Anyone ever experiment with bullets larger than 320 gr in 444 marlin?

[Make my day]

Just wondering if anyone has ever done this, I know twist rate starts to limit you, but just seems like there should be heavier bullets in use in this caliber. Let me know if you have tried heavier bullets, which ones and what kind of success.

thanks

[Blammer]

http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g81/blammer8mm/Cast%20boolits/44list-1.jpg (http://s54.photobucket.com/user/blammer8mm/media/Cast%20boolits/44list-1.jpg.html)

the biggest one's I've tried in my 444marlin were the 323 and the 330gr bullets you see up top left.
they shot just fine out to 200 yds.

[GhostHawk]

I just bought the Lee 310 grain for mine. I also have a smaller .44 mag .429-214 gr I should be able to use for light loads.

[tdoyka]

http://www.marlinowners.com/forum/444-marlin/

depends what you are looking for. 1 in 38" or 1 in 20" twist

the 1 in 38" goes about 350gr and the 1 in 20" goes up to 425gr

[Make my day]

Thanks guys. I have a 1 in 20 twist. I was looking to maybe test some 330, 355 and 405 gr bear claws before investing in a mold, was just curious if there were others. Someone may have already tried with success to narrow my search.

thanks again. I appreciate your nput

[quilbilly]

Given the effect a 429-265 gr SWC-PB has on elk when used in my muzzleloader with a sabot at an MV of 1600 fps, I can't imagine using something bigger unless going to Africa. My Marlin 444 shoots the 310 extremely well at 1750 fps as well that 265 gr SWC-PB at 1200 FPS for fun and practice.

[Make my day]

It had occurred to me to try an make a dangerous game rifle for Africa out of the 444. That is what started me on this investigation.

[Beerd]

It had occurred to me to try an make a dangerous game rifle for Africa out of the 444. That is what started me on this investigation.

search "Safari Grade 444" on the marlinowners site.
..

here's one - http://www.marlinowners.com/forum/444-marlin/57551-safari-grade-444-update.html
..

[44man]

I always love Blammer's picture. With the 1 in 20" rifle you should be able to get bold and a nasty black and blue shoulder. [smilie=l:

[Make my day]

yeah, I was expecting the bruised shoulder. Thanks

[leftiye]

I'm making a cast lead forend for my Handi rifle.:kidding:

[Make my day]

As a means of reducing recoil?

[Make my day]

Or do you want to throw that at 'em.

[taco650]

A 444 in a Handi Rifle would be painfull IMO!! Probably not worse than the 45-70 though. I'd be interested in knowing how using the "heavies" works out for you. I've always felt the .444 was under appreciated.

[tdoyka]

i have a 444 and a 45-70. the 444 is a tc encore with a 23" mgm heavy factory barrel(1in20" twist) and the 45-70 is in a handi-rifle with a 22" barrel.
the 444 shot a 265gr hornady fn with a full charge of h4198 and it was like shooting a 30-06 with a 180gr remmy. since i had a stroke(right arm/leg don't work), i had it taken down to 2000-2100fps.
my 45-70 does trapdoor loads, maybe a skosh higher. it kicks like a 30-30 with 170gr reminchester.

soon i will work on a 280gr ranch dog for the 444 and a 350gr ranch dog for the 45-70. but the 444 will always win:wink: even tho it is underappeciated. just my 2 cents....

[Make my day]

Thanks Taco650 and tdoyka, I agree on the 444 being underappreciated and will certainly post back here my results when I get that far.

[quilbilly]

I have found with my 444 that my fun loads of 265 SWC-PB at 1200 FPS have roughly the same POI at 50 yards as my 310's at 1750 FPS so I rarely shoot the "painful" ones loading only a few for hunting season. Even at a low terminal velocity of only 900 FPS, those 265 SWC-PB would be serious medicine for any deer in North America and black bear under 350# not to mention small to medium plains game in Africa.

[Make my day]

By the way tdoyka, thanks for the Marlin safari grade link above that is awesome, what I am trying to do.

[tdoyka]

no problem!!!