Author Topic: New Handi .444 on the way ! (Read 1524 times)

Papa Jack · « **on:** October 27, 2010, 05:49:50 PM »

I'm pretty pumped up today, my newest Handi Rifle ( .444 marlin ) is on the way , I ordered it yesterday and I'm tracking it, should be here in a couple days !
I have also ordered my RD bullet mold and sizer ( .432") and also most of the needed tooling is on order....
Hopefully I'll be sending gobs of lead down range in just a few days......

"Papa Jack "

ihookem · « **Reply #1 on:** October 27, 2010, 05:57:53 PM »

How much did it cost?

pruhdlr · « **Reply #2 on:** October 27, 2010, 06:06:19 PM »

I got one about 2 months ago. It has had the bbl chopped to 18" and LOP shortened to 13.25".

With the Hornady 300gr XTP's it will cut one ragged hole at 50yds wearing a Leupold 1-4X20 with heavy crosshair. Love it !! ---pruhdlr

Papa Jack · « **Reply #3 on:** October 27, 2010, 10:14:59 PM »

Quote from: ihookem on October 27, 2010, 05:57:53 PM

How much did it cost?

I did the gun genie thing, never done that before, found a local FFl and the cost was $266.00.
I looked around locally and no body had em in stock. it was like a bad taste in their mouth or somethin, everytime I'd ask the Counter Lizard, "Do you have any Handi-Rifles in stock ?, Any Whatttttttt?

Whats a Handi-Rifle ?"
I wonder how those guys get those cool gun counter jobs and don't know nothin ?
Don't get me started on Gun Counter Guys....

"PJ"

pruhdlr · « **Reply #4 on:** October 28, 2010, 03:09:28 AM »

Mine was about that same price ordered thru a smaller gunshop. Delivery was only 4 days. Can't remember who his wholesaler was.

Most gunshop counter cruzers worked selling shoes yesterday. Don't get me started either !! ---pruhdlr

45-70.gov · « **Reply #5 on:** October 28, 2010, 04:44:59 AM »

i think i need a 444....probly be my next project

like a 45-70...that won't throw away as much of my lead
like a 45-70....with just a little less kick

i already have LBT 44 molds 280g WFN [GC AND PB]

i don't know
some times these florida deer run over 80 pounds
is this enough gun???

quickdtoo · « **Reply #6 on:** October 28, 2010, 04:47:12 AM »

Congrats PJ, way to go!!

Tim

bikerbeans · « **Reply #7 on:** October 28, 2010, 05:13:26 AM »

PJ,

You done good with the 444M. I got a new one a couple of months ago and it is my new favorite Handi, and will stay that way, at least until I buy another one.

BB

LONGTOM · « **Reply #8 on:** October 28, 2010, 05:35:37 AM »

Quote from: 45-70.gov on October 28, 2010, 04:44:59 AM

i think i need a 444....probly be my next project

like a 45-70...that won't throw away as much of my lead
like a 45-70....with just a little less kick

i already have LBT 44 molds 280g WFN [GC AND PB]

i don't know
some times these florida deer run over 80 pounds
is this enough gun???

Don't underestamate the 444.
I think you will find it kicks about as much or more than factory 45-70 300gr JHPs but not as much as the 450 Marlin.

444 Marlin:
Remington 240 SP at 2350 fps
Hornaday 265 FTX at 2325 fps

45-70:
Winchester 300 HPs at 1880 fps
Federal Power Shok 300 SPs at 1880 fps
Federal Fusion 300HPs at 1850 fps
Remington 300 HPs at 1810 fps
Hornaday 325 FTX at 2050 fps

450 Marlin:
Hornaday 325 FTX at 2225 fps
Hornaday 350 FPs at 2100 fps

LONGTOM

Crow Juice · « **Reply #9 on:** October 28, 2010, 06:49:20 AM »

I have had good luck with 240gr Hornaday XTP's and 49grs of H4198 in my Marlin 444 on the local whitetail population. This is a great cartridge and will turn a coyote inside out. If I had only one gun it would be a 444. I'm a Marlin fan but handy's are good too . My son just bought one in 35 Whelen.

Papa Jack · « **Reply #10 on:** October 28, 2010, 08:00:57 AM »

Quote from: pruhdlr on October 28, 2010, 03:09:28 AM

Mine was about that same price ordered thru a smaller gunshop. Delivery was only 4 days. Can't remember who his wholesaler was.

