Joined
·
933 Posts
Several years ago I was looking for a big bore for elk hunting here in Montana. I read through years of posts here on Marlin Owners that contained fights discord and people trying to keep the peace between the 444 and 45-70. Camps. Through all the reading I learned tons of amazing info. I decided there was not a whole lot of difference until I tried to find 444 components and rifles here. None not even ammo... I did keep running into 45-70's and managed to end up with three. My name is James and I'm a Marliholic..
L-R 2003 Stainless Guide, 2007 1895, LTD III #532
I finally got tired of trying to track down a 444 here in Montana (either there are none here or Montanans' are tightfisted with them because I have only seen one new and no used, ever). I ordered a barrel from Numrich, got the wrong one.. Re-ordered barrel ...right one. Got a set of stocks from a member, amazing wood, guess it helps to work at the factory.. Won a 336 off Gunbroker '74 with the thin wood and gold trigger, steel follower, narrow hammer, no rust.. Perfect, after an estimated $3 million in gun-smithing costs I should have my dream rifle. First off to the gunsmith to make the barrel 18 1/2" and re-attach the front sight. Pull the 30-30 barrel, run home with the receiver and get out my dremel and files to open up the ejection port... cycle... no , jam a 444 dummy round into the action. remove lever screw,remove dummy round. Tear down to bare action and compare lifter on 45-70 to 30-30, hmm, lots of differences, break out the dremel and files again... cycles dummy without barrel on, off to the gunsmith with the receiver and butt stock to have guide gun recoil pad fitted and barrel screwed on... and the finished product:
Well, I'm still waiting... and I'm off work today , snowing like crazy ruined my trip to the range to test my .35 Remington loads and some .356 Win loads I have been working on.. I can't wait to get this one put back together. When done it will be a '74 PG Outfitter. Sure I could have just bought a 444 off gunbroker cut it down and saved lots of money. It is about the journey isn't it? I have had a ball and learned quite a bit about how the Marlin is put together and how it runs. I have an old box of Remington 240's sitting around that I'll load up to form some lapping brass with, received my lapping bullets from Beartooth yesterday, just ordered some 265 Ranchdogs from Carolina Cast Bullets....
james

L-R 2003 Stainless Guide, 2007 1895, LTD III #532
I finally got tired of trying to track down a 444 here in Montana (either there are none here or Montanans' are tightfisted with them because I have only seen one new and no used, ever). I ordered a barrel from Numrich, got the wrong one.. Re-ordered barrel ...right one. Got a set of stocks from a member, amazing wood, guess it helps to work at the factory.. Won a 336 off Gunbroker '74 with the thin wood and gold trigger, steel follower, narrow hammer, no rust.. Perfect, after an estimated $3 million in gun-smithing costs I should have my dream rifle. First off to the gunsmith to make the barrel 18 1/2" and re-attach the front sight. Pull the 30-30 barrel, run home with the receiver and get out my dremel and files to open up the ejection port... cycle... no , jam a 444 dummy round into the action. remove lever screw,remove dummy round. Tear down to bare action and compare lifter on 45-70 to 30-30, hmm, lots of differences, break out the dremel and files again... cycles dummy without barrel on, off to the gunsmith with the receiver and butt stock to have guide gun recoil pad fitted and barrel screwed on... and the finished product:

Well, I'm still waiting... and I'm off work today , snowing like crazy ruined my trip to the range to test my .35 Remington loads and some .356 Win loads I have been working on.. I can't wait to get this one put back together. When done it will be a '74 PG Outfitter. Sure I could have just bought a 444 off gunbroker cut it down and saved lots of money. It is about the journey isn't it? I have had a ball and learned quite a bit about how the Marlin is put together and how it runs. I have an old box of Remington 240's sitting around that I'll load up to form some lapping brass with, received my lapping bullets from Beartooth yesterday, just ordered some 265 Ranchdogs from Carolina Cast Bullets....
james