444 Winchester loads

[ccoker]

just got a 94 timber today with the 17-18" ported barrel and am looking to start some reloading
I have some 265g beartooth WFN GC bullets coming for my 44 mag in .431 and was thinking I could try some with this gun

deer and pig are about all I will probably hunt with and I know I don't need a ton of velocity with a good hardcast

thinking maybe 1500-1800 fps would be plenty for the ranges I will be using this gun in and be easy on recoil

thanks in advance for any load recomendations

I will chat with Marshall at Beartooth as well as he is a 444 shooter, perhaps I may change my order to a different bullet if need be

[ccoker]

shot it tonight with factory Remington 240g SPs
I put a limbsaver pad on it as the LOP was on the short side and it would add some length and of course, help with the recoil!

I must say I was a but apprehensive as I fired the first shot as I had heard it can be a real mule kicker
wasn't nearly as bad as I anticipated
no more than a shotgun, I shoot a Benelli M2 12ga and it wasn't any more than that with 7 1/2 shot dove loads

so, I think I will stick with around factory velocities of around 22-2400fps

I will be putting an AO express ghost site on it ASAP though
I think I am really gonna dig it!
it will compliment my tack driving 308 bolt well and be used for walking around / stalking hunts as well as if I have a pig hunt where the aniticipated shots are not way out there

[Oldtimer]

I also have a timber carbine and it is a delight.  The porting really does help.  The recoil is not much more than a nonported .30-30.  Since it has the power of a .30-06, a lot of people have been buffaloed by the fear of recoil.  I let my older daughter's fiance shoot it and he missed the target by about two feet.  He had a huge flinch and I will say, if you don't use a .444 for game, it makes a pretty good trenching tool.  Regarding reloading, most of the service level loads are pretty heavily compressed, so making sure that LOA is exact is even more important.  The ghost ring sights are a good idea.  Mine just came with open sights and putting ghost rings on it is the only improvement I can think of.

[Marlin_444]

Hey All:

Love those 444's... 



I have played with several factory loads, I do not re-load (I have a Job)...

I keep coming back to Remington FNSP .240 Grainers... 

Took both my BIG DEER with my 444 and that round 45 and 85 yards respectively!

9 Pt at 45 Yards


11 Pt at 85 Yards




When you take your first animal with that weapon you will understand it's power!

Get out and Hunt!

[ccoker]

I have my reloading supplies for the 444 coming in this week and will hit the range a few times before my next hunt which is towards the end of next week

part of my challenge is which gun to use!
I recently built a new bolt action 308 and worked up my handloads for it
my (new for this season) 44 mag blackhawk may get left at home because I got a deer with it a few weeks ago

my purpose for the 444 is mainly for stalk hunting and if I go on a hog hunt with intended sub 100 yard shots anticipated

[Mikey]

I had to go back to Winchester a couple of times for a front sight blade for my Timer Carbine for the correct height blade to get factory loads dialed in at 100m with the rear sight about halfway up.  The I started throwing out some of Marshall Stanton's loads with 300 and 335 gn slugs and never looked back to the 240 gn factory loading except to shoot up a bunch of bullets I came by. 

My Timber Carbine doesn't recoil that much and a good set of earplugs or muffs helps - so does a PAST Recoil Sheild. 

The Winchester action is plenty strong for that cartridge so don't let worry-worts overly concern you. 

If you want to hunt hogs with the 444 I would suggest either the 265 gn slug or one of the Beartooth loadings.  Also, you should slug your bore to determine what diameter bullet you will need and if your 444 has a 12 groove barrel you may wish to borelap it ala the Beartooth method.  HTH and good luck.  Mikey.

[ccoker]

I got the hornady 265g bullets in today and have some 265g beartooth bullets in the WFNGC on order though I may see about changing to an LFN

I am not after monster hogs, smaller ones for meat and whitetails, the 265g should be plenty for shots within a hundred yards as I anticipate with this gun

I will check the rate of twist, thanks

I also go the AO ghost sights in and they recommend using the test post to determine front sight height, though part of me is very much wrestling with a scope for it, a small low powered one.. maybe even just using one for load development and then putting the AO sights on

[Mikey]

ccoker:  Your barrel may actually be made by Marlin.  I don't think Winchester actually made any of the 444 caliber barrels, I think Marlin made them.  My Black Shadow, now Traditional Rifle, wears a marlin Microgroove barrel that wouldn't shoot fer snot until I 'Beartooth' lapped it. 

The Timber Carbines came with a couple of different barrel twists, with one being a 1:20 and the other a 1:12, I believe.  Some may also wear a microgroove barrel. 

If you have read Marshall Stanton's writings on the 444 you will know that you can easily turn that Carbine into a tack driver with very heavy for the bore (300-350 gn) cast slugs.  The 265-270 gn weight slug in the 43 bore is an excellent choice, but so are the heavier weight bullets.  You may find that mid-range loads with heavy slugs are easier on you and more effective on your choice of game as faster moving lighter weight slugs.

If your intended game is smaller hog and whitetail within 100 yds the Timber Carbine would be my choice.  Good luck.  Mikey.

[ccoker]

thanks Mikey

I have been all over Marshall's site and the web researching the 444

[Mikey]

ccoker:  whatever you decide for your preferred load I know you will be happy with that Timber Carbine.  The rifle itself is one neat little package and a great woods gun.  They can also be incredibly accurate and I have attained incredibly small groups with my Triple 4s.  The cartridge itself is pretty amazing, especially when loaded heavy.  Enjoy and good luck.  Mikey.