We take a quick look at .444 Marlin, the close-range killer rainbow.
News and data on the .444 Marlin round was released to the public in June 1964. The cartridge was designed for the Marlin Model 336 lever-action rifle. Initially, the rifle was manufactured with a 24-inch Micro-Groove barrel, two-thirds length magazine and recoil pad. The straight-grip stock had a Monte Carlo cheekpiece. Original ammunition was made by Remington.
The .444 Marlin is somewhat similar to the .44 Van Houten Super. The .44 VH was developed by E.B. Van Houten and “Lucky” Wade of Phoenix, Arizona. It was made by necking up .30-40 Krag brass, trimming it to 2 inches, and turning down the rims slightly. It was designed for the 336 Marlin or 94 Winchester actions. It pre-dates the Marlin round by at least three years. Ballistics of the two rounds are nearly identical.
General Comments
The .44 Magnum revolver cartridge achieved popularity as a rifle round. However, anyone using it discovers quite quickly that it has a rainbow-like trajectory, and its killing power on heavier game such as elk and moose is adequate only at close range. Consequently, there was need for a somewhat more powerful option. The .444 Marlin extends both the effective range and killing power inherent in the .44 Magnum. This round fires the same 240-grain soft-point bullet at 2,330 fps, as compared to 1,850 fps for the average .44 Magnum rifle.
The .444 Marlin is substantially more powerful than the old .30-30 or the .35 Remington at short ranges. It develops about the same energy as the .348 Winchester and slightly more than the later .358 Winchester. However, with its larger diameter bullet, it should provide better knockdown power. It is a short- to medium-range cartridge and should be adequate for any North American big game and effective on most thin-skinned African game (non-dangerous). Its advantage over the above-named cartridges is at ranges out to 150 yards. Beyond that, due to better bullet shape and sectional density, those all catch up to and finally surpass the .444 in retained velocity and energy. The .444 Marlin was formerly available as a superb all-round hunting load with a 265-grain bullet. Remington, Hornady and Buffalo Bore offer ammunition.
.444 Marlin Loading Data and Factory Ballistics
| Bullet (grains/type) | Powder | Grains | Velocity | Energy | Source |
| 180 HP | IMR 4198 | 51 | 2,500 | 2,499 | Sierra |
| 220 SP | IMR 4198 | 49 | 2,350 | 2,698 | Sierra |
| 240 HP | IMR 4198 | 46.5 | 2,300 | 2,820 | Hornady, Sierra |
| 240 HP | H-322 | 53 | 2,300 | 2,820 | Hornady, Sierra |
| 250 SP | IMR 4198 | 47 | 2,250 | 2,811 | Sierra |
| 265 Hornady JFP | H-4198 | 47 | 2,273 | 3,040 | Hodgdon |
| 275 SP | RL-7 | 47 | 2,250 | 3,092 | Barnes |
| 280 Swift HP | H322 | 49.5 | 2,120 | 2,790 | Hodgdon |
| 300 SP | RL-7 | 46 | 2,150 | 3,080 | Barnes |
| 300 Swift HP | H4198 | 42.5 | 2,082 | 2,885 | Hodgdon |
| 240 SP | FL | – | 2,330 | 2,942 | Remington factory load |
Editor’s Note: This article is an excerpt of Gun Digest’s Cartridge’s Of The World.
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