Most gunshop counter cruzers worked selling shoes yesterday. Don't get me started either !! ---pruhdlr

we should start a thread just about gun counter guys......

"PJ"

Papa Jack · « **Reply #11 on:** October 28, 2010, 08:04:20 AM »

Quote from: 45-70.gov on October 28, 2010, 04:44:59 AM

i think i need a 444....probly be my next project

like a 45-70...that won't throw away as much of my lead
like a 45-70....with just a little less kick

i already have LBT 44 molds 280g WFN [GC AND PB]

i don't know
some times these florida deer run over 80 pounds
is this enough gun???

I been watchin "Swamp men" , if those Cajuns can kill 12 ft gators with a rusty beat up .22, I would think you could kill a Florida Deer with a .444 Marlin.... Be sure ya load yer rifle !!

LOL, PJ

Spanky · « **Reply #12 on:** October 28, 2010, 01:56:37 PM »

My 44mag is gonna be feeling the 444 reamer real soon.

Spanky

SwampThing762 · « **Reply #13 on:** October 28, 2010, 02:14:24 PM »

45-70 gov, no i think you need the 500 s w loaded with ranger rick's 700 grain tyrannosaur thumpers!!

ST762

Papa Jack · « **Reply #14 on:** October 29, 2010, 10:37:58 PM »

I went to the shop today and picked up the New Handi .444 . I can't say it's a thing of beauty, plane jane wood, but it's NEW. The bore is dirty so I'm going to give it a good clean up this weekend, and Slug the barrel.
The action is REALLY tite, Popeye has to work at it to get it broke open !
I need to find a set of rings and get a cheapo scope this weekend too, no sights on it at all, just a mount rail.
It'll be a while before I get my brass, I think it's on BO at Grafs, so I'll load up the ten rounds I have with bullets I have for the .44 mag. and try it out next week..... Later , "PJ"

pruhdlr · « **Reply #15 on:** October 30, 2010, 03:00:36 AM »

Mine was pretty tough to open when it came outta the box also. Yet it had the "normal" opening when the forearm was off.

I took a large round dowel and extremely gently sanded the inside of the plastic forearm cap in the direction that it swivels. Then I finished it with a strip of leather moved around it in the direction that it swivels. I applied a tiny ammount of grease that I use for my saltwater fishing reels and attempted to wipe it all off(you really can't).

Opens and swivels down to my satisfaction now. Personally.....I want it so that I can push the opening latch with my right thumb as I an reaching for another round with my left. I do not want to have to dedicate my left hand to assisting with the opening function. --- pruhdlr

gcrank1 · « **Reply #16 on:** October 30, 2010, 04:27:13 AM »

For that fit, I prefer to sand the wood of the forearm at the flat that mounts the spacer, but to each his own (a little can go a long way too).

Spanky · « **Reply #17 on:** October 30, 2010, 05:15:58 AM »

It's easier to sand the flat side of the plastic spacer. Tape a piece of sandpaper to a flat surface and work the spacer back and forth across it. The spacer stays nice and flat that way. GO SLOW and check it often... it doesn't take much sanding to go from "just right" to "too loose".

Spanky

quickdtoo · « **Reply #18 on:** October 30, 2010, 05:48:18 AM »

Forend fitting is covered in the FAQs, keyword Forend Fit

for the page search.

Tim

BBF · « **Reply #19 on:** October 30, 2010, 07:47:04 PM »

On my wood stock 45-70 the hole for the forearm screw was not in the proper place which resulted the forearm being pushed back to the hinge hard enough that you needed to push down on the barrel to open it.

Papa Jack · « **Reply #20 on:** October 31, 2010, 07:36:16 AM »

Thank's Guys, I ll check out this stock fit . I haven't had a chance to do anything with the rifle yet....I gotta finish another project in the shop before I can do my own stuff, not enough room to do two things at a time around here!
I did manage to get a scope and mounts Saturday, too bad they didn't put the sights on these bigger bores, my .450 has scope mounts too instead of sights, but the 45-70 has sights..
I'll give this .444 a good going over next week....Or maybe Today !! LOL.... "PJ"

quickdtoo · « **Reply #21 on:** October 31, 2010, 11:11:48 AM »

Here's a little peak at what you might expect from your 444.

