Shiloh Rifle Forums

Since old-win brought up the question for lever gun accuracy brings back a thought I had/have.
I have a .444 Marlin I been thinking using for the silhouette matches. It is a very good shell for accuracy but I shoot a 265 gr to 300 gr and it is very impressive at 200 yards and I know it will reach 500 from the dust I see kicking up shooting at dark lumps of dirt in a chisel plowed field but I have no idea if it will knock over a ram at 500 mtrs.
The 265-grain .444 Marlin load has a muzzle velocity that is almost 300 fps faster than a light 325-grain bullet in a .45-70 load, it generates more energy out to 300 yards and when sighted in three inches high at 100 yards, drops around three inches less at 200 yards than the .45-70. It’s not exactly a flat shooter but a flatter trajectory curve does make the longer shots easier.
My rifle is an earlier production and it has the micro groove rifling that gave me some head scratching developing a cast bullet load till I found the right bullet diameter and weight. For some reason the microgroove does not shoot a lead bullet as well as a Ballard rifling but I found if the diameter is slightly larger than a jacketed it does just fine.

Kurt,

Rifle caliber lever gun is shot from 50 out to 200 only. So, with that being said, yes, Your 444 will knock over a full size ram at 200. My 38-55 does it reliably with a 250 grainer at 1050 fps.

Woody

Thank you Woody.

I didn't realize that they only shot it at 50 to 200. Then the .444 would be a good go.
The problem I found with the .444 Marlin with it's micro groove rifling is that it's cut with a: 1-38″ and the Ballard rifling cuts are a 1/20 or 22 ??? that would make a better twist for a heavier bullet.
Kurt

The 444 Marlin case is very close to the 40/60 Maynard. With the proper twist barrel and heavier bullets it would work for 500 meters. As Woody said the the big bore lever gun silhouette is shot at a maximum of 200 meters so it should work.

If those chickens are full sized at 50 yards then that should get my chicken count up

Do they shoot that match with black powder or smokeless?

Woody,

I think they shoot the lever silhouette at Friendship and I plan on shooting there next season if they let us out of the house.
What are the requirements for those shoots? I have several lever rifles in the marlins and 99 savage in .30 cal, .44 and .45. They all have hammers except the .300 Savage.

Kurt,

We don't currently shoot the lever guns at Friendship. I think they did in the past and there has been talk about shooting them again. Nothing firm yet. Lever gun rules allow any safe load, (black or smokeless, lead or jacketed), as long as it doesn't damage the targets. Yes full size chickens at 50 yards. I do have a 10 in a row pin with them. The turkeys are the hardest ones for me. I only get to shoot the lever guns in Raton.

Look forward to having you shoot with us. It's a good crowd.

Woody

Kurt,

We don't currently shoot the lever guns at Friendship. I think they did in the past and there has been talk about shooting them again. Nothing firm yet. Lever gun rules allow any safe load, (black or smokeless, lead or jacketed), as long as it doesn't damage the targets. Yes full size chickens at 50 yards. I do have a 10 in a row pin with them. The turkeys are the hardest ones for me. I only get to shoot the lever guns in Raton.

Look forward to having you shoot with us. It's a good crowd.

Woody

My Daughter moved down to Charles Town IN. that's not far from Friendship and she will be going to Friendship with me. It will be good to see her and the cookie munchers monthly. She is the only smart one in the Family to get out of this State.

By the way, I found the AA shot hulls I thought I pitched out in the shed, so they are still yours if your still wanting them. I even might have some wads left

Bring them over, I'll put them to use.

Woody

The 444 is enough for 200 meter rams but you might be careful shooting chickens at 50 meters. You can shoot either smokeless or black powder in Lever Action silhouette. If you want to have some REAL fun shoot that 444 in highpower out to 500 meters with Iron sights. The last high power match I shot I used my 330-30 Winchester and it was a HOOT !! Yes...a 170 grain 30-30 bullet will knock over 500 meter rams.