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.444 MARLIN

(0.429" or 0.430") This “rifle” cartridge is kind of like a .44 Magnum case that took vitamins and got taller. In a joint venture with Remington in 1964, Marlin introduced a new big bore lever action rifle appropriate for short to moderate ranges, and the .444 Marlin hit the market. In 1965, I bought one and used it until 1989, when JD Jones at SSK Industries made me a Thompson/Center Contender barrel so chambered. On introduction, the .444 cartridge lacked an effective bullet, since the thinner jacketed 240-grain .44 Magnum bullets were all we had available, and they couldn’t stand up to the .444’s increased velocity. Then Hornady in 1967 introduced a 265-grain bullet specifically for this cartridge, one that generated higher velocities than the .44 Magnum. I have used 240- and 300-grain bullets but in my handloads back then and with factory ammunition today, the 265-grain is what I prefer for deer and black bear. If your T/C Contender or Encore is ported or has a special brake, this cartridge’s recoil is in the 44 Magnum class.