"first" handi 444 marlin

[benderboy77]

hello.

Just got home with my first handi rifle, a realtree camo 444 marlin i will be using during the mississippi primitive weopon season.  What do the kick or felt recoil feel like on this rife?

I got a 12 gauage topper model 58 that been sitting in my closet for the last 10 years that my grandpa gave me that i have never shot for the fear of recoil.

 

[quickdtoo]

Welcome aboard!! How about a pic?  444 recoil isn't bad, about the same as a 45-70 trapdoor load, a bit more than a 30-06, but you can tame it a bit with a Limbsaver pad if it bothers you, I haven't used one for mine, but it has a camo laminate stock on it, weighs a bit more than their other stocks. Shoots very well with several loads, 240gr XTP, 265gr Hornady and 355gr Beartooth. 

Tim

http://www.chuckhawks.com/recoil_table.htm

[d_hiker]

I have a Topper Model 58 12ga and with 3" slugs it does kick.  I put a recoil pad on and it helps.  Shooting shotshells isn't bad.  You can add weight to the butt stock by filling the bolt hole with a metal rod or lead shot.  That will also help tame the recoil.  I don't have a .444 Marlin but the same could be done to reduce the recoil.

Welcome to the family

[moxgrove]

If you have trouble tolerating a 12 ga then you will definitely want a good recoil pad. If the only trouble was with the topper, then your not a alone. I remember getting beat up pretty good as a 13 year old with the one that was my first gun.
  I don't have the 444 in a handi, but my 444 marlin loves the Beartooth 280 gr on top of 53 gr of RL-7. It isn't a max load, but it will shoot 1 1/4 inch groups all day( or as long as my shoulder lasts).

[benderboy77]

I am not shy of 12 ga recoil, i own 2 other 12 guages. that gun is just so darn light.

My camera phone is acting up can't take a pic but here is a link to camo 4570s on another forum i frequent. Mine look like these just the hole on the end is smaller.

http://www.mdwfp.com/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=35578

http://www.mdwfp.com/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=35250 

[benderboy77]

what size limbsaver's pad do i need to fit my 444?

[quickdtoo]

Looks like my 243 Superlight!! H&R also offers wood stocks that are nicer looking IMO. You're on your own on the limbsaver for synthetic stock, I haven't tried fitting one yet. Seems to me Country Boy did one on his 45-70, I'll see if I can find it.

Tim

243 Superlight in the syn camo stock set


30-30 Handi in wood camo stock set


444 Handi in checkered camo lam stock set


Bottom rifle is a 45 Colt Carbine.

[benderboy77]

what camo scope is that in the first pic? quailty? price?

[quickdtoo]

That's a Redhead muzzleloader scope sold by Basspro, I wouldn't recommend it for any firearm with any recoil, the eye relief is very short and critical, works fine on the 243 tho. If you want a camo scope that would work good on the 444, get a Nikon Prostaff 2-7x32 Shotgun scope, I have one on my 500S&W Handi, works fine. Jon at TOZ has em with free shipping.

Tim

http://theopticzone.com/nikonscopes.aspx

http://theopticzone.com/detail.aspx?ID=2321

[Stan in SC]

benderboy,
I thought that only the 45/70 was legal in Ms. for ML season by dint of the cartridge being developed prior to a certain date.The .444 is not an old cartridge.Best check legality before you venture out.I hope I am wrong on this.

Stan

[quickdtoo]

It's not just the cartridge that determines legality, it's the rifle and caliber, any H&R 38-55 and bigger is legal for the MS primitive season.

Tim

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,109588.msg1098327332.html#msg1098327332