Anybody gone Dark?

[EasyEd]

Hey All,

Every once in awhile I get the urge for a thumper rifle. I kinda been eyeing marlin dark in 444. I would likely buy a 444p outfitter if one could ever be found.

A couple pics...

The outfitter



The dark



I way prefer the outfitter 18 in barrel vs the dark 16+ in barrel. I know the darks are wood painted black but I way prefer the outfitter wood.

Just wondering if anybody has gone dark either in 444 or the other 3 I think it is in calibre's.

-Ed-

[JEBar]

in talking about a dark Thumper, have you considered a Henry X Model 45-70 ...

[EasyEd]

Hey All,

Not really - not real enamored with 45-70 but that said it certainly is an option - has side gate which I want, is black which I'm not fond of and I prefer straight stock which neither black rifle has. Maybe henry will make a short barrel 444p outfitter style rifle even if 45-70 - one can hope. Mostly I'm just curious. If I got a black rifle it would probably not be long before I was looking for walnut wood to put in the place of whatever wood they use. I'm likely too traditional to go black tactical but how do you know for sure if you don't give it a whirl?

-Ed-

[North Country Gal]

I've had several of the standard 22" barrel Marlin T4s and actually preferred them for their flatter trajectory and excellent accuracy, compared to the same gun in 45-70. Recoil with factory 265s was still not for the faint of heart, but didn't beat me up as bad as mid-level 300 plus grain 45-70s. The 444 doesn't have the history or nostalgia of the 45-70, but it is one great cartridge. Leaves a hot 44 mag in the dust. Would hate to see it disappear.

Sold all my big thumpers once we got out of reloading, though, since factory ammo is crazy expensive.

[EasyEd]

Hey All,

I'd not like the recoil of either calibre but as I don't reload the 444 seems the better option. But even that said I'm only thinking big thumper if I ever got a bison tag in BC - other than that likely a safe queen. Yes my 30-06 and I have two easily meets the requirements for bison in terms of energy (1 ton) at 100 meters and 175 grains or larger with the right cartridge. But I'm intending those for son and son in law to have so one big thumper is what I'm thinking. I'd even consider a single shot. For me as I try to set up for retirement a 7-08 an 30-30 coupled with a shotgun an 22 are all Id really need unless I got into some shooting sports. Unfortunately I do have other hobby's aka vices according to my wife.

If I were younger I'd really be all over a 375 raptor and reloading with extra barrels in other calibers for the takedown 308 BLR which one can get 375 raptor barrels for - really great idea I think - sometimes I wonder if I should do it anyway but how much hassle would be involved getting it all into Canada? - so I won't.

-Ed-

[JEBar]

with a 45-70 you do have the option to shoot Cowboy Action level ammo ===> https://hsmammunition.com/cowboy-action/ .... in ours it is literally fun to fire .... if/when more powerful ammo is needed, it is most certainly available

[BigAl52]

I would think that 45-70 ammo would be more available than 444. Had a 444 once and should of kept it. Was a great shooting gun.

[needsmostuff]

with a 45-70 you do have the option to shoot Cowboy Action level ammo

With the 444 you have that in spades plus cheap bullets too.
When down loading you can use 44mag pistol bullets and some basic pistol powders for pure plinking fun
Same with 35 Remington . Download with 357 pistol bullets .

[North Country Gal]

I would think that 45-70 ammo would be more available than 444. Had a 444 once and should of kept it. Was a great shooting gun.

For sure, 45-70 factory ammo is much easier to find. I can even get it at Wal-mart in normal times. And Marlin is part of the reason the 45-70 surged in popularity in the 70s and 80s.

Marlin originally brought out the 444 in the mid 60s because they felt there was a need for a big bore lever gun. At the time, the 45-70 was considered an antique, hanging on in vintage lever guns and single shots. No one was making new 45-70 lever guns.

Despite the lack of popularity of the 45-70 at the time, Marlin brought out their 336 lever gun in 45-70 in the early 70s and called it the 1895 in honor of their original 45-70 lever gun, though the gun is still a 336 as far as the action. Marlin adding the 45-70 in their 1895 was a huge shot in the arm for the 45-70. I suspect it stole a lot of sales from their 444.

I've owned 444 Marlins and 45-70 Marlins, but I could handle the 444 recoil a touch better than 45-70 mid range loads.The only 45-70 loads I've actually enjoyed shooting are those trapdoor level Remington 405 grain factory loads. Enjoyed as far as recoil, that is. I didn't enjoy paying darn near $50 a box.