.444 chamberings

I have some 444 brass I bought some years back to fiddle with. I have two LE No.1 Mk III .410 single shot. One is the original “blown out” .303 cartridge type and the other will take .410 ammo. I have used a few .444 brass in the .410 ammo one.
 
when i was looking for a levergun, i looked at the factory ammo in store, the 45-70 seemed huge! the .444 looked just like its sister... an the 375 winchester didnt look so mean but like the babey of the family.... but not quite a 30-30 toddler...

hindsight either the 444 or the 375BB was going to be perfect for intended use - stalking and abushing sambar deer in thicker bush scenerios...
 
444 fits a niche where straight-wall cartridges are needed, like the 38-55 and 45/70 do
or for a classic old school lever rifle
but in a modern bolt action there are better choices imo
 
444addict said:
The .444 came about in 1963 when the 45-70 had faded into obscurity. With the resurgence of the .45-70, the only real reason to pick up a .444 is the better factory loads for it. If you handload, the .45-70 is bigger (.458 vs .429) which is better. I have both, but don't use the .45-70 much.
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Bigger is not always better... You get worse sectional density for the same weight bullet, typically a worse ballistic coefficient for the same weight bullet too... And to match the SDs and BCs you get from the smaller caliber without sacrificing velocity you're looking at more recoil.


I have a soft spot for the 444. No real idea why, I haven't even owned one... Just something about it tickles my fancy. I would LOVE a lever action in 444 but they're typically pretty expensive, so I'll most likely end up with a CVA Scout when I get around to buying one.
 
In my mind, the purpose of the 444 is for guys that want a Marlin for Game bigger than Deer.

I do regret not buying a Marlin 444 with a $600 price tag on it that the shop owner said he would give me a "good cash price" on.
 
Suther said:
Bigger is not always better... You get worse sectional density for the same weight bullet, typically a worse ballistic coefficient for the same weight bullet too... And to match the SDs and BCs you get from the smaller caliber without sacrificing velocity you're looking at more recoil.


I have a soft spot for the 444. No real idea why, I haven't even owned one... Just something about it tickles my fancy. I would LOVE a lever action in 444 but they're typically pretty expensive, so I'll most likely end up with a CVA Scout when I get around to buying one.
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No one buys a 45-70 for its BC, and SD doesn't matter - a 400+ grain hard cast will penetrate 2x more than you will need.
 
The .444 has an even less common ballistic twin, the .348. Both throw 200grs at 2500fps, and 240/250grs at 2350fps.

The .348’s going to reach better, but for iron sighted lever gun hunting, they’re for all intents and purposes different shapes of the same well rounded sensibility.

A little speed helps, and both have it.
 
444addict said:
The .444 came about in 1963 when the 45-70 had faded into obscurity. With the resurgence of the .45-70, the only real reason to pick up a .444 is the better factory loads for it. If you handload, the .45-70 is bigger (.458 vs .429) which is better. I have both, but don't use the .45-70 much.
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This^^^ The 45-70 was an old, dead black powder relic. Changing hunting laws in the US allowing for special black powder seasons, and states allowing modern made, antique designs generated a renewed interest and bingo, it was back. I almost bought a .444 in the 70's, but bought a 7 x 57 instead. No regrets, but the .444 is a good cartridge that warrants a second look. For medium bore, I went to a cartridge almost as olc as the 45-70, 9.3 x 62. More cost effective IMO, and more performance.
 
Gibbs505 said:
Never understood the need for a 444!
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It's basically a straight walled 30/06 case with a rim.
Shoots quite a bit flatter than 45/70 say at 200yards 6 inch instead of a foot drop. (I'm going from memory).
With right black powder bullets or lube wad you have the old 40/60 Winchester.
I haven’t done it but apparently 410 two and a half inch shells work in it for partridge.
With right powder ,example sr4759 you can download to 44 mag or special, etc for cheap target practice.
If you modify a lee press you can use 44 mag carbide dies and just neck size. Use a 45/90 die to deprive.
444 is extremely accurate levergun. Will shoot better than most can shoot it.
The old pre crossbows safety marlins were a good gun
 
I have a CVA Scout in 444Marlin, picked it up from Prophet River a couple of years ago.
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It's a handy rifle. I can use 'Long in the Tooth' heavy revolver bullets that have to be single loaded in my Marlin 1895 444Marlin.
The CVA could be 'dressed' up with Boyds wood furniture, but I got the CVA for those foul weather hunting days when I don't want to take the Marlin afield.

For some 'trigger' time Campro's 240gr TCFCP & H4895 @ 1950-2000fps. - Coyote bombs, Hornday's 240gr XTP's & N130 at 2475-2500fps.
0vHw5i4l.jpg


IMO, Hornday's #4300, 265gr FP's are the 'go to' bullet for the 444's, but they have been listed as discontinued now for several years.
Second would be the Speer #4461, but I haven't seen any for 3+ years.
 
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