i had a choice between the 444 or the 405 Win in a MGM barrel in the TC Encore. the biggest difference was the brass, i had a hard time finding the 405 Win brass, so i bought the 444 Marlin in a 23" MGM heavy factory barrel. i have i think, around 500-600 pieces of Reminton brass and only 200 pieces are for reloading. the rest is because i am hoarder!!! Starline and Hornady makes the 444 brass, but if you get Hornady make sure you got the long brass, the short 444 is for Hornady's gummy tips. i think i have 300-400 265gr Hornady FN, but i got into cast bullets and i just plain forgot about them. the deer they killed disagree tho. MGM does a 1 in 20" twist and i think that someone on another forum had a custom mold in 450 or 460gr cast bullet and he shot it quite well (also a 1 in 20 twist), 1" to 1 1/2" group at 100 yards (5 shots). it's just too much cast fer me.
i have shot deer using 265gr Hornady FN, 255gr Keith type, 275gr Ranch Dog, 280gr LFN GC, 280gr WFN GC and 300gr SAECO FN GC. the velocity goes from 1600fps thru 2300fps, depends on what bullet. i use alot of Reloder 7. H4198 comes second, while 2400/tuft of Dacron comes third. it can do a 1/2" to 1" group of 5 shots at 100 yards (all bullets). i can find many cast bullets online, including heavy for caliber. someday i'll find a mold that is either 310gr WFN GC or 350gr Ranch Dog and then i'll try heavy for caliber bullets.
just for fun, i tried 250gr penta HP, 200gr and 240gr Hornady XTP with Trail Boss at 50 yards and it was a blast!!! i had 25 or 30 of 200gr XTP's that i loaded with TB. at 50 yards the 25 or 30 XTP's were around 2" group.
the 280gr WFN GC with Reloader 7 that goes 1937fps is my favorite followed by the 300gr SAECO FN GC with 2400/tuft of Dacron that goes 1624fps.
i have a 45-70 in a Handi rifle, but i gave it to oldest son to hunt hogs and deer with. he lives out of state in Fayetteville, NC. i went hunting and killed some deer with the 45-70, but it just didn't feel right.
i know many cast bullet 444 shooters and most of them are Marlin lever action guys with a 1 in 38 twist. they size bullets to .432". it depends on the gun, but they shoot 350gr Ranch Dogs and they don't have problem. they have a problem when the weight is more than 350gr.
i never had a hankering for the 348 Win, but i like the Winchester m71 but in rare 33 WCF.
