Author Topic: Shot the .444 tonight.Wow!!! (Read 1968 times)

twohats · « **on:** November 29, 2010, 02:20:49 PM »

I just traded the .35 for this .444 set up I had been talking about on a previou post.I got home tried to bore sight quickly and ran a few rounds under the lights at 25 yds.Granted the first shot was to hope for the best and hold on.What a powerful beast.Fired flew and I was happy.Had to shoot it a few times although the wife and the puppies weren't happy,sure put a smile on my face.LOL.Now to get a good recipe from you guys on putting together a good handload.Thanks for all ya'lls help in deciding on this set up.Can't wait to get it lined up.By the way what is a good distance to line this up at.Dead on at 50?Here is Thors Hammer....

Dezynco · « **Reply #1 on:** November 29, 2010, 03:05:43 PM »

Fine looking beast you have there! I'd line it up 1" high at 100 yards, that will give you point and shoot out to 200 yards or so.

twohats · « **Reply #2 on:** November 30, 2010, 01:31:22 AM »

Thanks.I only have a 50 yd range at the house so I think dead on at 50 ?I kinda feel alittle pain in the wrist this morning,gotta love those big bores?LOL

3leggedturtle · « **Reply #3 on:** November 30, 2010, 09:50:52 AM »

If you want a really nice and impressive fireball make up some loads with H335

Eric N. · « **Reply #4 on:** December 06, 2010, 10:48:52 AM »

I have one of those with a 16.25 in bbl. I call it my Thunder Bolt Wrist Slapper. Fun aren't they?

twohats · « **Reply #5 on:** December 06, 2010, 03:13:06 PM »

I really like shootin Thors hammer..LOL..as my buddy calls it.I ran about 16 rounds through it the other day.I was lining it up with some old factory rounds.I just couldn't stop shootin.I really didn't have any pain per se the next day.

Eric...What is a good load you think to deer hunt with?I picked up some 265 FTX's and 4198 powder to have a friend reload for me.I don't know if the 265's will add a tad more recoil.I might trade them back in for 240 gr XTP's..Ever tried the Leveroultions in yours?

hunt4570 · « **Reply #6 on:** December 07, 2010, 03:58:54 AM »

Looks like fun..I've always wanted to shoot a 444 to compare it with my 45/70....

twohats · « **Reply #7 on:** December 07, 2010, 04:38:08 AM »

Hunt45/70...Nice bike I have a 2006Ultra by the way...I have been looking at the 45/70 myself.Just to say i have one.I figure the ammo is quite expensive if you don't handload.I really like the big bores though.Makes you feel bad a%&..LOL

hunt4570 · « **Reply #8 on:** December 07, 2010, 04:54:45 AM »

Yeah, I like the big bangers also, aquired a 375JDJ a while back...still trying to set it up, I've not even shot it yet.

Hey, click the link on the bottom of my post, I have a harley forum there...

Hopalong7 · « **Reply #9 on:** December 07, 2010, 05:13:30 AM »

I shoot a 45-70 instead of a 444 as well, but if I had a 444 I think I would look at it the same way and that would be a 300gr +/- LBT style cast and back off the throttle a little. No...not a whimp load, but a little less pressure than factory jacketed loads. Should make that thing a real sledge hammer. I haven't looked, cause I've never had one, but there ought to be some good data for cast loads out there. I'll try to remember to check my Lyman manual for such.

Walt

Ladobe · « **Reply #10 on:** December 07, 2010, 05:17:12 PM »

Mind your P's and Q's with the 444 Marlin on the Contender and don't push it like some have and turned theirs from something that looked like yours to what this fellow turned his into.

twohats · « **Reply #11 on:** December 08, 2010, 05:13:18 AM »

Ouch!!!!Man that would have scared me half to death.I am so hesitant to reload,but I figure I can do it cause i am safe.Still theres always that moment.I am really reading alot and trying to decide on it.I have a press that was given to me awhile back,a friend has some .444 dies to give me and now I quess i will have to get a list of what to finish up with..

gman628 · « **Reply #12 on:** December 08, 2010, 10:04:51 AM »

Hey twohats, don't worry as much about your contender, by the pics I see you shoot a G2, it's been designed stronger than the original contenders like that blown up one. Originally I was going to post the same warning to you, but with factory type reloads, you'll be fine. Just don't go max loads in it like I can my Encore.

Gary

Keith L · « **Reply #13 on:** December 08, 2010, 12:59:36 PM »

Quote from: gman628 on December 08, 2010, 10:04:51 AM

I see you shoot a G2, it's been designed stronger than the original contenders like that blown up one.

