I just received a 444 for my birthday and am looking for a load. I also received a box of Hornady 265 light magnums and am a little concerned about using them in a lever gun. Need help please.

It looks as though you got a box of the best factory loaded ammo that a 444 owner could have. Why would you worry about firing factory loads, even light magnums, in a rifle that is (or should be) in good condition?

Jeff

That Hornady ammo will do just fine in the 444...

I have had one since 1982... I love it!

ONe thing people do is load it up hot, and for that I am not sure why.. except testosterone maybe...

first of all the bullets are not that aerodynamic...So a lot more velocity gives you about 10 to 15 yds tops extra point blank range..

The 44 caliber bullets don't need a lot of velocity to penetrate thru about anything...
Especially if one uses the Hornady XTP bullets...

For handloading, a lot of load recommendations end up giving you a full case which is a pain in a straight case like the 444....

So I can tell you Max 44 Mag rifle loads work just fine in a 444 with lower pressure, and no dealing with a compressed load when reloading..

It also will yield the same velocity as it would in a 44 Mag....

My favorite two powders are Blue Dot shotgun powder and SR 4759... ( NOT 4756!)... and a 300 grain Hornady XTP....MV is about 1750 fps...

Accuracy can be a one hole group at 75 yrds at times...That is the max recommended velocity for the bullet any way... Zeroed 3.5 inches high at 100 yds it is easily a 150 to 160 yd load... It will take down anything that gets in its way...

That 300 grain XTP really will put some damage on whatever it hits...

All of this and recoil is reduced about 40 to 50% over factory loads or loads that require 50 grains of powder or so...Al you sacrifice is about 10 to 15 yds, of point blank range.. IN woods hunting that is not really a concern anyway...

Cheers
seafire

My 444SS (micro groove barrel) LOVES the 265gr LM loads from Hornady!!! That said, however, I wish to use 300gr bullets of stouter construction. I will be using Grizzly Cartridge Company's 300gr Bonded Flat Point this season and see how it works out.

I use 300 gr. Beartooth cast over H335 powder with 58 gr. Chronographs at 2300 fps. Haven't shot anything buit a tree with it but sure penetrated the wood.

If you handload, 50 grains of Vihtavouri 130 and a 265 Hornady will make the 444 stand up and do tricks. I chronographed my 24" Marlin 444 at 2380fps. That's smokin' for a 444. No pressure signs, smooth extraction.

Marshall Stanton a http://www.beartoothbullets.com has written the best articles on the 444 that I've read.

Jeff

Hey Levergun Guys,
I'm trying to pull together some reloading data for 444. Bulets of interest include Barnes XPB 225 grain, 240 & 280 grain A Frames, 250 grain Partitions and 270 Gold Dots. Any help would be appreciated.

quote:

Originally posted by Roger Keezer:
I just received a 444 for my birthday and am looking for a load. I also received a box of Hornady 265 light magnums and am a little concerned about using them in a lever gun. Need help please.

Uhhhh... What other kind of gun is there for 444 cartridges?

ANY factory load for the 444 is safe in your marlin.

quote:

Uhhhh... What other kind of gun is there for 444 cartridges?

Encore, Contender, BFR Revolver......