Marlin 444
 

Own a bunch, JM, Rem…….

In older using H4198 with 265FP, glad I bought a bunch. Great gun with regular factory sights. Newer dark series with red dot is an absolute beast 100yds and under, shooting and loading the 265FTX now to conserve the FP for the regular loads. Set up dies and trimmers for both cases and you’re set but don’t waste time trying FTX on older JM’s, they say it on the box for a reason :)

I know I've heard bad things about the accuracy with the micro groove barrels on the old Marlins. But as you can see 2 posts up I was actually quite impressed with the 265 grain FTX. Just over 1 minute of Marlin with a 7 shot group. That was with factory ammo. I do want to try the 240 grain FTX. The next time I put an order together I'll get some.


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I just got my new style, brass magazine follower installed. Getting the magazine tube end cap out was a real pain in the behind.

I didn't have any issues loading the last round while shooting pointy ammo. But if I'm shooting lots of it, I don't want to chance it.
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150 year anniversary Marlin 444

Not quite as nice as mine tho [emoji28]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...defd84a8f8.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...cadf5810ef.jpg

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With a first year production triple four my stand load was 42.5 grains of imr 4198 behind 265 grain hornady.
This bites a bit. I like peep sites but I see you have a scope. If shooting prone with this load make sure you have enough eye relief.
If you have lots of black powder and wheel weights kicking around consider 60 grains volume of ffg behind Lyman 427098 cast bullet. Basically turning your gun into old 40/60 Winchester. Enjoy

Do you still have the rifle?

The scope is just for load development. Which I'm not getting too crazy with. A decent group at 150 yards or so is all I'm looking for. Then the scope is coming off.

Imr 4198 is one of the powders I'll be playing with. I have a couple of different bullets I'll load for. So I'll figure out a few loads that work. Plus one load that will kick the crap out of you in case anyone ever asks to shoot it. [emoji1]


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I'm just getting back into loading for this little beauty. I picked up some Hornady 300 gr XTP for a heavy bullet. And also a box of 240 gr.

I don't think I'll go any heavier than 300 gr with the micro groove barrel. And I'm hoping the 240 gr performs.

I've been reading that H335 works very well with heavier bullets. So that's what I'll start trying with the 300s. I have a few powders to play with. Along with a couple of boxes of 265 gr FTX. That should keep me busy for a while.

I picked up a couple of RCBS large rifle bullet cases that list 45-70 so I thought they would work for the 444. But nope, they won't fit.

What do you guys use for these bigger calibers? Do I have to store them bullet end down?https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...5b57410d8d.jpg

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My 444 ammo just goes bullet down in regular boxes. Not going to have an effect on anything, particularly since it’s typically a flat nose bullet crimped into the case.

That's odd
 

It doesn't make sense that they don't fit. Other than the slightly longer COAL (0.02"), there is no reason a 444 Marlin wouldn't fit in a case sized for 45-70.

Get some of the MTM RMLD-50 ammo boxes. They are designed for a max COAL of 3.08"

https://mtmcase-gard.com/products/am...-70-7mm-r-saum

It's width, not length. I think they are designed to go bullet end down. The bottom of each compartment is rounded to kind of cup the bullet, I'm assuming. The rim of the cartridge is too wide to fit in the square hole, bullet end up.

When I ordered them, the description was large rifle. When they showed up, they say long rifle.

I'll look into the ones from your link. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...e9df375c33.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...ee1ce6d6bf.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...a46b23a4d3.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...6ba8bd9e80.jpg

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I was using the MTM ones as well, case down with no problems.

Rifling twist
 

I believe the .444 has a 1-38 twist as opposed to a 1-20 that would have been more versatile like some .44 magnums.One way to find out if H-335 is the powder for the 300 grainers.From the 2nd Edition LEE manual 300gr jacketed OAL 2.620" .H335 starting load 49gr/1935fps......MAX 52gr/2023fps compressed load.
IMR 4895 starting load 46.6gr/1762fps......MAX 50.6gr/1915fps compressed load
IMR4198 starting load 36.8gr/1796fps.....MAX 39.2gr/1911 fps
From Ken Waters Pet Loads the most accurate load for the 265gr was H-335 @ 56gr /1947fps........ Best 240gr load with IMR 4198 was 49.5gr @ 2400fps

Beautiful lever gun
I have been on the hunt for a 45/70 or 44 mag for along time. Just can’t wrap my head around the prices

Pioneer2, the Hornady page I have starts at 39.4 grains of H335. Up to 52.5 grains. I started my ladder at 47. Maybe I should have saved a bit of powder and started a bit higher. I thought about it as it shot the factory Leverlution ammo with no issues.

I loaded mine at 2.535" COL. I hope I'm not a bit short. I'm going to modify one of my fired cases and use my OAL gauge and double check. Good thing I didn't crimp these yet. I'll pull them and re seat if I have to. This is with Hornadys 300 gr xtp.