Gary

Where did you get that data? I know it wasn't from T/C. I know I wouldn't bet my life on the G2s I have being stronger than my originals.

hunt4570 · « **Reply #14 on:** December 08, 2010, 01:16:18 PM »

Doesn't look like the frame was the cause anyway...just collateral damage.

gman628 · « **Reply #15 on:** December 08, 2010, 04:00:16 PM »

Quote from: Keith L on December 08, 2010, 12:59:36 PM

Quote from: gman628 on December 08, 2010, 10:04:51 AM
I see you shoot a G2, it's been designed stronger than the original contenders like that blown up one.

Gary

Where did you get that data? I know it wasn't from T/C. I know I wouldn't bet my life on the G2s I have being stronger than my originals.

Well Keith, have you noticed the difference in the looks of the two frames? Why do you think they added the extra meet at the top of the frames, it wasn't put there for looks! They added that extra material to keep the frames from stretching on calibers like the 444. the factory stopped offering cal's like the 444 in the contender because the frames were streching with use of factory loads. This is why most guys with older contenders that own .444 barrels load for them. The G2 can take the pressures of the factory loads for the .444! I know of a dicussion on another forum on this verry issue with contenders and the .444 cal. and some guys with original contenders have had problems with frame stretch and others have not, but nobody has seen this with the G2's that I know of. As stated above, the picture added to this discusion was not the cause of a frame giving, it looks more like an obstruction in the barrel.

Gary

Keith L · « **Reply #16 on:** December 09, 2010, 12:01:42 AM »

Quote from: gman628 on December 08, 2010, 04:00:16 PM

Quote from: Keith L on December 08, 2010, 12:59:36 PM
Quote from: gman628 on December 08, 2010, 10:04:51 AM
I see you shoot a G2, it's been designed stronger than the original contenders like that blown up one.

Gary

Where did you get that data? I know it wasn't from T/C. I know I wouldn't bet my life on the G2s I have being stronger than my originals.

Well Keith, have you noticed the difference in the looks of the two frames? Why do you think they added the extra meet at the top of the frames, it wasn't put there for looks!

Gary

In fact they did put those little wings up there for looks. T/C wanted the G2 and the Encore to resemble each other. They make no claims for extra strength. I wouldn't exceed manufacturers recommendations, and sure would not recommend others to do so, no matter what internet experts say.

Hopalong7 · « **Reply #17 on:** December 09, 2010, 02:33:02 AM »

The frame ain't what's gonna blow baby!!! The chamber is what's gonna go and the chamber is part of the barrel. The barrel is the same, Contender or G-2 it doesn't matter. Think about it!
The frame provides the standing breech and sure the G-2 MIGHT provide a little more resistance to frame streaching than the Contender, I don't know and really aren't too concerned about it.
I see no reason to fear reloading, as long as you follow the rules, use good common sense and pay attention to what you're doing. I probably have more self inflicted rules about how, when and where I reload than anything else I do in life.

Walt

NOLA · « **Reply #18 on:** December 09, 2010, 04:33:41 AM »

I shot the Contender in 45-70 and in 444
I shoot the 45-70 with no trouble (lots of muzzle rise back at your head )
The 444 kicks straight back into hand and hurts
after 2 shots I sold it
both were 14in barrel no brake

Ladobe · « **Reply #19 on:** December 09, 2010, 08:08:20 AM »

Quote from: Keith L on December 09, 2010, 12:01:42 AM

In fact they did put those little wings up there for looks. T/C wanted the G2 and the Encore to resemble each other. They make no claims for extra strength. I wouldn't exceed manufacturers recommendations, and sure would not recommend others to do so, no matter what internet experts say.

Keith is exactly right, and that is from the horses mouth, not an Internet expert. When old friends Tim and Ken handed me the prototype G2 under the table at the 2K SHOT Show to see what I thought of it (as an almost charter customer of theirs), that was one of the questions I asked them before giving them my opinion of the G2.
L.

BBF · « **Reply #20 on:** December 09, 2010, 09:37:39 AM »

When you push 240 gr bullets out with a 444 make sure you check the recommended MV's for those bullets. I'd stick with the 265 gr Hdy or the 250 Nosler PT's. I have no opinion or experience with the Hdy flextips.

twohats · « **Reply #21 on:** December 11, 2010, 04:42:50 PM »

I am shootin factory Rem 240's now and everything seems okay.I hope these don't hurt the gun/I really enjoy shootin this barrel.I quess having the brake really makes it bearable according to some who shot this barrel without one.I can only imagine the force.I've been hunting and still haven't gotten a shot on a deer,very anxious to see the results.Thanks for all the inputs really helps in many decisions.