[I_LOVE_GRANPAS_GUNS]

Like a dope, I sold off my 444 in hopes of purchasing a 444P.... BUT! as of late I am thinking that I want a longer bbl with a scope 444.....
I think the 444p looks better without a scope..... my .02 And since I want to primarily shoot bear with my 444 I want to put a scope on it.

SO!.... please direct me to some outstanding years or manufacture for a 444 regular rifle length.
What were any major differences throughout the years??
Anything I might want or not want....?
Were there ballard cut bbl's at any time?
Was there ever a 20" BBL?
Are there any offerings besides 5+1 tube lengths?

I don't even know what models are there... 1964-1971 was first edition right? then the "S" Sporter built from 1972-1988??

are new models any better or worse than older models?

Not knowing much about any differences, I would just arbitrarily assume they were all great years. And truth be known I'm not really all that picky, just would like to steer clear of anyone else's problems or potential problems.

I would like a thinner forend though if thats a common enough option.


Thanks boys.

 

[shawlerbrook]

Not trying to hijack, but I bought a 1981 "S" yesterday and was wondering what the difference was from the "P".

 

[dpe.ahoy]

The P has an 18 1/2 inch barrel that is ported with a straight grip stock. The S has a 22" barrel and a pistol grip stock. DP

 

[FredT]

I picked this one up not long ago at a gun show. It has the side safety, looks good, is accurate and reliable. So for me the later models are just fine and not really to be avoided.

 

[dpe.ahoy]

That's a pretty piece of wood on your 444 FredT. I like the stripes, kinda like puttin a tiger in yer tank. ;D DP

 

[rr11]

The "best" year for a great .444 is the one you own.

 

[Mckmain80]

I agree with the above !

mckmain

 

[336ER]

I like the late 70s or early 80s .444S, before the safety. Some complain about the accuracy of the LE 265 FTX loading in the older Micro-Groove guns, but mine shoots the 265gr FTX like a house afire. ;D

 

[Halwg]

They are all good!

 

[I_LOVE_GRANPAS_GUNS]

They are all good!

Well if Halwg says so then thats good enough for me. /thread.

 

[Starrbow]

IMHO 1988 and older.

 

[308/338]

I have a 1972 444s since new and never a bit of trouble throughout the years. With the 265gr. HDY. and all appropriate powders (not fussy) this rifle holds a zero cold out of the truck. I can't understand why I found the need to buy more Marlins. I guess you might say am ill with the Marlinitus.

So the best year for me is the 1972 444S.

T ;D NY

 

[rchunter]

I don't know what the best years are but my dad gave me a mint condition 1970 .444 with the high comb gold medallion stock, williams peep. It's very accurate. I like it a lot. I bought 15 boxes of the Hornady 265gr FP while they were still in stock at Midway. This should last me a lifetime, even living and hunting in BC.

 

[preacher]

I've had an early 80's Model S, it was very accurate, but family needs sold it off. I had a 444P ( which you really should have bought off me Grandpa! ha) and I didn't care for the short barrel/straight stock, so sold it about 1.5 years ago. Got sniped 4 different times on GB since then! I just got a late 60's Model with the high comb/24" barrel, and I like how it handles. Time will tell if it finds a good home with me or not. I can always switch out the straight stock/lever/trigger plate with a pistol grip one IF I choose to. I am very nostalgic, and this one reminds me of the ads when they first came out! I was a teen and had no money,ha. I never even saw one of these models in the woods back then, it wasn't until the mid-70's that I saw one new S model w/capped fore end. It was a real hog/deer killer for my friend though! I really like the two band style, but then, I have a guy who can replace the forearm pin with one that holds up to recoil. I also like longer barrels. With all that being said...they're all good. ( well, you "might" get a lemon on a new model XLR, but I'm going by the 338XLR I tried, which was a true lemon, with lemonade dripping off it! ha))

 

[puma guy]

