The Wimpy 444??

[VTDW]

Went shooting Sunday afternoon and used a log to hold a box down in the 30-35 mph wind while checking out my Henry .22.  When finished I decided to shoot a couple of rounds with the 444S.  As it happened, the glancing shot can be seen on the log.  There is also an entrance hole in the log that I show when I saw what the bullet did on the glancing shot.  I moved my POA and shot.  You can also see the exit.  the screwdriver shows a little bit of lead left in the log before the bullet completely blew it out.  This is a 5" seasoned Blackjack Oak and it is very HARD.  It will dull a chainsaw and is much work to chop with an ax.  I found the result quite sobering to say the least.

[markc]

love my .444P.  Now what round were you firing out of your .444S?  Yep, killed a tree or two with my .444 when I first bought it.  Has done even more nicely on deer and hogs.  
markc

[VTDW]

Mark,

I don't reload and was using the Hornady factory 265 gr.  I also like the BB 270 gr.  They have the same POI as the Hornady.

Dave :-)

[TennesseeNuc]

VTDW,
I don't have a lever gun in 444, but I have come to use Hornay's 265g in my 44 revolvers.  After trying all different weights and configurations of bullets, the 265g Hornady seems to be an excellent "do-all" bullet. :grin:
Later,
TnNuc

[Mikey]

VTDW:  Yep, there ain't nothin' wimpy about the 444, not at all.  The 265 grain load seems to be a good all around 'does it well' load, or at least that's what you might thihk until you stuff some 300 or 330 grainers down the tube, then you can really see something.

As markc said, I too have shot a couple fo trees - actually knocked one right down with a couple of shots.  Took a large tom turkey a few years ago - shot him right through the tree.  They was a 4" Locust tree right in front of him and I didn't see it because I was concentrating on my front sight which hid the tree.  Now, that was just with a 240 gr load but it took him square through the tree and the center of his body.  

That being said, I usually use sections of cut pine for targets and will knock a section that's at least 1' in diameter and 2' long right off its perch at 100 yds.  Sometimes the 300 grainers I load up for my long barrel (26") penetrate right through.  The 444 is an amazing cartridge.  Mikey.

[markc]

love the .444.  I don't feel undergunned at all.  Now if I ever get to travel to elk or moose or whatever country, I will load heavier than 240 gr rounds that I am using for Texas whitetail and feral hogs, but I would be quite happy with my .444P.  In fact I would like to be the first on the forum to take a Muskox with the .444.   :grin:
markc

[papajohn428]

Musk Ox?  Isn't that Eskimo for Rosie O'Donnell? :wink:

PJ

[Mikey]

papajohn:  No, Inuit for rosie o'donnel is whale blubber (LOL).......... Mikey.

[markc]

Actually I thought the Big Foot sightings were in fact Rosie O'Donnel.  I think she began her acting career in"The Legend of Bogey Creek".  She played herself as Bigfoot.   :-D
markc

[FAsmus]

Moderator,

I have some experience shooting the 444 in singleshot rifles where we call it the "44/63 Ballard" and load it up in a more serious manner than the lever rifles allow.

I have a 16 twist barrel on a FBW action that I can load up with a 470 grain bullet over 44 grains WW748 for example that would pretty much shatter your block of oak, hard or not.

Of course there is somewhat more recoil than some rifles generate but the power is there.

Good morning,
Forrest

[marlinman93]

VTDW,
 Is Blackjack Oak in season? How do you cook them to get them tender? Pressure cooker? Do you smoke them first? Are they tough to stalk, or do you need hounds? :wink:

[handirifle]

fasmus
That 470gr bullet must be 3" long! :shock:

[oso45-70]

Poppajohn.
What do you have against musk ox??