.444 Marlin Question

[Bayou Stalker]

After getting many mixed answers out of Google, I figured I'd consult the experts here...

I'm trying to validate a jumped conclusion:  .357 Max is a stretched .38 Spl. The .444 is supposedly a stretched .44 Magnum.  It is safe to shoot .38 Spl out of a .357 Max, is it safe to shoot a .44 Magnum in a .444? 

Please don't slaughter me for satisfying my curiosity.


Kendall

[Smokin Joe]

Not a good idea. The 444's base diameter is greater than the 44 mag. If it works you'll get a bulged case or a case rupture.

[quickdtoo]

As Joe said, not a good idea,  the .44 has a .457" case head, the .444 is .470"-.471"(depending on who's drawing you look at!) which is basically a rimmed version of the 30-06 necked up.

Tim

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.444_Marlin

http://stevespages.com/jpg/cd44remingtonmagnum.jpg

http://stevespages.com/jpg/cd444marlin.jpg

[Bayou Stalker]

Then that makes the statement "...It's a stretched .44 Magnum..." incorrect, and therefore the premise for the conclusion is incorrect.  Thanks for the information.

[quickdtoo]

Unlike the 38 Spl/357mag/Max, the 444 isn't just a lengthed version of the original 44spl/44mag, Marlin designed it as it's own cartridge, but essentially still a 44mag on steroids!!

Tim

AmmoGuide's description

The .444 Marlin was introduced in 1964 in the Marlin Model 336 lever-action rifle.

In the late 1950's, early 1960's, the .44 Magnum was experiencing moderate success in short, light lever-action rifle chamberings. However, hunters were soon asking for more power than the handgun-based round could provide. Marlin's answer was to fundamentally stretch the .44 Magnum case to provide over twice the powder capacity.

The result is a cartridge that shoots the same 240 grain .429-inch bullets as the .44 Magnum, at a nominal 500 fps faster muzzle velocity. However, due to it's low sectional density characteristics, the standard 240 grain bullet is not suitable for game larger than whitetail deer. Such applications are best left to more modern 265 and 300 grain bullets specifically developed for larger North American game.

Maximum working pressure for the .444 Marlin is 44,000 c.u.p. with maximum product average pressure of 47.200 c.u.p. The 240 grain bullet exits the Model 336 at 2350 fps and 2930 ft-lbs of energy.

[krod47nw]

The 445 Supermag is really the stretched 44 mag.

Kevin