Home Forums Lever Action Central Big Bore Levers One of the earliest .444s

Nice rifle. I had it's twin, first year gun, that I bought for a song. Couldn't get the dang thing to shoot anything worth a darn, my "hunting" load that shot the best would put 3 Nosler SJHPs in a 3 1/2" group at best on good days. Any other bullet I tried, about 10 of every weight, shape, and material would shoot 5 to 8 inch groups. I shot a young bull bison with it and it performed admirably but I just couldn't make myself love it, shooting like it did. I figured that since it shot like a shotgun I may as well turn it into one, so I swapped it for a Remington SP10.

Very strange. I have 1968 first model as well and both are great shooters with the 265gr Hornady and the 270gr Speer. I had a 444 S from the 1980s that also shot very well.

Wouldn't mind grabbing another some day to try my luck again though.