Home Forums Lever Action Central Big Bore Levers Tested some loads in my .444 (pics)

Went to the range yesterday and tested those loads. VERY happy with the results. Shot at 100yds. Can't wait to get my new stock with a nice recoil pad (ouch!)




The Hornady 265gr JFP grouped right at 1"


The Hornady 300gr XTP and Speer 300gr UC made a 5 shot (+one flyer) cluster of +/- 1". Was suprised that the two loads had the exact same point of impact.


The 265gr LeverEvolution were a little wider at slightly under 1.5"



The 295gr HP Cast didn't do as well with a 3" group. Maybe I'll try pushing them a little faster.

I've been getting groups of just under an inch with the 265 grain Hornady FP. My Marlin is one of the original ones with a 24" Micro Groove barrel. I'll be using it in Maine for the deer season. They are good shooters aren't they?
John

Both of you - are those factory loaded 265-gr Hornadys or your loads?

Handloaded 265gr JFP for me. Only the 265gr flex tip were factory.

Handloads for me too. I used H322 and finished up with the Lee factory crimp die.
John

That 300 gr. Unicor blows BIG holes through critters.

Awesome bullet out of the .444 Marlin.

Steve,

I don't own my .444 anymore. I had a real nice Marlin though and with hand loads using the 265 gr. hornady it always shot under an inch. The recoil was a bitch though. Thanks for the pics.

Chris

what kind of scope are you using on the rifle? Any pics of the rifle.

I was Given my Father's 444S as a christmas present back in 2000. It is so far, my first and only deer rifle.. IT was made in 1980 and my father bought it out in Colorado where someone had just traded it in after firing 6 240gr Remington loads through it. He claimed the recoil was too severe, but walked out carrying a 7mm Mag..

I handload my 265gr hornady bullets as well.. With 46.5 to 47 grains of H4198 From Hodgdon, my rifle groups right at an inch at 100 yards.. I have also loaded the 300gr XTP bullets as well with fantastic results.. For deer though I will stick to the 265's.. They drop deer as though struck by lightning, and leave me with a huge smile on my face whenever I touch one off.. Great to know there are so many fans of the triple-four out there..

I'm just curious, but are those Cast loads using Gas-Checked bullets??

For whatever reason, rifles shooting cast bullets at velocities over 1600ft/sec generally need a gas checked bullet to shoot accurately.. You are right about the velocity though.. Keep it high, over 1950 ft a second with a gas-checked bullet, and it should do ok.

Other issues may be a rough bore, or a bad lead cut which makes accuracy with cast bullets tough if you are using a micro groove barrel. Awesome Post Man. Two thumbs up

Here's my rifle. I have a set of XS ghost ring that I plan on using on it. I had borrowed a Bushnell Elite 3200 3-9x40 from another rifle for load developing. Although now I'm thinking with accuracy like that I might be spoiled. Don't know if the ghost ring is going to cut it! I also have a grey laminate stock on order from Marlin for it.

Yes, they are gas checked. They were also the last bullets tested after all the jacketed bullet without any cleaning. I'll have to try them again in a clean barrel. I also just bought some 340gr hard cast gas checked from a local guy, we'll see if they stabilize in the micro-groove.

What kind of powder loads and primers are you using on the 265 and 300 grain jacketed bullets?

46gr of H4198, Rem brass and Fed210 for the Hornady 265gr

42.5 of H4198, Rem brass and Fed210 for the Hornady and Speer 300gr