444 Encore

[duxman]

Finally got a brand spankin new encore frame. I now need a barrel. Opinions on the 444? I have a 375 win on a contender and it shoots real nice. Lookin for a larger straight wall for deer in southern Michigan and maybe even Bear if I can ever manage to draw a permit. Suggestions for sights too. I've been shooting a 2X leupold but I think I would like something easier to sight. Red dot maybe?

[KN]

I have two 444 barrels. One a stock 15" with a 2.5x7 simmons on it. It shoots an inch or better on a good day with a 300gr Sierra JSP with 49grs of H322. The other is a 11" (shortened from 15") with std sights. Its just a fun gun project I did. Boy is it a handful.   KN

[444encore]

You hit right on my name here. .444 Marlin is great round. But iffy of sorts. Fastest .429" out there, but too fast at times. Stay away from fast loads if you're lookin fer accuracy. I think h4198 is about the fastest.
Most accurate I've found would be between 40 and 50 grains of h4895 behind 240 to 250 grain jhp's.  Low 2000 fps out of 15" bbl but sub moa.

[duxman]

Hopefully no trade mark infrigements :lol: Do you have a break on the barrel? I'm sure it kicks a little. I'm no strnger to large calibera but I'm not lookin for something that is just "big and loud". Thanks for the loading tip. I have done a lot of reloading and as you say, fastest is not always the best.

[444encore]

Yes I do have a break on it. Sometimes I wish it didn't though. Recoil is still pretty stiff, but definately managable. If the primary purpose of this barrel is huntin, then you'd be better to shy away from breaks.
I do a whole lot of shootin and for that it helps, but I also want to hunt with it. I'm considering buying a second non-breaked barrel for that because report from a short breaked .444 Marlin is simply not tolerable.

[duxman]

I have a break on my 375 and you definately know when it goes off. Is your barrel a T/C custom shop barrel or other maker?

[444encore]

Yes it is a Custom Shop barrel. The quality of Custom Shop work is definately better than factory productions , but I'm not happy with the matte finish from the C.S. Just look at it wrong and it rusts.   I don't own any "other maker" barrels , buy I am considering a few in the future. I'm thinkin of a 15" .35 Rem. bull and a 18" .458 Win Mag bull.
I might look into Virgin Valley or Bullberry for the .35  but the .458 will have to come from SSK. Any thoughts on this?

[duxman]

I have a friend that's been trying to sell me his 35 rem for a long time. I'll break down one of these days. I know that 35 is real popular. I hunt Southern Michigan and you must use a straight wall cartridge. I probably wouldn't use the 35 enough to justify the purchase. You can never have too many barrels though. Now that 458!!! You'll have to let me know what thats like. I was looking through a reloading manual the other day, Oh my!! That would be a handful. As far as custom barrels go, you get what you pay for. I don't have any myself but I do want a .223 and will probably go with a V.V. Have to start saving those pennies.