Shooting the .444 Marlin

[@mikemchugh949]

You and I have the same taste in firearms. Now I’m not an engineer however I knew you had to be. I did make through my junior year in EE. Anyways, I finally got to shoot my new 444 Marlin and man you said you shot 3 full boxes making one video!!!?? That is very impressive. It took 4 shots to sight mine in and I almost didn’t shoot the 4th. That is the hardest hitting caliber I’ve ever shot. Incredible round.

[@JULIANBRACHFELD]

I picked up one of these in camo with a scope package at auction last year. Looks like it was never even fired. I haven't fired it yet, but might take it out hunting this coming season. I load for this because I have 2 Marlins chambered for it and it is one serious thumper of a round. I have a soft spot for obscure chamberings.

[@marcthomas2482]

Love it! I have two Handi Rifles, one in .308 that I hunt with and another in 22 mag that sees some use (hoping to pop some groundhogs this year). I wish I would have gotten more of them when they were available. 357, 45/70, and 444 would have been high on the list. Thanks for sharing that one Cervus!

[@cervus-venator]

Thanks Marc. It is a neat gun and calibure to have for sure.

[@stevekelley2341]

I had a 444ss lever action back in the 80s. Did a hell of a job on groundhogs

[@cervus-venator]

Cool and I bet that it did. Yeah I'd love to have a lever action in that round.

[@Halfmilesniper]

Nifty little handy rifle there Cervus. I have never shot a .444 Marlin, looks like fun and great for those who reload at the $100 a box ammo prices.

[@cervus-venator]

Yeah, Hornady makes some specific projectiles for this calibure. My understanding is that you can't use the .44 mag pistol bullets as they break apart on impact at the higher velocities. So a harder lead allow bullet was designed. At least that's what i think they said or what i read. With the 45/70 coming back in popularity the .444 Marlin has faded out some. However the ballistics between the two is close with the slightly better edge going to the .444 Marlin. It'd be cool to see a Ron Spomer video on some of these big bore cartridges.

[@bobg.8954]

Cerv you sure have some nice tools to work with, I really enjoy watching your channel. You sometimes bring out something like this and it takes me back to a happier time lol

[@cervus-venator]

Cool, thanks! I just really enjoy shooting and when it isn't muddy I like to get out there with a few of the old bing bangs, as WTW calls them, and sling some lead. I'll have to get this one back out as I made my scope adjustment, but I have not checked it yet. It needs to be about a 1/4 inch high at 50 yards to be 0 at 100. It is pretty flat in that range.

[@richardcolligon4277]

Great shooting! I'm a Henry fanboy, but also Ruger. Which mean's I have to buy more guns, oh wait that's a great thing. I hope one day they make the 444 Marlin again, and finding a H&R would be tough.

[@cervus-venator]

Yeah I'd love to see another lever action in the .444 Marlin. One day I may have to get me a 45-70 if they don't come out with the .444 before too long.

[@boogerdog5247]

Excellent views of that rifle. Appears to be a breakdown single shot. Five bucks a poke, pretty good deal if it's for an elk. It's a thumper for sure. Ammo has gone insane. Gasoline, isn't far behind it. You have some really great guns Cervus. I've seen very few 444 Marlins in my day.

[@cervus-venator]

Yeah it packs a good wallop in sending a big chunk of lead down range and hitting the wallet too. It's nice to have, just with today's prices a little costly to shoot.

[@randlerichardson5826]

I’ve got a single shot Rossi in 243 now but I’m going to get a 44 magnum barrel for it soon

[@cervus-venator]

That will be fun. I like sending those pistol bullets down a longer rifle barrel as they really get some velocity increase like that.

[@Nutty.357]

Nice rig! at $5 each /per deer works out good but not a plinker thats for sure lol! Thanks for sharing and have a great day :)

[@cervus-venator]

Thanks Nutty, you too! And that's true, certainly not a plinker.

[@Slayer-zy5kr]

Great video, just subscribed and now have a month worth to watch. 😁

[@cervus-venator]

Awesome, thank you! I hope you enjoy. I'm just a guy that likes to shoot all kinds of guns. I'll have some occasional hunting, outdoor, tractor work or ATV repairs thrown in too.

[@dabeav123]

I bought my 444 h&r handi rifle a few years back specifically to hunt deer during muzzleloader season..... Best $225 I ever spent

[@cervus-venator]

It certainly is a cool gun and at a great price too.

[@michaelw.urbansr.8617]

Monster barrle bro! That thing looks like it kicks like my 45/70 lol have you any videos that compare the two?

[@michaelw.urbansr.8617]

Cool i have wanted to see one of these signle shots fired? I was hoping ot guage how long it would take for reloading o ne as i was thinking about one for bear defense? But then again quick follow up shots matter more then ,then at any other time! LOL

[@JamesJones-cx5pk]

I had a .444 HR in camo. I had a 4x scope. That rifle broke a deer's will to run after the shot.🤣 I got poor and sold it.😞 The rifle was superb.

[@cervus-venator]

Cool, I've never seen a camo model. You're right, that 444 is a big ol projectile to be slinging at a deer. Sorry you had to sell it, but completely understand.

[@frank6029]

Nice rifle but WOW $5.00 a round crazy I've never shot this round before Be Safe and God Bless 🙏

[@cervus-venator]

I'm hoping prices come back down. Even $65.00/box would be better than what it is going for right now. It is an interesting round to shoot. Thanks.

[@shaunsian4784]

I checked the price of 444 Marlin at my local Dunham's store and it about $74.99- 79.99 a box

[@cervus-venator]

That's awesome!! I mean it isn't that great, but it is better than back when I was shopping for them at 90 to 100 per box of 20. Hopefully they'll continue to come down in price. At 75 - 80 a box that is about $4 per round.

