Author Topic: 444 qt (Read 1657 times)

gulfdaddy · « **on:** April 06, 2010, 08:55:43 AM »

I am looking at a nice used 444 marlin at a fair price. I was wondering if anyone could tell me the year the rifeling changed and if I can tell by looking which one it is? Could I run the seriel number and get a manufacture date and tell by that or is there an easier way? Either way it is going to be mine and hand loading begins real soon! Thanks, Gary

dpe.ahoy · « **Reply #1 on:** April 06, 2010, 10:19:22 AM »

Ballard rifling started in 1999, look in the barrel, if 12 lands, it's micro groove, 6 is Ballard. Check out www.marlinowners.com and scroll down to the reference section, then to Marlin dates of manufacture info and 39A stats. Read thru that and you will get the list of dates of manufacture. You will really enjoy the 444.

DP

yukondog · « **Reply #2 on:** April 06, 2010, 10:50:17 AM »

Your realy going to like the 444,looking at your name do live on the gulf coast?

gulfdaddy · « **Reply #3 on:** April 06, 2010, 01:12:35 PM »

Thanks for the info. Yes I live in Baytown East of Houston. Lots of pigs to eliminate here. Once in a while I get up to Colorado and hope to use the 444 there also. I have learned that it is a 1980 model. Looks like it was well kept. I am excited especially after reading some of the Beartooth data on this forum regarding the fexability of the caliber. Got to love these lever actions.

swampthing · « **Reply #4 on:** April 06, 2010, 01:59:41 PM »

Mine was the 18" ported one. Didn't need lapping. That 290g LFN @1500-1800fps is all you will ever need. If you feel the need.... 2300+fps will extend your reach, yes it is versitile.

rex6666 · « **Reply #5 on:** April 07, 2010, 07:21:47 AM »

I have a 1975 model 444 on the way.
I you feel you are going to be over run by the pigs, please call
i am in Euless (DFW) can be their shortly and then catch some reds
Go to marlin owners and look a round they also have a 444 club.

Swampman · « **Reply #6 on:** April 07, 2010, 08:12:17 AM »

I have an 1980 .444 and it's highly accurate. Lapping is a waste of time and money on any rifle. Your gonna love the .444.

gulfdaddy · « **Reply #7 on:** April 07, 2010, 09:49:15 AM »

I found that Marlin Owners forum a couple of days ago and have been trying to catch up. I am about 16 pages into it and only have about 200 more to go.

I will be installing one of the peep sights on this rifle and am taking input from you guys. Would like to know about good options for replacing the front sight with something that supports a small bead that could help with refining my sight picture. The fiber optic "blades" are interesting looking but I must admit that they look pretty hi-tech for a lever gun. I will keep an open mind about it however. I have some nice Warren quick release rings in the drawer and after reading about folks modifying the weaver base to accomodate for the peep sight and also using a detachable low power scope, it has got me thinking.

Thanks for all the encouragement guys.

Oh and about the reds in the bay...they are showing up in the back water areas in good numbers now. I tied some new flies this week with them in mind. The beach front waters are almost at 70 degrees and the trout should be here is short order. Think about it, blackened red fish, gulf shrimp on the pit right next to a nice ferrel hog tender loin wrapped in bacon and garlic. MMMM MMM good.

yukondog · « **Reply #8 on:** April 07, 2010, 11:55:24 AM »

Nothing better than roasting a pig on the pit and steaming a few oysters open. Mine is a 80's also I shoot 310 cast oregan trail and speer gold dot in mine,it realy likes the gold dot and does pretty good with the cast.Good luck and report back.

swampthing · « **Reply #9 on:** April 07, 2010, 03:29:36 PM »

Skinner or xpresssights are some good sights that aren't too high tech, steel to boot. Lyman and Marbles are pretty and add a touch of class.

dpe.ahoy · « **Reply #10 on:** April 07, 2010, 03:30:15 PM »

Alright guys, ya got me droolin all over the keyboard.

I'm gonna have to take a vacation where there are hogs, wanta get one of them things!

DP

Swampman · « **Reply #11 on:** April 07, 2010, 03:38:43 PM »

A Marlin needs a low powered scope.

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #12 on:** April 08, 2010, 01:28:14 AM »

most if not all of the 22 inch guns are micro groved. The only ballard 444s i know of are the 18 inch outfitters. Ive got one and its a wonderful little rifle if you can find one.

bilmac · « **Reply #13 on:** April 08, 2010, 01:40:30 AM »

I would put some thought into whether you want a bead front or not. To me they are ambiguous. Does the target go behind the center or on top? I used to sight in one way and then under stress do it wrong. Never shot iron sights so lousy until I changed to a blade, then I was good again. I believe there is a reason why you never see bead sights on a military rifle.

