Reloading for 444 Marlin? Any advice?

[Bull Nutria]

I have H4895 and 265g Hornady ftx and Hornady brass. I would appreciate any advice. I will be loading for single shot rifle.
BULL

 

[bluetopper]

I've had my CVA Scout 444 for a year or so and have only loaded with H4198 and CFE BLK (of which there is no published data but it is available locally everywhere). I have been meaning to try a slower powder such as H335 but just haven't yet. Looking forward also to reading more responses.

 

[slicksleeve]

I’ve loaded the Hornady 265 grain flat point, but not the FTX. I always used Reloder 7. I don’t remember the charge offhand but I was getting 2000 fps. The other powders might yield higher velocity, but accuracy is excellent for the older Marlins I’ve shot them from.

 

[Barbaroja]

I’m in the middle of load work up with a handi rifle in 444marlin but it had gotten put on the back burner because of deer season. In a single shot gun, for the game im after (whitetail and pigs) im not intending to run full power loads. I would eventually like to get a bullet mold in the 320gn range but for now I’m working with 240gn xtp, 200gn powder coated Lee rnfp and the 265gn h&g #503 keith bullet.
My aim is around the 1800ish fps mark. Im loading imr 4198, bluedot and trail boss but recently got a lot of h335 that I plan to try.
Not much data to share at this point. Good luck

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

My one and only single shot in .444 was a Martini action with a 22” barrel. I loaded it with 265gr LSWC and IMR 4198 to around 1600fps. I sold it off after only taking it out once. It did too much damage to the meat, going in and coming out. I would suggest a light jacketed bullet of around 240gr in the same velocity range with either IMR 3031, 4895, Accurate 2230, or a similar powder. That combo works well in my Marlin and doesn’t do as much damage. Don’t worry about expansion, you’re already pretty close to 1/2” with just the projectile.

 

[GooseGestapo]

Hodgdons list 53.0 max and 50.0 start.
Anything in between will be good.

They list 4198 giving best velocities at slightly lower charge weights.
However, my experience with the .45/70 with 300-350gr bullets, H4895 will work well.
With 4895, you can drop up to 60% of max meaning 32.0gr as a minimum. With that light of a load, I’d recommend a Dacron filler. Just a small ball of pillow stuffing is all it takes. You just want to hold the powder against the primer.

 

[Engineer1911]

My "Work up a load for 45-70 should have included Load ONLY 3 rounds for testing " Nothing worse than 20 rounds of Shoulder Breaking loads that are very accurate.

 

[DM~]

Reloading for 444 Marlin? Any advice?

Yeaa, the cases are great to reload with .410 shot loads, so you don't have to buy "overpriced" .410 factory ammo!

DM

 

[Ranger99]

This one was a 444 Handi rifle buck
with H4198 and the now obsolete
Hornady #4300 at a few grains less
than full throttle. Never have chrono'ed
it as I load for accuracy first and foremost


EDIT- should have also added that this
same load is as accurate in the 444P
I traded for this last year.
I loaded a separate batch of brass
for the lever Marlin

 

[bluetopper]

I just wanted to add I refuse to use the shorter 444 brass that comes with factory Hornady 265 ftx ammo.

 

[Bfh_auto]

Yeaa, the cases are great to reload with .410 shot loads, so you don't have to buy "overpriced" .410 factory ammo!

DM

Not to be off topic. But 410 brass is available on Midway. Don't ruin other hard source brass
The 444 is the only big bore straight wall I would consider. But recoil is impressive.

 

[DM~]

Not to be off topic. But 410 brass is available on Midway. Don't ruin other hard source brass
The 444 is the only big bore straight wall I would consider. But recoil is impressive.

Ruin the brass? How?

When loading shot loads there's no movement of the brass, it last forever!

DM

 

[Bfh_auto]

Ruin the brass? How?

When loading shot loads there's no movement of the brass, it last forever!

DM

It makes it not 444 anymore...
I didn't mean it would not work as 410 brass.

 

[DM~]

It makes it not 444 anymore...
I didn't mean it would not work as 410 brass.

OK, got it! lol

I do have a combo gun in 12ga. - 444 Marlin, so I can always put the brass back into duty for that!

DM