Africa Hunting and a Marlin .444!

[hawkeyesatx]

I have been wondering lately if a Marlin 444 .444 Marlin would do well in Africa, especially on the dangerous beasties.
I can shoot a Bear Tooth 300 gr Hard Cast Gas Check at 2100 fps, and 2938 ft-lbs of muzzle energy.
I can also shoot the 280 - 290 gr Hard Cast Gas Check bullets 2400 - 2300 fps. Getting 3434 ft-lbs to 3407 ft-lbs of muzzle energy.
The cartridge itself is a good 250 yd max cartridge.
I would like opinions of those that have already hunted in Africa, and maybe have used the .444 Marlin.
From what I understand, the cartridge is equal, if not better than the old .405 Winchester.
Thank you all in advance for your experience and expertise on this subject.


Hawk

 

[WAB]

Probably create the same debate/discussion as the .45–70 strings. I’ll get some popcorn...

 

[hawkeyesatx]

I don’t have any delusions of grandeur that the .444 Marlin is an elephant rifle.
I just want actual experience of anyone who may have used it hunting in Africa, and what I could expect when I go.
Just wondering.


Hawk

 

[BeeMaa]

@hawkeyesatx - I would encourage you to check out this page from Chuck Hawks.
https://www.chuckhawks.com/gun_game.htm

 

[Hogpatrol]

Someone else got the popcorn, I'll get the beer. My 2¢, get a venue where the shooting distances aren't over 150 yards and do away with the cast bullets. Reinventing the wheel in Africa can be a fool's game. More food for thought.

444 Marlin Ballistics Chart And Cartridge Guide - Gunners Den

Here is an in depth 444 Marlin Ballistics Chart and other historical information on this hard hitting hunting cartridge.

gunnersden.com

 

[flatwater bill]

I'm thinking Grendel....yup, the Grendel might be the better cartridge............FWB

 

[hawkeyesatx]

@hawkeyesatx - I would encourage you to check out this page from Chuck Hawks.
https://www.chuckhawks.com/gun_game.htm

That was a good read!
Thank you!
Yup, the author said it can handle the mean beasties just fine!
I figured, if the .444 Marlin can knock the biggest bruin on it’s keester, then it might be good to take to Africa, and use it on Lions.
But it still doesn’t trump actual experience in the field.


Hawk

 

[hawkeyesatx]

Someone else got the popcorn, I'll get the beer. My 2¢, get a venue where the shooting distances aren't over 150 yards and do away with the cast bullets. Reinventing the wheel in Africa can be a fool's game. More food for thought.

444 Marlin Ballistics Chart And Cartridge Guide - Gunners Den

Here is an in depth 444 Marlin Ballistics Chart and other historical information on this hard hitting hunting cartridge.

gunnersden.com

I’m just curious, but why wouldn’t you use a cast bullet in Africa?
They’ve held together quite well against elk, and moose.
They do tend to expand some on the front, and act a lot like a solid.
Isn’t that what the PH’s like there?
I know they dump their energy in the big animals extremely well.
But I would like your opinion on the matter, please?


Hawk

 

[hawkeyesatx]

I'm thinking Grendel....yup, the Grendel might be the better cartridge............FWB

I have my 6,5x55 M38 Swedish Mauser, and my Winchester M70 Featherweight 7x57 I would take along as well.


Hawk

 

[crs]

Taken with my "old fashioned .405 WCF": 400 grain Woodleigh at 2100 fps:

 

[crs]

FWB,
Was Grendel some sort of witch or son of one?

 

[CoElkHunter]

Maybe you could use a CEB solid or Raptor in your .444 Marlin for large, nasty game? I would use something bigger than the Marlin, but again, I'm too old to climb trees when the SHTF!

