.444 Marlin

Infobox Firearm Cartridge
name= .444 Marlin


caption= .444 Marlin is 2nd from left
origin= United States
type= Rifle
service=
used_by=
wars=
designer= Marlin, Remington Arms
design_date=1964
manufacturer=Remington
production_date=
number=
variants=
parent=
case type=semi-rimmed
bullet=.429
neck=.4530
shoulder=
base=.4706
rim_dia=.5140
rim_thick=.0630
case_length=2.250
length=2.55
rifling=1-38"
primer=large rifle

is_SI_units=
bw1=240
btype1=SP
vel1=2350
en1=2942
bw2=265
btype2=FP
vel2=2200
en2=2849
bw3=300
btype3=HP
vel3=2000
en3=2665
bw4=
btype4=
vel4=
en4=
bw5=
btype5=
vel5=
en5=
test_barrel_length=24 in
balsrc= Hornady cite book | last =Hornady | title = "Hornady Handbook of Cartridge Reloading" | series = vol I | edition = 6th Edition | year = 2003 | publisher = Hornady Mfg Co | location = | pages =586] / Remington [http://www.remington.com/products/ammunition/ballistics/comparative_ballistics_results.aspx?data=R444M Remington ballistics table] ] The .444 Marlin is a rifle cartridge designed in 1964 by Marlin Firearms and Remington Arms. It was designed to fill in a gap for the older .45-70 at a time when that cartridge was not currently available in any lever action, making it the largest at the time available lever-action cartridge. The .444 looks like a lengthened .44 Magnum and provides a significant increase in velocity.

History

In the mid 1960s the .45-70 had all but disappeared from the American marketplace. There was no big-bore cartridge available in a lever-action rifle, so Marlin decided to create a new cartridge to fill this empty niche. They choose to create essentially an elongated version of a .44 Magnum by making it nearly an inch longer to give it power similar to the .45-70."A Hard-Hitter in Rifle or Gandgun by Dr. George E. Dvorchak, Jr. in cite book | editor = Bob Bell | title = "Handloader's Digest" | edition = 17th | year =1997 | publisher =DBI Books | location =Iola, WI | pages =172-176 | isbn = 0-87349-192-0] The case Marlin created is very similar to a rimmed version of a .30-06 that was trimmed and necked-up to work with .429 bullets. cite book | last = Ackley | first = P.O. | title = "Handbook for Shooters & Reloaders" | edition = 8th Printing | series = vol II | origyear = 1966 | year = 1979 | publisher = Plaza Publishing | location = salt Lake City, Utah | pages =213 | id = ASIN B000BGII48]

Hunters initially had some troubles because the .444 was frequently loaded using existing .429 bullets that were designed for use at handgun velocities. Nevertheless the rifle did gain in popularity as more suitable bullets were designed for its higher velocity." [http://www.chuckhawks.com/444Marlin.htm The .444 Marlin] " by Chuck Hawks]

In 1972 Marlin re-introduced the .45-70 to their lever-action line, expanding their big-bore offerings. Sales of the .444 are now overshadowed by .45-70 cartridge which has enjoyed a resurgence in popularity.

Performance

The Marlin can push a 240 grain bullet at velocities over convert|2400|ft/s|m/s|abbr=on generating 3,070 ft·lbf of energy (730 m/s and 4,160 J) making it well suited for all large game. [http://www.reloadbench.com/cartridges/444m.html .444 Marlin] at The Reload Bench] SAAMI has rated this cartridge at 44,000 CUP. [ [http://www.accuratepowder.com/data/PerCaliber2Guide/Rifle/Standarddata(Rifle)/432Cal(10.97mm)/444%20Marlin%20page%20331.pdf .444 data from Accurate Powder] ] It functions most efficiently when used with cast lead bullets. Hand-casted bullets allows the shooter to optimize the alloy for strength and expansion at the higher velocities generated by the Marlin over the traditional 44 caliber bullets. There are several commercial moulds available for the hand-caster: The SAEC #433 mould which casts a 300 grain (19.4 g) gas-checked bullet, the Lyman 429640 at 280 grains (18.1 g) are two of the more potent bullets for this caliber. Proper cartridge length is maintained by seating the bullet to the correct depth and using a Lee Factory Crimp Die to put a firm crimp on the seated bullet to prevent slippage in the magazine tube.

3 years after the introduction of the 444 Marlin, Hornady introduced a new heavier 265 grain .430" bullet created specifically for use in this new 44 caliber cartridge. ["Hornady Handbook of Cartridge Reloading vol I, Sixth Edition"; Book by Hornady Mfg Co, 2003 p. 586] Since then Hornady has also made a 265 grain (17.2 g) interlock "light magnum" that boosts velocity to nearly convert|2350|ft/s|m/s|abbr=on and 3140 foot-pounds force of energy at the muzzle. Hornady's latest offering for this caliber is its new LEVERevolution ammunition that has a soft polymer spire point that can be safely loaded in tubular magazines. Because of an increased ballistic coefficient, Hornady boasts of increase velocity over convert|200|yd|m, and velocity and energy at the muzzle of 1,971 ft/s, 2,285 ft·lbf (601 m/s and 3,098 J) and at convert|200|yd|m, convert|1652|ft/s|m/s|abbr=on and 1,606 ft·lbf (504 m/s and 2,178 J) versus convert|1542|ft/s|m/s|abbr=on and 1,400 ft·lbf (470 m/s and 1,900 J) for its interlock ammo.

Other specialized companies such as Buffalo Bore, Cor-bon, and Grizzly Cartridge offer loadings for the 444 Marlin in bullet weights up to 320 grains.

Comparisons

The newer .450 Marlin is also frequently compared with it. While it does not have the power of the .450 Marlin, it is very similar ballistically to the .45-70, the almost extinct .348 Winchester, and the .405 Winchester. A convert|265|gr|sing=on bullet in .429 has the same sectional density as a convert|300|gr|sing=on bullet in .458 and can provide good penetration on large game. According to M.L. McPherson (Editor, "Cartridges of the World"), "the 444 is fully capable against any species in North America." "Nosler Reloading Guide 5th Edition"; Book by Nosler Inc, LP, 2002 p. 487] and he describes its useful range as being out to about convert|200|yd|m.

ee also

* List of rifle cartridges
* 10 mm caliber

References

*cite web | title=.444 Marlin | work=Hodgdon Powder Company Rifle Data | url=http://www.hodgdon.com/data/rifle/444mar.php | accessdate=2006-05-22
*cite web | title=.444 Marlin | work=Remington Ballistics Data | url=http://www.remington.com/products/ammunition/ballistics/comparative_ballistics_results.aspx?data=R444M | accessdate=2007-03-07
*Cartridge Dimensions: "Designing and Forming Custom Cartridges", Book by Ken Howell, Precision Shooting, 1995, ISBN 0-9643623-0-9 p. 359

External links

* [http://www.chuckhawks.com/marlin_336_444_1895.htm The Marlin Models 308, 336, 444, and 1895] at Chuck Hawks
* [http://www.hwsportsman.net/444Marlin.html .444 Marlin, The Forgotten Big Bore]