Another New 444 Marlin/410 slug - PIC added

[bikerbeans]

Picked up my HandiGrip 444 Marlin from my FFL on Monday.  Handigrip stock set is already on it's way to fine gentleman in IL; I just can't accept plastic stocks.  Bought this gun because it came with a scope rail and no iron sights, also is not D/T for iron sights.  I then put on an early 1980s straight wood stock set, that was just refinished by another fine gentleman (MA this time).  Gun was bought with the intention of converting to a fully rifled 410 slug gun, but I thought I would play with it as a 444 for a bit before getting after it with a reamer.  My question is how come none of you folks told me a 444 was such a nice round to shoot?    The stock set has no recoil pad and I did not put weight in the stock and the recoil with IMR3031 and 240 grn HP/XTPs is almost nothing!  It seems like less punch than low end 45/70 trapdoor loads.  I am still planning on making it a 410 slug gun, but it may be a while before I do it.

BTW, Illion still hasn't got a grip on how to package a new rifle.  Gun was NOT wrapped in plastic and the blankity-blank gun lock and metal clamp was bouncing around loose in the package.  Got lucky because the gun escaped the wayward lock!

BB

Sorry about the photo, I don't do pics.  That's my dad's old Model 12 that sneaked in for the photo shoot.

[Spanky]

You got any pics of the new toy?? I've been thinkin' about getting a 444 myself... I hear it's a dandy whitetail thumper.



Spanky

[BBF]

Curses on you Sir if you rape that 444 !!

[Swampman]

IMO the .444 is one of the best kept secrets around.  They are flat shooting and hard hitting.

[manatee1947]

Love mine. I now have 2 molds, a FB 240gr and a 300 GC, both of which shoot very well and economically, and comfortably. If I could only have 1 handi, I think I would even take it over a 45/70.

[bikerbeans]

Hhhhhmmmm. Maybe don't need the reamer after all.  Modified some 2 1/2" 410 hulls to fit the fit the dimensions of the 444 chamber, loaded 240 grain HP/XTPs over IMR3031 and shot a 2" 3 shoot group @ 55 yards in a 25 mph crosswind.  Group was shot without sandbagging the gun.  No case head separation on the brass.  The hulls where not new and have been reloaded many times.  Also, seated bullets by hand so OAL varied a bit.  Good start, with better quality control on the ammo production this might work out.  Now to find out the upper load limit for this powder/bullet combo.   Anybody have any experience on shooting whitetails with the a 240 grain 44 cal HP/XTP?

BB

[Matt3357]

I know you said that if the gun is re-stamped with 410 it can be used, but dang it sure seems like it would be hard to convince the DNR that you were using 410 slug loads rather than 444 loads.  Good to hear that you don't have to modify the chamber, though.  I wasn't quite sure how you were going to do that since 444 cases are very similar in dimensions to the 410.  How are you loading your shells?  wads? gas seals?  filler?

Matt

[Swampman]

Why not just get some brass .410 hulls?

[Matt3357]

Brass hulls are illegal for use on deer in Ohio.  Wouldn't be any different than a 444 if you seated the bullet at the neck of the brass shell.  Basically the weakness of the shell is their governor of how powerful your load can be.  Crazy that you can shoot a 1oz slow moving lead slug that ricochets like a rubber ball all you want, but you can't shoot a high powered rifle that will most likely disintegrate on impact.  Illinois is just as bad, but no 410 allowed.  Must be at least 44 caliber.  I find that 20 gauge Accutips are as close as you can get to a rifle without going muzzle loader.  So beans, why the want for a 410 slug gun?  just cause you can?  I have no doubt it will take the game at shorter ranges, just curious as to your intent. 

Matt

[BBF]

This is the first year that Nova Scotia allows 410 slugs for deer
Reason being( not admitted of course) is that Native hunters use these near towns after hours and wanted something with as little noise as they could.