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Author Topic: Opinions on Pawn shop .444.  (Read 1016 times)

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Offline jpshaw

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Opinions on Pawn shop .444.
« on: April 21, 2012, 02:29:06 AM »
I always check the pawn shops around mid April here.  Gives two weeks for the guys to pawn them after season plus the 90 days the shop has to wait.  I went in looking for Pardners but found a .444 of recent manufacture.  I've been wanting one since a friend of mine bought one new against my recommendations.  I told him to get the .45-70 for our Primitive season here in Louisiana since my .44 Mag overbore with 38" twist wasn't the most accurate barrel in the world but he got the .444 anyway and asked me to go with him to sight it.  I loved it.  I knew by the time we moved the target back to 50 yds that it was a winner.  It could shoot the heavier 265 grains bullets.  I found out that the twist on the newer ones is 1/20 not 1/38 plus the bore was normal diameter also. 
 
This pawn shop rifle was the newer barrel (I brought my .44 brl in to compare it), it had black plastic stocks, a sling, a ammo carrier on the stock which I probably won't use and a Swift 3-9x40mm scope I've never heard of.  After I found that the scope ran about $207 new and the rifle was listed as $289 I was hooked.  Finally settled on $225 plus tax ($245.25).
 
I think I did OK.  We will sight it later this Spring and I hope it is the shooter my friends turned out to be.
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Offline halfslow

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Re: Opinions on Pawn shop .444.
« Reply #1 on: April 21, 2012, 02:47:26 AM »
Well, for one thing, the Swift is an excellent scope.  In fact, one of the brightest.

Sounds like you got a really great deal there.


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Offline wvjoetc

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Re: Opinions on Pawn shop .444.
« Reply #2 on: April 21, 2012, 02:59:04 AM »
You did very well JP, I have bought many guns that way. 
 
Joe
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Offline Txdrmy Man

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Re: Opinions on Pawn shop .444.
« Reply #3 on: April 21, 2012, 02:59:47 AM »
Looks like you did well. I got one last year with wood stocks and it is definetly a shooter. You don't have near the recoil of the 45 70. I liked it so well I sent it back and added a 308 bull barrel and this combo is all I hunt with now. Here in Ms. we now have as many days of PW as we do gun season. Since then I bought a 44mag synthetic for my wife but it is on its way back to rem right now but that's another story. Hope you enjoy the new 444.
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Offline petemi

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Re: Opinions on Pawn shop .444.
« Reply #4 on: April 21, 2012, 03:03:45 AM »
Great deal on that .444.  We don't have a pawn shop with a FFL within 100 miles.  I envy you guys.

If you want to make that .44 mag shoot, try a .433 GC bullet from Montana.

http://www.montanabulletworks.com/44_Mag_U99O.html

Pete
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Offline MSP Ret

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Re: Opinions on Pawn shop .444.
« Reply #5 on: April 21, 2012, 03:17:36 AM »
"You don't have near the recoil of the 45 70." (as opposed to a .444)
 
Omigosh!!! All these years and I didn't know my 45-70's had recoil!!!....<><.... :)
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Offline jpshaw

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Re: Opinions on Pawn shop .444.
« Reply #6 on: April 21, 2012, 03:46:38 AM »
Thanks for the imput guys.  Forgot to add that the only wear I can see is on the  barrel about two inches above the forearm where it looks like it rode in a truck gun rack.  The polymer stock doesn't show the wear though.  I'm very happy with the scope too.
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Offline Ol BW

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Re: Opinions on Pawn shop .444.
« Reply #7 on: April 21, 2012, 04:02:23 AM »
Yep sounds like a good deal to me.  I love a good pawn shop with guns.  Well, I love a good gun shop.  Heck, it don't matter about the shop I just love guns!! ;D
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Offline jpshaw

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Re: Opinions on Pawn shop .444.
« Reply #8 on: April 21, 2012, 04:15:58 AM »
Any opinions on what range I can expect from the .444.  I was thinking 150 to 200 yds or would that be pushing it?  Friend says about 200 but would like more opinions on the drop at that range if sighted 1 inch high at 100.
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Offline bucco921

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Re: Opinions on Pawn shop .444.
« Reply #9 on: April 21, 2012, 04:30:08 AM »
sounds like you did good on that one, and Swift scopes are very good, not sure why they arent more popular.
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Offline tacklebury

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Re: Opinions on Pawn shop .444.
« Reply #10 on: April 21, 2012, 04:40:09 AM »
I don't load for .444 but I ran a JBM ballistics calculation based on a Sierra 220 gr. bullet and a velocity around 2390 which is very doable and here's the trajectory info:  (looks good to me out to 200 with 7" drop or a bit beyond.  Maybe 300 max)


