lever action advice please

[enfieldspares]

With a "marginal" cartridge such as the 444 (in terms of Deer Act velocity) I'd go for the longer 24" barrel. Those extra two inches will be vital to you!

And although I've had identical length rifles where one was maybe 20 fps faster than the other (both BRNO ZKKs in 270) in general the longer barrel is more likely to be the faster.

However if you can actually chronograph the two...in which case...make your decision on that. If equal were equal I'd choose the walnut stock as it just looks nicer.

 

[njc110381]

Another vote to steer clear of the Winchesters. Although I don't have any experience of them it's widely reported in the reviews and forums that the Winchesters aren't up to the same standard as the Marlins and I'd be inclined to believe that. I think the Winchesters also have a slower twist still. I think 1-38 like the old Marlins but I'm not certain.

Good luck getting any kit from the Sportsman by the time they quote you. I really hope for your sake that they sort you out better than they ever have me! I'm still waiting for loading kit I ordered from them when I got my .22 Hornet. That was getting on for a year ago. I just can't be arsed to chase them any more, they can keep the money as it's not a lot, but they'll never see me in their shop again. Maybe they're better if you go to the shop, I just don't know as I'm not local.

McAvoy guns have a lot about the Marlins on their site and in my experience they're a lovely family business who are true to their word. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another rifle from them if they had one I wanted. Have a look at their site, full of info on the Marlin range.....

http://www.guns.gb.com/erol.html#1X0

 

[csl]

I have the .444's smaller cousin, the .44 magnum marlin 1895 for gallery/practical competitions. It's a really fun gun to shoot and the accuracy isn't bad either.

I had some initial feeding problems when using .44 specials which I solved by 'tweaking' the carrier. I also had the gun 'tricked and slicked' by North Yorks Shooting Supplies, and had the trigger happy kit fitted so the action and trigger is really nice and smooth.

Not sure if it is an issue with 444 but you might find that if you fit a rail to the top of the action it doesn't allow for enough elevation. For some reason the top of the action on the 1895 isn't quite at the right angle compared to the barrel, especially for shooting loopy calibres longer range. To get around this I had the base of a rail machined with 30 MOA elevation and that brought my scope into the right range of elevation.

I also advise steering cleer of the Winchesters. They are notorious for jamming at the wrong moment in comps and spares can be very hard to get hold of. The Marlins are a bit rough around the edges, but essentially well made and easy to maintain and get spares for.

Alex

 

[manc-munsters]

McAvoy guns have a lot about the Marlins on their site and in my experience they're a lovely family business who are true to their word. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another rifle from them if they had one I wanted. Have a look at their site, full of info on the Marlin range.....

http://www.guns.gb.com/erol.html#1X0

Tim and the girls are great to deal with and, if you are local, its always worth dropping in occasionally as he gets quite a lot of used reloading gear in.

 

[reiver]

Just a few photos of my underlevers and what you can get with a .444marlin

Bob.

 

[pjkaz]

Hello all, thanks for your replies and the pictures. I will be ordering the walnut stock overall lenth 40.5 ins blued barrel. I also see that Midway UK have a large range of reloading gear for the .444, so once again thankyou for taking the time to reply. PJ