Shooting 44 Rem. Mag or 44 Spec. in a 444 Marlin Barrell ??

[IC Cowboy]

Is it OK? Recommended? How about accuracy? Would the older 1:38 twist be better suited for this than the new 1:20?

[quickdtoo]

I think that would be very unwise to do, the .444 is considerably bigger, you'd be asking for a ruptured case.

Tim

[IC Cowboy]

Quick, thanks for the response; and I am by no means being argumentative; but consider the 357 Mag/38 Special scenario. I thought i may have read that as long as the diam. diff. is .005 or less that a cartridge would not rupture. But I have not experimented myself and therefore am asking the more knowledgeable than I.

The length shouldn't come into play (Ex. 38 spec. fired in a 357Mag. chamber). as far as unsafe but could effect accuracy.

[quickdtoo]

But there's a much bigger difference than .005" between 444 at .471" and 44mag at .457", .014" difference and that's assuming the 444 has a spec chamber, if it's oversize which many H&Rs are, that compounds the issue.

Tim

[LaOtto222]

Years ago, I thought the 444 Marlin was just an extension of the 44 Mag much as the 445 is. Looking at the dimensions I realized that it was not, not even close. I think I read where it was based on a 30-06 case. I guess it was easier to form the 444 out of a partially formed 30-06 than it was to make a stretched 44 magnum. That is why they ended up with different web diameters and why a 44 any thing can not be safely shot in a 444.

[LaOtto222]

It may have been decided that there would not be enough taper in the case if it was left the same head dimension as a 44 Magnum and still use the same bore diameter, just a possibility.

[cowboyup453]

Ruptured case.