Marlin 444

Savage Bacon · #1 12-01-2022, 09:51 PM

I was lucky enough to pick up a beauty of a lever rifle and was wondering if anyone has any favorite load combos, or recipes you've had good luck with.

I have one box of leverlution factory ammo, but I'd like to pick up some brass, powder and bullets.

I do have load data but I don't want to wear this thing out trying to find something that works.

I'll mostly use this for target fun but at some point I'd like to be able to take a deer, bear, moose, zombie or alien with it.

I'd also like to hear some of your stories, and experiences with this rifle if you have any.

It has iron sights. Missing the front hood tho. No scope but my vision is starting to get blurry so I'm not 100% opposed.

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58thecat · #2 12-02-2022, 07:05 AM

Post up some triple 4 pics please.....can’t help you there with regards to reloading and set up as I went with a JM stamped 44mag but luv the triple 4’s.

Might get one still

Kinda like the big brother to mine.

Savage Bacon · #3 12-02-2022, 08:18 AM

Sure tonight when I get home I'll post a few

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obsessed1 · #4 12-02-2022, 08:55 AM

Love shooting levers.. I have never had a triple 4 but have had and currently have 45-70s my neighbor has a triple four in a ported GG, That I helped work up a load with the ftx...that was years ago though and without going through my notes I dont recall what powder or charge was used... another friend had a std length 444 with perch belly forestock...nice gun.. first thing I would do if I were you is replace your sights. I'm a fan of reciever mounted peeps and a high vis blade or a fire sight front bead. I have been using a bulles eye rear sight from marbles on a 30-06 I have set up with irons and am really liking it as a barrel mounted rear sight paired with a red firesight bead. Fast and good even in low light. Skinner makes an unbelievable rear peep as well as their bear buster front blade ( i think it's called that) that are great and robust. I'm certain you will love that triple 4 and once your comfortable with a sight system you'll have a fantastic hunting rig.

Savage Bacon · #5 12-02-2022, 12:18 PM

Thanks obsessed I'll start shopping for some sights

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Smoky buck · #6 12-02-2022, 12:38 PM

Another option is the red dot sights

Other than making sure you have a good battery they are very user friendly

Savage Bacon · #7 12-02-2022, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smoky buck

Another option is the red dot sights

Other than making sure you have a good battery they are very user friendly

I had just seen a few on black Friday sales

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Smoky buck · #8 12-02-2022, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Savage Bacon

I had just seen a few on black Friday sales

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I am no expert on them as they are something I just started to use myself but definitely do some research because from what I understand some cheap ones can’t handle the recoil of a big game rifle.

Nice for both eyes open and no eye relief issues in awkward positions

Mavrick · #9 12-02-2022, 01:20 PM

Good for you.

I have a triple 4 and 4570 both bought at the same time in 1976. I was there when my uncle bought the 444, and my dad bought the 4570. I was the only boy in the family that hunted so I got both.

I put Skinner sights on both( and many other guns) the last few years because my eyes need them. They are a great sight, and I have taken game with both.

brewster29 · #10 12-03-2022, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smoky buck

Another option is the red dot sights

Other than making sure you have a good battery they are very user friendly

Just mounted a quality pistol red dot on my JM 1894 in 44 magnum and I love it. Battery life is supposed to be 50k hours. My eyes struggle with irons so the red dot worked well for me.

Savage Bacon · #11 12-03-2022, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brewster29

Just mounted a quality pistol red dot on my JM 1894 in 44 magnum and I love it. Battery life is supposed to be 50k hours. My eyes struggle with irons so the red dot worked well for me.

What did you use for a rail?

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Pioneer2 · #12 12-03-2022, 11:45 AM

No extra crossbolt safety.

brewster29 · #13 12-03-2022, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Savage Bacon

What did you use for a rail?

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I used an EGW scope rail, but think just using the front of a Weaver 48471 (336, 1894,1895) pair would have been cleaner. The pistol red dot is very compact.

fordtruckin · #14 12-03-2022, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brewster29

Just mounted a quality pistol red dot on my JM 1894 in 44 magnum and I love it. Battery life is supposed to be 50k hours. My eyes struggle with irons so the red dot worked well for me.

What’s a “quality” red dot? 2 of my buddies just mounted an RMR on their new Ruger Marlin. I’m heading down that route but I am cheap and haven’t bought the sight yet. Already have a QD mount for the RMR. Looks pretty sweet on that rifle and the single point to focus on really helps for fast sight acquisition!

