Winchester did some .40" cartridges.No idea - relics left to me from an old pal - I thought they may have been crimped in some way or maybe the bullets are not true calibre?
Open to suggestions….
I started a thread a couple of years ago asking about lever guns and the 444 did come up for discussion. On the face of it, it would be the better choice if only because it seems more able to reach the Scottish legal velocity requirement (although I don't go to Scotland much, that could change...)
i have a .444 marlin probably the last rifle I would ever sell . There are a few out there but they don’t come on the market very often? Just my opinion but I find it a lot nicer to shoot ..I started a thread a couple of years ago asking about lever guns and the 444 did come up for discussion. On the face of it, it would be the better choice if only because it seems more able to reach the Scottish legal velocity requirement (although I don't go to Scotland much, that could change...)
Unfortunately they seem less common over here than 45-70s, which also aren't especially common compared to most "normal" chamberings. Add the scarcity of factory ammo and the lack of many reloading options and it's probably a bit of a non-starter.
I've got an 1894 Cowboy Limited in 357 (which is my wife's gun really) and I have a new 1894 SBL on order in 44 Rem. Mag... So at least I'm not totally devoid of levers while I svae my pennies up for a big one
I actually liked the older slow twist Micro Groove 444’s over the later Ballard tucked guns . While many many computer jockies will tell you Micro Groove can’t handle more then maybe a 300 grain bullets provided all the planets are aligned that’s horse shyte . I got the Micro Guns to handle up to 375 grain cast gas check bullets . I had one Ballard rifled gun that was made in 2002 I think it was that I used for 380-450 grain cast bullets . Some tried to say it was a fluke in one rifle which was not the case I had four different 375 grain molds and shot those in eight different rifles all Micro and all doing well enough for my parameters . Where I typically sit a 75 yard shots about max so I never shot the big bullets past 100 yards . I was a big advocate of the Ranch Dog bullet design and had all the molds he ever designed then some of the ones I cut were a spin off . The Ranch Dog 432-265GC was an excellent deer killing bullet . I also got very decent results with it shooting metallic silhouette and some Quigley type stuff . Sometimes I get hung up on stuff 6.5mm’s , 8 gauge , 10 gauge and the 444 . It is what it is I suppose .
Mine is the micro grove as well and shoots any thing I put through it well not tried any heavier than 300 gr though !
I got hung up on the two earliest 444 variations made from 1964 until 1975 . They all had barrel bands and the first variation had that kinda big straight grip Monte Carlo stock . Production is stated to have started in 1965 but I had one that by serial number was made in 1964 and roll stamped “444 Marlin Magnum” . Over the course of time I got atleast one example for each year from 1964 to 1975 and in most instances I had two . 1970 and 71 I had several examples for both years as there were minuet changes in those two years . The second variation had barrel bands and was made from 1971 to 1975 the barrel was 2” shorter and the buttstock now was pistol grip and no Monte Carlo . Most of these guns I picked up for $200-450 each a few years later when I started selling them off the market value had increased substantially . The 1964 gun I bought for $425 off an internet auction site , it came with a period correct Marlin 4x scope . Kept it a few years and almost tripled my money . The others as a general rule all doubled in price .
Looks like they have there or thereabouts, .43(9) bullets seated as used in a number of obsolete 11mm cartridges. Anyway, you will get that effect if you run it through a selection of 11mm dies as a simple mock-up. It could of course also be something more interesting, made from .45 cases for one of the many forgotten cartridges similar to the 44-77 or 44-90 but the ratios are wrong for those.Yep - been there done that - shooting on a whole new level. For those who have led a sheltered (much quieter and much less smokier) life and for comparison - reading left to right 45-90; 45-70; .308 and .22.
View attachment 419390Oh! I nearly forgot …. The 50 cal.
View attachment 419392
Finally (remembered) got round to measuring…
Finally (remembered) got round to measuring…
View attachment 419850
Left to right, bullets and measurements are:-
45-90 = .45”,
45-70 = .45”
Unknown = .41”
So I don’t understand the obvious neck-sizing on the two .45s….
Finally (remembered) got round to measuring…
View attachment 419850
Left to right, bullets and measurements are:-
45-90 = .45”,
45-70 = .45”
Unknown = .41”
So I don’t understand the obvious neck-sizing on the two .45s….
If they're dummy rounds, loaded with 45cal pistol/revolver dies and using .451/.452 bullets it might result in something like that? Not sure though, how much reduction it requires to look like that.
So I don’t understand the obvious neck-sizing on the two .45s….
Over excited crimpingFinally (remembered) got round to measuring…
View attachment 419850
Left to right, bullets and measurements are:-
45-90 = .45”,
45-70 = .45”
Unknown = .41”
So I don’t understand the obvious neck-sizing on the two .45s….
3 on guntrader currently, listed 2022,2023 and 2024……
