Do I buy?

[9w1911]

444 Marlin Jm Stamp

I won a 450(JM) and a 44mag Marlin(REM)

Ballistics too similar?

[9w1911]

Ballistics too similar? this is what I am thinking maybe will save the cashola

[TXGunNut]

444 is a critter unlike any other from what I can tell. More idiosyncrasies than a maiden aunt. I first contemplated buying it when faced with a 444 Marlin and a 375 Big Bore, the Winchester won out mainly because of bullet choices. It's always been an intriguing cartridge and now that I cast my own boolits it makes more sense than it did 20+ years ago.
What interests you about it?

[9w1911]

A while back I caught a 444 JM for sale at our Cabelas in Reno it was for 389 or so, and to this day I kick my self for not getting it.
The 44 part I shoot lots of 44mag, and I think the mystique of the "triple 4", but I got the 450 which will do just about any and all the 444 does.

There is a 375 Marlin too, but it is a bit out of my price range at 850.00

[Wayne Smith]

The 450 is the 45-70 in new clothes. The 444 is essentially the same thing with a sightly smaller boolit. I agree, save your pennies - brass for either of them is not cheap. If you have a 450 it will do anything the 444 will do - and you can spend the money on one type of brass!

[Shuz]

Lemme give you sumthin to ponder.......I have 2 ea 444 Marlins and I love them both. If I had a chance to golomb onto a 450 Marlin, I'd pass on it.

[9w1911]

I wanted a big bore Marlin and the 450 popped up, too good of a deal to pass up.
But I am going to hold out.

[Nicholas]

45/70 JM with Ballard rifling is the solution that should be considered. The guide gun in 45/70 is great also.

[9w1911]

45/70 JM with Ballard rifling is the solution that should be considered. The guide gun in 45/70 is great also. I feel that should have been the right move originally.

[chsparkman]

I saw a nice Marlin 444 today at LLBean in Freeport. It had a Leupold 1.5-5 Vari-X III mounted on it and the whole package was $859, which I thought seemed like a good price.