.444 Marlin for Bighorn Sheep Hunting? Best Ammo (Round, Load, Cartrid – Foundry Outdoors

.444 Marlin for Bighorn Sheep Hunting? Best Ammo (Round, Load, Cartridge) for a Successful Bighorn Sheep Hunt

Is the .444 Marlin a viable caliber/load/round/cartridge for bighorn sheep hunting? The accurate answer is “it depends”. However, the goal of this article is simply to address the question of whether the .444 Marlin is within the ideal range of suitable calibers to harvest bighorn sheep.

As with anything, the devil is in the details. To answer the question completely, we would need to evaluate the downrange distance to the bighorn sheep, the bullet type, the grain weight of the bullet, the physical condition of the firearm, the size of the bighorn sheep in question, the shot placement, the local wind conditions, the expected accuracy of the shooter, the ethics of the ideal maximum number of shots – the list goes on.




What we can do is provide a framework to understand what average conditions might look like, and whether those are reasonably viable for a shot from the average shooter to harvest a bighorn sheep in the fewest number of shots possible, i.e., ethically.

Let’s dive right in. In the question of “Is the .444 Marlin within the ideal range of suitable calibers for bighorn sheep hunting?” our answer is:

Yes, the .444 Marlin is A GOOD CHOICE for bighorn sheep hunting, under average conditions, from a mid-range distance, with a medium grain expanding bullet, and with correct shot placement.



Let’s look at those assumptions a bit closer in the following table.

Assumption Value
Caliber .444 Marlin
Animal Species Bighorn Sheep
Muzzle Energy 3140 foot-pounds
Animal Weight 220 lbs
Shot Distance 150 yards


What is the average muzzle energy for a .444 Marlin? In this case, we have assumed the average muzzle energy for a .444 Marlin round is approximately 3140 foot-pounds.

What is the average weight of an adult male bighorn sheep? Here we have leaned conservative by taking the average weight of a male individual of the species, since females generally weigh less and require less stopping power. In this case, the average weight of an adult male bighorn sheep is approximately 220 lbs.



What is the distance this species is typically hunted from? Distance, of course, plays an important role in the viability of a given caliber in bighorn sheep hunting. The kinetic energy of the projectile drops dramatically the further downrange it travels primarily due to energy lost in the form of heat generated by friction against the air itself. This phenonemon is known as drag or air resistance. Thus, a caliber that is effective from 50 yards may not have enough stopping power from 200 yards. With that said, we have assumed the average hunting distance for bighorn sheep to be approximately 150 yards.

What about the other assumptions? We have three other primary assumptions being made here. First, the average bullet weight is encapsulated in the average muzzle energy for the .444 Marlin. The second important assumption is ‘slightly-suboptimal’ to ‘optimal’ shot placement. That is to say, we assume the bighorn sheep being harvested is shot directly or nearly directly in the vitals (heart and/or lungs). The third assumption is that a projectile with appropriate terminal ballistics is being used, which for hunting usually means an expanding bullet.


Various calibers



A common thread you may encounter in online forums is anecdote after anecdote of large animals being brought down by small caliber bullets, or small animals surviving large caliber bullets. Of course those stories exist, and they are not disputed here. A 22LR cartridge can fell a bull elephant under the right conditions, and a newborn squirrel can survive a 50 BMG round under other specific conditions.

Again, the goal of this article is simply to address the question of whether .444 Marlin is within the ideal range of suitable calibers to harvest bighorn sheep - and to this question, the response again is yes, the .444 Marlin is A GOOD CHOICE for bighorn sheep hunting.



This article does not serve as the final say, but simply as a starting point for beginner hunters, as well as a venue for further discussion. Please feel free to agree, disagree, and share stories from your own experience in the comments section below.


Disclaimer: the information above is purely for illustrative purposes and should not be taken as permission to use a particular caliber, a statement of the legality or safety of using certain calibers, or legal advice in any way. You must read and understand your own local laws before hunting bighorn sheep to know whether your caliber of choice is a legal option.





Foundry Outdoors is your trusted home for buying archery, camping, fishing, hunting, shooting sports, and outdoor gear online.

We offer cheap ammo and bulk ammo deals on the most popular ammo calibers. We have a variety of deals on Rifle Ammo, Handgun Ammo, Shotgun Ammo & Rimfire Ammo, as well as ammo for target practice, plinking, hunting, or shooting competitions. Our website lists special deals on 9mm Ammo, 10mm Ammo, 45-70 Ammo, 6.5 Creedmoor ammo, 300 Blackout Ammo, 10mm Ammo, 5.56 Ammo, Underwood Ammo, Buffalo Bore Ammo and more special deals on bulk ammo.

We offer a 100% Authenticity Guarantee on all products sold on our website. Please email us if you have questions about any of our product listings.



Leave a comment

Comments have to be approved before showing up