444 marlin on bolt action gunsmith recommendation- Australia

[mickb]

Hi Gents, Ive had a few custom projects done in the past but probably not for 20 years. That generation of master gunsmith is getting harder to find in Australia. Any aussies here know of a gunsmith who can pull on the project above? I tried Bob Devries but he isnt interested. All my other goto's are now retired or handed work over to their sons with hit and miss quality....

Plan is is seating out 400 grain custom bullets and running them about 2000fps. its been safely done on CVA single shots long throated to a COAL of 2.8" so it can be done on a bolt action as well.

Plan A is an exmil action. I know plenty of Enfield No.4's are converted and it might scrape in power wise with the bullet far enough out.....but even better would consider a stronger action aka Siamese mauser, P14..

Plan B is any other current action lending itself to the most economical result. Have seen posts saying the Ruger Gun site scout in 308 will feed 444 right up out of the mag unmodified....

Again the main issue is finding the gunsmith these days.

Feel free to comment on whatever action you think lends itself to the most economical result also.

This gun will taker water buffalo in our North when completed

No recommendations of 45-70 or 458 win mags, rimless 444 wildcats or cast bullets in a regular 444 levergun etc. Im only interested in the subject line as its to scratch a particular itch.

 

[BlueFlyer]

aka Siamese mauser, P14..

Sorry but both bolt faces are too big. SM @ 0.555" and P14 @ 0.540" the 444M has a rim diameter of 0.514". They will work, but not work well.
Anthony George in Nullamboy NT is definately worth a chat with. He is on this site. Send him a PM and he is bound to answer you. He likes a project like this and will be able to set you straight on actions.
Enjoy the build.

 

[mickb]

Thanks, I thought the P14 housed the 30-06 though, isnt it even smaller rim than the 444?

 

[leslie hetrick]

p-14,s were in .303 british. opening up a bolt face should be doable. years ago i saw a 98 mauser in .458 american. a .458 case shortened to two inches and a .458 dia barrel, i don,t recall what magizine work was needed to make it feed.

 

[BlueFlyer]

p-14,s were in .303 british

Correct, the M-17 was chambered for 30-06 and would have a suitable bolt face to open up, but the magazine feed is not ideal.

 

[CoElkHunter]

Bob @Bob Nelson 35Whelen had a bolt action .444 for awhile, maybe he'll chime in if he's not on "holiday" AGAIN? LOL

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Hi Gents, Ive had a few custom projects done in the past but probably not for 20 years. That generation of master gunsmith is getting harder to find in Australia. Any aussies here know of a gunsmith who can pull on the project above? I tried Bob Devries but he isnt interested. All my other goto's are now retired or handed work over to their sons with hit and miss quality....

Plan is is seating out 400 grain custom bullets and running them about 2000fps. its been safely done on CVA single shots long throated to a COAL of 2.8" so it can be done on a bolt action as well.

Plan A is an exmil action. I know plenty of Enfield No.4's are converted and it might scrape in power wise with the bullet far enough out.....but even better would consider a stronger action aka Siamese mauser, P14..

Plan B is any other current action lending itself to the most economical result. Have seen posts saying the Ruger Gun site scout in 308 will feed 444 right up out of the mag unmodified....

Again the main issue is finding the gunsmith these days.

Feel free to comment on whatever action you think lends itself to the most economical result also.

This gun will taker water buffalo in our North when completed

No recommendations of 45-70 or 458 win mags, rimless 444 wildcats or cast bullets in a regular 444 levergun etc. Im only interested in the subject line as its to scratch a particular itch.

@mickb
It has been done in the last 10year.
By me
Action No4 MK1 SMLE action
MMAB 1:20 barrel
Work done by Keith Bridgeman sprinter arms
These an article or 2 in sporting shooter and guns Australia if you are interested.
You can really get it singing with289 gn Woodleigh RNSP and a healthy dose of 2219.
2,400fos is easy achieved.
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Thanks, I thought the P14 housed the 30-06 though, isnt it even smaller rim than the 444?

@mickb
Just get a No4Mk1 SMLE and go for it. Can be made to feed and extract as quick as you can operate the bolt.
Just hang on when you pull the trigger. Mine was less than 8# field ready and a 265ftx at close to 2,600fps gets you attention but holy shit batman it sure drops a sambar stag quick. Makes a mess of pigs as well
Bob
If you need help pm me and I will give you my phone number to talk to you about doing it. Very easy job

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Correct, the M-17 was chambered for 30-06 and would have a suitable bolt face to open up, but the magazine feed is not ideal.

@BlueFlyer
Why waste a good P14 or M17 action, the No4Mk1 SMLE has more than enough strength. The No Mk111 is border line but suitable for low pressure 45-70 loads.
How do I know. I built a No4 444 Marlin.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

ta

No 4 MK1 SMLE 444 Marlin and 100 yard target after sighting. Even tho the load is over max still very mild in THAT RIFLE ONLY.
BOB

 

[mickb]

@mickb
Just get a No4Mk1 SMLE and go for it. Can be made to feed and extract as quick as you can operate the bolt.
Just hang on when you pull the trigger. Mine was less than 8# field ready and a 265ftx at close to 2,600fps gets you attention but holy shit batman it sure drops a sambar stag quick. Makes a mess of pigs as well
Bob
If you need help pm me and I will give you my phone number to talk to you about doing it. Very easy job

Hi mate, thanks a heap, will send a PM now. Im very interested. Is Kieth still operating these days?

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Hi mate, thanks a heap, will send a PM now. Im very interested. Is Kieth still operating these days?

@mickb
As far as I know he is. I will see if I still have his phone number.
When you build it don't use the 240gn XTP.
Works well but limited penetration. Very explosive. Shot a pig up the backside running away from me at 100yards. Completely disemboweled it. The mate said we could put it back together for the photo or cut the bits off and turn an 80 kilo pig into a 60 kilo pig for the photo. After seeing what it did to pigs he said next time being a howitzer you might be able to eat the pig because you can't with that thing.
Bob

 

[CoElkHunter]

@mickb
As far as I know he is. I will see if I still have his phone number.
When you build it don't use the 240gn XTP.
Works well but limited penetration. Very explosive. Shot a pig up the backside running away from me at 100yards. Completely disemboweled it. The mate said we could put it back together for the photo or cut the bits off and turn an 80 kilo pig into a 60 kilo pig for the photo. After seeing what it did to pigs he said next time being a howitzer you might be able to eat the pig because you can't with that thing.
Bob

You should’ve used a .338 WINCHESTER MAGNUM on that pig. There would’ve been more meat left for the barbie? LOL

 

[BlueFlyer]

I will see if I still have his phone number.

If Bob has lost his number PM myself as I do have his number.
I have a very high regard for Kieth and his barrels.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

You should’ve used a .338 WINCHESTER MAGNUM on that pig. There would’ve been more meat left for the barbie? LOL

@CoElkHunter
Throwing a rock would have been just as good as the 338 wimpchester. Remember it's only one step up from the 243 in my book.
You really need a Whelen mate. You know a REAL CARTRIDGE NOT the wimpchester.
Bob

 

[mickb]

Thats a great looking gun Bob. Can I ask what the barrel length was, also what COAL you were loading to?

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Thats a great looking gun Bob. Can I ask what the barrel length was, also what COAL you were loading to?

@mickb
The barrel was 22"
Can't remember what the coal was but from memory just the standard length.
The beauty of the bolt action is you don't have to use the shorter cases for the 264 gn FTX. Just load it in a normal case with a bit more coal on the fire. I was getting 2,500 fps with the 265 FTX with no pressure issue. Dynamite on pigs and sambar.
Bob