- Location
- Chilliwack
So what is available in factory 444 Marlin ammo.
What are you loading in you hand loads for the 444 Marlin
What are you loading in you hand loads for the 444 Marlin
444 Marlin ammo
- Thread starter bearhunter338-06
- Start date
Hornady super performance 265gr and 265gr leveroultion ammo,as well as remington 240 gr are the most common factory stuff. I reload for mine and use speer deep curls (gold dots) in both 240 and 270 gr and the the good ole hornady 265 gr bullet.......they all shoot and kill extremely well........
Johnn Peterson
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Chemainus B.C.
After obtaining some questionable results with the initial 240gr Remington factory loads, when I started reloading I went with the 265gr Hornady FP. Considerable improvement in results and I haven't looked back.
In addition, I get a couple of excellant 'Keith' style SWC's from a friend locally. A 250gr and a 325gr, both fitted with gas checks.
In addition, I get a couple of excellant 'Keith' style SWC's from a friend locally. A 250gr and a 325gr, both fitted with gas checks.
stickhunter
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Victoria, B.C.
The Hornady 265 FP (used in the Superformance and previous Hornady 444 load) is highly respected for its performance on game. I handload using the 265, but also cast the Lee 300gr.
My standard was the 300 grain Speer. It held together amazingly well and has penetrated stem to stern on moose for me. H335 is the powder of choice only because I had it on hand and the load I put together was dynomite.
- Location
- Possum Lodge.... Bracebridge,Ontario
My 444XLR is sighted in and shots the 265gr leveroultion ammo. It's the only thing I'll put in it. I have 5 boxes in the safe right now.
- Location
- Chilliwack
- Location
- Possum Lodge.... Bracebridge,Ontario
Haven't gotten a tag yet to shoot one. Just calf tags the last few years. Use the same bullet and brand ammo in my 30-30 just 160gr and it works perfect. I've go no fears that 444 will take a moose down.
Finger Toes
Regular
- Location
- Yellowhead County
It would be great if someone would do a small bullet performance test with a few of these into wet newspaper or something. Saw some 45/70's on youtube that looked like frag grenades into dry paper IIRC.
- Location
- Yellowknife, NWT
Loaded mine with 265 Hornady FP or Lee 310 grain cast and Reloder 7. VERY pleased.
300gr Speer JSP, full load of H322, 2100fps, 80 yds into moose. Hit near shoulder blade then rib, then rib on other side, ended up lodged against far shoulder blade cracking it. Recoverd weight 200.4gr.
I wouldn't use anything else.
I wouldn't use anything else.
Johnn Peterson
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Chemainus B.C.
UPDATE:These are the two cast bullets I mentioned that I use in the 444 Marlin, and in 44 Mag handgun loads.
I have shot several bears with the hornady 265 Evilution ammo works great complete pass through every time the 300gr speed with a full load of h335 is a great combo to makes huge holes cant go wrong with either. The hornady is a lot flatter shooting though
http://www.marlinowners.com/forum/444-marlin/58939-444-marlin-bullet-test-heavyweight-championship
Good bullet test thread for 444.
I used the 265 Horn FN myself without any complaint.
Good bullet test thread for 444.
I used the 265 Horn FN myself without any complaint.
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I understand that the present 240g Remington factory load is a great load for deer. I must qualify this statement as it is not from first hand experience but rather from other hunters observations.
Apparently the original loads couldn't handle the speeds generated by the 444(designed for the 44Mag) but Remington later developed a 240g bullet especially for the 444 that will stand up to the higher velocities.
