Thread: .444 Marlin - anyone casting / loading for this?

Originally Posted by shooternz

Soft cast bullets will shoot ok no need for real hard lead even straight wheel weights are too hard for hunting bullets if you want expansion
bullet fit to barrel is the most important the fatter the better if the loaded round will chamber with a little clearance for the neck to expand
when fired you are good to go the soft lead will swage to the barrel dimensions sealing the bore, with gas checks and a good bullet lube fouling
won't be a problem work the load up until you get pressure signs or lead fouling then back off a little accuracy will drop off before that

Can't see any real need for expansion with a .430 cal. projectile. I have stacks of wheel weight lead so I suspect I will go heavy / hard / large meplat. All that said, I can't see too many animals in NZ walking away from whatever a .444 spits out 0-200. Thanks for the input mate.