rockquarry
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Get your gun and handloading information from YouTube and lower your IQ all at the same time.
44 Mag or 44 Special in a 444 Marlin?
- Thread starter Krogen
- Start date
Baltimoreed11754
Member
As one experimenter to another I would try experimenting with .44-40 brass. There will be no blowback as 38-40 and 44-40 were designed as a blackpowder cartridge. They have thin walls that seal the chamber and prevent bp fouling. It would have to be loaded singly I’m sure.
The 44-40 is likely the best choice for off the shelf ammo,,if there is a 'good' choice for doing this.
Another thing to explore and it'll tell you very quickly if it's do-able or not..
Many 444Marlin chambers will accept a 45Colt (Long Colt) case.
Some will not as the 45Colt base is ever so slightly larger than the 44-40.
Worth a try I think.
If it does, you can neck down the 45Colt case to 44cal. Seat and crimp a .429 bullet and fire it in the 444Marlin chamber.
You will be doing pretty much the same as what the 44-40 rd is doing for you.
You will end up with a straight blown out 45Colt case for your efforts.
45Colt brass is generally cheaper that precious 44-40 brass.
Many have 45C brass around, at least some of it.
Call it the 44-45 Marlin & Colt.
Another thing to explore and it'll tell you very quickly if it's do-able or not..
Many 444Marlin chambers will accept a 45Colt (Long Colt) case.
Some will not as the 45Colt base is ever so slightly larger than the 44-40.
Worth a try I think.
If it does, you can neck down the 45Colt case to 44cal. Seat and crimp a .429 bullet and fire it in the 444Marlin chamber.
You will be doing pretty much the same as what the 44-40 rd is doing for you.
You will end up with a straight blown out 45Colt case for your efforts.
45Colt brass is generally cheaper that precious 44-40 brass.
Many have 45C brass around, at least some of it.
Call it the 44-45 Marlin & Colt.
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I'm really amazed at the number of folks here that are in the, "try it, what could go wrong camp". See post #9.
Freedom of expression carries responsibility and that is a duty that is regrettably becoming scarce.
To the OP, Shoot what the weapon was designed for and stay safe.
Freedom of expression carries responsibility and that is a duty that is regrettably becoming scarce.
To the OP, Shoot what the weapon was designed for and stay safe.
Really a waste of time and ammunition. If you want short action rifle. Buy a Marlin 1894 or Henry..........What you are proposing to do is like putting a Volkswagon engine in a Dodge Hellcat. Might work but results are dismal.
all these things that you are talking about are the beginning of getting reloads banned from being used in this competition. The cutting down a case won't fly because they use head stamp to determine cartridge. Altered case with improper to cartridge case head stamp??? This is internet BS that will end bad for competitions meant for a certain playing field. Follow their rules.
I like my 444 Marlin too much to do any of these experiments with it. I have been using it since the early "70's and it has never even had factory ammo fired in it. Mine is the older 24 inch barrel with a Monte Carlo stock.
I like my 444 Marlin too much to do any of these experiments with it. I have been using it since the early "70's and it has never even had factory ammo fired in it. Mine is the older 24 inch barrel with a Monte Carlo stock.
Looking at this from another perspective. Imagine that YOU were the range master and this was presented for you to decide.
unqualified firearm
altered ammo
possibility altered case
ammo not for the presented firearm incorrect head stamp
What would you say?
unqualified firearm
altered ammo
possibility altered case
ammo not for the presented firearm incorrect head stamp
What would you say?
He can't do that because the requirement for the game is a straight wall cartridge. Just tlike hunting in some states; Shotgun or Straight wall pistol cartridge only. Once the cartridge is altered to a shouldered case it's off limits.
bluetopper
Member
If you want to cut down 444 brass they are north of a dollar each if you can find any replacements. An absolutely wonderful caliber.
