Marlin 444

[trader steve]

Does anyone shoot imr 4198 and 300gr xtp in the 444 the data is all over the place speer #13 gives 43 grains a max load others are lower so what is the deal.thanks Steve

 

[David Milisock]

That load data is a good starting point, start low go from there, 444 Marlin, 45-70 lever loads are pretty much 1 trick ponies.

My questions are do you have a chronograph and do you have the ability to apply a good crimp to the brass. You'll need it.

If not I suggest you obtain those before getting serious about seeking max loads.

Now to the 300 grain XTP, IMO, and I've tried it, it's a poor choice for the 444 Marlin. The design is for the 44 magnum and the carbine rifles associated with the revolver/rifle combination concept. IMO the 444 has too much velocity in close for the 300 XTP.

For deer, elk and black bear the Hornady 265 grain FTX is as good as it gets in the 444. If you can find some of the old 265 interlock they work well also.

Heading for dangerous game? The 444 with 300 grain HARD CAST can be viable. TEST those hard cast projectiles against other projectiles on something hard, a case of 20 pound office paper. A load like that in my 444 saved my ass once.

The 444 is a wonderful cartridge, I'm in PA and if I go into the field and it's not for varmints, I need nothing else. Now I have plenty of rifles and I'm careful with my 444 cause she's a beauty.

 

[trader steve]

I have owned 444s since early 90s and use Lee factory crimp die.my stainless 1983 444 shoots the 300xtp very well.my older 444 not so good. I have never tried imr4198 in the 444 always H322 and imr 3031 I have several big bore lever guns and years of experience with them.thing I didn't understand is how the max loads could differ so much one manual to another Steve.

 

[David Milisock]

I have owned 444s since early 90s and use Lee factory crimp die.my stainless 1983 444 shoots the 300xtp very well.my older 444 not so good. I have never tried imr4198 in the 444 always H322 and imr 3031 I have several big bore lever guns and years of experience with them.thing I didn't understand is how the max loads could differ so much one manual to another Steve.

LAWYERS!

 

[trader steve]

Lol very true the blood suckers on firearms and ammo is unreal.

 

[Ggmac]

I have owned 444s since early 90s and use Lee factory crimp die.my stainless 1983 444 shoots the 300xtp very well.my older 444 not so good. I have never tried imr4198 in the 444 always H322 and imr 3031 I have several big bore lever guns and years of experience with them.thing I didn't understand is how the max loads could differ so much one manual to another Steve.

Every gun is different, each load data is a result of different lots of ammo , different barrels , different ways of measuring the data , different rifling , well you get the idea .
start low and work up . Dont forget some data is in psi other is in cup .