Author Topic: .444 marlins ok in a Contender? (Read 1498 times)

triehl27 · « **on:** February 08, 2007, 08:16:21 PM »

As I was surfing the net tonight I came across a .444 Marlin barrel for sale. It had been rechambered from .445 supermag. Is 444 factory loaded ammo safe in the contender? Or are the pressure levels to great as to cause frame stretching.

Reed1911 · « **Reply #1 on:** February 08, 2007, 10:49:22 PM »

In the Contender you need to stick to handloads slightly downloaded.

Lawful Larry · « **Reply #2 on:** February 09, 2007, 04:43:56 AM »

Don't see why the .444 Marlin would be a problem in the Contender. I know I use the .444 shell to make my .375 JDJ shells.

Not being an expert, isn't the .444 Marlin on the same level, pressure wish, as the .45-70?

crawford769 · « **Reply #3 on:** February 09, 2007, 04:32:00 PM »

the pressures are the same for the loads listed for lever action rifles. both max at around 40,000cup were the contenders intended for the trapdoor springfield loads at under 30,000cup ?

swampthing · « **Reply #4 on:** February 10, 2007, 01:51:21 AM »

Don't do it.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #5 on:** February 10, 2007, 02:08:32 AM »

I had a 44 Mag barrel that was rechambered to 444 Marlin, I used the Remington factory loads in it all the time, until I started reloading. I was advised not to use the Hornady light Mag loads in it. It was a contender.

Bullseye · « **Reply #6 on:** February 10, 2007, 07:03:36 AM »

Yes, T/C tells you to shoot Trapdoor loads in the Contender 45/70.

HL · « **Reply #7 on:** February 10, 2007, 07:43:59 AM »

444 Marlin can be used in the contender, but you can not use the full house loads in the reloading manuals.

And using anything but the trapdoor loads for the 45-70 will stretch the frame in a short time.

As far as the 444 Marlin goes, you can use a 44 Mag with 300gr hard cast bullets and equal 444 balistics with less pressure. I personally, having a 44 mag, never saw the advantage of having to put up with the recoil of the 444 when my 44 mag would do the same balistically. Less powder, less recoil, same results.

All though, that's why there are so many different calibers available, to each his own.

Don't anyone take me wrong, I'm not criticizing or putting down any of these calibers, just stating what I have found that works for me.

Good luck choosing and good shooting.

HL

skb2706 · « **Reply #8 on:** February 10, 2007, 08:13:44 AM »

Although the 375 JDJ uses 444 Marlin brass the point of the JDJ was that it wasn't a factory round up until resently and had to be loaded using data specifically designed for a Contender. Several of JDs rounds, among others use that 444 brass but they are not loaded to the level that factory 444 rounds are....least wise if you use JDs loading data. I figure if it were safe TC would have long ago done it....even most custom houses don't chamber a 444 in a Contender.

merv444 · « **Reply #9 on:** February 10, 2007, 11:30:08 AM »

I have a 444 in a 10" bbl. here are my handloads and with no problem:

250gr. Nosler Partion
H335 60.0gr.
COL 2.560
Close to 1900fps
CCI 200 Primer

300gr. Speer Soft Point
H335 53.6gr.
COL 2.560
1700fps Clocked
CCI Primer

All loads are HOT but as I said no problem with abount 200 rounds shot from each load.
But work up carefully! Love to shoot the thing and other peoples reactions.
The 250 load is a real deer killer at 200 yards. Both are very accurate.1" and less at 100 yards if I do my part.
It is a redone 44 mag from SSK.

Reed1911 · « **Reply #10 on:** February 11, 2007, 04:50:31 AM »

Merv,

What did you scope yours with? I'm having a hard time keeping anything on mine without pulling the glass?

Lone Star · « **Reply #11 on:** February 11, 2007, 05:16:40 AM »

IME only Leupold and Burris will stand up to the very heavy recoil of the .45-70, etc. Cheap scopes are just that - cheap - and were never intended to be used on handcannons. JD used to recommend the Simmon 2x7 scope for his big ones, and I have one (ten years old) that I never mounted on any heavy recoling barrel. The Simmons is nowhere near the optical quality of the Leupold or Burris, and current manufacture may be nothing like what they made 10 years ago....

