Finally found my hand cannon contender barrel.

[bearcove]

Was at the GS browsing and looked at the T/C stuff, a 14 inch contender barrel had been there a while so I took a look. 44 mag Super 14 the tag said. Looked down the bore and the lands where fouled bad looked real rough. Then I noticed the chamber was LONG. HMMM! Stuck a pen in marked with finger pulled it out and it looked abit over 2". Did again checked with ruler just under 2 1/4 inch.

Talked them down on price and walked out with a 444 Marlin contender barrel. Nice clean bore after it was brushed out. Gots to be the best frame stretcher ever done. Gonna be fun!

[historicfirearms]

Careful don't stretch your frame. Should be lots of fun though. I bet you could make some fun shot loads or multiple round ball loads to experiment with.

[bearcove]

I've shot contenders for almost 40 years. Started with a 22 and 7TCU and 357 Herrett. The one that worried me most was a 356 win rechambered 35 rem. Max loads for it were just on the edge for the contender. Now I have a G2 frame for the hotter stuff and am happy staying 10% back from max load data. Kick way less without much lost velocity from the 308 size cases. I've had most everything thats been put in one that is reasonable but a 444. I think it is the most you can get out of them if you want heavy bullets for BIG game.

Haven't stretched one yet.

[bearcove]

Yeah shot loads should be easy I think 410 wads will fit.

[bdicki]

Two 444's top one is a bear with factory loads.

[bearcove]

Yeah that carbine is light. Want a 16-18 inch 444 barrel ultradot, case it up with some rynite stocks for packing

[GhostHawk]

You might want to load up some plain jane .44 mag loads in .444 marlin brass.

I have both a 4.5-5 grain Red Dot load and a 4.6 gr titewad load that are very nice and light in my .444 handi rifle.

Would make great low cost plinking loads for a Contender.

[475AR]

I have a Competitor pistol in 444 and it is a handful with factory ammo and heavy handloads, I would shoot 5 or 6 rounds and my wrist and elbows hurt from the recoil and torque. I changed up to trailboss and can shoot all day long.. granted at a lot lower velocities.

[JSH]

You may want to do a bit of looking at threads on this chambering. There have been some pretty bad happenings.

I am am sure you are thinking of keeping them mild. However you don't know what the prior owner subjected it too.
Jeff

[EMC45]

My 10 inch .44 Magnum is plenty in my G2. I can't imagine a .444!!

[bearcove]

OK girls, been doin this for 40 years with contenders. I DO Know how to download a cartridge. AND you can keep your trailboss, it is a way to sell you half the powder you would get if you bought real powder and knew how to load it.