I think a Weaver K2.5 or K4 would suit a .444 very nicely if you do decide to scope it. I am a big fan of peeps though also.

Who makes a good peep sight for a marlin lever gun? I think I would prefer peeps over a sight at those distances and being in some heavy wooded areas. Thanks

BP

I love my William FP

http://www.williamsgunsight.com/gunsights/FPpage.htm

Don't use a peep for bait hunting bear.The big boys come in just at dark and you can't see well enough to shoot(lesson learned the hard way) I have used a German # 4 crosshair,it works, but the best of all is a lighed dot or crosshair ! Think about it. I know this from experience.

Not bad advice,does anyone think a Red Dot sight is a good idea?

Given what you say for your anticipated ranges,
Giventhe riflesyou already have,
Given your apparent preference for non-magnum type cartridge selection,
Given the concept of cartridge spacing (and then some)....

I'd go with a 45-70 in a Marlin lever gun, quite possibly the "guide" version,
Sites? Experiment in your own "at dusk" conditions and decide what you want, day glow irons, peeps, heads up red dot, or low power variable illuminated reticle scope (like a Lupy VX or Vari X III in 1.5 to 5). The latter would likely be my choice.

Rifle choice would depend on what type of hunting your doing and where your doing it. Spot and stalk for example your shot could be at longer ranges so you would want something with decent downrange performance in both categories energy and velocity. Bait hunting is way different. The guy I hunt with has killed 3 bears with a .243 although in my opinion thats too light. The .444 isnt very impressive at ranges over 50 yards (closer in my opinion)on bears especially if you have to find a blood trail...

I would get a slug gun. My friend has killed probably more than 50 hogs with his smoothbore 20ga remington 870 deader than a doornail. I have no doubts that a 12ga would rock a bear.

There aren't too many red dot sights out there that can handle the punishment a 444 will dish out. Aimpoint might be your best bet if you go with a dot sight. I have an EOTech on an AR15 that would be sweet on a lever gun, but I'm not sure how much recoil they can withstand.

From the sound of it, you already bought a 444. But if you didn't, my vote goes to a Stainless Steel Guide Gun in 45/70.

I shoot a browning a bolt medialian 300 win mag. took a buddy on a canadian bear hunt and set it up with a Bushnell Holorgraphich red dot. site. out to 100 yards it works awesome. I was worried about it handleing the recoil of the 300 win mag but its been on there a year now...done alot of shooting with it and it seems to be holding up great. plan on using it for elk hunting this year. early season find them in heavy timber and even a 3x9 won't back out enough

good luck and enjoy your hunt.