brass can be obtained in the states from starline brass. it is in stock. they have a minimum of 250. they seem to have decent quality in other calibers that I have purchased from them. I have a 444 just have not got around to it as of yet. when I do I will order from them.
Saw earlier above the worry of a slow twist in the 444s, that is why I bought my Handi rifle 444. It has a 1 in 20 twist and has no problems with heavy bullets. That is the main reason I own that rifle instead of a 44mag. The 44mag brass is less money but I've found lots of 444 brass for around 60 cents each and 20 or so fired cases at a local gun shop for five cents each. They make pretty good 410 shot shells. I own two 45-70s and the comparison to 444 is like 9X19 to 38spl, depends on how you load them. Gp
I'm with gpidaho, and loving the .444marlin handi rifle I bought on a whim for 210$.
Brass took a while to find, but it was not that hard to come by, just need to accept that you will pay 50 cents or better a piece. At least in the .444 it should last a long long time.
I need to get mine back to the range, see if it will do anywhere close to as good with 220 gr plain base lead boolits as it does with the 310 gr gas check ones.
Would use significantly less lead, and not having to use gas checks saves me money and a sizing step.
It does everything the .44mag does plus a whole lot more if that is what I need.
And moderate .44mag loads are so easy on the shoulder in the .444marlin. Could shoot those all day long.
Ghosthawk: The lighter bullets that I've tried in my 444 Handi include the Saeco #62444 @ 205gr. (44-40 bullet) the Lee TL430-240 and the Noe 429421 245gr SWC. These being revolver bullets helps to keep the recoil light enough to enjoy plinking. I'm going to order up the NOE 310 FP gas checked next as all my 44 moulds are plain base. By the way, I have fired a few 44-40s that were loaded a bit hot in the 444 worked fine but not very accurate. Gp
I used 35 Whelen brass to use in my Marlin 444. I trimmed each case to have the action lock up
with minimum resistance. I got good groups using Lee's 430-310 rnfp and AA2230. Works great as a single shot but the carrier will not keep the rounds in the magazine without alterations. They bypass the stop and jam the action. They also won't work in the Handi Rifle without changing the extractor to an '06 class extractor. So it is possible but alterations have to be made to the gun for it to function properly. Now that Starline is making brass it might be easier to go that route if you split an order with a friend or 2.
If you want a light weight plinker take a look at the Accurate Molds site. I asked Tom to scale down a .45 design to 0.433" it's his 43-165B... a .44 cal. 165 gr. TC design that shoots well from my .44 mag Marlin. Its a great little boolit and fat enough for Marlin barrels.
My 200gr RN is about right on for weight with 22gr of 2400!! I can shoot that charge in my 1894 winchester with no issues ! the rifle has the 26'' 1:18 twist
barrel it's like perfect. The Contender can use a bigger charge but it's fine ! One shell ...3 ...different rifles ..... a very universal cartridge !!!
Ol Deuce
Do the Best with What you have !
i have used a 220gr wc with trail boss on my 444 marlin. i can't remember how many grains of tb but it grouped great. i did 20 shots(all at the same time) at 50 yards and it was 2"+ group. but i use 220gr wc in my 44 spl. montana bullets can do a great job if you don't want to cast them.
https://www.montanabulletworks.com/p...-240gr-owc-pb/
Do the Best with What you have !
BP | Bronze Point | IMR | Improved Military Rifle | PTD | Pointed |
BR | Bench Rest | M | Magnum | RN | Round Nose |
BT | Boat Tail | PL | Power-Lokt | SP | Soft Point |
C | Compressed Charge | PR | Primer | SPCL | Soft Point "Core-Lokt" |
HP | Hollow Point | PSPCL | Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" | C.O.L. | Cartridge Overall Length |
PSP | Pointed Soft Point | Spz | Spitzer Point | SBT | Spitzer Boat Tail |
LRN | Lead Round Nose | LWC | Lead Wad Cutter | LSWC | Lead Semi Wad Cutter |
GC | Gas Check |