Swampman · « **Reply #14 on:** April 08, 2010, 04:09:44 AM »

Nearly all Marlins currently being produced are Ballard and have been for several years. Only the 336 and the 39A are still MicroGroove. It makes no difference they both shoot equally great. Marlin claimed that MicroGroove was more accurate than Ballard. The myth persist that MicroGroove won't shoot cast bullets well but that's not the case.

rex6666 · « **Reply #15 on:** April 08, 2010, 05:17:51 AM »

I have a set of Lyman 66LA on a 336,30-30
have a set of Williams in a drawer, going to try them on the 444
or change out with 336.
will probably buy front sights from Brownells, they have several options
blade and small bead.
I think i am going to have to start reloading after buying a box of 444.
Does lee make one of their hand loaders in 444.
Love to catch those reds. A 6-7lb. red will show a 6-7 lb. black bass
what it is all about.

millwright · « **Reply #16 on:** April 08, 2010, 03:46:26 PM »

Have a 5 yr old 444 with ballard and 22 in barrrel. Have Williams receiver sight with firesight up front, works good for me really like this rifle for still hunting here in Maine woods.

southernutah · « **Reply #17 on:** April 08, 2010, 04:43:47 PM »

gulf daddy go here http://www.xssights.com/store/rifle.html

Default_Required · « **Reply #18 on:** April 28, 2010, 01:47:48 AM »

Dont let the micro groove turn you away , I have had great accuracy out of my '73 model 444S with the 300gr Horandy XTPs and got in Bear Tooth Bullets 330gr monsters and they sure do like that Reloder 7 , Havent tried Varget yet but with the accuracy the R-7 is giving with the 300gr XTP and 330gr gas checked BTB loads I dont know if its worth even messing with Varget at this point.
Oh and I did get a chance to bloody the Marlin this last season with the 300gr XTP , Nice fat doe at 90 (walked off) yards. Her and a girlfriend surprised me on my way to the stand , Neck shot with only about 7 to 8" of head and neck exposed above a fallen tree . So the accuracy ( while surprising for me) can sure be tasted on the grill

Mikey · « **Reply #19 on:** April 28, 2010, 02:37:15 AM »

Default: you're right about the micro groove rifling - it should not turn anyone away especially if they get themselves onto either Veral Smith's website or the Beartooth Bullets website and read what both have to say about lapping the microgroove barrel. My 3 444s are all Winchester Big Bore AEs but all wore or wear Marlin barrels.

You will love Varget under the 300, 330 and 335 gn cast Beartooth slugs, it is consistent and accurate.

Swampman: the newer Marlins wear a Ballard style rifling, which is six grooves. It is Ballard style as the grooves are only about.002" deep, not the .006" depth of the original Ballard riflings used in black powder shootings. If you don't lap a microgroove barrel you won't shoot the heavier cast slugs as accurately as you definately can if your barrel is lapped. If you have shot that Marlin consistently for 30 years with jacketed slugs the rifling should be lapped enough to give you pretty good accuracy with cast, gas checked slugs.

Swampthing: I have a Timber Carbine (18" ported bbl) that I thought had either a 1:20 or 1:12 Ballard style rifling and twist but I just looked and it is microgroove (I need to refresh myself on occasion with these rifles) and may even be a 1:38 twist, but I lapped it a bunch of years ago when I lapped my Black Shadow that I converted to a pistol gripped traditional rifle and the last time I shot the Timber Carbine for groups I used a Beartooth 300 gn cast gaschecked slug and Varget powder charge and grouped 2" at 100 yds with open sights. I will take this rifle hog huntin' this year and use some of those 300 gn bacon makers that I like to use for hoggies..... It oughta be fun.... I may even try some heavier slugs, like the 335s from Beartooth, which I consider my Hog Hammers.........................

Swampman · « **Reply #20 on:** April 28, 2010, 06:56:36 AM »

I've never found lapping to accomplish a thing. I wouldn't knowingly buy a barrel that had been lapped.

Rangr44 · « **Reply #21 on:** April 28, 2010, 01:37:29 PM »

[I have a Timber Carbine (18" ported bbl) that I thought had either a 1:20 or 1:12 Ballard style rifling and twist but I just looked and it is microgroove ]

I've never seen a WInchester with a Marlin trademarked barrel.

"Timber Carbine" is a registered WINCHESTER TM, not Marlin - and AFAIK Winchester cannot and would not install a Marlin trademark "Microgroove" barrel on one of their rifles.

IIRC, my .444 Win 94 Big Bore Timber Carbine had a 17" ported bbl, with Ballard-style rifling - but I can't recheck it now, because it went down the road to fund a .450 Timber.

.

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #22 on:** April 29, 2010, 03:28:54 AM »

i have just the oposite opinion. Ive lapped a good number of handguns and a few rifles that shoot cast. Ive yet to find one that shot worse afterward and most have shot substantialy better.

Quote from: Swampman on April 28, 2010, 06:56:36 AM

I've never found lapping to accomplish a thing. I wouldn't knowingly buy a barrel that had been lapped.