444 Marlin question

[rem700man]

I have a Marlin 444S in 444 Marlin. It has a 20" bbl. I'm wanting to chop it to 16.5". I'm planning on loading the hornady 300 grain XTP's. I don't plan on ever needig to take longer then a 200 yard shot with it. If I cut the bbl down will I be cripling the cartridge? Hornady's reloading manual says you can get them moving about 2000 fps. I would still like to be able to get near those velocities. It has a 1 in 20" twist with the micro grooves they did a while back. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[bohem]

Re: 444 Marlin question

Any time you cut the barrel down you're going to lose velocity if you change nothing else.

A lever gun doesn't have the luxury of overpressuring the cases like you can get away with in a bolt action.

Take a look at the barrel length that Hornady's manual uses for that 2k fps claim. Going back to 16.5" is probably going to cost you 200 fps.

You may be able to do it and thinking back on the results I got from a 9.5" barreled 44mag revolver to a 20" barreled rifle in 44 mag I gained 500 fps across the 200-265gr bullets.

 

[Victor N TN]

Re: 444 Marlin question

Personally I wouldn't do it. But it's your rifle. You are the one that has to live with the results.

 

[rem700man]

Re: 444 Marlin question

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Victor N TN</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Personally I wouldn't do it. But it's your rifle. You are the one that has to live with the results. </div></div>

Victor are speaking from a general standpoint or is there any facts behind your statement. I'm not being rude by that. I'm just widering if you have a specific info to that caliber that would help me make my decision.

 

[bcsteve]

Re: 444 Marlin question

Have a look over here for all your Marlin answers.

http://www.marlinowners.com/forums/index.php

 

[buffybuster]

Re: 444 Marlin question

Probably cost you in the neighborhood of 100-150fps. You might have to rework/reinforce how the magtube is secured to the barrel and of course the frontsight.

 

[buffybuster]

Re: 444 Marlin question

Probably cost you in the neighborhood of 100-150fps. You might have to rework/reinforce how the magtube is secured to the barrel and of course the frontsight.

 

[Victor N TN]

Re: 444 Marlin question

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: REM700MAN</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Victor N TN</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Personally I wouldn't do it. But it's your rifle. You are the one that has to live with the results. </div></div>

Victor are speaking from a general standpoint or is there any facts behind your statement. I'm not being rude by that. I'm just widering if you have a specific info to that caliber that would help me make my decision. </div></div>

No, I don't know any secrets on the 444 cartridge. But this rifle was pretty much meant to be a heavy bullet brush rifle. One of the things on my wish list for next year is a 1895 in 45-70. I have a Winchester 94 in 44 mag. Past about 75 yards I'm having to "rainbow" them in. The 444 is a bit stronger and can push a heavier bullet. If you're unhappy with this rifle, I would sell it unaltered and use that money toward buying what you want. If you alter it first, people's intrest toward buying it will drop off.

 

[rem700man]

Re: 444 Marlin question

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: bcsteve</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Have a look over here for all your Marlin answers.

http://www.marlinowners.com/forums/index.php </div></div>

You sir have made my day. They have all the info I need over there.

Thank you

 

[rem700man]

Re: 444 Marlin question

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Victor N TN</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: REM700MAN</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Victor N TN</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Personally I wouldn't do it. But it's your rifle. You are the one that has to live with the results. </div></div>

Victor are speaking from a general standpoint or is there any facts behind your statement. I'm not being rude by that. I'm just widering if you have a specific info to that caliber that would help me make my decision. </div></div>

No, I don't know any secrets on the 444 cartridge. But this rifle was pretty much meant to be a heavy bullet brush rifle. One of the things on my wish list for next year is a 1895 in 45-70. I have a Winchester 94 in 44 mag. Past about 75 yards I'm having to "rainbow" them in. The 444 is a bit stronger and can push a heavier bullet. If you're unhappy with this rifle, I would sell it unaltered and use that money toward buying what you want. If you alter it first, people's intrest toward buying it will drop off. </div></div>

understood thanks for the clarification. I was just worried I was missing something. There is a thread over at marlinowners that is exactly the questions I have about the 444

 

[miker]

Re: 444 Marlin question

Sell the 444, And buy a 1895G 45/70, 18.5 bbl ,I push hornady 350 gr bullets about 1900fps w/60grs Varget. I use it here in Pa. for bear season, We drive all day, pushing old clearcuts,50 yds is max shot...........miker

 

[Victor N TN]

Re: 444 Marlin question

When you find out what you want, will you tell us all what the problem is and what they suggest to do to fix it? Not trying to be nit-picking or anything. I'm just curious.