.444 marlin guide gun

[ratherbefishin]

anybody have any experiance/comments/preference with this one?[caliber or rifle]
I see they have later come out with the same calibre but in a 22''non ported barrel

 

[bone-collector]

444 has been around forever, using both I didnt notice a whack of differences but the ported one is definetly louder , and the 444 recoil is quite managable as is so a break is just for looks IMHO , but great cartridge

 

[todbartell]

no ports in mine please, they stopped making Guide Guns ported for a reason... :shock:

 

[ratherbefishin]

I'd be interested to see which cartridge 45-70 , or 444 is better suited for hunting.The 45-70 seems to be riding a wave of nostalgia, and without a doubt has a lot going for it, but equally the 444 seems to provide a bit more range and less recoil while not giving up much transfered energy

 

[Republic of Alberta]

Non- ported, if you can't handle the recoil get a smaller rifle. I don't belive that ports belong on an 18.5" rifle that is good at quick (read no time to put on ear plugs) shots up close in the bush.


The ports realy don't do much in the way of reducing recoil as the 444 is a low pressure round.

 

[todbartell]

ratherbefishin,

I'd pick the 45/70 every time. It's quite the beast when loaded to modern Level 2 pressures in the Marlin

 

[Gatehouse]

I'd be interested to see which cartridge 45-70 , or 444 is better suited for hunting.The 45-70 seems to be riding a wave of nostalgia, and without a doubt has a lot going for it, but equally the 444 seems to provide a bit more range and less recoil while not giving up much transfered energy

If you don't handload, you may as well get the .444. If you do handload, then the 45-70 is more versatile.

 

[1899]

45-70 , or 444 is better suited for hunting

I agree with TB. The 45-70 can throw heavier bullets, has a much larger diameter, can be loaded down or up, whichever you need and carries much more momentum for the big beasts. Has anyone tried a barnes X loaded as a single shot in the 1895?

As GH mentions, I assume you handload. If not, then this is a good reason to start.

 

[todbartell]

Barnes makes flat nosed 300 gr. X's for the 45/70

to compare the drop and energy at extended ranges let's compare it to a 300 gr. spitzer X


300 gr. X flat nose @ 2200 fps
50 yards ~ 2015 fps, 2705 ft-lbs, +0.3"
75 yards ~ 1930 fps, 2475 ft-lbs, +0.5"
100 yards ~ 1840 fps, 2260 ft-lbs, 0.0"
125 yards ~ 1760 fps, 2060 ft-lbs, -1.1"
150 yards ~ 1680 fps, 1875 ft-lbs, -2.9"
175 yards ~ 1600 fps, 1705 ft-lbs, -5.5"
200 yards ~ 1525 fps, 1550 ft-lbs, -8.9"
225 yards ~ 1455 fps, 1410 ft-lbs, -13.3"
250 yards ~ 1390 fps, 1285 ft-lbs, -18.6"

&

300 gr. X spitzer @ 2200 fps
50 yards ~ 2090 fps, 2905 ft-lbs, +0.2"
75 yards ~ 2035 fps, 2755 ft-lbs, +0.4"
100 yards ~ 1980 fps, 2615 ft-lbs, 0.0"
125 yards ~ 1930 fps, 2475 ft-lbs, -0.9"
150 yards ~ 1875 fps, 2345 ft-lbs, -2.5"
175 yards ~ 1825 fps, 2200 ft-lbs, -4.6"
200 yards ~ 1775 fps, 2100 ft-lbs, -7.4"
225 yards ~ 1725 fps, 1985 ft-lbs, -10.9"
250 yards ~ 1680 fps, 1875 ft-lbs, -15.1"