444 Marlin Advice Needed
 

Need recommendation for good hunting bullet for 444 Marlin Guide Gun. Will be hunting deer and wild pigs. Most shots will be under 75yards with none ever over 150. I am an experienced re-loader that has just started re-loading this cartridge. Any other helpful hints appreciated. This is the first "straight" case cartridge I have tried to reload.

Also would be interested in experience with factory hunting loads as well. Not fond of Remington's factory load.

RE: 444 Marlin Advice Needed
 

Did you slug the barrel?? What measurement did you get?? If you have not slugged the barrel yet, then that is the first thing I would do. I would use cast bullets if I were you. Tom.

RE: 444 Marlin Advice Needed
 

Have you thought about trying the Hornady Leverevolution line of factory ammo. They have a 265 gr. round that might work.

RE: 444 Marlin Advice Needed
 

Ruger are they selling the Leverevolution bullet now?? I would like to try a few if they are available. Where can you get them?? Tom.

RE: 444 Marlin Advice Needed
 

I saw it in the Midway USA catalog. Here is a link.

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=436189

RE: 444 Marlin Advice Needed
 

I don't think the bullet(s) are available yet , they are only listing the old 265gr slug on their website.

RE: 444 Marlin Advice Needed
 

Sorry I had a brain fart. They aren't selling the "bullets" yet. I was recommending the factory ammo as Mojotex alsoasked for.

RE: 444 Marlin Advice Needed
 

My 444 has always liked the hornady 265 gr flat points or the speer gold dots in 270 gr flat points. Both are excellent performers on deer. As for powder I've always liked IMR4198,can't remember the charge weight at the moment.

RE: 444 Marlin Advice Needed
 

Thanks to all for the advice -- Redline, I just happen to havethe Gold Dot bulletsand will try these first. I may also try the factory "Leverlution" ammo as weel to see which is grouping best. I figure because I have been using this rifle for hunting in areas where the clear shot is not far (swamps, thick oak flats, etc.) that I need not be concerend with 200 yard performance !! I have been using Remington Express for a few years because that is the only ammo I could find locally and regualrly.It has done a good job but the velocity must be down there somewhat and the groups are about 3 MOA. I bought some factory ammmo from a small ammo maker in Georgia. These were a tad hotter and used the Hornady flat nose. The groups were much, much better at within 2 MOA. I sighted this in at 75 yards, dead on with the Remington stuff. At 125 it has a pretty substational drop.About 125-150isas far as my eyesight will let me feel good about open sights.I know the 444 is not intended to be a "flat shooter", but I'd like a bit more muzzle velocity if I can keep the pressures safe and the groups are good.

Anyway, thanks to all for the advice.

RE: 444 Marlin Advice Needed
 

Buffalo bore makes some very impressive factory ammo for the 444 marlin.

http://www.buffalobore.com/ammunition/default.htm#444

RE: 444 Marlin Advice Needed
 

I have a combination gun in 444 Marlin/12ga... 265's work pretty good in it, but i'm going to try 250 Nosler Partitions in it next.

From what i've read on line,they work very good out of a 444 on deer and blk bear...

DM

RE: 444 Marlin Advice Needed
 

I use the 240 gr. rem coreloks and my buddy uses the 265 gr.Hornady

RE: 444 Marlin Advice Needed
 

Do you have the Ballard preferable rifling or the micro-groove?Some micro-groove barrels will shoot cast bullets most won't..................................The 265gr Hornady is all you'll ever need in the triple 4.............Harold

RE: 444 Marlin Advice Needed
 

Here is another good source for cast bullets. They have done extensivetesting with the 444 and havesome really good information, both micro groove and ballard rifleing and loading their cast bullets.
http://beartoothbullets.com/

Read all three parts of "444 Marlin - Americas most versatile big bore".
http://search.atomz.com/search/?sp-a=sp051ea000&sp-f=iso-8859-1&sp-q=444+marlin

RE: 444 Marlin Advice Needed
 

I do not think Ruger sells bullets of any kind-just guns.

RE: 444 Marlin Advice Needed
 

Pioneer2 - This is the 18 1/2in. ported barrel model. It has the Ballard cut rifling. I am trying to stay with open sights. At 60 my eyesight is not as keen as it once was, so about 100 yards is my limit.I had not taken heart to the rifle until aobut 3 years ago. It is just do handy in the tree stand. It's loud as all get out, but has done fone so far. I killed a few deer with the Remingon factoy loads. I bought some stuff from a small maker out of Georgia and it was a ton better as far as penetration and the drop was a bunch less, i.e. the muzle velocity has to be a ton faster.It uses a 270 gr. Hornady bullet. I got my hands on a bunch of once fired brass and am reloading. I have made about 25 rounds so far trying to get the recipe just right.I've been using the Speer Gold Dot bullet. I think I have done about all I care to as far as looking for a good grouping combo. I plan on hunting hogs on a friends land sometime in August. Maybe I'll get some pork.

RE: 444 Marlin Advice Needed
 

[:@] Try 44.4 gr. of IMR 4198 ahead of the 270 gr. Gold Dots. Mine run about 1.5"@100 out of my Marlin.