Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters 444 Marlin

I am looking for information on shot loads for the 444 Marlin. Also looking for a source of wads. The loads should be the same a for a 410 ga all brass shotshell. Any help would be appreciated.

I know nothing at all about shot loads in the .444 Marlin.

I made up loads for my 444 using data for standard 410 shot loads. Used Win AA wads and these hold about 225 gr #9 shot (about 1/2 oz.) I tried Win 296 in loads of 14 to 18 grains, again these are straight out of various manuals, and a CCI25O primer. 14 grains of 296 chronographs 1040fps. I haven't chronographed the others but all are mild loads in MY rifle. The combined weight of the "projectile" (wad, shot and over shot wad) is about 240 gr and a standard 44 Mag load for this weight bullet is 24 gr. 296.
<br>At first I used a 44 gascheck as an overshot wad and while it works well for that purpose I couldn't get rounds to feed in my rifle. If all you want is to single load then this is all you'll need. Patterns are not bad, the gascheck doesn't seem to blow them out.
<br>If you want to get them to feed reliably then you'll need to find an overshot wad that mimics a bullet shape.
<br>I found that the cap of an antireflux valve (used for IV cannulation) is exactly right. 44cal and looks like a SWC but obviously hollow inside. Crimps nicely over the shot and feeds perfectly. They are bright blue and made of real tough plastic so if you can find them after a shot they can be reused. They are called SAFSITE valve and made in the USA by B. Braun Medical Inc. Bethlehem. PA.
<br>If you have a friendly local hospital doctor (espec. an anaesthesiologist) then they should be able to get you lots. They are disposable items and should be available perfectly clean and safe. Remember you only want the blue cap. Otherwise try the company, they must be shooters seeing they are making it in 44 cal.
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There's some good info on this topic over at Beartooth Bullets website.
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<br>http://www.beartoothbullets.com/
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<br>The owner, Marshal, has shot .410 shotshells from a couple different 444 Marlin rifles.

I have 410 double that has one slightly bulged chamber and won't extract with reloaded shot shells. I figure that the stronger brass of the 444 might work and it did. I use 410 data and found a hole punch that will cut the correct size disc to make a overshot wad and just crimp them with the standard crimp die. I cut them of hard cardboard or bleach bottle plastic, it's a little thicker than milk bottles.
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<br>erich