CVA center fire in 444

[Newtire]

5 shot group will go around a inch at 100 yards. i use a 280gr lfn gc and 26.0gr of 2400. it will go 1700+/-fps.

5 shot group will go around 1 1/2" at 100 yards. i use a 250gr wfn gc and 48.5gr of imr3031. it will do 1750+/-fps.

my tc encore(22" barrel) really didn't like imr3031 esp the 250gr. i've used up all my 3031 years ago, instead i like the 2400 and i used to like rel 7 and h4198, but now they hurt my shoulder!!!! i haven't used 3031 10 or 12 years ago. it burned a little too slow for me using 200-250gr or so. i would use blue dot and unique for under 250gr.

next time i will use a 310gr lee fn gc and 2400.

I got about the same results with a 260 gr. (By weight) 429244 and 25 gr. 2400. Loaded some with Blue Dot and Unique with that same boolit. Great load. Hits harder than a .44 mag. But the same recoil as a light load in a 20 Gauge.

[OlDeuce]

I got about the same results with a 260 gr. (By weight) 429244 and 25 gr. 2400. Loaded some with Blue Dot and Unique with that same boolit. Great load. Hits harder than a .44 mag. But the same recoil as a light load in a 20 Gauge.

New Tire...........Thats good to hear .... The CVA is going to get a good workout this spring !! my Old ones are going to stay in the 200grcast with 22gr of 2400
and the 310gr GC at 17gr of 2400!!! Great stuff for sure!!!!!

Ol Deuce

[l h jenkins]

Maybe a controversial comment but about the only thing I don't like about .444 is lack of brass and from what I understand expensive brass.

Personally I think Marlin and Hornady had the right idea when they came up with the .444 but didn't think it through. Faster twist with heavier bullet would have made it a modern equivalent to the .45-70... maybe not quite up to Ruger #1 loads or Siamese Mauser loads but much better than factory .45-70.

No problem putting a 400+ gr. bullet into a case that large if there is enough throat and loaded to modern pressures it is an impressive cartridge.

You see lots of .45-70 where I am but literally no .444.

I've even though about making up a rimless .444 because brass can be made from .308 and .30-06 or anything of .308 length with same head size. Easier to make brass than buy .444 around here I think. I have a bunch of .44 moulds too so another benefit.

Nice looking gun by the way! I like single shots too.

Longbow

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.

[OlDeuce]

Maybe a controversial comment but about the only thing I don't like about .444 is lack of brass and from what I understand expensive brass.

Personally I think Marlin and Hornady had the right idea when they came up with the .444 but didn't think it through. Faster twist with heavier bullet would have made it a modern equivalent to the .45-70... maybe not quite up to Ruger #1 loads or Siamese Mauser loads but much better than factory .45-70.

No problem putting a 400+ gr. bullet into a case that large if there is enough throat and loaded to modern pressures it is an impressive cartridge.

You see lots of .45-70 where I am but literally no .444.

I've even though about making up a rimless .444 because brass can be made from .308 and .30-06 or anything of .308 length with same head size. Easier to make brass than buy .444 around here I think. I have a bunch of .44 moulds too so another benefit.

Nice looking gun by the way! I like single shots too.

Longbow

Longbow..........We've been getting our Brass from MidWay USA and Hornady Brass has been working perfectly ! and under $50 per 100 !! Way cool !

Ol Deuce

[gpidaho]

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

[GhostHawk]

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.

[vrh]

I have a CVA in .243. It is a shooter as long as I do what is needed. Also have it in a 30-06. Both are strictly cast boolit rifles. No jacketed bullets for them.

[gpidaho]

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

[cbshtr]

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.

[OlDeuce]

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

WoW that's a thought !!!! 44-40 is just a bit fatter ! the 44 mag brass splits !!! Ol Deuce

[longbow]

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.

[OlDeuce]

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

[500Linebaughbuck]

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/

[OlDeuce]

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/

Montana Bullets is about 5 blocks Southwest of me!!! Nice Guy!!! I've used his .321 cast in my 32-40 !!! His has a fat bottom which works perfect in my
1894 26'' rifle and this one is was made in the first 6 months of production!!!!

Ol Deuce