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does the .444 have it's place in Africa?
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the444shooter
one of us
posted
If you guys haven't guessed already from my handle on this forum and many others, I own and shoot a 444SS Marlin with both 300gr Speer UCSPs and 330gr LFNGC cast bullets from Beartooth Bullets both at 2200fps. I posted about the entrance and exit wounds caused by the 300gr UCSP, on a Mule Deer Doe @ 100yds, Fist sized hole clean through. I would imagine it could put down a lot of species of African game. I know of people using their 45/70 guide guns on Cape buff, and would think that the .444 would do just as good of job, especially with the cast bullets. What do you guys think...Remember this is just an open question, just based on curiosity. I will be getting a real DGR soon, only I can't figure out whether I want a .458 Win or .416 Rem...so your advice on those two calibers is appreciated as well.

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God Bless and Shoot Straight

 
Posts: 264 | Location: Big Sky Country, MT | Registered: 12 October 2001Reply With Quote
<Harald>
posted
The .444 Marlin is practically indistinguishable from the old .405 Winchester (even in case dimensions), which was regarded as an appropriate medium-heavy rifle around the turn of the century. It was quickly eclipsed as smokeless cartridges realized their potential, but for a time it was among the most powerful chamberings for a magazine rifle.
 
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<Adirondack Joe>
posted
Having seen results from the 444 on deer and bear, I would say that the caliber would do great on plains game of pretty much any size in the brush where 100 yd shots are long shots and anything beyond 200 yds is rare. Used within practical ranges, the 444 is a powerhouse. As for Buff, many would discourage using the 444, but then again many hunters kill Buff with 44 mag revolvers. If you could get Gerrett's super-hard cast bullets, I'd think you would have a neat package for Africa.
 
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<Adirondack Joe>
posted
Oh, and I forgot to mention that the 444 would probably be ideal for cats taken at 50-100 yds.
 
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Nickudu
Moderator
posted Hide Post
444,
I've too often seen what a Ruger Carbine in .44 Mag can do to knock a .444. If this is your "baby" then, by all means, you should use it and make no apologies. Within it's ranging capability, it'll slam plainsgame as well as most anything else ... maybe better.
As for your dangerous game caliber, I suspect YOU may enjoy the .458 more, in that it does represent an increase in caliber over your .444. Once you determine how well you can handle the recoil you can always convert it to .458 Lott. The .416 will also prove to be highly effective on dangerous game, while possibly being a bit more shootable than the .458.
 
Posts: 11017 | Registered: 14 December 2000Reply With Quote
Kev
one of us
posted Hide Post
hello,

I have heard people who have used a 4570 to hunt in Africa, I think a 444 would be okay if used with a heavy bullet and a very good velocity. I think without a doubt what would be better would be a 50 Alaskan with a 525 gr. bullet going close to 2000 fps, which many people are getting. The 458 WinMag with a 500 gr. gets around 2100 fps and that is known as a good stopper so you can see that the 50 Alaskan is right up there.

 
Posts: 1002 | Location: ALASKA, USA | Registered: 22 May 2002Reply With Quote
500grains
One of Us
posted Hide Post
"but then again many hunters kill Buff with 44 mag revolvers"

Is that true or just rumor?

I would be interested in details if any are available.

 
Posts: 18352 | Location: Salt Lake City, Utah USA | Registered: 20 April 2002Reply With Quote
Paul H
Moderator
Picture of Paul H
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quote:
Originally posted by 500grains:
"but then again many hunters kill Buff with 44 mag revolvers"

Is that true or just rumor?

I would be interested in details if any are available.

I happen to know someone who has done that. I don't recall the shot count it was at least 6 possibly 12 times. Now just a single animal isn't enough to draw a concrete conclusion from, but I simply do not understand the motivation to use marginally to underpowered weapons on dangerous game.

 
Posts: 7213 | Location: Alaska | Registered: 27 February 2001Reply With Quote
GeorgeS
Moderator
posted Hide Post
500grains,
I know several people who have killed buffalo (and lion and elephant, etc.) with .44mag and .45 Colt handguns and heavy, hard-cast bullets.
They are expert shots who a) are prepared to go home empty-handed; b) hunt with a PH who is prepared to back them up; and c) have the PATIENCE to wait for a perfect shot presentation.

444Shooter,
I don't think the .444 is out of its league on plains game within 150 yards if proper bullets are used and the shooter is capable, but there are better rifles and cartridges for the job (like a .338 or a .375).

Forget what TR did 91 years ago. Africa is a much different place, and you don't have month- or year-long safaris ahead of you.

Hunting buff with lever-action .444s and .45-70 is a stunt, pure and simple. Try it if you must, but don't be surprised if it doesn't work as well as you'd planned.

George

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Shoot straight, shoot often, but by all means, use enough gun!

 
Posts: 14623 | Location: San Antonio, TX | Registered: 22 May 2001Reply With Quote
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