.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #12 on:** February 11, 2007, 05:42:01 AM »

Quote from: Lone Star on February 11, 2007, 05:16:40 AM

IME only Leupold and Burris will stand up to the very heavy recoil of the .45-70, etc. Cheap scopes are just that - cheap - and were never intended to be used on handcannons. JD used to recommend the Simmon 2x7 scope for his big ones, and I have one (ten years old) that I never mounted on any heavy recoling barrel. The Simmons is nowhere near the optical quality of the Leupold or Burris, and current manufacture may be nothing like what they made 10 years ago....

.

I have a Bushnell trophy that has been on my 454 Casull barrel the it was converted to the 460 Mag and was shooting great. It then went to my 500 Mags and now on my 460 Mag and it is still holding up fine.

merv444 · « **Reply #13 on:** February 11, 2007, 06:07:51 AM »

I have a leupold fixed power 2x.Holds up fine.But for some reason I like the simmons better to look through.

merv444 · « **Reply #14 on:** February 11, 2007, 06:11:52 AM »

Forgot to mention planning on new bbl.for encore in 15" 338 win mag and the 3 x 12 ballisc-plex Burris will be on that one.

Lone Star · « **Reply #15 on:** February 11, 2007, 06:14:16 AM »

Quote

I have a Bushnell trophy that has been on my 454 Casull barrel the it was converted to the 460 Mag and was shooting great. It then went to my 500 Mags and now on my 460 Mag and it is still holding up fine.

When was the Bushnell made? Their quality has varied greatly over the past ten years. Like the Simmons, current production is likely in a different country than five years ago - is the quality the same today? Caveat Emptor

.

Reed1911 · « **Reply #16 on:** February 11, 2007, 07:48:24 AM »

Quote

Cheap scopes are just that - cheap - and were never intended to be used on handcannons

tell T/C that, two of their scopes have become victims of the .444 10"; they were replaced with no problems, but I've give up on using them on it. It has set static since while I look and see what others have had sucess with. I'll give Leo a try and see how it does.

flyfisher · « **Reply #17 on:** February 16, 2007, 05:12:56 PM »

I recall seeing a link to some pictures of a blown-up rechambered .444 Contender here on Graybeard. Personally, I'd probably do it, using solely hand loaded ammunition that I personally loaded (and loaded on the low side). I have heard of many that have done the .444 rechamber and have also heard of the horror stories. I really don't see the point of rechambering to the .444 (hey, what's wrong with the .445 supermag?) but if I were really into it, I'd to it (as mentioned previously, with great caution). Whatever you do, be safe and sensible about it.

Buddy in AK · « **Reply #18 on:** February 20, 2007, 06:52:59 AM »

Mine is a 14", .44 Mag. rechabered to .444 Marlin by SSK. No problem with the few factory loads through it, no pressure signs. Many reloads of all different bullets, 240 gr to 325 gr. As with any load work your way up! I find the 240s too sharp and the 325s are brutal. I like the 285 gr to 300 gr range. Fun to shoot! When I had mine made I was going to go with the .445 Supermag but SSK called and said they were getting complaints that there was not good/reliable brass available and they suggested .444 Marlin that works just fine.

Happy Shooter.....Buddy in AK

Hopalong7 · « **Reply #19 on:** February 20, 2007, 09:45:33 AM »

Watching for pressure signs can be dangerous with a Contender. The first pressure sign you see can be a stretched frame. I have fired loads in several different calibers that later turned out to be "hot", but upon firing, the action opened easily and the brass just fell out in my hand. Upon further inspection some showed primer pocket enlargement and some didn't. I personally feel that miking the base of the brass just in front the rim is the best indicator, but because of the variation in chamber size and brass strength that pretty tricky too. 300gr Trap door loads are all this old man's hands can stand anyway and I don't shoot them as often as I used to either. Be careful and GOOD SHOOTIN', Walt