Tim

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,118881.msg1098392036.html#msg1098392036

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,120494.msg1098403886.html#msg1098403886

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,124487.msg1098436387.html#msg1098436387

Papa Jack · « **Reply #22 on:** October 31, 2010, 01:23:39 PM »

Thank's Tim, looks like H-4198 works good for ya in the .444.... I just looked, I have some Hornady 200 grain and some old 240 grn HP....I'll load up a handfull just to try the gun out....
Thanks again for the info....Papa Jack

Papa Jack · « **Reply #23 on:** November 02, 2010, 06:23:22 PM »

I found that the new Handi has some plastic parts.....The Trigger guard is plastic, the end spacer on the fore end is also plastic with flimsy thin pieces that wrap around, I don't see em lasting too long with hard use.
I was able to find the reason for the hard opening. The barrel lug was rubbing on the backside of the hole for the retaining screw of the fore end . I took a round file and a couple strokes and it opens a lot better, still plenty stiff, but at least I can get it open. It's not going to be a real good Fast second shot rifle the way it is, but It should loosen up a little as the plastic wears .
I mounted a scope and loaded the 15 rounds of bass that I have, so I hope I can test fire this week...
PJ

pruhdlr · « **Reply #24 on:** November 03, 2010, 02:23:08 AM »

Tim and others,please correct me if I am wrong but from what I have learned here, a simple fix would have been ----->

If the screw was rubbing on the "back side" of the hole(closest to the reciever),take off the plastic forearm endcap. Gently sand the wood down, install the endcap,give it a try. Do this in small stages.

IMO, the plastic trigger guard and the plastic forearm cap will probably outlast anything that you could do to the weapon(minus intentional abuse). Don't worry about this.---pruhdlr

gcrank1 · « **Reply #25 on:** November 03, 2010, 05:11:14 AM »

I have found it is well worth my time to revisit the FAQs on a fairly regular basis......and yet I suspect there are some who have never been there, or not been there in a while.
Sure makes my life easier!

quickdtoo · « **Reply #26 on:** November 03, 2010, 05:23:39 AM »

Wood forend fitting is covered in FOREND FIT in the FAQs, synthetic is covered in SYNTHETIC FOREND FLOATING.

Plastic trigger guards and spacers have always been a kind of sore issue on Handis, but if they were metal, Handis would cost a lost more, the blued steel parts that H&R used to sell were $70 for the pair, the trigger guard especially since it's an integral part of the trigger group, not just a guard, but if you want metal parts, see the sticky in the H&R Classifieds, we have a site sponsor who is producing them.

Tim

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,216464.msg1099170651.html#msg1099170651

Papa Jack · « **Reply #27 on:** November 03, 2010, 07:23:01 AM »

I guess I gotta quit giving you guys so much information , I am not a stupid person..Regardless of what you think.
YES, I did read the FAQ about fitting the for end. WHY should I do all of that when I accomplished the same thing by what I did with a file and a couple strokes thru the screw hole

? It's still plenty tite believe me.
So I guess to make you guys happy I will remove the plastic thingy and sand the wood....
This is not rocket science here, these are simple , inexpensive, crude rifles ,and this is to be expected. I'm not really complaining at all, and I am not upset. I love these guns or I wouldn't have 4 of em and wheel barrow full of fitted barrels to go with em. Just sad that the metal parts been replaced with plastic, thats life, no big deal.....

"PJ"

gcrank1 · « **Reply #28 on:** November 03, 2010, 07:47:44 AM »

Ouch, PJ........
Dont see where anybody even inferred by a long shot that you might be 'stupid'.
If I offended you I am sincerely sorry. In my posts I may ere on the side of simplifying, or referring to something/somewhere, so those who arent quite as experienced as some will be helped in their fun and games with these toys.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #29 on:** November 03, 2010, 02:16:20 PM »

Lots of ways to skin a cat, although when working with a wood forend, it just makes more sense to me to work with the $4 plastic spacer than with the $25 forend, removing material from the spacer and keeping it true while doing so is a lot easier than doing so on the wood, and changing the hole opens another can of worms, several members have had the screw pull thru the factory hole, so making the hole bigger won't help than issue. $:-\$

Tim