.444 Marlin P-14

conor_90

conor_90

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I have seen smatterings of info online about this conversion. It has been fairly well established that it does not require bolt face modification.

I know of a sportered p-14 with a bad barrel and not much else in the way of modifications.

What I would like to know:

- has anyone done this?
- is it true the p-14 can feed .444 Marlin without any modifications to the magazine? I have heard this said but have no real evidence, I saw an article about converting an SMLE that had a section on shimming the magazine.
- Where would you buy a barrel for this?
- Can you buy p-14 actions anywhere and just put the barrel and action in a boyds or other sporter stock?
- Any suggestions for a gunsmith? Preferably one who has done this before.

Thanks
 
It will work just fine other than that you will have to polish the feed ramp and maybe slightly reconfigure the guide rails. The extractor may need a bit of careful reconfiguration as well. The thickness of the rims on the 444 are often thicker than those on the 303Brit as well. There is way more to this than just switching out the barrel.

The mag well will also need some alteration as well as the follower. The 444 is a straight wall cartridge whereas the 303Brit has a very pronounced taper.

One other requirement although not necessary for proper function is to straighten out the trigger guard frame to get rid of the hump.

IMHO you shouldn't attempt this conversion unless you have some good skills and of course access to a lathe to chamber/thread the barrel which you will have to purchase. Because of the large thread tenon on the P14 take off, donor barrels just don't exist.

One thing about it though once completed it can be loaded to the nuts. Your biggest problem will be finding brass capable of the loads the action can handle. I had similar issues with one converted to 45/70.
 
I have heard of the Siamese .45-70 conversions. And the Enfield as well. The .444 P14 sounds wonderful.

I wonder what gunsmith could accomplish such a feat who is local.

Interesting indeed.

Twist
 
Bearhunter do you think the cost and effort would be the same or a model in .450 marlin?

Would using a gun that is already in 300 wm or h&h solve any problems?
 
Straight walled cases such as .444 Marlin,.458 Win Mag,and .45-70 generally require a good bit of work feed properly from a P-14 action.The Siamese Mauser to .45-70 wasn't much fun either.I intend to use the last Siamese action I have to build a 7.62x54R Russian.
 
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