Author Topic: Convert .444 Marlin to .410 shotgun ( for slugs )  (Read 1343 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline Goss

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 18
Convert .444 Marlin to .410 shotgun ( for slugs )
« on: July 10, 2009, 05:58:06 AM »
Hi,

Do you think a .444 Handi Rifle could be reamed to a 410 Shotgun?
Could a gunsmith do this and then re-stamp the barrel to 410 shotgun?
Then using 410 full brass cases and shootong .429" bullets it would be a dandy "410 deer slug gun"

In Ohio we can use 410 slug guns for deer.

Thoughts?

-Tom

Offline gunnut69

  • Moderators
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 5005
Re: Convert .444 Marlin to .410 shotgun ( for slugs )
« Reply #1 on: July 10, 2009, 06:35:41 AM »
It would likely be do-able as are most projects but thare surely easier ways to get to a slug gun for deer.. How about a 20 gauge rifled barrel for a Mossberg or Remington 870. I would get the cantilevered scope base as I'm getting blinder(???) by the day it seems.. There are 20 gauge slugs in sabots that don't weigh terrbily much more than a 410 slug and the combo would be fairly cheap.. The 410 slug functions thru a 45 Colt barrel which is quite a bit larger than a .429(+,-) bore of the 444. Of course the old style lead slug of the 410 may swage down but I don't know what pressures might look like.. One might even be able to sleeve a Handi-rifle with a 410 (or 45 Colt) barrel and the lengthen the chamber to take the 410 shell ala the Judge revolvers from Taurus.. This would still likely cost more than a shotgun barrel unless one has to also buy the shotgun to put it on..
gunnut69--
The 2nd amendment to the constitution of the United States of America-
"A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed."

Offline iiranger

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Contributor
  • ***
  • Posts: 491
Well, ... Re: Convert .444 Marlin to .410 shotgun ( for slugs )
« Reply #2 on: July 10, 2009, 09:52:18 AM »
Can? Yes. About anything can be done with enough money... First seeming problem, .444 uses a .429 slug, about .43 actually, and the .410 uses a slug .41 or so or lesssss  so "rebore?" Seems the hole is a bit large to start. At the same time the soft lead .410 slug with or without a sabot/cup should swage up to fill the hole and maybe even turn a bit in the rifling...

Since the .410 is very low pressure, I can guess --talk to a very good machinist-- about "bushing" the chamber area to shove the .410 projectile into the rifling... Costs money. I also think that both Marlin and Savage have made .410 shotguns on rifles standard for the .30/30... Not real common but suited to your needs.

I suspect you would be much happier with a rebarrel. In the "handi" and other single shot rifles there is a process of boring out a barrel to get a collar and fitting the new barrel into the collar. Then you don't have the "slop" and whatever "insides" you specify for the barrel, rifled, etc.

Over the years the opinion oft expressed, the .410 slug is a bit lame. Light and not going too fast. No I don't want to stand in front of one. At the same time, I don't like to see deer or other animals suffer. If you dig you can get "liners" that will slip into a 20 or 12 guage and hold and fire a .410 shell. Some were little more than a chamber insert. Some were short barrels. Some were rifled. In a break action... Another thought. But what you propose, while doable... expensive. Your bucks. Enjoy.

Offline Rangr44

  • Trade Count: (6)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2158
Re: Convert .444 Marlin to .410 shotgun ( for slugs )
« Reply #3 on: July 10, 2009, 03:54:25 PM »
Legal or not, I wouldn't shoot any animal larger than a fox with the .410 slug, as I (among others) consider it cruelty.

.
There's a Place for All God's Creatures - Right Next to the Potatoes & Gravy ! !

Offline squirrellluck

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • A Real Regular
  • ****
  • Posts: 642
Re: Convert .444 Marlin to .410 shotgun ( for slugs )
« Reply #4 on: July 12, 2009, 03:58:26 PM »
Unlike some I believe the 410 to be effective on deer. 410 was what I and quite a few youngster I knew killed deer with when we were kids. Killed several in Indiana as well when they legalized it. 1 shot 1 kill on all. 1 did travel 100 yards but I have seen deer shot with rifles travel as far. Like all hunting its all about accuracy. Put it where it is supposed to go and they die. Bigger dont make up for shot placement. That being said remember its not a rifle so dont try taking rifle distance shots with it. Mine is a marlin 410 levergun