I'm going to save those other loads you mentioned. I do have those powders.



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That's good to hear. These weren't crazy expensive or anything. But I didn't need more cases. I'll dedinitely look into the MTM cases.

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Thanks! Ah man I hear you on prices. I always wanted one. And came to the realization that I'd never own one.

Then after one of our new neighbours heard my sob story, he offered me a smoking deal on his. At that point I knew it was fate purchasing this house lol.

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LEE manual is generic
 

when it comes to mentioning bullet brand and have been known to use other reloading manuals data.I didn't write the pressures but they were all acceptable.I have an older pre- extra safety 45-70 micro-groove that cuts 1/2" groups at 100 yards with both 300 + 350 gr bullets. So micro-grooves can shoot.

It's mind blurring reading all the forums looking for info. Some people say not to even bother shooting 300 gr bullets. Others say they actually had good luck. Same with the leverlution FTX bullets not performing well at all in the micro groove barrels.

But I'm being optimistic. The FTX grouped very well out of my rifle. I'm hoping the 300s will do the same.

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21 grains of sr4759 ,large pistol primers,265 grain hornady is a sub minute of angle ,no recoil,flat shooting to 100 yards and will definitely move steel targets.
More of a farmyard load for gophers, coyotes, jackrabbits and target shooting. You won't get sore shoulder

It would be neat to develop a plinking/gopher round

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Look at Newtire's post
 

That's pretty wild Pioneer2

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Off topic somewhat but....
 

I'm gonna work up a chicken load with a .429 ball in my 44-40 and a .380 ball in my 38-55 with Unique as airspace doesn't matter with that powder for consistent ignition. Likely needs to be single loaded in a lever.

In my load I was only using the 265 hornady because I had tons of them. But that reduced load is probably about 44 magnum territory for power but will keep 5 shot groups under a inch at hundred yards. Thats with peep sights!
Makes a fun to shoot gun that won't make you sore.
Those round ball loads that others are talking about are interesting but why not get a proper bullet mould like that Lee c430-310-rf? You have to be careful that u get a mold that ojive isn't to big or long so you can keep your overall length correct.
The 444 should be a good cast bullet gun?

There are a couple of cast bullets that shoot in a micro groove barrel, but I believe that most don't.

I'd like a reduced load that won't beat me up. But I'd also like to develop a load that will kick the crap out of someone if they ever ask to shoot my rifle.

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Years ago I just went out and bought a huge amount of 265 grain hornady. I used to have several 444 but I also had three screw ruger black hawk in 44 mag and I used to be more into hotter loads.
When that micro groove came out I think a lot of people just hated it because it was different.
However I have to admit i have not played with cast bullets much in this caliber . I used the 427098 with black powder because of no crimp groove so I could fill case with black powder and not worry about bullet being pushed down into the case when loaded in magazine. I could crimp in front of forest drive band.
Most cast bullets years ago designed for 44 revolvers and ogive to big for marlin.
Actually a lot of people predicted death of 444 Marlin years ago and I'm surprised its still with us.
I bet with proper bullets and powder the 444 would shoot cast bullets great.
Sr4759 no longer available but there must be a modern equivalent?
Big thing with cast bullets is to keep velocity down. Need more power go with bigger bullet. I'm not sure about the Marlin and its super slow I think its 1 in 38" rifling and heavy bullets. But the small 265 grain shoot great.

Ranch Dog was supposed to have a real nice mold for casting 265 grain bullets. Now made by NOE. They weren't showing a lot of stock when I checked their website tho.

If I came across a mold, I'd possibly buy one to play around with in the future. But for now I'm going to be busy enough with the components I already have.

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Here are my results with the 240gn XTP using IMR4198. The first 4 are 42gn. The next 16 are 42.3-46.8gn in 0.3gn increments.

Top target was my 4 shot group to make sure I was sighted in. Then the bottom row of targets are the 16 shots. One sheet at a time. Left to right.

The last 4 shots showed a tiny bit of primer cratering. But no issues extracting. And velocity was just a tad higher than listed using a 240gn Sierra jacketed bullet. 42gn-2112fps(shots 1-4), 45.6gn-2276fps(shot 16).

Fps:
1. 2149
2. 2136
3. 2144
4. 2149
5. 2170
6. 2222
7. 2179
8. 2208
9. 2296
10. 2251
11. 2291
12. 2340
13. 2314
14. 2367
15. 2361
16. 2395
17. 2364
18. 2408
19. 2427
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I'm not sure what you are showing?
At a hundred yards your 5 shot groups are ?

I'm just babbling on about what I've been up to. There's not much importance in my posts. And they're probably over updated [emoji28]

I was just checking if I could get up to max charge with a bullet and powder combo I may be using.

Now I'll pick a charge and shoot some groups and mess with seating depths.



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