Author Topic: Firing a .444 in a .44mag rifle ? (Read 1038 times)

GeorgiaDave · « **on:** October 05, 2005, 06:21:09 AM »

Hello from Georgia,
A neighbor recently bought a .44mag Handi rifle from the gun show and found out that a .444Marlin cartridge will slide right in. He knows that I have one as well and called to ask me if I ever shot the long shell in the rifle. My response was a very strong NO ! Every rifle has a stamp on it noting the caliber and should only be used to fire that specific ammo. His response was " well, you can shoot .44spcl ammo in it, so why not the long stuff ? " I told him not to try it but he seems set on doing it. Has anyone here ever done this or known it done, and what do you think would happen. The Handi's are strong, but to me it is not right. Thanks for all your comments.

Dave

Cottonwood · « **Reply #1 on:** October 05, 2005, 07:02:31 AM »

Dave

I've heard of poeple using the .44 mag in a .444 Marlin chamber, but not the other way around.

Not a wise idea in my book. :noway:

MSP Ret · « **Reply #2 on:** October 05, 2005, 07:17:13 AM »

sounds interesting, tie it to a tire and get a long string....<><.... :-D :oops: :roll:

ONE HOLE 4570 · « **Reply #3 on:** October 05, 2005, 07:18:06 AM »

I would not do either way. Correct me if I am wrong (don't have any data with me MEMORY :eek: recalls)
444 marlin case head is the same size as a 45 colt tapered to a 44 mag
so your head space would be wrong for a 444 in a 44mag dangerous
and a 44 mag in a 444 would be too small & poss split case??

Just from memory mid you

DON"T DO IT :noway:

RugerNo3 · « **Reply #4 on:** October 05, 2005, 07:59:32 AM »

It sounds as if some kitchen gunsmithing has been done and perhaps the barrel was rechambered to 444 Marlin and the barrel wasn't restamped as a gunsmith would. A little bit of knowledge is dangerous. Get it checked by a licensed gunsmith. Prudence is better then cheapness.

Cottonwood · « **Reply #5 on:** October 05, 2005, 08:03:24 AM »

Quote from: ONE HOLE 4570

I would not do either way. Correct me if I am wrong (don't have any data with me MEMORY :eek: recalls)
444 marlin case head is the same size as a 45 colt tapered to a 44 mag
so your head space would be wrong for a 444 in a 44mag dangerous
and a 44 mag in a 444 would be too small & poss split case??

Just from memory mid you

DON"T DO IT :noway:

ONE HOLE 45-70, nope they are both .514"/13.06mm on the case head stamp. BUT the case mouths are differant. The .444 Marlin has a case mouth of .453/11.51mm and the .44 Mag has a case mouth of .456"/11.58mm.

Both still use the .429" Jacketed Bullets.

Lone Star · « **Reply #6 on:** October 05, 2005, 08:22:53 AM »

I have to agree with RungerNo3 - there is no way that a .444 case would even fit in an unaltered .44 Mag chamber guys. Think about it, the mouth of the .444 case would be in the rifling of the .44 chamber - no way it would ever fit! If the barrel was correctly rechambered from a .44 to a .444, it should be safe to fire a .444 cartridge. I'd have it checked by a competent gunsmith first.

BTW, the headspace with a .444 case in a .44 chamber would be less since the rim thickness for a .444 is 0.063" and for the .44 is 0.060". It is rim thickness, not diameter, that determines headspace with rimmed straightwalled cases.

Cottonwood · « **Reply #7 on:** October 05, 2005, 10:52:09 AM »

Quote from: Lone Star

I have to agree with RungerNo3 - there is no way that a .444 case would even fit in an unaltered .44 Mag chamber guys. Think about it, the mouth of the .444 case would be in the rifling of the .44 chamber - no way it would ever fit! If the barrel was correctly rechambered from a .44 to a .444, it should be safe to fire a .444 cartridge. I'd have it checked by a competent gunsmith first.

BTW, the headspace with a .444 case in a .44 chamber would be less since the rim thickness for a .444 is 0.063" and for the .44 is 0.060". It is rim thickness, not diameter, that determines headspace with rimmed straightwalled cases.

Agreed with ya here. I didn't check the rim thickness :oops:

sureshot2040 · « **Reply #8 on:** October 05, 2005, 11:08:52 AM »

hey
for some reason this reminds me that many a good ol boy's famous lasts words were "yall watch this" might be a good idea to remind your friend of this
not knocking the good ol boys, hell im one myself

im from ga
what part you in dave??
sureshot

tom barthel · « **Reply #9 on:** October 05, 2005, 11:22:45 AM »

Hi

If your friend insists on doing this and finds a way to force the longer round into the chamber, make sure you are on his insurance policy. I realize all people aren't experienced with firearms. The idea borders on suicidal. PLEASE try to educate him on the danger. I don't know him but, I don't want him hurt. He needs the help of a more experienced shooter. Lets try to keep him alive.

Good luck in discouraging him.

Take care and God bless.

Tom

trotterlg · « **Reply #10 on:** October 05, 2005, 01:44:32 PM »

Push some paper in the barrel ahead of the chamber and pour the chamber full of wax, let it harden and push it out with a cleaning rod, it does help to spray a little WD40 in first. Just measure the cast and see what you have. This isn't rocket science or magic, what ever dimensions the chamber is now is what it is chambered for. Then buy some rounds and go shoot it. I am amazed at how complicated some people can make a simple thing. If it doesn't match any chamber know to man just use the barrel for a grape stake. Larry

JPH45 · « **Reply #11 on:** October 05, 2005, 02:56:13 PM »

Don't, How imphatically can I say this....DON"T fire a 44 Mag in that chamber. There is some .020" in diameter in the case body at the head between the 44 and 444, the 444 being the larger. The 44 case will expand to case splitting proportions and it is possible you will be left with a face full of uncontained gas. Lots of folks have expressed an interest in a 444 Handi barrel, bet your friend could make a pretty penny with it on Ebay.

DPRinks · « **Reply #12 on:** October 05, 2005, 04:29:11 PM »

.44mag., base diameter = .457"
.444 Marlin, base diameter = .470.
It would be impossible to put .444 case in a .44mag. chamber.
It is obvious the barrel has been altered.
A .44-40 case would go in a .444, but would likely split the mouth when it was fired.
A .44mag. would have a lot of head expansion.

iiiwew · « **Reply #13 on:** October 06, 2005, 04:04:14 AM »

The best first thing to do would be to do a cerrosafe casting of the chamber and do the measurments.

Graybeard · « **Reply #14 on:** October 06, 2005, 10:54:33 AM »

The .444 should not fit into an unaltered .44 Mag. chamber. If it does then the gun is in sad sad shape and should be returned to the factory post haste. If it's been altered then who knows the status or safety of it. Would be anyone's guess.

If he's the kind of person who would just fire it off because he can fit it in then the gene pool would be better off without him in it anyway. Just be sure you're not around when he kills or maims himself. There really are some folks who aren't intelligent enough to own firearms or sharp knives or sharp sticks even.

Datil · « **Reply #15 on:** October 06, 2005, 01:57:11 PM »

If that 444 ammo goes in 44 mag chamber, there has been
a shade-tree gunsmith a hold of it. not have stamps to remark it.
That is all it can be. Marv.