 

[CoElkHunter]

Taken with my "old fashioned .405 WCF": 400 grain Woodleigh at 2100 fps:
View attachment 404329

crs,
Your my large bore, lever action hero!
CEH

 

[spike.t]

Dont know much about it but cant see any problem using it in the places like here where bush is thick and shots aren't usually that long...on small to medium game with decent bullets....take it and have fun

 

[BeeMaa]

That was a good read!
Thank you!
Yup, the author said it can handle the mean beasties just fine!
I figured, if the .444 Marlin can knock the biggest bruin on it’s keester, then it might be good to take to Africa, and use it on Lions.
But it still doesn’t trump actual experience in the field.


Hawk

I don't believe your interpretation of the article was the same as mine, however we are all entitled to our own opinions.

What I will say is that you don't get points deducted for using a more powerful cartridge. That said, you should have the safari you want and if you choose to take the 444MARLIN, you should enjoy the experience.

I'd also say that you should consult your PH on your choice and ask what he thinks. Longer shots on larger game may need to be passed on because of the ballistic limitations of the cartridge.

 

[CoElkHunter]

And, to play the "devil's advocate", how would a hot loaded .444 Marlin with a 265/280gr CEB bullet compare to crs's .405 Winchester? Maybe not close, but?

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

I have been wondering lately if a Marlin 444 .444 Marlin would do well in Africa, especially on the dangerous beasties.
I can shoot a Bear Tooth 300 gr Hard Cast Gas Check at 2100 fps, and 2938 ft-lbs of muzzle energy.
I can also shoot the 280 - 290 gr Hard Cast Gas Check bullets 2400 - 2300 fps. Getting 3434 ft-lbs to 3407 ft-lbs of muzzle energy.
The cartridge itself is a good 250 yd max cartridge.
I would like opinions of those that have already hunted in Africa, and maybe have used the .444 Marlin.
From what I understand, the cartridge is equal, if not better than the old .405 Winchester.
Thank you all in advance for your experience and expertise on this subject.


Hawk

@hawkeyesatx
Unfortunately the 444 ain't legal for dangerous game. At one stage I considered taking mine for plains game but like a fool I sold it and got a 35 Whelen and loaded it up.
I have a great fondness for the 444. Mine was built on a No4 SMLE and it could be stoke right up, 280 grain Woodleigh RNSP at close to 2,400 fps and the 265 FTX at 2,500 fps. It was an awesome beast.
Bob.

 

[IvW]

Thick jesse, october in the valley or anywhere else tracking lions on foot, I can think of a lot of rifles and caliber combinations for that adventure but a lever actioned 444 Marlin would not be one of them....great pig gun though.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

I’m just curious, but why wouldn’t you use a cast bullet in Africa?
They’ve held together quite well against elk, and moose.
They do tend to expand some on the front, and act a lot like a solid.
Isn’t that what the PH’s like there?
I know they dump their energy in the big animals extremely well.
But I would like your opinion on the matter, please?


Hawk

@hawkeyesatx
There is an article somewhere on this forum where someone took a 444 to Africa and had an amazing time with it on plains game. May be if you have a look you can find it or someone can send a link to said article.
My mate wants to take his and I applaud his choice as shots are seldom at 200 yards and moe often less than 150.
Bob

 

[CoElkHunter]

@hawkeyesatx
Unfortunately the 444 ain't legal for dangerous game. At one stage I considered taking mine for plains game but like a fool I sold it and got a 35 Whelen and loaded it up.
I have a great fondness for the 444. Mine was built on a No4 SMLE and it could be stoke right up, 280 grain Woodleigh RNSP at close to 2,400 fps and the 265 FTX at 2,500 fps. It was an awesome beast.
Bob.

Bob,
You could resurrect your .444 Marlin in a Savage 110? I'm sure the recoil wouldn't be much more (if any?) than your hot loaded .35 Whelen? Remember, NEED has nothing to do with it, according to most everyone here (including me) on AH. Rifle/cartridge choice is an art, not science? Ha! Ha! Ha!
CEH