First Look: Federal HammerDown 444 Marlin

by
posted on June 28, 2023
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
MAIN 444 Marlin Hammerdown In Box

Federal's lever-action focused line of HammerDown ammunition already included options such as .357 Magnum, .44 Magnum, .30-30 Winchester, .45-70 Government, and more. Now, a 270-grain load of 444 Marlin is available.

HammerDown

“We are excited to add 444 Marlin to the overall HammerDown lineup. It is another great straight-wall cartridge that hunters and shooters are actively seeking it out,” said Federal Ammunition centerfire rifle product manager Eric Miller. “The powerful stopping power of the 444 Marlin has been shown to be an efficient for big-game hunting since its introduction in 1964.”

The velocities of HammerDown offerings are customized to produce excellent ballistics and terminal performance specifically through lever-action barrel lengths. This is thanks in no small part to a specially-formulated propellant, that provide velocities in keeping with this central goal. The construction of the molecularly bonded soft-point bullets has also been adjusted for the best accuracy and expansion at those velocities. The geometry of each round’s case, bullet and cartridge ensures easier cycling through tubular magazine and typical lever-action feeding systems.

444 Marlin in ballistic Gel

“One of the enhanced design features found in all HammerDown ammo is that we chamfered the front face of the case rim on all the nickel-plated cases. This removes any sharp edges to increase reliability of feeding,” continued Miller. “This feature essentially improves cycling in all lever-action feeding systems, such as side-gate loading and tubular magazines.”

444 Marlin

All of these excellent attributes are further enhanced in the 444 Marlin, designed from the outset as a lethal lever-gun cartridge. Initially offered by Marlin in 1964, to fill the void left by .45-70 Government when it was (temporarily) not available in new lever-actions, the 444 Marlin resembles a longer, more powerful .44 Magnum. With a straight-wall profile and large, wide, .745-inch long bullets, its bonded soft points fly around 2225 fps, with a ballistic coefficient of .193. Upon impact, their petal-like expansion is devastating.

444 Marlin mushroom

For more information on this new HammerDown offering, visit federalpremium.comMSRP: $64.99

Latest

W H2026 07 Membershunt Oakley Buck
W H2026 07 Membershunt Oakley Buck

Member's Hunt: The Dogger’s Window

A dogger’s goal while pushing deer is to drive the prey into a pocket formed by others in his gang, those hunters who are posted about a hundred yards apart along strategic locations up to a half-mile away from the dogger’s starting point. When everyone is in position, the dogger weaves his way through the woods into the wind and pocket formed by the other hunters. The approaching sound of the dogger snapping twigs and crunching leaves alerts unsuspecting deer.

Federal Ammunition Awarded Contracts to Provide Rifle and Shotgun Ammunition to the Canadian Government

Federal Ammunition was recently awarded contracts to supply two Canadian law enforcement organizations with rifle and shotgun ammunition for duty and training purposes. These agreements will supply the Department of National Defense (DND) with .300 Blackout duty and training rounds, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) with 12-gauge slugs and buckshot duty loads.

Hardware Review: Steiner ePredator LRF & ePredator 8 Riflescope

Looking for a surefire solution for long-range shooting? Look no further. Check out our review of the Steiner ePredator line.

Buckmasters’ New Record Book Reveals Hot Spots, Revamped Rankings

Deer hunters will have the rare opportunity to decipher the current state of whitetail deer when Buckmasters releases the ninth edition of its record book this fall. The 600-page tome shows where, when and by what means these world-class whitetails—25,000 in total—came to be included.

Clean 'em Up—Gun Cleaning 101 for Hunters

Ever wonder how often to clean your gun? How about what to clean it with? How about what to clean it with if you're hunting at 40-below? Phil Massaro answers all these questions and more, in this clean-freaks primer.

Hunting Show Attendance Shattering Records

Attendance records have been shattered at this year’s major hunting shows. The latest, Ducks Unlimited’s DUX (Ducks Unlimited Expo), set a new high-water mark in Memphis, Tenn. According to the Commercial Appeal, the July to Aug. 2 event attracted roughly 30,000 attendees. The 2025 event, also held in Memphis, drew a crowd that numbered nearly 20,000.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.