Author Topic: .444 Marlin on lay-a-way (Read 584 times)

mag41vance · « **on:** April 02, 2005, 06:36:05 AM »

I just put a .444 Marlin on Lay-a-way for my son, and I'd sure be interested in what you reloaders have to say about what to feed this thing. Whitetail, Virginia Black Bears, and Lots of paper will be the targets for this rifle.

VTDW · « **Reply #1 on:** April 02, 2005, 09:29:40 AM »

I use the Hornady Light Magnum 265 gr. factory stuff in my 444S & 444SS. They shoot extremely accurately out of my rifles. Buffalo Bore ammo is great also. Expect to pay $22 and up for the Hornady and $39 for the BB. Below is a link to a III part series on the fo-foty-fo written by Marshal Stanton. Whether or not you reload I suggest these articles as mandatory reading for a 444 owner.

http://www.beartoothbullets.com/tech_notes/index.htm

Dave

Mikey · « **Reply #2 on:** April 03, 2005, 05:08:17 AM »

mag41vance - VTDW has said it all. I can only add that you may wish to look at different posts in this forum and on the Lever Action forum for other posts on the 444 for an indication of what the 444 is good for.

Me, I have 3 of them, all Winchester Big Bores and all with different barrel lengths and twists, and all of them are just awesome.

Your son should be one happy camper (that is if he can ever get it out of your hands - lol). Mikey.

cam69conv · « **Reply #3 on:** April 03, 2005, 09:36:22 AM »

As a proud daddy of a .444 marlin I can say your son will be pleased as punch...Speakin of punch if you plan on shooting alot of paper Id suggest putting a good recoil pad on it like the sim's laboratory or something of that sort. The factory loads in the previous post are great for hunting but they both pack a serious wollup in recoil. I found that the Factory Remmington 240 grain sp's group the best in mine and definatly kick the least. Im a pretty big fella and far from shy about recoil but Im not going to punnish myself unless I have to. Plus the rems are the cheapest way to go as far as Factory rounds. Your son should have a blast. I also wouldnt be afraid to smack any animal in North america with the 240's. Pretty much whichever your rifle likes to eat the best is the way to go. Good luck with your new purchase

Mikey · « **Reply #4 on:** April 03, 2005, 11:11:56 AM »

mag411vance and cam69conf - fellas, if you really want to enjoy shooting the 444 a lot, get one of the PAST Recoil Shields, they work very well.

I've spent a lot of time behind my 444s at the bench and the one thing that turns me off about that caliber (and most of the others as well) is the recoil when bench shooting - the PAST Recoil Shield cured that.

Another way to have fun is with squib loads or reduced power loads. marshall Stanton at Beartooth Bullets was working up data for reduced loads in the 444 but I haven't yet read what he has written on that topic. I just used to use small charges of Unique or other faster burning pistol powders, added a little ball of polyester quilt batting to hold the powder in place and stuffed just about any old cast bullet in on top of it and had a ball skipping cans (once I saw where the loads hit).

I can guarantee that you will get to know your rifles well after a couple of hundred plinkin' rounds and that always helped me with full power loads. Mikey.

mag41vance · « **Reply #5 on:** April 03, 2005, 02:37:24 PM »

Thanks for the good response and advice. As soon as I can I will report my findings and experience with the new shooter.

Again, Thanks