444 Marlin

try hornady 265 grn with h4198 or reloader 7. the h4198 will get a little better speed but i find reloader to be quite good for acuracy.
 
I've tried a number of jacketed bullets & loads and the one that has performed the best for me overall is a load from the Hornady 3rd edition manual. Basically, 52.8grs of IMR 3031 & a CCI 200 primer. They have changed the bullet slightly and I see in the 6th edition that bullet / powder combo is no longer listed.
 
With any straight wall rifle cartridge I try 3031 first, and it is seldom necessary to look further. I would try to get the heaviest cast flat nosed bullets available - such as those from MT-Chambers.
 
To answer your question ....happy to give you
My favorite loads for my .444 Marlin........22' brl/ 3x9 Bushnell

240 gr. Hornady..41.8 gr IMR4227.....3 shots .(..200yds..)....2.60 inch
....2282,2319,2304 fps.

265 gr. Hornady..59.0 gr. H335...3shots 100yds/ 1.40 inch
....2315,2285,2284 fps.

265 Hornady..51.0 gr. Reloder #7..3 shots 100yds/ 1.30 inch
.....2293,2319,2324 fps

300 gr Sierra...55.0 gr H335.....3 shots 100 yds/ 0.80 inch
.....2113,2144,2128 fps
*******************************************

310 gr. LEE Mold( wheel wts/linotype)...50.0 gr H335...3 shots 100yds/ 1.80 in.
.......1992, 1997,1994 fps.
*********************************************

123 gr (.433) round ball.........22 gr. BLUEDOT....3 shots/ 50 yds.1.20 inch.
.......2377,2427,2394 fps.
**************************

These are all safe in my rifle.........may not be in yours !!!!! plse work up your loads............

hs4570..........your mileage may vary
 
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The Chambers 328gr. Wide Flat Point Gas Check(LBT design) and a case full of AA2015 should do good work, if you plan to use the stock iron sights make sure they have enough travel for the heavy bullet, worst case is you may have to get a lower front sight!(that can be a good thing as you might want to try out one of those new fibre optic ones!)
 
To get the best performance from the .444, hard cast bullets are the way to go. Also, H335 is a great powder. I have heard of 405gr bullets available :eek:
 
The 444 barrels have a very slow twist and I'm not sure if a 400gr. bullet would stabilize, can't say as I've never tried it! Aren't they a 1-38"?
 
Heavy weights in .444 Marlin

Contrary to some peoples misconceptions ...I've not heard of it so it must not work etc. etc.

All sized .432.......Cast bullets

405 grain WLNGcheck.....37.0 gr Reloader #7.........1794 fps.
405 grain WLNGcheck.....43.0 gr Varget................1771 fps.

nope........never shot them personally... only up to 330 gr. cast NEI..

www.beartoothbullets.com ...........found this place some years back.....go to this site...on the .left hand side is "tec notes ".......go to same and you'll get a page on handgun hunting loads......scroll to bottom of this page....you will get dozens of articles.......go to " .444 marlin most versatile etc. part 3.." .it is the most comprehensive info on .444 and cast bullets i've seen........

Part 2, and Part 1 , further down the list are invaluable too.......


hs4570..........your mileage may vary
 
The most common that I've seen for the 45-70 are RL-7 and 3031. H335 and H322 are also reasonably common.

I'd imagine that these would be multi-talented in the 444 as well
 
hs4570 said:
Contrary to some peoples misconceptions ...I've not heard of it so it must not work etc. etc.

All sized .432.......Cast bullets

405 grain WLNGcheck.....37.0 gr Reloader #7.........1794 fps.
405 grain WLNGcheck.....43.0 gr Varget................1771 fps.

nope........never shot them personally... only up to 330 gr. cast NEI..

www.beartoothbullets.com ...........found this place some years back.....go to this site...on the .left hand side is "tec notes ".......go to same and you'll get a page on handgun hunting loads......scroll to bottom of this page....you will get dozens of articles.......go to " .444 marlin most versatile etc. part 3.." .it is the most comprehensive info on .444 and cast bullets i've seen........

Part 2, and Part 1 , further down the list are invaluable too.......


hs4570..........your mileage may vary
Click to expand...