[@earlblackjackmartinjr5750]

Mine is a JM Marlin.

[@mitch0467]

Dang, for $5 a shot you better make them count!

[@cervus-venator]

You're right. That's why I only shot two of them in the video. I can only hope that the price comes down to somewhat normal. Heck, even $60 - $65 per box is better that $100.

[@russellkeeling9712]

My first 30-06 was a rifle just like that. Mine would eject the case though. A number of elk went into my freezer because of that rifle.

[@cervus-venator]

That sounds like a heck of a rifle. I wouldn't mind an ejector on this, but the extractor is fine too. I bet that 30-06 had some punch to it. Thanks for stopping by and checking it out.

[@markoharoldoronearmedpoohb7816]

I want a Ruger #1, with some free bore, so I could exploit the performance of the 444!

[@cervus-venator]

Personally I love the Ruger #1, just not the price. That would be one heck of a gun though in 444 Marlin. Great idea!!

[@markoharoldoronearmedpoohb7816]

@@cervus-venator I do have a modified Marlin 444SS that cycles perfectly a 2.75 COL, 444 cartridge, my design 350grain Hardcast bullet gets 2300fps, safely!

[@cervus-venator]

@@markoharoldoronearmedpoohb7816 That is awesome Mark!!!

[@GolfRemoEchoGolf2]

I believe this was the rifle that Mad Dog Shriver used while in Vietnam with MacV SOG

[@cervus-venator]

Hmm that's interesting. Thanks for the info.

[@GolfRemoEchoGolf2]

@@cervus-venator he wouldn't use a Colt commando ( 177 ) he would stuff several Smith and Wesson in his wait ( holsterless ) and ran a homemade suppressed greese gun..and use a 444 and when asked why ? He was quoted with saying m16 will get ya killed and 444 leaves a huge hole so it was bad for VC morale...only reason I know was I was stationed up a Ft Lewis , though he went MIA on a mission he was held in legendary status especially with 2nd Rangers

[@GolfRemoEchoGolf2]

@@cervus-venator beautiful rifle!! Never seen one in person

[@cervus-venator]

@@GolfRemoEchoGolf2 That's cool and thanks for the info. I wonder if they have anything on him at the Infantry museum? It sure would be cool to see. We just donated some stuff to them from my step dad's photos while he was in Vietnam.

[@cervus-venator]

@@GolfRemoEchoGolf2 Thanks. I won that one and a TC Encore Hunter in 308 at a banquette dinner. Of course I paid for most them as I bought $600 in raffle tickets. LOL

[@randyadams03]

AH. 444 Marlin a bit better than 44 mag. A beautiful rifle anyone would fight for . Lol from old school. This Gen ,no clue. Thanks Cervus.

[@cervus-venator]

Yeah, never know what the younger gen is thinking. I was saddened when i found out they were no longer making the Handi-rifle. These things are cool. Thanks Randy.

[@randyadams03]

@@cervus-venator I agree, Cervus. Most would say just old. Young have no idea.

[@samhall2663]

I have a rifle just like thar except in 223

[@cervus-venator]

Cool Sam. That's a good one for sure.

[@alabamaoutdoors4468]

Had the New England version in 308 took over 60 deer with it ,then one day accuracy went all over a paper plate, tried but never figured it out sold it back to pawn shop ,

[@cervus-venator]

I understand that. I have a TC Encore hunter in 308. I used to shoot well, but i dropped it from the stand one day. It broke a screw to the one piece mount. I had it fixed, but I just cannot get it to group. I'm going to try a new mount on it with a new scope to see if it will change. If not a my buy a new barrel for it or sell it.

[@shaunsian4784]

What's the recoil like

[@cervus-venator]

Surprisingly not too bad. I had just shot the 03-A3 (blot action 30-06) prior to shooting this and the recoil felt about the same to me. Now there is a difference in that the 30-06 had no recoil pad and the .444 did have one. I would imagine it is similar to the 45-70 although I've never shot that calibure myself.

[@scottodonahoe9505]

Any old iron that flings big lead is OK with me !

[@cervus-venator]

I hear you! It certainly slings some big lead.

[@randlerichardson5826]

Nice a feller could take and load some rounds for that tinker with them and it would be a tack driver now. You ever get rid of that please holler at me and let me have first crack at it. Be safe buddy and GOD BLESS y’all Amen 🙏

[@cervus-venator]

I certainly will do that. I just enjoy that big boar rifle. I think it is the biggest boar rifle that I own.

[@earlblackjackmartinjr5750]

Oh, yours is a handi mine are levers.

[@hyregeg9730]

Had one those handy rifles in 708 brand new camo stocks not worth a red piss could not hit a basket ball at 50yards

[@cervus-venator]

708?

[@randlerichardson5826]

Hey Cervus that would be a hog thumper now

[@cervus-venator]

That's what I was thinking. I imagine thumping a big boar hog right up side the head with that 44 cal.

[@HyksosKhamudi]

100 bucks a box ouch lol

[@cervus-venator]

Yeah, that is why I have not bought any in a long time. I'll have to wait or go buy a reloading die and some bullets to load my own.

[@HyksosKhamudi]

@@cervus-venator yeah i dont blame you lol

[@markhasleton6403]

That little gun is too light. I love break barrel rifles ...but I wouldn't want that thing in such a big cartridge.... I'd want it in a 9 pound rifle with Marble 'bullseye' sights ...and a pachmeyer pad , I turn 60 next month ! Bet it's a 250 yard stone killer. Could I get lighter bullets say 220g ?

[@cervus-venator]

I think there are lighter bullets loaded for it. Yes with a small break barrel like this you lose a lot of weight. They did provide a big thick barrel for it, but it still is a light gun for that round.