58thecat · #15 12-03-2022, 08:44 PM

That’s a fine looking rifle, peep sights if needed, shame to put on some fandangled space aged eye ball enhancer

454/70 · #16 02-04-2023, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brewster29

Just mounted a quality pistol red dot on my JM 1894 in 44 magnum and I love it. Battery life is supposed to be 50k hours. My eyes struggle with irons so the red dot worked well for me.

i used bushnell trS 25 on my 45/70
and 454 cussul rifle for yrs no problems short range only

Savage Bacon · #17 12-03-2022, 10:35 AM

I was looking at some skinner sights last night. That would take care of my missing front sight hood.

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huntinstuff · #18 12-03-2022, 10:42 AM

I carried a 444 for years guiding

Zero issues with factory loads but was more economical to reload at that time

My fav thing was single loading .410 2.5" into it to take grouse or ptarmigan. It was a great dual purpose rifle for me.

Savage Bacon · #19 12-03-2022, 11:26 AM

It sure doesn't look like it's been fed too many rounds.

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Smoky buck · #20 12-03-2022, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Savage Bacon

It sure doesn't look like it's been fed too many rounds.

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You won’t like it you should just give it to me lol

Savage Bacon · #21 12-03-2022, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smoky buck

You won’t like it you should just give it to me lol

I have a 3 and a half year old I'll give you instead

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Smoky buck · #22 12-03-2022, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Savage Bacon

I have a 3 and a half year old I'll give you instead

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Nope mine are 14 and 19 freedom is close I have no interest in starting at square 1 again lol

Savage Bacon · #23 12-03-2022, 06:40 PM

I have a red dot on an AR that I haven't used in what seems like forever. Maybe I'll look for a mount and try it out on the triple 4. I'll have to see if it can handle the recoil.

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35 whelen · #24 12-14-2022, 10:36 AM

Is second hand brass any good I'll start saving it and giving it away I don't shoot a whole lot every year though

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Savage Bacon · #25 12-14-2022, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 35 whelen

Is second hand brass any good I'll start saving it and giving it away I don't shoot a whole lot every year though

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Send it my way!

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Savage Bacon · #26 12-14-2022, 11:43 AM

I think I made a big mistake. I ordered some new starline brass and some Hornady 265 gr ftx bullets. The ones used in the leverevolution ammo. Then today I'm reading that those bullets only work in shortened brass and the dies need to be shortened also. I think I just wasted my money.

Does anyone have experience loading with the ftx bullets from Hornady?

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rugerfan · #27 12-14-2022, 04:07 PM

Yes you generally have to shorten the brass and your seating die to run the ftx, there’s a possibility they will cycle in your rifle in full length cases, might be worth a try before doing anything drastic.

Phil McCracken · #28 12-14-2022, 05:02 PM

Man I wish I had one of them!...

urban rednek · #29 12-14-2022, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Savage Bacon

I think I made a big mistake. I ordered some new starline brass and some Hornady 265 gr ftx bullets. The ones used in the leverevolution ammo. Then today I'm reading that those bullets only work in shortened brass and the dies need to be shortened also. I think I just wasted my money.

Does anyone have experience loading with the ftx bullets from Hornady?

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All is not lost. You're not the first one to run into this issue with the FTX bullets. There are lots of threads about this very thing across multiple forums.
Apparently, Hornady dies would make your life easier, as they are designed to crimp both the standard 2.225" and the shorter 2.065" Leverevolution cases.
Options for other brand dies are to shorten the seating die on a lathe or milling machine so it will crimp the shorter cases. I saw comments of 0.100", but would want to verify that.

You can trim some of the new Starline brass to Leverevolution specs, or simply buy more Hornady Leverevolution ammo and farm the brass. Save the Starline brass for other fodder.
Like a lot of hobbies, you can make most things work if you throw more money at it.

Savage Bacon · #30 12-14-2022, 11:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by urban rednek

All is not lost. You're not the first one to run into this issue with the FTX bullets. There are lots of threads about this very thing across multiple forums.

Apparently, Hornady dies would make your life easier, as they are designed to crimp both the standard 2.225" and the shorter 2.065" Leverevolution cases.

Options for other brand dies are to shorten the seating die on a lathe or milling machine so it will crimp the shorter cases. I saw comments of 0.100", but would want to verify that.

You can trim some of the new Starline brass to Leverevolution specs, or simply buy more Hornady Leverevolution ammo and farm the brass. Save the Starline brass for other fodder.

Like a lot of hobbies, you can make most things work if you throw more money at it.

I think I will do just that. I'll get more factory hornady ammo. And that shorter brass will go with my ftx bullets. And get different bullets for the new starling brass, keeping it at full length.

And get a hornady crimping die at the correct shorter length, or modify a new die like you said. That way I can load both.

Yes I think spending more money is the path of least resistance.

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