Machinist

I have eight and I shoot both cartridges in them.

303Lithgow

I bought my first 357/38 caliber firearm about a year ago. I'm amazed at the low power of the 38 for looking so big. Good enough for plinking though.

303Lithgow

[/QUOTE]

Do they call that a packer model with the feed tube only going half way down the barrel? It really gives it a nice look.

Machinist

The case was big because like the .45 Colt it was designed for black powder I believe.

north country gal

Do they call that a packer model with the feed tube only going half way down the barrel? It really gives it a nice look.[/QUOTE]

In Marlin lingo, it is an "A" rifle configuration - long barrel and fore end with a cap, rather than a barrel band. By contrast, a carbine is a 20" barrel with barrel band fore end. The 444, though, has had its own separate configuration, this being a 444SS.

Trust me, Marlin lingo can be just as bewildering as Ruger lingo at times.

303Lithgow

In Marlin lingo, it is an "A" rifle configuration - long barrel and fore end with a cap, rather than a barrel band. By contrast, a carbine is a 20" barrel with barrel band fore end. The 444, though, has had its own separate configuration, this being a 444SS.

Trust me, Marlin lingo can be just as bewildering as Ruger lingo at times.[/QUOTE]

Thanks, Winchester calls them packers as it makes them lighter. To me it gives them a better look but you can't hold as much ammo.

tx gun runner

The 44-40 as still the only cartridge that has killed more deer then the 30-30 and is one of the best black powder rounds in a lever gun because it seals the chamber from blow back getting into the action that is why the SASS/CAS black powder shooters use the 38-40 and 44-40 ..The 45 colt was only chamber in lever guns in the last 40 years only . Level 3 loads in 44-40 will match the 44 mag in modern gun with smokeless powder . The 44-40 bottle neck case like the 30-30 will run perfect in a lever because of the case design and not picky like a straight wall case can be .

north country gal

[/QUOTE] Thanks, Winchester calls them packers as it makes them lighter. To me it gives them a better look but you can't hold as much ammo.[/QUOTE]

303, I also like the looks. I also very much prefer the feel and handling qualities, but with Marlins, the carbines have always outsold the rifles when customers have been offered a choice.

TX, that 44-40 is starting to intrigue me. Hmmmm! Might have to keep my eyes open for my next victim.

tx gun runner

These guns are for sale The sheriff model is not for sale . The rifle will only be sold only after the 3 pistols are sold . These are not run of the mill guns . They are all race guns and tons of work in all the guns . Plus I have tons of brass , new and fired . Any one interested PM your phone number .

303Lithgow

When I get to Texas I might be interested in some of them.

Valhalla069

I like it!

RetiredSeabee

I haven't joined in on this thread yet because I don't have anything loaded for bear. You all have some great rifles. But I do have a Henry on order. Okay it is a Mare's leg in 22LR. so I will be limited to bears of the Gummi species.

303Lithgow

I've killed a few Gummi Bears in my day. You are going to love the Henry.

KS95B40

I don't have an individual picture of it but my "bear" gun (really my hog gun) is on the far right; Marlin 444P Outfitter. The only change is I have replaced the Bushnell with a Leupold VXII 1.5-4 that my son gave me last month.

My favorite bullet in it is the 300gr Hornady XTP. I'll have to look through my logbook to see what loads I used.

north country gal

Because I get big bears, like this guy, shown, here, right in our yard, a bit grouchy and not willing to leave.

Santa01

Well hello from the Deep SOUTH. Love a girl with lever actionitise. Since you know MArlins so well maybe you can point me in the right direction. My .444 is constantly locking up. I have heard this called the Marlin Jam. Are you familiar with a permanent fix for this problem? Thanks, Santa01

north country gal

What ammo? The Hornady LE stuff is notorious for locking up some individual lever guns and doing just fine in others. My 444S will lock up tighter than a bank vault with the LE stuff, which I don't like, anyway, because the LE uses shortened brass for the sake of proper COL. My 444, though, has never locked up or jammed with any other factory load or my reloads.

303Lithgow

Is Yogi still around bothering you?

KimberLover

KS95B40, I'm impressed!
That is a good lineup!

tx gun runner

That looks like and acts like my ex-wife when she come to visit me .