.444 Marlin

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The .444 Marlin is a rifle cartridge designed in 1964 by Marlin Firearms and Remington Arms. The Marlin can push a 240 grain bullet at velocities over 2,400 ft/s generating 3,070 ft·lbf of energy (730 m/s and 4,160 J). Sales of the Marlin are overshadowed by its relative, the .45-70 Government cartridge.

Due the concerns of the 240 grain (15.6 g) .444 ballistics, Hornady Ammunition came out with its 265 grain (17.2 g) interlock "light magnum" that boosts velocity to nearly 2000 ft/s and 3140 foot-pounds force of energy at the muzzle. Hornady's latest cartridge for this caliber is its new LEVERevolution ammunition that has a polymer spiral point that can be safely loaded in tubular magazines. Hornady boasts of increase velocity over 200 yards, and velocity and energy at the muzzle of 1,971 ft/s, 2,285 ft·lbf (601 m/s and 3,098 J) and at 200 yards, 1,652 ft/s and 1,606 ft·lbf (504 m/s and 2,178 J) versus 1542 ft/s and 1,400 ft·lbf (470 m/s and 1,900 J) for its interlock ammo.

The Marlin functions the most efficiently when used with cast lead bullets. Hand-casted bullets allows the shooter to optimize the alloy for strength and expansion at the higher velocities generated by the Marlin over the traditional 44 caliber bullets. There are several commercial moulds available for the hand-caster: The SAEC #433 mould which casts a 300 grain (19.4 g) gas-checked bullet, the Lyman 429640 at 280 grains (18.1 g) are two of the more potent bullets for this caliber. Proper cartridge length is maintained by seating the bullet to the correct depth and using a Lee Factory Crimp Die to put a firm crimp on the seated bullet to prevent slippage in the magazine tube.

• ".444 Marlin". Hodgdon Powder Company Rifle Data. Retrieved 2006-05-22.
• ".444 Marlin". Remington Ballistics Data. Retrieved 2007-03-07.