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Offline twohats

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.444 what ya think?
« on: November 16, 2010, 07:54:09 AM »
I have a local gunshop that has a .444 stainless ported 16inch barrell and  a 2x20 Leupold mouted for $300.It has been a rechambered .44.I noticed that it isn't a A/A barrell and has Bellum stamped on it.How are these to shoot?and is it a good deal?
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Offline Dezynco

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Re: .444 what ya think?
« Reply #1 on: November 16, 2010, 10:34:49 AM »
Sounds like a pretty good deal, I assume it's for a Contender?  If so you'll need to handload for it, and keep the loads on the light side.  A 444 is a pretty stiff round for a Contender, and most custom barrel makers recommend it for the G2 Contender only because of the beefier frame.  If this barrel is for an Encore, there's no problem.

You cannot mention who did the rechamber, but I guess he does good work.  I've bought a few replacement and tune-up parts, but never shot any of his reworked barrels.

The 2x Leupold scope is worth half or more of what the shop is asking for the barrel with the scope!
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Offline twohats

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Re: .444 what ya think?
« Reply #2 on: November 16, 2010, 11:21:34 AM »
Oops.I forgot about name mentioning.This is for my G2 and I don't reload.Will the factory loads be adequate?I hate to buy something that I won't be able to shoot.Thanks for the input.I just talked to him and got it down to $275.

Danny
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Offline mbopp

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Re: .444 what ya think?
« Reply #3 on: November 16, 2010, 02:35:29 PM »
Is your G2 a rifle or pistol? I've heard the recoil on a 44 Mag is pretty stiff, I can't imagine a factory 444 in the handgun configuration.
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Offline twohats

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Re: .444 what ya think?
« Reply #4 on: November 16, 2010, 04:03:26 PM »
Mine is new G2 pistol I bought this year.The .44 I have is mild compared to the.35 REM.Man my wrist hurts after shootin the .35.My whole body might hurt if I shoot the .444  :'(.Thanks
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Offline quasne.inc

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Re: .444 what ya think?
« Reply #5 on: November 16, 2010, 05:43:10 PM »
Forgive my ignorance, im fairly new to this site, whats with the whole (censored word) thing?
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Offline luckydawg13

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Re: .444 what ya think?
« Reply #6 on: November 16, 2010, 05:53:21 PM »
i dont know i see that a lot too
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Offline SD Handgunner

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Re: .444 what ya think?
« Reply #7 on: November 16, 2010, 07:30:59 PM »
The (censored word) is about a person that used to be a member here but is no longer allowed on this forum, and his name is not allowed to be used here either. Don't ask it is a long story.

Larry
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Offline Dezynco

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Re: .444 what ya think?
« Reply #8 on: November 17, 2010, 01:14:15 AM »
Heck for $275.00 you can't go wrong!  I would jump on it, then see about purchasing some used reloading equipment to load for it.  I'm sure that factory ammo will be OK to use in it, but it will be pretty rough on you and the frame - the muzzle brake will help a good bit, but wear hearing and eye protection.

You might even hook up with a buddy that has the dies to reload the 444 and get him to load you some on the light side.

Like I said, the scope is worth around $175 - $200 or so!
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Offline twohats

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Re: .444 what ya think?
« Reply #9 on: November 17, 2010, 01:44:26 AM »
Thanks guys for all ya'll's inputs.I am leaning towards getting the barrell for sure.I have a buddy who reloads so i quess I just have to buy the dies,Right?
Later

Danny
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Offline icfmike

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Re: .444 what ya think?
« Reply #10 on: November 18, 2010, 05:47:38 PM »
I have one and the recoil is less than my 45 long colt
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Offline BBF

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Re: .444 what ya think?
« Reply #11 on: November 19, 2010, 07:22:35 AM »
Dunno about the recoil :-\
I've had two rifles in 444 and with a full load it will move you !!
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Offline southernutah

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Re: .444 what ya think?
« Reply #12 on: November 19, 2010, 07:35:05 AM »
Quote from: twohats on November 16, 2010, 07:54:09 AM
I have a local gunshop that has a .444 stainless ported 16inch barrell and  a 2x20 Leupold mouted for $300.It has been a rechambered .44.I noticed that it isn't a A/A barrell and has (censored word) stamped on it.How are these to shoot?and is it a good deal?

you might see of the gunshop will let you go try it as it is used. Buy a box of bullets from them and hit the range. Some of the 444 rebarrels were reamed  short so only reduced reloads in shorter cases were used. See if a factory bullet will chamber.
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Offline twohats

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Re: .444 what ya think?
« Reply #13 on: November 19, 2010, 11:21:03 AM »
I checked again and this barrell is a 14 incher,which I think won't make much difference for me.I know these guys well so I just might ask to try it since i do alot of business with them and them with me.Thanks
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Offline jbwell

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Re: .444 what ya think?
« Reply #14 on: November 19, 2010, 02:35:17 PM »
I had a super 14 44 mag rechambered to 444 back in the mid 1980's. I also have a Marlin lever gun in 444.
I load for the rifle and use the same loads in the TC. One of my favorite loads is with the now discontinued Speer 225 HP. Using 4198 it does 2400 from the Marlin and 2200 from the TC.
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Offline stoutstuff

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Re: .444 what ya think?
« Reply #15 on: November 21, 2010, 03:51:41 AM »
I've been thinking about a 444 contender myself. Love shooting my Marlin. If you decide to not buy the barrel let me know as I might be interested.
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Offline gman628

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Re: .444 what ya think?
« Reply #16 on: November 24, 2010, 02:02:05 AM »
I don't have one in a Contender, but I do have a 444 in a 15" Encore barrel, and with a brake, I have sat at the bench and put 50+ rds down it at a time.  The recoil is very manageable, just a good grip and/or a brake and you're good to go.  My stepson has a Contender that's a 10" 45/70 w/ muzzle tamer, now that thing has a little pop to it, not to mention the nice fireball  :o.

P.S. the person that rechambered that barrel does do some really good work, he just rubs most mankind the wrong way.  He's been removed from more than one forum that I visit.

Gary
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Offline reloading_rich

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Re: .444 what ya think?
« Reply #17 on: November 25, 2010, 03:32:27 PM »
I have a 14" Contender barrel that has been rechambered to 430 JDJ.  It is in essence a 444 case shortened by one hundred thousanths.  The load I got from JD called for using 444 Marlin loads reduced by 10%.  I have tried a few and the recoil was not bad at all, I fact I am going to bump it up a little in the spring when I start shooting outdoors again.  I do have a brake on the barrel and I am sure that helps alot but there is room to go up a ways with the load.
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Offline conger591

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Re: .444 what ya think?
« Reply #18 on: November 28, 2010, 12:15:35 PM »
You will really like that barrel.  I have one that I shoot cast bullets in.  Recoil is stout if you load it up.  If you scope it, make sure that you get good rings and base for it.
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Offline twohats

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Re: .444 what ya think?
« Reply #19 on: November 29, 2010, 05:10:14 AM »
Well.I did it.I had my .35 Rem barrell with the simmons scope walked into the gun shop and figured I would ask if a trade would work.We did.He even bead blasted the barrell and mount and rings for me as well.Now i am excited to have a monster barrell.I surely hope it works for me.It has the Leupold 2 x 20 and mount and rings from Leupold as well.It actually has three rings on it.I noticed the scope has alot of dings.What kind of warranty do the scopes usually cover?I'll let ya'll know how it shoots..

Danny
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