444 Marlin

[Don458]

Does anyone have any load info for the older 444 marlins with the 1 in 38” twist barrel? Seems very limited if anyone has any pet loads please share. Using Hornady 265 gr bullets .

 

[Alistair]

This is the Interlock right?

If so, I played around with this bullet in my 44 Magnum Marlin (same twist rate). I was running at around 1750fps with a near max load of H110. Stabilised fine, good accuracy out to 100yards anyway. I'm going to try it on a deer sometime this year.

I guess you might want to go a bit hotter, but the bullet should stabilise ok if that was the concern!

Al.

 

[Edster]

I’ll have to look at mine when I get home. Can’t remember the twist. I do have a decent load using a 265g cast has checked Ranch Dog bullet.

 

[postoak]

All .444 Marlins made before July 1998 had the 1 to 38 twist rate.

Article here with loads:

https://www.starlinebrass.com/articles/reloading-the-444-marlin/

 

[Don458]

Thank you. That’s what I was looking for

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Does anyone have any load info for the older 444 marlins with the 1 in 38” twist barrel? Seems very limited if anyone has any pet loads please share. Using Hornady 265 gr bullets .

Don458.
47 grains of ADI 2207/ Hogdon 4198.
You can SAFELY use this load with any 265grain projectile in a full length case
265 FTX are a different load all together.
Cheers mate Bob

 

[Edster]

43.5gr H4198 with the 265gr gas checked Ranch Dog bullet is my go to. Open sights at 75 yards I can clover leaf 3 rounds.

 

[Paul Raley]

Hi All .
I realize this is a 444 thread but do any of you have any good information to share about re-loading accurate loads for the Marlin .44 mag ? ( Or know where to find it , maybe on this forum )
I have a 1980’s microgroove Marlin lever action in .44 Mag and am battling to get it to group at 50m .

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

The load listed on the target is for my 444 marlin built on an SMLE NO4 ACTION.
THIS LOAD IS NEVER TO BE USED IN A MARLUN ACTION AS DAMAGE TO THE RIFLE AND SHOOER MAY RESULT.

This is a 100 yard target with THE 265 FTX using a full length case. This can't be done in the marlin as the case must be one tenth of an inch shorter to allow it to feed.
Cases for the factory FTX load can't be reloaded using standard dies and require new dimension dies.
The 265 flat nose soft point can be loaded normally.
My load is over maximum for the marlin and should never be used in it.
It gives the 265 projectiles 2,400+ fps which gives one hello of a wallop on both ends.

My 444 Marlin on an SMLE NO4 ACTION with a 22 inch MAB 1 in 20 twist barrel. All up weight 7.5 pounds.
Bob

 

[Paul Raley]

Hi Bob .

Thx for the information , I definitely will not try your load in a lever action .
It is an interesting rifle you have made , I have never seen an old 303 converted to 444 , and I have never heard of that conversion being done here in SA .
Must be a great hunting rifle , extremely accurate with good “hitting power” , good looking too . Would make a great bushveld rifle for Africa .
Thx for sharing .

 

[Don458]

Hi Bob .

Thx for the information , I definitely will not try your load in a lever action .
It is an interesting rifle you have made , I have never seen an old 303 converted to 444 , and I have never heard of that conversion being done here in SA .
Must be a great hunting rifle , extremely accurate with good “hitting power” , good looking too . Would make a great bushveld rifle for Africa .
Thx for sharing .

I would like to have this rifle in a 405 win

 

[Don458]

Hi All .
I realize this is a 444 thread but do any of you have any good information to share about re-loading accurate loads for the Marlin .44 mag ? ( Or know where to find it , maybe on this forum )
I have a 1980’s microgroove Marlin lever action in .44 Mag and am battling to get it to group at 50m .

This is from lymans 45th edition. 1970. Hope it helps

 

[Alistair]

Hi All .
I realize this is a 444 thread but do any of you have any good information to share about re-loading accurate loads for the Marlin .44 mag ? ( Or know where to find it , maybe on this forum )
I have a 1980’s microgroove Marlin lever action in .44 Mag and am battling to get it to group at 50m .

I used the Nosler data and my Hornady book as a guide. Linky: https://load-data.nosler.com/load-data/44-remington-magnum-hg/

For full fat jacketed loads, H110 can't be beat imho. Fantastic velocities and pleasing accuracy in my Marlin.

For hard cast and plinking, Unique works well. A charge in the region of 6.5-7 grains will provide around 1000fps with a 240gr and groups well.

Al.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

I would like to have this rifle in a 405 win

@Don458
I did consider the 405 but the 444 won.
Bob