Some years ago I read that the Big Bore Winchester M-94 was a stronger levergun than the Marlin. There were a few articles on line that stated that the 444 Marlin could be loaded quite a bit hotter in the Big Bore than the Marlin. Evidence of this was presented in the ability of the Big Bore to manage the pressure of the 375 Winchester load. (I thought Marlin built a levergun in the 375 on the same action as the 444. ?) Based on this information I started looking for and managed to pick up a Big Bore in 444 Marlin. I have never been disappointed with this purchase.
I have recently had the opportunity to spend some time on QuickLoad. This exerience has me puzzled.
The Big Bore Winchester was available in 307, 356, 375, and lastly the 444. Having seen the above mentioned articles I went to the 375 Winchester data and found the program listing its max pressure at approx. 63,800 PSI. This is definately more than the 51.5KPSI listed for the 444 Marlin. But my disquietness comes after looking at data concerning the other Big Bore ctgs and the ctgs from which they obviously descend. Max pressure for the 307 was listed at 60KPSI, the 308 identical at 60K, the 356 rated 52KPSI, the 358 showed 58.7KPSI.
Is there an explanation for the differences?
I thought that maybe case head dimentions might explain it but ---Well ---I'm puzzed.
I have long since stopped hot rodding the 444, being quite content with more comfortable loads, but I want to understand this information and my feeble mind does not.
I have found a wealth of knowledge on this forum an I look forward to digesting your comments.
Karl
P.S. That QuickLoad Program is amazing.