Home Forums Lever Action Central Big Bore Levers 444 MARLIN

Just purchased a used 444ss non ported , gun came with 500 bull x 300 gr cast bullets, any help with a light plinking load for these.
Any info on what the gun is capable of , stories to thrill and amaze? thanks guys,,m71

Is your barrel rifling of the Ballard cut or Microgroove style? I have not shot cast bullets from my 444s because of the Microgroove rifling. I was given to understand that they are not compatible with cast bullets.
I am very happy with the performance of my rifle on a diet of 265gr Hornady bullets & IMR 4198 powder. Good velocity & plenty of stopping power. I use the same .265gr, .429 bullet in the appropriate sabot in my .50 smokepole. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />
If you plan to use the cast bullets, first confirm the rifling style of your Marlin, mike out the cast bullets to ensure they are .429 diameter. You will be giving up alot in velocity & trajectory to use such a heavy bullet, what kind of game are you hunting that you need such a monster bullet? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

What those big ole slow bullets have going for them is less meat damage. Ken is right about losing the velocity and trajectory. Just means you'll have to shoot that particular load till you know what you've got to do on your sight settings. Those old slow bullets killed many a buffalo and other game in their time. My 535gr. bullet on deer does far less meat damage than my brother-in-laws .264winmag. And in a days shooting you'll appreciate those loads over a hot one.

Model71 and Ken_aka_Savage,

Microgroove barrels can shoot cast bullets just fine. Make sure they are sized 0.001" to 0.002" over groove diameter and if you push them over 1600-1700 fps use hard cast and a gas check. It is a myth that microgroove barrels will not shoot cast bullets well. It just takes some adjustment.



http://www.beartoothbullets.com/tech_notes/archive_tech_notes.htm/17

Thanks Jackfish, thats interesting, I wonder why folks have spoken against using the cast? I will check out your link to beartooth bullets. Personally I am very happy with my 265gr Hornady bullet, don't plan to change. If my game is so tough that my .444 won't do the job with 265gr bullets I will use my .338 Win Mag with 250gr Nosler Partitions instead. I guess it's nice to have options to consider anyway. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I'M NOT FAMILIAR WITH BULL X BULLETS , I REALLY AM ONLY LOOKING FOR 1000 FPS OR SO , JUST TO PLINK WITH , THE BULLETS ARE NO GAS CHECK AND BEVELLED BASE.
RIFLEING IS MICRO GROOVE, JUST TO LET THE FAMILY HAVE FUN ,YET ACCURATE, ANY THOUGHTS,,,THANKS OOPS ON CAP LOCKS

Hello from Scotland~



I have a Marlin .444ss they are very rare over here and i must thank all those at Beartooth forum for helping my not only with load data but also starting me casting ! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />



I now only use the Lee 310 bullet in my rifle, simply because my rifle loves it, i can churn out lots of bullets at no cost ! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />



It first i scoped this rifle and used H4895 and N133 with the Lee bullet and Lee stick Alox lube. Accuracy" stuned " me <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> and from what it groups at 200 yards i reckon 250 yards would be no problem on deer sized targets. How ever i feel if you can get closer than 200 yards perhaps you should take up golf ! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />



Now she carrys a Ashley ghost set and with 45 gn of N133 i got 2.2" 5-shot groups at 100 yards on my first try ! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> Three shot group under 2" <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />



I have played with 41 gn -47 gn N133 in my rifle with the Lee 310 bullet, mine often drop at 315 gn using straight wheel weights. I must say 41 gn of N133 is pleasant to shoot giving around 1600 f.ps



I really love this rifle its so much fun to shoot even with heavy loads just hang on and squeeze that trigger BOOM you just cant help but smile !



I should mention i did try some 200 gn pistol bullets when i had her scoped. using H4895 check there data around 50 gn but check groups even at at 200 yards were amazing, and recoil ? didnt notice <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> perhaps i will try them on fox some day.



Hang on to that rifle you will learn to love it ! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> i refinished my wood work with Tru-oil and fitted a pachmyar recoil pad.



Englander



Here are two Lee 310 bullets both shot into 14" of damp new print at 200 yards the first was 41 gn the second 47 gn charge of N133. Both bullets weighed 315 gn and were water quenched.

? for Ken aren't the 265gr Hornadys 430s all I see listed are that size.
?Englander,did you do the sluging and lapping to your bore before the casts were used.
?Anyone use the 300gr Bearclaw mollys

I used my didgital caliper to check the diameter of Hornady's Light Magnums at the gun shop & bought the .429 bullet to match them, they shoot well from my 444s.

I have been shooting .431 310 gr hard cast from Leadheads and am very happy with the accuracy. When I went to the .431, I quit getting lead buildup by the ports of my 444P. I have a 70 vintage 444 with the monte carlo stock, and they shoot well in it, too. I haven't tried reduced loads since I get the accuracy I want from stout loads. - Large doses of H322 and IMR 4198 that are within published data. SW