Anybody have any experience with shooting the 444 Marlin in a old Rem- Rolling Block Rifle? A buddy of mine has one , but has never shot it. I thought that about 30 yrs ago Numrich sold kits for these conversions. Will a Rolling Block take a full load from the 444 Marlin? This cartridge can generate more pressure than a 45-70 as far as I can tell. I have no data on what a Rolling Block can and can't take other than I know that the 7X57 Mausers were built on them. I'd appreciate any experience you all might have on this topic. I believe the action was made for smokeless powder.-Rob

Rob,which action is it built on? most of the conversions are done on the No-1 remingtons,they have been done up to 50-90,one I own is in 45-120,
some of the Dannish and Swede actions are also done up in 50-70 or 90.I quess the best answer is contact David Higginbtham at Lone Star Arms,his specialty is rolling blocks

I just ran Quick load on the 444 marlin and the PSI limit is 51K PSI. I don't think I'd shoot anything that hot in a RB.-Rob

I have to agree with that. The beauty of the 444, or one of them at least, is that the factory ammo is full power unlike the 45-70 loads that are hamstrung by the presence of trapdoors. Its a great, overlooked round, but I don't think the RB is suitable to fire it in.

thats odd iv never heard of a 444 rolling block?

The Remington Rollingblock,in good shape is a very strong action, and can handle the 444 Marlin easily. The problem with the R/B action is, it is springy, and bends the case heads out of line, and makes it hard on brass. The barrel kits made for the R/B rifles a few years ago, were well made, and the barrels were of good quality. The barrel shank is very large in diameter, and can handle a lot of chamber pressure. One other draw back of the R/B action is, it has a limit to the cartridge length it can be chambered for, because the block will only roll so far back, and any thing over 3.60" OAL on a rimmed cartridge, can't be chambered.

This is the rifle that was used to develope the 458 RCBS wildcat cartridge by Fred Huntington, and absorbed many working loads, up to 68 grs of IMR4064 behind a 500 gr .458 bullet without any problem! The case capacity of the 458RCBS is 100.13 grs water, if anyone wants to run a fast load on it!

The 7X57 Mauser is a 50,000lb cartridge, and a lot of barrels were worn out by the Mexican army with this load in rolling blocks!

MacD37- Thanks for the info on the RB. I'm still a bit leeery of 50K loads in these things. This one is in fabulous shape, but I think I can get pretty good performance at lower pressures. I ran quick load and it looks like 52 grs of IMR4895 with a 240 gr bullet will do 2100 fps out of a 26 inch tube at 27Kpsi. I think I'll start there and work up carefully. Thanks-Rob

Sounds like a plan to me, Robgunbuilder! I think you will be pleasently supprised when you get up to full loads.

Simply tie the rifle to an old tire, and fire one round of factory with a long string, and check for pressure sign! Then SMILE!!!!!!

AH HAH!!
I knew I had this article, from
"The NRA Gunsmithing Guide-Updated, Building Rifles on Remington Rolling block action"
[paraphrased by me, but not my knowledge]
Suggested Rounds
#1 Smokeless Action 1902
8.5" long, barrel shank 1.430 long, 1" major thread diameter
250 sav
300 sav
7x57
etc

#1 blackpowder action 1867-1890
.. looks like above, but not
45-90
45-70
33 win
shotgun

#1 1/2 action 1888 1897
38-55
32-40
3030
22 hornet

#2 action "medium" 1873 1910
38-40
45 colt
32-30

#4 action 1890 1933
22s and other rimfires

Rob, your's is obviously a #1 (from earlier pics) what was it chambered for, ?

jeffe

[ 12-13-2002, 06:14: Message edited by: jeffeosso ]