Which Cast Bullet in the 444 Marlin

[223fan]

I am considering either the Ranch Dog 265gr.fpgc or the Lee 310gr.rnfpgc.All I hunt is deer but bear are possible.Could you share your experience with either of these or any other bullet you have had good luck with in the woods.Thanks

[missionary5155]

Good morning
For deer in the woods ( I have never shot a deer past 35 yards in the woods) I would think either wood be just fine. The 444 can easily push those two at 1600 fps. I know of no deer in Illinois that could walk very far after getting smacked with either of those boolits at under 100 yards. Some of them are over 300 pounds now.
Bear... Again I cannot think of ant bear properly hit with either of those boolits that is going to travel very far. Bears were routinely popped with 44 & 45 muzzleloaders with a 250+ grain conical boolits for many years in the woods with very good results. It is more about knowing where to place the shot.
I would not hesitate to hunt deer or bear with the lowly 41 magnum launching a 265 grain gc at a moderate 1350 fps from my Dan Wesson or Ruger revolver. Never lost a deer yet and have never found a black bruen in my woodsy river bottom area to try yet.

[1Shirt]

My early Marlin shoots both very well, and I have driven them above 1600 with no problem. Just size them large enoughl
1Shirt!:coffee:

[quilbilly]

I hunt with the same boolit in my 50 cal. muzzleloaders (with sabot) as I use in my 444 and from my experience either of those boolits will do just fine on elk out to 120 yards (never shot farther) at an MV of 1600 - 1700 fps. In fact, I prefer them to jacketed.

[Ranch Dog]

Obviously I have access to either and it still is a tough choice! I haven't shot a bear but have killed a truck full of hogs every bit the size of a black bear and all I can offer is that it doesn't matter. I push them quite a bit harder than mentioned in this thread, at jacketed bullet velocities and they break a critter down pretty quick.

My only thought on the C430-310-RF is that it is under sized for the 444 Marlin. That silly. 002" makes a huge difference in performance.

[223fan]

Ok it'll be the 265 gr.Ranch Dog.1 more question sense your bullet is a tumble lube design does it need to be sized after comeing out of the mold.I might as well order everything at once.

[Ranch Dog]

It was designed for use with a gas check so if nothing else, the .432" securely seat the checks. It also trues up your bullet and it helps me find any under-diameter rejects.