Some Long Range fun with a .444 Marlin

[Wally]

I set up a steel plate on a cable at 180 paces (150 yards)..... I loaded up three types of cast bullets---RCBS 250 Keith, a Lee 2450 SWC-GC (# 90338), and a Lyman 429640 (270 grain RNF-GC). I used Std Lg Pistol primers and Unique powder. Using a rest I fired ten rounds each with the three loads shooting into a sand trap hill, so that I could see the strikes. I used a 3 x 9 x 50mm scope. Bullets were sized at .431"...

The Keith load shot very well for me--75% hits.

The Lee did the worst..... less than 50% hits and the misses were "way off".....by many inches.....

The 429640 was the most accurate ...85% hits. The brass I used for them was trimmed just enough so that the round could be chambered without a great deal of force on the lever.

Had a great time with this "test"... because of the heat and humidity I did not move back further. I'd imagine some would have shot better than I did. The Marlin doesn't have the best target trigger; however this was to determine which load was the best.

[Lloyd Smale]

Been a few years since i took the 444 out to play. You may have sparked me enough to take mine out.

[Lead Fred]

I debated between 444 and 45/70, the latter won.

We shoot 300gr cast from 44 mags, and ring the 200 yard gong, still wanted to have a 444, but the darn 45/70 beat it for what I do with them.

[Wally]

I debated between 444 and 45/70, the latter won.

We shoot 300gr cast from 44 mags, and ring the 200 yard gong, still wanted to have a 444, but the darn 45/70 beat it for what I do with them.

I have a Marlin .45-70 as well...I like it but I shoot the .444 more often. Both are good, but I do realize why many would prefer the .45-70.... If one wants to shoot them often, you have to reload, as factory ammo is so expensive.

Shooting at 150~200 yards I find that the .444 is more accurate with cast bullets. However the .45-70 is very enjoyable to shoot.....

I tried three .44 magnum carbines....Marlin, Browning, & a USRA 94AE...none shoot accurately with cast bullets at past 100 yards. The .444 does....

[Wally]

Been a few years since i took the 444 out to play. You may have sparked me enough to take mine out.

I think that you should--a fine rifle/caliber like that deserves to be used. Many years ago, when I believed the B S about a MG not being able to shoot cast, I used those dreaded "J" bullets..like a damned fool I never tried cast...foolish me as I really missed out by not doing so...sooner than I did.

I use a Kieth bullet sized to .431"...seated so that the front driving band is almost to the case mouth edge...I then apply a light TC using a Lee .44 Cal TC die..I use 17.0 grains of Unique....gives me 1,700 FPS ....I also use Std Lg Pistol primers. Lately I've been neck sizing the first 3/8" of the case with a regular .44 SPL/MAG Carbide sizer die--I de-cap with a Universal de-capper die. As my cast bullet loads are at less than factory load pressures, they chamber with no problem.

[Shuz]

What is the twist rate and bbl length of your 444 Marlin?

[Wally]

22" 1 in 38" twist...

[TCLouis]

Try the Lee C429-310 and see what it does for you!

[Wally]

Try the Lee C429-310 and see what it does for you!

I had heard it is a good choice, but I have a .45-70 and I prefer not to use such a heavy bullet in the .444.

[leftiye]

Get a 1 in 20 twist and it's a whole new world.

[Wally]

Get a 1 in 20 twist and it's a whole new world.

How so? Mine shoots quite well as it is. I shot other bottleneck calibers with cast, to compare. The .444 did very well by comparison. Frankly the main limitation is the wind and the shootist.