 
Ok, I redid this as a screen shot.  Sorry the JBM tables just broke up into pieces...  8(
 
***quick edit here***
I should note that BB would really be the best one to hear from  as he's done tons of 444 testing.  Depending on getting a better BC bullet and what loads you can assemble, I can see that this could go longer also.  ;)
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Offline tdoor

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Re: Opinions on Pawn shop .444.
« Reply #11 on: April 21, 2012, 05:04:45 AM »
You got a good deal there,  If you reload just go for the gold, I use full power loads with zero at 200 and can hit with acc at 300 yds.  I am not afraid to strech it out to 400 iff called for.  You might also try the FTX 265 gr slugs from Hornady,  they work real well in both of my 444's
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Offline jpshaw

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Re: Opinions on Pawn shop .444.
« Reply #12 on: April 21, 2012, 06:53:22 AM »
Quote from: tdoor on April 21, 2012, 05:04:45 AM
You might also try the FTX 265 gr slugs from Hornady,

That's the bullet I plan to use but just need a good powder to push it with.  Have H110 and Reloader 15 on hand but doubt that would be a first choice for that case.  BTW 220 yds is about my maximum shot from my deer stand and there is a good deer trail right there.  Just wanted to know if the .444 would be up to that distance.  Passed up two shots there with my .44 Mag during one Primitive season since it's only good for about 6 inch group at 100 with its overbore .432 barrel and 1/38 inch twist.
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Offline gendoc

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Re: Opinions on Pawn shop .444.
« Reply #13 on: April 21, 2012, 07:04:00 AM »
Quote from: Ol BW on April 21, 2012, 04:02:23 AM
Yep sounds like a good deal to me.  I love a good pawn shop with guns.  Well, I love a good gun shop.  Heck, it don't matter about the shop I just love guns!! ;D

now BW, you done saida true mouthful.....yeah!!! ;D   an jpshaw, real gud you done too ;)
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Offline tacklebury

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Re: Opinions on Pawn shop .444.
« Reply #14 on: April 21, 2012, 07:10:49 AM »
Well in that bullets case, there's more data to be had direct from Hornady: http://www.hornady.com/assets/files/ftx_load_data/444_marlin_ftx.pdf
 
I redid the chart using the data from Hornady using their top speed of 2300 fps and here's the chart with that bullet:
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Tacklebury --}>>>>>    Multi-Barrel: .223 Superlite, 7mm-08 22", .30-40 Krag M158, .357 Maximum 16-1/4 HB, .45 Colt, .45-70 22" irons, 32" .45-70 Peeps, 12 Ga. 3-1/2 w/ Chokes, .410 Smooth slugger, .45 Cal Muzzy, .50 Cal Muzzy, .58 Cal Muzzy

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Offline tdoor

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Re: Opinions on Pawn shop .444.
« Reply #15 on: April 21, 2012, 08:01:29 AM »
I use IMR 3031 near max loads
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Offline quickdtoo

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Re: Opinions on Pawn shop .444.
« Reply #16 on: April 21, 2012, 11:36:46 AM »
Sounds like ya made a good deal on the Handi, depends on the model of the Swift scope, I wouldn't give a Reliant to anyone, but their Premiers have always been good scopes. I have two 444 Marlin Handis, a 22" factory 1:20" gun and a 20" 1:38" that I octagoned and rechambered from a 44mag rifle, I've shot 240gr XTPs, 265gr Hornady FPs, 355gr BTB in the 1:20" 22" barrel. And 275gr Hawk in the 1:38" with RL7 at just over 2300fps. all targets shot at 100yds.  ;)

Tim

Swift Optics discussion

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Offline jpshaw

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Re: Opinions on Pawn shop .444.
« Reply #17 on: April 22, 2012, 01:48:45 AM »
Thanks Quick for all the reloading data plus the thread on Swift Scopes.  More than I had hoped for.  Will definitly get some 4198 for my 265 gr Hornadys.
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Offline abolt-fan

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Re: Opinions on Pawn shop .444.
« Reply #18 on: April 22, 2012, 12:46:57 PM »
JP,

I have two Handi's with .444 barrels.  I thinks it's one of the overlooked calibers available in a Handi.  I've used mine handloaded with two bullets, Speer 270gr. Gold Dot soft points and Hawk 275gr. spire points.  Powder is H4198 with Rem. brass and Win. LR primers.  These loads are running about 2250 fps.  Groups are as good as QTD posted.  Having used them in Mississippi and Vermont on hogs and deer I can tell you they hammer the snot out of game.  Farthest shot on game for me has been 190 yds.

Keep in mind that if you load the Hornady FTX bullets you will have to trim the brass farther back than normal to maintain proper O.A.L.   Congrats on your find, you've got a good one.
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