Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Single Shots Does anyone have an H&R 444?

I can get one of these cheap, cheap. I've never shot this cartridge and would like to hear what you're using. I'd like to have this as a back up/plinker. My Ruger 45-70 is my "Big Thunder".

I know the H&R is a 1 in 20 twist. I have two molds that I would like to use - a Lee 310 gr. and a Ranch Dog 265 gr., so if you've got a recipe or advice, please post it.

Steve,
I was a 45-70 fan and never wanted or thought much of the .444 till I shot them on the test range at H&R. After seeing how well they shot I had two rifles fitted with .444 barrels. I also have two set up with 45-70 barrels. We were primarily using these during Mississippi primitive weapon season. I like both cartridges and acknowledge the 45-70 has more horsepower available but honestly prefer the .444. Both of my .444 barrels will shoot sub inch groups at 100 yards.

The load I'm using in mine is:

Rem. brass, WLR primers, 45.0gr. H4198 and the Speer 270gr. GDSP/Deep Curl. I have not chronographed this load, it should be doing approximatley 2200 fps.

The Hodgedon #27 manual shows a max of 46.5gr. of H4198 with the Speer bullet.

I have shot several deer and hogs with this load. Short to no tracking jobs and no bullets have been recovered. Distances have been from 20-160 yards. I highly recommend picking that rifle up.

Robert.

Thanks for the help, Robert. It's a new rifle that's been sitting on the store shelf for about a year and a half.

I haven't tried the Speers. I have a Model 92 in 44 magnum, but only shoot cast bullets out of it. It would be good reason to try the Speer 270 gr. and the Hornady 265 gr. bullets in the 444. I'll be heading out shortly to get some brass and will see if they have either of these bullets in stock.

Is the crimping groove usable with that 270 Speer? I was thinking that most of the .430/.432 bullets are made for 44 mags.

Yes the crimping groove can be used in the .444. My loads are not crimped but the bullet is seated to the cannelure.

I picked up on using the Speer bullet from reading articles in Rifle and Handloader magazine written by Brian Pearce. In the articles I've read he was using this bullet in a Marlin 444. I've also seen articles where it was used in .44 magnum loads. In the .444 cartridge I think it makes more sense than the factory loads using 240gr. bullets. Another good use of the Speer 270gr. would be dropping it in a sabot for .50 cal. muzzeloaders.

Hopefully you'll have as much satisfaction with the .444 as I've had.

A student of mine has a .444 that he deer hunts with. He uses the Hornady Lever stuff. I've seen some amazing groups he's shot with it. He's killed a bunch of deer with it.

I'll be picking it up next week. In the meantime, I'll load up some jacketed and cast bullets to find the load.

Let us know how it works for you.

I will, and expect that it will be a tad gentler on the shoulder than my 45-70.

I don't load any cartridges as hot as I used to. As I get older, I find myself getting smarter.

I love that last part Steve. I just hope I am. I keep telling my kids and students that I'm not as mad at those deer as I used to be...

I picked it up this morning. It's a plastic stocked single shot. Levers are for losers, k? This, on the other hand, is a big bore single shot that's practically tactical. Designed to shoot through cement walls and stuff. I added a bipod to ensure that it belonged with the BB* SWAT team. You can see her in the foreground. Her little brother, the 22 Hornet, is the scoped number resting behind.

I got the 444 because it's cool, powerful and nobody else wants one. Few people in Canada can pronounce 444 Marlin, but they can all say 'poutine'. The case is twice the size of its cousin, the 44 magnum. (And twice as big as Tiny Tim!) Fifty Hornady cases were $52.99 +13% GST (gouge and screw tax).

Here's a picture of the 44 magnum and the 444 side by each, with a couple of 325 gr. RNFPGCs Lyman 429649 (334 Gr. with GC) balanced on top. To understand the NKO factor ('Nads Knockout Factor), this bullet manages 1336 fps from my Model 92 Puma (that's my 20 inch cowboy tactical lever action rifle). I haven't tested the 444 yet, but it will easily do 2000 fps. That raises it from "Watch my goodies." to "Oh, my 'nads!" Intense.

I offered my services to President Obama. I told him that I could take down an ICBM with this rifle, if he would provide me with some US made iron sights, but he declined. Hey, when did you guys cut off the foreign aid? Apparently, they are a controlled good and giving me a set would be an ITAR violation.



I will develop two loads for this bullet - 1650 fps and 2000 fps. The first being for moose; the second as an offensive round for the Early Warning Assault Team. (EWAT) I'm the team commander for EWAT 2, out of Nerly Corners. The Seemyville fire chief is my 2 i/c.

Mazel Tov, Abdul!


















*BB - Big Borez

Steve have you been casting and drinking booze at the same time?

Love that .444, I have the .45/70...

I'd never do that! I could spill my drink, trying to pour the lead.

Our gun club has been repairing the backstops. Three times now I've gone to the club, only to have one of the directors chase me off. And me with a new rifle! This is what I'd do. We have a website, signs, a bulletin board and a newsletter. How about shutting down the range for a few weeks, get the work done, and then re-open it?

What they're doing right now is letting people shoot for an hour or so, then closing it. I guess they figure they're being nice, but heck, it's silly. Close it and send everyone over to the 200 yd range...

Hey, that will never work; it makes too much sense!

Gee, I'm Glad It's Raining

Gee, I'm glad it's raining.
There's always something to be thankful for.
I'm awfully glad it's raining.
'Cause no one sees your tear drops when it pours.

And no one knows the thunder,
Is your heartbreak in disguise.
They think the rainy nights
What put that sad look in your eyes...

Same here. Poly-tip Hornady factory loads plain shoot. 150yd zero with Redfield Revolution accu-range gives aiming points for 200 and 250 yards. Gongs at those distances are hit hard. Shot a crow with it last year at 160-170yds. Trigger is quite stiff, but H&R's 444 rifles will certainly shoot.

Looks like a lot of fun, and practical too!

Do you know what the twist rate is in that H&R 444?

Yes, it's 1 in 20, so it will handle the heavyweights. I was going to get a 44 Magnum H&R and bore it out to 445, but the twist is too slow - 1 in 38 for the 44 Mag.

Cool. I was hoping they didn't go 1/38.

quit crying in the rain.

If you didn't live so far away, I'd let you use my "front porch" range.

It kicks azzzz! Everyone, ragged me until they shot it.

Best $175 bucks spent ever!

u have that right great gun