444

[Flbt]

Ok since the 45-70 for dangerous game went so long.
How about the 444 marlin?
It is faster and I believe better section density.
And sd seamed to be a big issue.
I have also seen a sxs in 444 seamed intresting I just can’t justify 4500$

 

[MauserDuff]

I have also seen a sxs in 444 seamed intresting I just can’t justify 4500$

I unfortunately passed on a Savage SxS made from a Savage double shotgun in .444 years ago for $1000. I would have snagged it if it was in 45-70. Oh well.....

 

[Wishfulthinker580]

.444 Marlin

History, performance, factory and hand load data

www.ballisticstudies.com

SD is still an issue by conventional standards. With modern bullet tech many will say it’s not as important

https://www.vcalc.com/wiki/sectional-density

An SD of around 300 was basically the benchmark of an ideal SD. An SD of plus or minus 330 being phenomenal and the SD of a 550 grain .458 bullet (375) perhaps being the best there is by conventional standards. A 300 grain .429 Swift A Frame only has an SD of .232

 

[Safari Dave]

I like the .444, but it just isn't a DG cartridge.

 

[Drisabraham]

Great for the thick forest of Eastern Canada moose/bear. I have used my Marlin lever action 444, but not DG.

 

[Kevin375]

I saw several Marlin 1895, and at least one Winchester 94, in .444 Marlin.
Chapuis also built a couple of double rifles in this caliber and Italians (Rizzini or Sabbati ?) did the same.
This caliber was appreciated by some boar hunters and a good number of bloodhound handlers too.

Bullets designed for the .44 magnum, like Remington 240 gr flat noses, were a bit too soft on bigger animals and people prefered the original Hornady round nose 265 gr.

I haven't heard a lot of good feedbacks about Lever evolution bullets and many complained about the lack of expansion.

But this caliber is slowly disapearing now and for the one who wants a lever action rifle, the .45-70 Government is nowadays far more common.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Ok since the 45-70 for dangerous game went so long.
How about the 444 marlin?
It is faster and I believe better section density.
And sd seamed to be a big issue.
I have also seen a sxs in 444 seamed intresting I just can’t justify 4500$

@Flbt
I made a 444 on an SMLE No4 action. With that action I could load it to a lot higher pressure than a standard 444. I also had A1:20 twist barrel. The added advantage I could use full length cases for the FTX instead of the shortened case for the lever action. I was only limited by the mag length of a bit over 3"
With the longer length and stronger action I could load 280gn Woodleigh rnsp to 2,400 fps.
I would like to have tried some 400gn flat point hard cast at 1,700-1,800 fps.
It was an awesome beast that I would have taken on scrub bulls or water buff with a 300gn Barnes buster.
Bob

The load listed with the target IS NOT RECOMMENDED FOR ANY OTHER RIFLE AS IT IS 5gn Over MAX. IT WAS SAFE IN MY RIFLE ONLY.
The 3 shots is at 100 yds off the bench. Velocity was a t just under 2,500fps.
This load was used to knock t

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

I like the .444, but it just isn't a DG cartridge.

@Safari Dave
There's a bloke who guides in the Northern territory of Australia that uses a 444 hot loaded for his back up rifle on scrub bull and buff hunts. He's never had a problem dropping them
BUT
I agree the 444 ain't not DG cartridge that I would stake my life on. Under ideal conditions maybe but animals don't play by the book cause unfortunately they can't read.
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

I saw several Marlin 1895, and at least one Winchester 94, in .444 Marlin.
Chapuis also built a couple of double rifles in this caliber and Italians (Rizzini or Sabbati ?) did the same.
This caliber was appreciated by some boar hunters and a good number of bloodhound handlers too.

Bullets designed for the .44 magnum, like Remington 240 gr flat noses, were a bit too soft on bigger animals and people prefered the original Hornady round nose 265 gr.

I haven't heard a lot of good feedbacks about Lever evolution bullets and many complained about the lack of expansion.

But this caliber is slowly disapearing now and for the one who wants a lever action rifle, the .45-70 Government is nowadays far more common.

@Kevin375
I never had a problem with expansion of the 265gn FTX. Every thing I shot with them had big holes in them and smaller pigs usually lost the off side shoulder and leg. Expansion and penetration was never an issue with me with them
Bob

 

[Flbt]

@Flbt
I made a 444 on an SMLE No4 action. With that action I could load it to a lot higher pressure than a standard 444. I also had A1:20 twist barrel. The added advantage I could use full length cases for the FTX instead of the shortened case for the lever action. I was only limited by the mag length of a bit over 3"
With the longer length and stronger action I could load 280gn Woodleigh rnsp to 2,400 fps.
I would like to have tried some 400gn flat point hard cast at 1,700-1,800 fps.
It was an awesome beast that I would have taken on scrub bulls or water buff with a 300gn Barnes buster.
Bob
View attachment 681003
The load listed with the target IS NOT RECOMMENDED FOR ANY OTHER RIFLE AS IT IS 5gn Over MAX. IT WAS SAFE IN MY RIFLE ONLY.
The 3 shots is at 100 yds off the bench. Velocity was a t just under 2,500fps.
This load was used to knock t
View attachment 681002

That’s a nice rifle

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

That’s a nice rifle

@Flbt
Thanks mate, easy cheap conversion and easy to get to feed and eject.
Makes one hell of a lot of fire power on a fast action. The rifle was 7.5# all up field read with 5 rounds in the mag. Recoil was noticeable but comfortable. The mates 44 mag marlin lever was uncomfortable to shoot after 3 shots so I went back to my 444 it was more pleasant. Even my mate said the 444 was more comfortable than his 44 mag.
Loaded they way I could turned it into one hell of a beast. Sold it to finance my 35 Whelen build.
Bob