444 brass

[TargetAcquired]

My collection has been growing sideways for a while now, and I've decided to take a step up. I juggled 45-70 vs. 444 marlin for a while, and have ultimately landed on 444. I care not about the availability of factory ammo, as I'll roll my own, and there is just a wider variety of projectiles available for the 444. Also, I really want a BLR, and it comes chambered in 444, but not 45-70, so 2 birds get stoned at once.

After a quick look, I'm not really seeing much in the way of 444 brass - is there somewhere I might not be looking? I'd prefer new... but good once shot is not out of the question if the source is reliable. Google wants me to spend money in 'murica, but if I can do it without crossing any borders I'll consider it a more favourable option.

I have not put up a WTB in the EE on it, hoping there is a shorter path to success.

 

[Scott_N]

I could be wrong, but I seem to remember seeing a bag at Wholesale Sports here in Calgary last Sunday.

 

[BrotherRockeye]

I don't believe there's a wider variety of projectiles available for the .444...
lots of short .44 bullets for hoglegs that are less than perfect for the .444 application imo, and there's plenty of .458 out there in everything from 250gr HP to 700gr HC...
that aside...I like the .444 and brass isn't as hard to find as you may think..
there are sponsors that carry it, or can get it if you care to look...and pay the price...

 

[Goldenlakepete]

Site sponsor Ellwood Epps carries .444's.

 

[Rory McCanuck]

It may take some time for someone to order it and get it in, but it lasts almost forever.
Remington and Hornady both make it, and both are pretty good.
Be aware with buying once fired Hornady brass, as there are two lengths.
Brass for the LeverEvolution factory ammo is about 0.160" shorter to accept the longer FTX bullets.
It is still good brass, it just needs to be treated a bit differently.

If you want to learn more about the 444 than you will ever need to know, go to Marlinowners .com and read through the 444 forum.
Marshall Stanton has also written some really good articles, here's the first one.
http://beartoothbullets.com/tech_notes/archive_tech_notes.htm/17

 

[TargetAcquired]

Thats a heck of a series of articles alright!

I like the idea of Elwood Epps, as they are on the way to a lot of places I go, but they don't have a great website and I don't see any brass at all. They do have an 1895 in .303b though... very interesting...

Anyway, thanks for the OT tips, I'll sort it out.

 

[sunray]

"...Google wants me to..." Look again and select Canadian sites or do the same thing on Yahoo. And you can't export brass from the U.S. without their daft export permit.
Shooter's Choice, in Waterloo, lists it at $43.95 per 50. They say they keep it in stock too.

 

[TargetAcquired]

Yeesh. It better last forever.

Thanks for the tip, they're within reasonabvle driving distance.

 

[BrotherRockeye]

it's well over $1/case from anywhere when you factor in tax and shipping...

still cheaper than 50-70 though

 

[Goldenlakepete]

I don't see any brass at all.

Look under "hunting" then "Brands we Carry" and then under "Reloading"

 

[Johnn Peterson]

Not positive but I believe the last time I 'supplemented' my 444 Marlin brass supply, was on a shopping trip at WSS or more likely the P&d 'Candy store' in Edmonton. As for ammo, loading the Hornady 265gr has worked well for me on Black Bear, Mule Deer and Moose. I have a Marlin 444S in 444 Marlin and a Marlin 1895GS in 45-70. If I had to choose between the two, it would be the 1895GS.



However, having said that, my son in the B.C. interior will soon be providing a home for my 1895GS. I'll keep the 444, primarily for sentimental reasons from days past.