I was thinking about a wildcat using the 444 case and saw that the 444 has a cup of 44000vs52000 for the 356. can some one give a explaination for this since the two rifles are probably the same just different calibers. Also would the 444 case gain anything necked down to 356. Thanks. fws

There is the 358 Bellm that is a 444 necked down to .358", uses 358 win dies, and the 444 to bring the base down to size. Case capacity would be mid way between a 356/358 and the 35 whelen, so ~50 gr of powder. I'd check data on the 358 Bellm, then add velocity based on increasing the barrel length.

Paul H, thank you for the info. I went on the internet and found the data. I don't think I would need one of those after seeing the data. I get 2487 with a 220gr speer from my 356 win. 20" barrel. Thanks again. fws

[ 06-07-2002, 02:36: Message edited by: toto ]

The reason the 356 can be loaded to a heavier pressure than the .444 is not ( I repeat not) due to the reduced bolt thrust of it's smaller rim. This would create less back thrust on the bolt and reduced battering of the action but the .506 of the .356 is very similar to the .514 of the .444. Pecos Kelly on another board suggests the old WINBB94 could contain more pressure than the Marlin but the Marlins seemed to handle the 50000psi of the 307/356 and 375 ok too. Some suggest that the 307/356/375 Marlins got special heat treating but I don't believe it... I think you are near the operating limit with these cartridges in a Marlin. The 356 Win to me seems like the top of the heap lever gun caliber for Elk and under but they sold like mollasses. I have a friends 375 in a Marlin and it seems to shoot like crap were my 450 Marlin racks up MOA groups with the right load and 2MOA with factory ammo. The 450 with it's smaller rim can be loaded a little hotter than the 45-70 but it's thicker case has less powder capacity so things about even out. Like to see the BB94 in 356 back but I guess it's day is done. Too bad.

the heat treating of the marlin receiver has been beaten many times on the marlin board. if you search shooters.com, eventually (i think) you find a reference to jamison in shooting times mentioning a different heat treating of the BARRELS for the marlin 356. seems logical as win did the same when the nickel steel barrels came out for smokeless about 1900.