, is one of the Gibbs 45-70 Enfield conversions. A good shooter, but poor sight options, another project for me.
 
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