Question about Marlin lever rifles.

N

Nightcrawler

New member
I'll be getting some money soon. I can either get a 336 in .30-30, or a 444 in .444 Marlin. I like both, being a fan of lever guns. I'd prefer the .45-70 Marlin more, due simply to the more availability of the cartridge, but I don't think it'll be a problem.

Okay, here are my questions. A) Which rifle do you think I should get, cost notwithstanding, (I cannot get both at this time, though).

And since the .444 Marlin cartridge is about the same size as .45-70, actually, the complete cartridge is a bit longer than a .45-70 cartridge, how come athe 444 Marlin lever rifles have a magazine capacity of 5 whereas the .45-70 models have a magazine capacity of 4, if the the two rifles are practically identical and the magazine tubes are approximately the same length?
 
Guide Gun(45-70)+ bowling pins = :D
The downside is trying to find a range that will let you shoot it if you live in a populous area. Same problem with any real rifle though, so have fun.
 
Hey Nightcrawler,

Marlin has come out with an 1895 Cowboy model in 45-70 that has a 26 inch octagon barrel and a full magazine that will hold a total of ten rounds with one in the chamber. It is a beautiful gun, and it shoots real well. The 45-70 round in the 1895 model is virtually the same balistically as the new Marlin 450 Magnum round if you reload your own ammunition. The 45-70 is a great choice for a big bore, and the Cowboy sure does look pretty. Cost on one can be anywhere from $525 to $600.

Best wishes,
Dave Wile
 
I obviously like the .444 Marlin. The .444 Marlin shoots lighter bullets than the .45-70 and is less "powerful". The .444 also shoots flatter than the .45/70. However, I don't have any real reason to use the real heavy bullets over 300 grains so it doesn't matter to me that the 45-70 can shoot up to 500 grain bullets. With the .444 Marlin, I can load the same bullets as I already buy for my .44 mag pistols, only it shoots them at much higher velocity than the .44 mag. These straight wall cases are a lot of fun to reload for. I have loads ranging from a 300 grain cast bullet over 3 grains of bullseye which has no recoil and less report than a .22 rimfire up to a 300 grain bullet at 2200 fps for elk or perhaps someday bear. I have loaded 180 grain bullets to about 2600 fps. I have loaded multiple ball loads utilizing 3 .451 round balls sized to .429. I have loaded shotshells closely approximating a .410 shotgun. I have loaded pistol powders and 240 grain cast bullets which approximate a .44 mag pistol load. I would not hesitate to tackle any game on North America and most of the game in Africa with a .444. Every single load I ever tried in this rifle is extremly accurate. My Marlin is one of the most accurate rifle I own at 100 yards. That little silent load will put every shot on top of the last one at 25 yards. The down side to the .444 is if you don't reload. There is one mainstream factory load that doesn't really do the .444 justice. I think there are a few semi-custom loads available for other sources, but I have never really looked into it. I have my Marlin set up like the .450 featured in The American Rifleman a couple months ago with the Ashley ghost ring sights and a Leupold scout scope mounted on an Ashley lever scout rail and Leupold QRW quick release rings. This is the way I would go, but I am sure you will get plenty of other opinions. If you are going to honestly hunt the big bears in Alaska, maybe the .45-70 is the way to go. If I did that, I would take my .338, so again, it isn't an issue for me. If you are going to be hunting deer, elk, moose and game of that size and temperment, the .444 is PLENTY of gun for the task.
 
Well...

Thing is, I don't hunt at all. I live in Northern Michigan, where a .308 could probably take on anything you can legally hunt around here without too much trouble. I don't have the space, nor do I really shoot enough, to bother with reloading equipment.

I just want a big bore levergun because I like big bore and I like leverguns.

They have a 444 at a local store, I can't recall the price, but it's for less than it'll cost me to order an 1895 from the factory.

I'll probably just get a .30-30 for now (only $265 from Wally World) and order an 1895 later. Probably. Who knows?


But can anyone answer my second question? How come the 1895 can only hold 4 rounds in the tube when the 444 can hold 5, since the two cartridges are the same length?
 
No, I can't answer your question. But, I think you are making the best decision for your circumstances. The .30-30 can be had for less than the .444 and the ammo is cheap and readily available. They are certainly fun to own and shoot.
 
I'll take a WAG at your second question.

Maybe the much heavier recoil generated by hot loaded 400-500+ grain bullets in the .45-70 increases the chance of bullet setback in the rounds in the tube (esp. if someone failed to properly crimp a handload or used a soft lead bullet), and having more rounds in the tube would magnify that effect.

Or, maybe not.
 
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