44 mag in 444 marlin rifle

[Duke45]

Can the 44 mag. be fired in the marlin 444 rifle ? If so how did it work ? thanks

[Old Grizz]

Don't even try it. It's not the same caliber and you could cause damage to you and your rifle.

[quickdtoo]

There's quite a difference in the case head size, you'd run the risk of a ruptured case I would think.

Tim

http://ammoguide.com/?catid=42

http://ammoguide.com/?catid=43

[rusty shackelford]

the 444 and the 44mag are the same caliber .429 to .430 bore size
 but if you could get the firing pin to hit, the freebore jump  and lack of chamber support would cause gases to come back around the brass.

i wouldn't try it, i agree with tim
rusty s

[Oldtimer]

I once fired a .41 Magnum with 170 grain bullet in a Charter Arms  Bulldog in .44 Special.  The brass stretched out on one side to fireform to the .44 chamber.  I tell you this not to encourage you to experiment, but to show the strength of modern brass.  Also, I was holding the revolver at arm's length, while you would be snuggling right up behind the bolt.  The .41 case was unusable as anything but a reminder to be sure to sort ammunition.  I can't imagine you would be able to reload the .44 Magnum cases after firing them.  With all the blowby you would get before the bullet reached the rifling, you would also have a very dirty gun when you were done.  Smokeless powder  at too low a pressure burns about as well as charcoal briquets.

[Dixie Dude]

I've heard that you could fire a .410 shotgun shell from a .444 Marlin also.  I went to my local gun shop and they let me see if it would fit in the chamber, it does. 

[mcwoodduck]

There are a bunch of places a 410 shell fits, does not mean I would want to shoot it.
I heard the same thing about 45-70 and it fit in my Ruger No. 3. 
There are  bunch of 8X50R rounds as well and all fit in my Siamese Mauser but only one is the correct one.
If you really want a 410 either get a Handi or a Contender.
The other thing is that 410 will work out of the 45 colt T/C but the reverse is not true and the 45 Colt cases do not fit in a 410 and I would not think to try a 444 in a 410 for a couple of reasons.
Shotgun firing pins are different than a rifle and the second is that 410 (up to 12,000) is low pressure compared to 444(up to 38,000) or even 44mag (35,000) and you could rupture the barrel even if it fit snug.
The second rule of fire arms safety is to use the proper ammunition in the gun.  It's there right behind treat every gun as if loaded because it is that serious.
There are a few guns that will allow you to shoot multiple cartridges in one gun but they are generally limited to shorter versions of the case.  For example 44 Russian 44 S&W special, and 44 Mag can all be fired out of a 44 mag chamber.  Please notice that all start with the same bullet diameter.
If you really want to shoot a shot shell out of your 444 then reload the plastic shot capsules  into your 444.  We have a guy at the club that tried it and actually broke a clay bird with it.  But only one.

[Dixie Dude]

I was talking about the .410 shotgun shell fitting in the Marlin 444, I know a shotgun isn't made to shoot a rifle cartridge. However, they look to be the same diameter and length, and the shotgun shell fit in .444 chamber.  Also, isn't the .44 Mag the same diameter as the .444?  If so, then the case shouldn't split or anything to the case, (might stretch it after firing) just the long distance the bullet has to travel to reach the rifling. 

[quickdtoo]

Look at the specs again in my previous post, the bore diameter is the same at .429"-.430", but the 444 chamber is quite a bit bigger at the case head than a 44mag chamber, .470" compared to .456" or .014" bigger, that means the 44mag case isn't supported until it expands that far before sealing the chamber, not good for the brass and certainly not good for the firearm or the shooter. And that's not addressing the long jump to the rifling the bullet has to make.

Tim

There's quite a difference in the case head size, you'd run the risk of a ruptured case I would think.

Tim

http://ammoguide.com/?catid=42

http://ammoguide.com/?catid=43

[Dixie Dude]

I wonder why Marlin didn't make it the same diameter, just a longer shell, so it could be done.  Maybe the jump is too long.  I know someone who reloads both, and uses the same bullet for both the 444 and the 44mag.  He compromised on bullet weight.  I think he uses a 265 or 285 gr bullet for both.  Probably light for the .444 and heavy for the .44 mag.  Cuts down on supplies.  Have you miked a .410 shotgun shell yet? 

