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Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 4,680
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 4,680 |
Very cool project. Not sure I could've cut the barrel for the new fore end but you did a professional looking job.
Semi-related: I once had an email conversation with (the late) Chuck Hawks -- who was surprisingly friendly and willing to chat -- and he was adamant that the 444 wasn't a bison cartridge under any circumstances. I figured with modern bullets and at reasonable range it would drop a medium-sized dinosaur. But I think to folks who watched people use pistol bullets back in the day, the 444 is just frozen in time.
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Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,324
Campfire Tracker
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OP
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,324 |
Thanks. As you say, I think if one's only experience with the .444 was using pistol bullets, they wouldn't think of it as a bison round. With the proper bullet I suppose it would be as good as any other old buffalo rifle.
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 8,225
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 8,225 |
That really turned out great!
The 30tk's and Glenfield's are the nicest configurations marlin did, imo.
Who did the feeding mods?
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Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 192
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 192 |
That is as good as it gets. Well done
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Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,324
Campfire Tracker
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OP
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,324 |
That really turned out great!
The 30tk's and Glenfield's are the nicest configurations marlin did, imo.
Who did the feeding mods? Jesse at JES did them as part of the rebore job. The only thing I had to do was find one of the magazine tubes for the .444/.45-70. They have a bulge in the end that helps the bigger rounds "turn the corner" so to speak and make loading easier. It worked okay with the .30-30 tube, but is definitely slicker to load with the proper tube.
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 42,777
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 42,777 |
I've owned a 444 for 40 years now....bought it new for $219 in MN in 1981.
Fun cartridge, and effective in northern MN woods... since I started handloading, I slowed it down and went with the 300 grain XTP..
Taking the velocity down to 1850 fps, using SR 4759, I reduced the point blank range by about 10 yds, and reduced recoil a good 40%.
and increased accuracy.. between 150 out to 175 yds, I puts things down right now....
Mine has always been a very accurate gun.....
"Minus the killings, Washington has one of the lowest crime rates in the Country" Marion Barry, Mayor of Wash DC
“Owning guns is not a right. If it were a right, it would be in the Constitution.” ~Alexandria Ocasio Cortez
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,322
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,322 |
I bought my 444 in 1974 or 5 and it has been fed a steady diet of 240 gr bullets form day one (that is all there was back then) I love the gun.
I may not be smart but I can lift heavy objects
I have a shotgun so I have no need for a 30-06.....
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Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 397
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 397 |
To me, a rifle such as this one is at its best equipped with good iron sights. In its former life as a .30-30 I'd equipped the rifle with a vintage Redfield peep and XS front featuring a white stripe. It works well and I couldn't see fit to change things. The only suitable bullets on hand were 300gr Beartooth WFNs and Hornady 300gr XTPs. I'd already researched loads and had ammo loaded. Off to the range! Range day was a mixed bag. Good news: The rifle is accurate with various loads. I shot it at 75 and four shot groups were close to touching with both bullets. Bad news: I couldn't get the chrony to read. Velocity is surely over 2000fps but beyond that I cannot say until I get to the range again.The newest issue of Handloader had a Pet Loads write up by Brian Pearce. Based on his data I settled on H322 for the 300 grainers. Later this year I will try some heavy cast bullets and 300gr A-frames. I'm suspicious that 2000+ fps will be a bit much for the Hornady to have great penetration. Therefore, when I went sneaking through the woods a few days ago the WFNs were standing by. I got into some great sign at about 200 feet of elevation above the beach and slowed down. After a bit a big bodied deer stood up out of its bed at 15 yards, ran out to 30, and then turned around to see what got his attention. Bad for him, he stopped with enough of his chest exposed for me to get a bullet into him at a pretty steep quartering away angle. With one jump he was out of sight. Let me tell you, a WFN at this velocity leaves a blood trail. I found him piled up about forty yards away. The bullet drove through a very full stomach, holed the lungs and took off the top of the heart. The exit wound was easily 1.5". As he fell.........Capital I say! ![[Linked Image]](https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/gallery/80/full/90312.jpg) That gun is awesome! Thanks for sharing.
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Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 1,775
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 1,775 |
I have a rather rough Marlin Marauder collecting dust. After looking over your project, I may go home and see about some improvements.
Great project and awesome work! There is a sense in gratification that comes with doing things your way and an enjoyment in the end result that can't be "purchased".
Bore size is no substitute for shot placement and
Power is no substitute for bullet performance. 458WIN
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Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,324
Campfire Tracker
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OP
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,324 |
Thanks. JES provides a good variety of caliber and chamber options for such projects. Let us know if you make a project out of it!
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