444 marlin question

cubfan56 · 01-11-2009, 06:40 AM

I am looking for a big bore cartridge for my encore and the .444 seems to be what I am after without having to reload. my question is can you safely fire .44 mag or specials in a .444 chambering?

DM · 01-11-2009, 04:55 PM

I've done it, but it's not recomended... The .444 case diameter is a bit bigger around, so the 44 Mag. case expands to it... There's a huge jump through the chamber to the rifleing that's not doing accuracy any good... And all that flame from the powder charge isn't doing the .444 chamber any good either...

Sooo, it's not really a good idea...

DM

HEAD0001 · 01-11-2009, 05:07 PM

I would not do it to my rifle. It would be a great idea since shooting the other ammo would be cheaper to shoot. Do you reload?? If you do then buy a good mold and cast your own bullets. I can shoot over 500 rounds of 45-70 for less than $100. Tom.

Maine Shooter · 01-11-2009, 06:00 PM

If one wants a .444 buy a .444. If one wants a .44 mag, buy a .44 mag. Compromise isn't always a good thing.

cubfan56 · 01-12-2009, 04:57 AM

Thanks for the input. Just looking for a round that could use if I hunt Indiana (allows handgun cartridges in rifles ) I am leaning to the .460 in Encore barrel

HEAD0001 · 01-12-2009, 03:11 PM

Is the 357 Maximum a legal cartridge in Indiana?? With a 180 grain bullet and a Bellm Encore barrel, that would be a dandy cartridge on a rifle or a carbine for deer.

I would check into that chambering from Bellm. You will be pleasantly surprised with what a 158 grain or 180 grain bullet will do from a rifle tube in an Encore.

You could also shoot a cast bullet if you reload(and cast), and shooting would cost pennies a round. Tom.

hunting junkie · 01-13-2009, 06:08 PM

Quote:

ORIGINAL: HEAD0001

Is the 357 Maximum a legal cartridge in Indiana?? With a 180 grain bullet and a Bellm Encore barrel, that would be a dandy cartridge on a rifle or a carbine for deer.

I would check into that chambering from Bellm. You will be pleasantly surprised with what a 158 grain or 180 grain bullet will do from a rifle tube in an Encore.

You could also shoot a cast bullet if you reload(and cast), and shooting would cost pennies a round. Tom.

As it reads in the indiana dnr book. Rifles with pistol cartridges that fire
a bullet of .357-inch diameter or larger;have a minimum case length of
1.16 inches;and have a maximum case length of 1.65 inches are legal