Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles 444 Marlin & Elk

The Hornady 265 FP has been a staple for the 444 since it came out, and has a loyal and dedicated following, both among handloaders and in factory rounds. Some folks have had probs with the FTX rounds ref penetration, even on deer. Hornady is coming out with the new Monoflex bullet for lever actions, to supplement the FTX, which should work better on larger game such as elk.

Were it me, for elk I'd get the Hornady Superperformance ammo loaded with the 265 FP. It will get'er done at a reasonable price.

For those willing to pay more, CorBon and Buffalo Bore also offer beefed up 444 loads.

If you wanna use lead bullets, use a gas check and they shouldn't be a problem.

The Hornady 265gr FP is probably the only .429 bullet that is actually designed for the .444 and itf rifle velocity unlike all the others that are designed for the .44 Mag velocity.

Personaly I like heavier bullets in my 444. I've great succes (on paper) with the 300gr Hornady XTP, .300gr Speer UC and 300gr-325gr custom cast bullets.

Hawk Bullets also offers 444 bullets from 200 to 300 grains.

The leverevolution rounds have a very spotty reputation on large game.I would not even consider them for Elk when bullets like the A-Frame and good heavy cast with a large meplat are available.If I had to use factory ammo in the 444,I would use the 265 grain Hornady,hands down!It has a stellar reputation for not coming apart unlike the new Leverevoltion stuff.

Jayco

Jayco

Make mine .432"

The 265 was designd with the 444 in mind. See here

http://www.marlinowners.com/forums/index.php/topic,81274.0.html

Great tests in that thread. However, the test simply confirms my belief that the 444 should be loaded with 300grn pills for elk. Although the Hornady FP 265 rated well in that test I doubt its C&C construction is best for angle shots.

Well yeah if you are talking raking shots you can not beat a 300 gr cast bullet.

Lots of game has fallen to Hornady's LeverEvolution FTX bullets. I don't use them in my Marlin .45-70 but would gladly do so if they made them for my Marlin .375 Win and I do use them in my Marlin .30-30. Not sturdy enough for large game? The last thing I'd worry about is a 265g .444" FTX falling apart at .444 Marlin velocities.

My experience with 160g FTX in my .30-30 is that they are are very accurate (group sizes at 100 yards are half what I get with my Rem M700 .30-06) and the higher BC really helps downrange. They have replaced the 170g Speer FP and Partition RN's as my hunting ammo. I'm not going to worry about them falling apart on deer or elk, either- velocities just aren't that high.

I bought my .444S Marlin new in 1981 (pre-cross bolt). I run a Leupold M8-4X with QR mounts on this rifle and use .265 FP Hornady bullets pushed by H-335 powder. If I did not reload, I would use .444 Marlin .265 gr. InterLock� FP Superformance� ammunition exclusively.

I read on the Marlin Owners forum that the Hornady FT ammunition case length is shorter than standard 444 cases. If so, this is just another reason for me to avoid that stuff. CP.

I think this about sums it up for me and Elk bullets.Inconsistent bullets have no place in my rifles for hunting.The quote is about leverevolution bullets.



Jayco

Agreed. With the stipulation that until the Monoflex bullet is tested the jury remains out on that particular bullet.

Just avoid the FTX bullets and you won't end up with lost game. They ain't worth a $hit for nothing.

Except for the tip, the FTX aren't much different than Core-Lokt - both are cup-and-core bullets. Put one where it belongs and either will do the job.

Frankly, use either at .30-30, .444 or .45-70 muzzle velocities and I'll go with the FTX as I trust the tip to help retain higher velocities longer and initiate more reliable expansion as velocity drops.

Howdy Jim...

So your not a premium bullet guy anymore or are the leveractions the exception to the rule?You once spoke premium for leverguns and your choice of North Forks but now the gummie tip?

Just curious to your observations with the Hornady gummie tip.

Jayco

The FTX bullets are hollow points with a piece of plastic for a nose. They aren't worth a $hit. The Core-Lokt is a deer sized game bullet, and it's awesome. For elk and large game you need a real bullet.

Swampman, in all honesty, do you know anything about Elk hunting?

I know a lot about bullet design and shooting large animals with them. I also know that normal bullets have always hamstrung the .444. It needs a heavy cast bullet to work it's magic.

That's what I read to Rancho.... what 'large animals' have you taken/ seen taken?