[mcwoodduck]

According to Cartridges of the World 9th edition

Cartridge             Rim   Neck    Shoulder    base Rim thick    case        Bore/ Bullet
444 marlin          .514   .453     .4549       .469      .058       2.16      .429
44 Rem Mag       .514   .457        -           .457      .055      1.29       .429
45 Colt              .512    .476       -            .480     .055       1.29      .454
45-70                .608    .480     .4813      .500       .065      2.105     .458
                         Rim                               base        mouth
410 2.5               .525                             .470         .465   2.50      .410
As you can see the 444 is not a metallic version of the 410 shot shell. And while it may fit the bolt may  not lock up all the way. 
Also that the 444 is not just a stretched 44 mag and the small differences could hurt you.
Again if you want to shoot shot shells you have three options.
Reload a plastic shot shell for the 444 Marlin
Get a 44 Mag and shoot the shot shells.   I have shot these in my 44 Carbine and they throw shot all over the country side.  They work OK out of the handgun but only short ranges.  I think you are going to have the same problem if you could shoot a 410 out of your Marlin.  The rifling would impart a spin on the wad and it would spin and fling shot rather than push it.  Again the guy that loaded the shot shells for his 444 only hit one bird out of 25.
Or get a little single shot H&R topper in 410 for your garden or quail needs.

[jhm]

Why do you think the Manufacturers put the cal. on the barrel of the weapon??  Its for you to know what to use and for SAFETY,  You can fire alot of cartridges in other guns but it isnt good for rifle or shooter, you can fire a 308 in a 25-06 will chamber with out any resistance however if you ever saw a rifle that this has had it done in you wouldnt want to be the person doing the firing the rifle, If you have doubts just take a 308 and lay it over a 25-06 and you will see how it is possible to mistakenly to do it.   BE SAFE and dont mix and not match.   JIM

[Dixie Dude]

I'm just relaying some of what I read on a survival forum.  They were talking about using a 410 shot shell for birds out of their .444, and using a .44mag pistol and in a "pinch" shoot it out of a .444.  Some said the same thing that tried it.  They said the .410 sprayed everywhere, and the .44mag was way off target.  They didn't say what it did to the brass.  I thought at the time it was neet, but if it can't be done, just get a .44mag rifle to accompany the pistol.  The shot shells were more for snakes at short range anyway.  In a survival situation, a good .22LR will kill a bird better without much meat damage. 

[mcwoodduck]

I think a better situation for a survival gun would be a combo rifle in 223 over 20 Ga. or 12ga.
I have a 410 and have done a lot of wing shooting but you have to pick your shots with the little 410.  In a survival situation you will need to take what ever game you come across.
For survival a 12 ga would allow you to shoot any and all shot shells including buck and slugs.  I know there are slugs for the 410 but I would not use them on medium to big game, they are only 87.5 grains at 1200 FPS.  Also any large shot pellet loads in 410 will not have enough pellets to really do the job on larger game at any range.  besides the 410 is expensive.   Any thing 12 can do 20 can do.  I know that is going to start a whole new argument.  But, 20ga works and will work for any of your wing shooting or small game.  Will 12 do it better and cheaper in most cases, sure! but 20 will still do it all too with less weight.
The 223 is accurate, available, with a wide selection of bullets, and is the happy medium for both small and big game.  With 60 grain NP bullets I would not hesitate to shoot a deer out to 150 yards.  If you feel more comfortable with a 308 or 30-06 then go for it and extend your range for big game out to 200 yards or more.
You may just want to get better with you revolver and shoot bullets at snakes.  Your not going to have time to change ammo in the gun from big game to snake shot and back again.  No matter how hard I have tried I have not been able to out draw a deer with my 44 and snakes just grow out of the ground.  I can see having the snake shot in the gun and a spare speed loader with bullets while out hiking or scouting, but hunting your going to use what you have for the main animal your after and not want to carry a gun store shelf worth of ammo with you.
I can see hiking or meat hunting with a combo gun with 5 to 7 rifle rounds and 25 shot shells.  Maybe 5 of them are buck shot.  They make flares for the 12ga and you could use them to signal.  Just be careful not to set the place on fire like the two quail hunters that were lost in San Diego county two years ago when they got lost.

 

[Dixie Dude]

Snakes down here are not a real problem during hunting season, just spring to fall.  Feral dogs and coyotes are a problem though.  So, I usually carry about 3 loads of snake shot followed by 3 regular bullets.  I can always roll over the cylinder for the dogs or coyotes.  You can walk up on a timber rattler or diamondback real quick down the trails, also copperheads.  They seem to blend in so easy.  Good boots or chaps are a must.  I kind of like the new Tarus .45LC/.410.  From those who bought them, the .45 LC isn't too accurate beyond 15 yards.  Makes for a good woods gun though.