444 marlin

[bigcountry8530]

To start I know this is not long range as you think of it. This is long range for deer hunting in Ohio. I have the 444 marlin lever gun and a CVA single shot. I want thoughts on having a bolt action built. I love the guns I have just want something else.

 

[HARPERC]

To start with plug us in some parameters. Is Ohio one of the states with restrictions on rifles/cartridges? What's typical ranges for you, do you have a weight limit, a budget, are you going to be mobile, or is it a stand hunt, will the rifle see other uses or different species. Do you reload, or will factory ammo be what your using.

A lot of good over the counter rifles these days, and you'll get a ton of opinions-keep an eye on the classifieds some good deals there at times.

Good Luck!

 

[bigcountry8530]

Yes Ohio is a straight wall only rifle cartridge. It would be mostly stand hunting in Ohio with a range of 250 yards or less. As far as other animals not sure yet. I would like to hunt black bear elk and moose at some point but that gun would be mostly deer and bear if I did a gun hunt. Elk and moose would be something with more range.

 

[HARPERC]

Limited is what I recalled, as the options have been discussed before. Is the .444 maximum length case?

At the end others will be more helpful, I'm mostly just keeping the conversation going until those in your boat spot the thread.

 

[bigcountry8530]

OAL is 2.55 case length is 2.225. The leverevoltion from hornady has a shorter case to allow for the soft polymer tip

 

[Rumup]

I just got done with a build for Ohio deer for years I've used smokeless ml witch make 250yd easy but this year put a 458 Lott together with hand loads shooting 260 grain cutting edge just over 3250 . If you don't reload the 450 Marlin would be my choice.

 

[bigcountry8530]

Can i ask why a 458 lott? That is a lot of gun just for whitetail. And it has to kick like a mule.

 

[338 dude]

Yes Ohio is a straight wall only rifle cartridge. It would be mostly stand hunting in Ohio with a range of 250 yards or less. As far as other animals not sure yet. I would like to hunt black bear elk and moose at some point but that gun would be mostly deer and bear if I did a gun hunt. Elk and moose would be something with more range.

I love my 444 Marlin XLR it's the rifle that I have the most sellers remorse Over wish I never parted with it

 

[Ol' Red]

444 Marlin should fit well for Ohio restrictions. Most shots are 200 yards or less in the wooded areas, and not much longer in agriculture areas. I would mount a low power ( 2-7) scope. happy hunting.

 

[J E Custom]

To start I know this is not long range as you think of it. This is long range for deer hunting in Ohio. I have the 444 marlin lever gun and a CVA single shot. I want thoughts on having a bolt action built. I love the guns I have just want something else.

If the 444 is legal where you hunt, it would make a great bolt action. Having a rim makes it a little difficult for some bolt designs but with a flat faced bolt it is very possible.

I have one in a pistol and find that most of the pistol bullets are to fragile for the increase velocity, so I use only the rifle bullets. (165 grain is the best) even the 240's
are a little explosive.

My brother in law lives in Michigan and they require a straight case so I built him a 460 S&W on a short action 700 but it was tricky. (He already had the pistol). The other option was a 450 bushmaster That fit the restrictions and works well in any bolt action.

If you want to stay with a 444 I would recommend the TC Encore for a handy and usable substitute to the bolt action. I bought one in 460 S&W for hogs and found it very powerful and accurate. Here are some of the results of testing this combination.
https://www.longrangehunting.com/search/97005/?q=460+S&W&c[users]=J+E+CUSTOM&o=relevance

And this test

460 S&W rifle

Thought I would post the results of one of my latest projects. After building a bolt action 460 S&W with a 22" barrel and finding that the cartridge has more potential, I decided on a 26" barrel in a TC Encore to save overall length. Using the 200 grain Hornady factory loading I found 500...

www.longrangehunting.com

The 444, 450 bushmaster and the 460 S&W would all make a great deer rifle at 2 to 300 yards.

J E CUSTOM

 

[Rumup]

Can i ask why a 458 lott? That is a lot of gun just for whitetail. And it has to kick like a mule.

With the 458 bullet bc not being that great I want all the speed I can get. That bullet its down a round 1400 @500 yards as far as recoil being 18lb and a good break make it a joy to shoot.

 

[J E Custom]

Nice rifle but I don't know if the OP is ready for that much power.

I have built a few 458 Lott's and they were for dangerous game and had over 62 ft/lbs of recoil, Half that with a good break. I have to agree that that Is a "Lott" Of gun for a whitetail. Apparently he can only shoot 250 to 300 yards so ballistics are not an issue for him.

The Bullet BC,s are very close with the bullet weights used
265 grain 444 = .197
250 grain ftx 452 bushmaster = .210
300 grain XTP mag 460 S&W = .200
Couldn't find the 260 BC's of the .458 260 grain.

The 458 Lot is basically a 458 win mag on steroids.

Anyway, Lots of options for him to think about.

J E CUSTOM

 

[Ace Quackhunter]

To start I know this is not long range as you think of it. This is long range for deer hunting in Ohio. I have the 444 marlin lever gun and a CVA single shot. I want thoughts on having a bolt action built. I love the guns I have just want something else.

Hot load 45/70 or 450 Marlin

 

[memtb]

Hot load 45/70 or 450 Marlin

I agree with Ace. At the longer ranges with limited velocities....."there is no substitution for cubic inches"! memtb