[Okiecruffler]

I'm about to recieve a .444Marlin barrel for my contender, and I'm mostly happy about it, but at the same time I would like to be able to load some very light loads. Does anyone know if it would be feasible to trim some .444 cases down to 44 mag length and used 44 mad reload data? The only problem I can think of is a possible increase in pressure due to case wall thickness.

[Poodleshooter]

There should be reduced loads out there for the .444 using dacron filler or something of the like, in concert with small doses of fast pistol powder. No need to go chopping up good brass.
A guy at my local range shoots reduced lead loads in a .458 using small charges of Blue Dot. Very economical and easy on the shoulder.

[444]

I have fired lots of .444 Marlin rounds loaded with .44 Mag data, and a lot loaded with far less than .44 Mag data. I wouldn't cut anything. I would stay away from powders like H110 or Win 296. I was using 2400, Red Dot, Unique. I used no filler FWIW.

[Jeeper]

For the cost of 444 vs. 44 you would be better off buying 44 brass. Or you could get 445 brass which is halfway between them.

[Okiecruffler]

I had thought about trying 44mag brass, but the dimensions are just slightly different. Maybe not enough to make a difference, but enough to make me uncomfortable.

My light load for my Marlin .444 lever is 240gr bullet with 54gr of IMR4350. Pretty light out of a rifle, but probably uncomfortable from a pistol if you plan to shoot more than a few dozen rounds at a time. I have a ton of Red Dot llaying around, so I might load up some of it before I try cutting cases.