410 out of a 444?

Kirby

New member
EE Expired
Rating - 100%
4   0   0
Location
Kamloops BC
Well I've read a little bit about it but never really looked into it. I have just picked up a .444 marlin plan on using it as back up for bowhunting and bear protection at work and in the back country. My question is can I shoot 410 2 1/2 shells? Will it cause any damage to the barrel?

Thanks

Kirby
 
I beleive the 444 can shoot 410's as well, the 45/70 can, but the extractor wont pull them out of the tube or the chamber, so its a single shot and tip the gun upright to let the shell fall out.
 
My trip 4 shoots .410 no probs.

DSCF2544.jpg
 
After reading a few threads on this topic, I picked up some 410 shells for my 444. However, on my gun the shell will jam with about 1/8 of it sticking out of the chamber. You can't get the action closed. So I guess it depends on the gun.
 
.444

Just use the .444 case to make shot loads..always works..always extracts...carries heavier weight of shot load. If you already have the cases... The per/ round costs are about 5 cents for powder..4 cents per primer and probably another 5 cents for the #7 shot.
The brass will probably last almost forever as 10 grains Unique is a very mild load

Works best to 15 yards but have shot some further out.
 
if loaded in 444 brass what do you use as a wad. cardboard? how do you seal the shot in? i would be interested in trying it.
 
The pattern is adversely affected by the rifling and the lack of a choke however, for 15 or so yards you're good to go. I'm not sure if you can use 410 plastic wads in the .444 case and a card wad cemented at the case mouth(or crimped), if not, use a card wad (1/8" thick) on top of powder, fill up with shot or use felt fillers to reduce room, and use another card wad on top of shot. The alternative would be to use 2-.44 cal. gas checks instead of card wads.
 
My Winchester .444 also won't quite close on the .410,so I'm curious about the shot loads. Does the shot cause leading in the barrel at all? If as regular .410 wad could be used, that should take care of that. What powders are you guys using, and has anyone tried different shot sizes?
 
.444..45/70 shot loads

Have been doing this for over a decade now in both calibers and in a .357 Max. and .44 mag T/contender..use it in RIFLES ONLY !!!

You can use cardboard "cookie cut " discs or use felt..foam or similar materials for over powder and over shot . I prefer to use gas checks.. cup faceing up for over powder and then add #7 shot to near top and then gas check with cup facing down..slight roll- over crimp to keep shot under tension and impervious to rain.
Tried the .410 shot cup in the .444 but the .444 case holds much more shot without the shot cup.

For powder choices ..check your reload manuals for what powder is used for .410 shotgun loads..I use Unique. High velocity is not desired in these loads. I weighed the shot that will fit in the respective caliber/cases once powder and shot cup used were in the case and found an appropriate weight of powder to propel this weight to about 1000 fps as if it were a single projectile.

For those concerned with " leading " you can put a fairly large amount of the shot you want to use in a ziplock bag... add a few drops of Alox or other cast bullet lube.. squeeze and work the shot around in the ziplok until its lightly coated...dump out onto say an old poly meat tray..seperate the shot so it drys individually and once dry/tacky is useable to load.

You will have to try the loads out on paper/cardboard at various distances to see your results. Patterns are usually do-nut style with fewer in the center and more like a circle/ring around it. You can then use the denser ring of shot by aiming a bit high or low..left or right of the grouse. The loads will work to 15 yards and sometimes a bit further.

Have never cycled them through my .444 lever guns action and merely single loaded them. My 45/70's are single shots.
 
I load shot in my .444 cases. 15 gr of ww 296 a rem 410 plastic shot cup. fill with shot, top with a 44 cal gas check inverted and slightly crimped. 15-20 yds on a grouse.
 
Back
Top Bottom