I don't have a .444 but I was selling guns in the sixties and early seventies. The first models had a monte carlo stock and a straight pistol grip if I remember correctly or maybe curved, but definitely had a monte carlo comb. I wish I'd bought one when we got them in. I did push them to buyer who intended to hunt South Texas brush country. However just about any one who came in to buy a Marlin wanted a 336 almost exclusively in 30-30. I managed to sell a few in .35 Rem and several in .44 mag. A curious thing occurred one fall season. I don't recall what year but Marlin lost most of their stocks or material maybe in a fire and they sent us Marlin 336 rifles in place of the Glenfield Model 30 to meet their commitments. They were in a packaged deal and a Glenfield box with a Glenfield Scope and mounts. We sold them at the much reduced Glenfield price. Marlin surely took a beating because we had 24 stores in our chain and I know I must have sold 300-400 after I saw what came when I ordered Glenfield 30's and I ran a permanent sale on them 'til I ran out. Back to Marlin .444 - I think they changed the butt stocks straight to curved grip at some point or maybe the other way around. I don't remember when they did that. Good luck on your search.

 

[VTDW]

1978 of course!! The one on the far right.

 

[308/338]

The more I hear about the 250gr. 338ME bullet cartridge that Remington came out with the more I think I already have a 265gr. 444 Marlin with the same MV ( 2200fps.) as the Rem. 250gr 338ME. MV. AT (2100fps.) I mean the 338ME is probably the smallest 338 cartridge out there and now to farther burden this cartridge with a heavier bullet. I think I would stick with my 1972S 444 when it comes to 250gr. bullets and over. But I can understand if a person has only one rifle and would like to use the heavier bullet, well do it.

I have both the 444S shoots super with the 265gr. HDY. bullet. The 338 ME shoots super with the 200gr. FTX. They are what they are and I hope Remington doesn't screw it up.

T : NY

 

[Dawei]

The more I hear about the 250gr. 338ME bullet cartridge that Remington came out with the more I think I already have a 265gr. 444 Marlin with the same MV ( 2200fps.) as the Rem. 250gr 338ME. MV. AT (2100fps.) I mean the 338ME is probably the smallest 338 cartridge out there and now to farther burden this cartridge with a heavier bullet. I think I would stick with my 1972S 444 when it comes to 250gr. bullets and over. But I can understand if a person has only one rifle and would like to use the heavier bullet, well do it.

I have both the 444S shoots super with the 265gr. HDY. bullet. The 338 ME shoots super with the 200gr. FTX. They are what they are and I hope Remington doesn't screw it up.

T : NY

Is this a handload, or a Hornady® factory loading; ie. Light Magnum™ or Superformance™?

 

[Dawei]

Like a dope, I sold off my 444 in hopes of purchasing a 444P.... BUT! as of late I am thinking that I want a longer bbl with a scope 444.....
I think the 444p looks better without a scope..... my .02 And since I want to primarily shoot bear with my 444 I want to put a scope on it.

SO!.... please direct me to some outstanding years or manufacture for a 444 regular rifle length.
What were any major differences throughout the years??
Anything I might want or not want....?
Were there ballard cut bbl's at any time?
Was there ever a 20" BBL?
Are there any offerings besides 5+1 tube lengths?

I don't even know what models are there... 1964-1971 was first edition right? then the "S" Sporter built from 1972-1988??

are new models any better or worse than older models?

Not knowing much about any differences, I would just arbitrarily assume they were all great years. And truth be known I'm not really all that picky, just would like to steer clear of anyone else's problems or potential problems.

I would like a thinner forend though if thats a common enough option.


Thanks boys.

1965-1971 First Edition 24" 1:38" Microgroove barrel straight stock.
1972-1982 S Model 22", 1:38" Microgroove™ barrel, barrel band, PG stock.
1983-06/1998 SS Model 22", 1:38" Microgroove™ barrel, end cap, PG stock, CBS.
07/1998-Present SS Model 22", 1:20" Ballard barrel, end cap, PG stock, CBS.
1999-2002 444P (Outfitter) 18½" 1:20" Ballard barrel, end cap, straight stock, CBS.

El Jefe, aka Ranchdog can update with even more info.

 

[308/338]

Dawei Yes it's a hand load primer WLR H4198, 47.0gr HDY 265gr. Rem case.
And is accurate at 50 yards to 100 yards. At this time I'm trying to get my boat in the water. But as some as it is I'll be going to the range. When I do I will try to get a good target to post using this load.

T 8) NY