Yes, this is a VERY good site. Lot's of great info!
 
390 grn + will not stabilize in a 1/38 twist unless you can get them to go >2300fps (with current powder/ OAL restrictions this is pretty much impossible)
That said if you have a newer 444 with a 1/22 twist stabilizing the large bullets is not a problem.
My favorite load for my 444S (1/38) is a 340 WFN sized to .433 (Mountain Mould) with 55 grn H335 @ 2285 fps.(1-1.25" @ 100 yrds)
Please keep in mind my gun is modified to accept a 2.65 OAL round
 
The Chambers 325 gr. WFN GC(LBT design) is the right length when crimped in the groove provided and performed best in bullet box tests where a failure to expand is a good thing!
 
Mr Tucker 05

Mr Tucker 05.....

Have been advised via the "Beartooth 444 article" that in a an older Micogroove 444 marlin that the 405 gr achieved "stability " at the 1950 fps. range.....he stated he would not publish this load as it wasn't safe nor sane ...........

Yet as you state , " they won't stabilize unless over 2300 fps " and you can't load that high with current powder/OAL issues,... what did you load in a .444 marlin calibre that allowed this velocity ,and no doubt high over- pressure , to arrive at this "theory"........Inquiring mind(s) wish to know ...

hs4570............your mileage may vary
 
The load I used was 56 grn PSA powder with a 415 grn WFN. Chrony velocity was 2295, 2304, 2298, 2302 & 2305 fps. The load is on the high end of the pressure curve but nothing to indicate the real danger. Remember you must seat out to an OAL of 2.65.The bullet would not stabilize at these velocities in my 1/38 but in my 1/22 I had no problems. The 405 using the same load did stabilize in the 1/38 at an average velocity of 2315 fps.
PSA powder is no longer manufactured but a number of folks down south are blending AA1680 and H335 to mirror the old PSA. I would not recommend or condone this practice.
I have heard good reviews about TAC powder but have yet to try it.

Remember a properly stoked .444 will outrun and out perform any 45/70 out there:dancingbanana: :dancingbanana:
 
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Mr Tucker 05

.

Thanx for your reply..............had no idea one could safely reach 2300 fps with 400 gr. cast in a .444..............have only done 2100fps /400 gr cast in my 45/70............ My .416 rem mag, 400 gr jacketed ...2450 fps.....

Do you have any loads with modern powder for around/about 330 gr cast that would safely reach 2300 fps ?

hs4570.........your mileage may vary
 
I have not tried the 330 but a few of the ol' boys have and are getting around the 2270 - 2300 fps range using 56 grns of H335. Most of us are using either Beartooth bullets or custom designed bullets like my 340. Realistically the only thing holding a 444 back is case capacity as it relates to the powders we currently have. H322 is too fast and H335 a little too slow.
Another important note when loading cast bullets at high pressure is to ensure you use a quality lube such as beartooth, LBT or if you like to make your own Felix lube.
 
Mr Tucker 05........

Thanx again........will work up my H335 load towards 55.0 gr. and see if its safe in my Marlin.
Am familiar with " Felix" lube.........have one of my own lubes,.......... proved good to 2500 fps in my .308 with cast....thx

hs4570........your mileage may vary
 
tucker05 said:
390 grn + will not stabilize in a 1/38 twist unless you can get them to go >2300fps (with current powder/ OAL restrictions this is pretty much impossible)
That said if you have a newer 444 with a 1/22 twist stabilizing the large bullets is not a problem.
My favorite load for my 444S (1/38) is a 340 WFN sized to .433 (Mountain Mould) with 55 grn H335 @ 2285 fps.(1-1.25" @ 100 yrds)
Please keep in mind my gun is modified to accept a 2.65 OAL round
Click to expand...

What modifications did you have done?
 
I have a Marlin 444P.

I have found this load works quite well.

I have been think of getting some Bearstooth bullets as well or some of Hornadys NEW Leverroultion.

This is a near MAX load, please reduce by 1.5 grains and work up safely.

Remington Brass
CCI 200 Primer
300gr Speer UniCor SP
55gr Hogdon 335

401159.JPG
 
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