Dangerous game load for 444 Marlin

[Canuck Bob]

Hi Veral,

Since my earlier post on my pending 303B bullet needs I have taken the time to read your posts and study the forum.  I have many more questions now than before.  Life is funny, the more I learn the more the questions.  Sometimes I miss being 21 and knowing everything!

I don't hunt but have 2 small girls Barb and I adopted from China.  We camp in grizzly country and I want to carry my 444 for protection on occasion.

I've been studying your formula on killing power.  I'm a bit confused because it seems that I can get some serious knock down without the serious recoil.  My idea has always been heavy stout bullets as fast as I can shove them.  You kinda turned all my preconceived notions about bullet design and performance on its head.

What would you recommend for a Marlin 444 rifle for top notch punch at close range for bear and moose size animals.  Recoil is not a concern but if it is possible to get stellar performance without shaking my teeth that would be fine.  Of course I need the ammo to feed and perform in an early Marlin with the slower twist. 

[Veral]

  Know it all at 21?  Most of us males know everything be time we are 16 and don't learn better till about 35!

  Get a 300 gr LFN, cut at 433 diameter, gas checked, no crimp groove, and drive it at about 1600 fps top end.  It will be a deadly performer with speeds down to 1400 fps, while faster than 1600 fps and it won't kill as fast.  Seat the bullet to the max length which feeds smooth as silk and crimp lightly at that point using a Lee factory crimp die.

  You'll never look for another bullet.

[Canuck Bob]

Perfect, next week I'll order the throat and barrel slug kits, lapping kit without plates (alreadt gotem) and your book.  Do I need anything else to get my moulds?

Should I lap first then slug when the time comes, a little tougher logistically?

Also what hardness range will work with cast bullets above.  I'm thinking fairly hard to break an animal down if heavy bone is hit and then dispatch them with a quick head shot.

As far as the 303B is concerned you have ruined my tidy plan.  I read your GOP Head/Neck Shot thread.  After studying your book I'll discuss this more.  One thing though a Ruger No.1 would seem to be ideal for loading and shooting patch bullets.

Thanks again, with this level of free service I'm excited to become a customer.  Thats a hint guys.

[Canuck Bob]

  Know it all at 21?  Most of us males know everything be time we are 16 and don't learn better till about 35!

I didn't need to knoweverything at 16.  Just knew everything about football!

[Canuck Bob]

Decided to revive this thread to ask about plain base or GC?

At these velocities and with hard hunting bullets can a plain base be used successfuly in the 444?  It seems to make sense to have one very capable rifle that requires the very least amount of store bought components?  Your thread on the advantages of PB bullets interested me greatly.

By the way, still waiting on my PAL!  Contacted my Member of Parliment to complain about unlegislated gun control using the licensing beuracracy.  Be warned my fine neighbors!

[Veral]

  I've only shot one 444, a couple times, using my 280 gr WFN, pb, zipping along at 2450 fps, and it would print into an inch fairly consistent.  The neighbor who brought it over to have me try it did lap the dickens out of the barrel till it was super smooth and straight, and that was here in cool Northern Idaho.

  If the bore is lapped well one should be able to get very good accuracy with PB at speeds to 1500 - 1600 fps even down in the hot country.  Up in your bear country the 1600 fps top end which I recommended should be a cakewalk.

[Canuck Bob]

Thanks Veral,
My PAL, Canadian federal Possession and Acquisition License for my American friends, arrived at last.  I will be placing my order finally. 

The 32-20 Winoku 92 is at home waiting for my return from work.