First new rifle in...decades.

Discussion in 'Large-Bore/Small-Bore Rifle/Shotgun' started by Charles Christensen, Sep 29, 2012.

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  1. Sep 29, 2012 #1
    Charles Christensen

    Charles Christensen New Member

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    I have tended to be more interested in handguns and when I went to an auction last Saturday I was interested in a s&w .38 special snubby - I think it may have been an early Chief's Special - and a SS Colt Combat Commander. Unfortunately, both went a bit higher than I was willing to go. But, they got to the last rifle and I had been looking at it so I threw out a couple of bids - just to keep the rest of the yahoo's honest. If anyone had made one more bid they would have had it.

    Today, the next Saturday, I am going to the gun dealer that handled the legalities to pick up my Marlin 444. It looked to be in mint condition - not a scratch on it. The checkering is so sharp it hurts the hands. The action is tight as a drum. It is possible that it has never been fired outside the factory. The bid was $425 for a total of $487.50 after buyers premium and FFL fee.

    I have no idea what I'm going to do with it. It seems inappropriate for squirrels.
     
    Charles Christensen, Sep 29, 2012
    Charles Christensen, Sep 29, 2012
  3. Sep 29, 2012 #2
    dad2thebone

    dad2thebone New Member

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    At least you didn't go home empty. I always say im not getting anything at the gun store but....it happens! I end up buying something.
     
    dad2thebone, Sep 29, 2012
    dad2thebone, Sep 29, 2012

  5. Sep 29, 2012 #3
    carver

    carver Moderator Supporting Member

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    Charles, we do have a buy/sell forum here at TFF. You nevre know, someone might be looking for that gun!
     
    carver, Sep 29, 2012
    carver, Sep 29, 2012
  6. Sep 29, 2012 #4
    3/2 STA SS

    3/2 STA SS Active Member

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    UNLESS you really hate tree rats...444 would vaporize them.
     
    3/2 STA SS, Sep 29, 2012
    3/2 STA SS, Sep 29, 2012
  7. Sep 29, 2012 #5
    gvw3

    gvw3 Well-Known Member

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    Ammo for that is big bucks. I had one in the 70's. Sold it as it cost to much to shoot.
     
    gvw3, Sep 29, 2012
    gvw3, Sep 29, 2012
  8. Sep 29, 2012 #6
    JLA

    JLA Well-Known Member

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    Thats what reloading presses are for. The .444 marlin is a great round. Very close in on game performance to the .45/70. Loaded with .430" 300 gr XTPs at 2200 fps it is a fantastic squirrel rifle, that is if the squirrels youre after are elks.. ;)
     
    JLA, Sep 29, 2012
    JLA, Sep 29, 2012
  9. Sep 30, 2012 #7
    Charles Christensen

    Charles Christensen New Member

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    I have ordered a Weaver base and quad rings and a Redfield Revenge 2-7X. As I did not get a factory box and other accoutrements with it I have also found a hammer spur on eBay.
     
    Charles Christensen, Sep 30, 2012
    Charles Christensen, Sep 30, 2012
  10. Sep 30, 2012 #8
    JLA

    JLA Well-Known Member

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    I got that same scope on my Marlin 1894 .44 mag. Cept its in a DNZ gamereaper base. Excellent scope for a leveraction. 2X for quick woods work at close range off the shoulder and just enough magnification at 7X for a precise shot off a rest at 100+
     
    JLA, Sep 30, 2012
    JLA, Sep 30, 2012
  11. Sep 30, 2012 #9
    Alpo

    Alpo Well-Known Member

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    You could pretend you're Dan'l Boone or Davy Crockett, and bark the squirrels. Should work fine.

    Or you could keep it for "just in case". Maybe some little girl playing witch?
     

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    Alpo, Sep 30, 2012
    Alpo, Sep 30, 2012
  12. Oct 1, 2012 #10
    Charles Christensen

    Charles Christensen New Member

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    JLA: Yea, I figure the .444 is something you take into the weeds. It's not for busting goats on the other side of the valley.

    Alpo: Squirrel dragons??? I'm ready.

    I can just see me barking squirrels with this thing. They would die from the fall after I blew the limb out from under them.
     
    Charles Christensen, Oct 1, 2012
    Charles Christensen, Oct 1, 2012
  13. Oct 1, 2012 #11
    JLA

    JLA Well-Known Member

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    Once you get to shooting it you will fal in love with the round. The .444 is like a .44 mag on steroids when loaded with 225 - 275 gr bullets, and with 300-405 gr bullets is equal to .45/70.
     
    JLA, Oct 1, 2012
    JLA, Oct 1, 2012
  14. Oct 1, 2012 #12
    BETH

    BETH Well-Known Member

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    good looking gun
     
    BETH, Oct 1, 2012
    BETH, Oct 1, 2012
  15. Oct 2, 2012 #13
    Charles Christensen

    Charles Christensen New Member

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    I checked with Marlin and they say it was manufactured 5 years ago. From the looks of it it has been on some gun shop rack for that 5 years.

    I gave the exterior a going over with Renaissance wax and ran a patch of CLP down the barrel to get things started for a tear-down and cleaning this next weekend. After two passes the patch was only slightly discolored. This is not a dirty gun. Looking down this thing's barrel is different than other rifles: this is like looking into the maw of an 8 foot diameter storm sewer.
     
    Charles Christensen, Oct 2, 2012
    Charles Christensen, Oct 2, 2012
  16. Oct 2, 2012 #14
    JLA

    JLA Well-Known Member

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    is it microgroove or is it traditional deep cut?
     
    JLA, Oct 2, 2012
    JLA, Oct 2, 2012
  17. Oct 4, 2012 #15
    Charles Christensen

    Charles Christensen New Member

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    Not sure about the grooving. I'll get a good look this weekend. Didn't Marlin get away from the micro grove on their bigger guns?
     
    Charles Christensen, Oct 4, 2012
    Charles Christensen, Oct 4, 2012
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