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M700
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« on: November 20, 2009, 10:18:06 AM » |
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Okay, getting real interested in this world of the .444 - but I've never even shot one... Did spend nine years shooting a .45/70 Marlin though, if that counts at all. Going to have some questions about the .444 if I decide to grab one of the two I've found for sale here locally...
Handloading - I'll be looking for an all-around load, that will do it all, which for me, means: mule deer, black bear and elk - with a very remote possibility of moose if I'm ever able to draw the danged tag... But every year I hunt mule deer. Sometimes black bear, and sometimes elk.
Is the 265 Hornady up to the task?
I've read Dawei's suggestion to go with the 290 gr cast, and have no real problem with that route either, but the 265 Hornady is almost always avail on the shelf here locally.
Regards, Guy
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Halwg
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« Reply #1 on: November 20, 2009, 10:25:52 AM » |
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The 265 gr bullet was actually made for the 444 and in the jacketed bullets is probably the best all around bullet for hunting. Look at Mr. WyoStillhunter's posts about the 265 gr. He has shot numerous elk with his. I really like the bullet, but used the 270 gr Speer Gold Dot in my hunt this year.
I have also loaded up 300 gr Hornady XTPs that I thought I might use for bear. But they shoot to an entirely different POI than the 265 or 270 gr bullet.
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The Older I Get...The Better I was...
Team 444 Member #175
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Dawei
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« Reply #2 on: November 20, 2009, 03:39:09 PM » |
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Okay, getting real interested in this world of the .444 - but I've never even shot one... Did spend nine years shooting a .45/70 Marlin though, if that counts at all. Going to have some questions about the .444 if I decide to grab one of the two I've found for sale here locally...
Handloading - I'll be looking for an all-around load, that will do it all, which for me, means: mule deer, black bear and elk - with a very remote possibility of moose if I'm ever able to draw the danged tag... But every year I hunt mule deer. Sometimes black bear, and sometimes elk.
Is the 265 Hornady up to the task?
I've read Dawei's suggestion to go with the 290 gr cast, and have no real problem with that route either, but the 265 Hornady is almost always avail on the shelf here locally.
Regards, Guy Sounds like you made need an "INTERVENTION" LOL! The Hornady® Light Magnum™ 265gr FP will do it all; Deer, Bear, Elk, Moose, Caribou! (The Hornady® LEVERevolution™ will do the same PLUS give you 50-75yds more range in a 1:20" twist Ballard gun.) |
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David
Only two defining forces have ever died for you:
1. Jesus Christ
2. The American Soldier, Sailor, Airman, & Marine
One died for your soul, the other for your freedom.
1Cross+3Nails=4Given
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VTDW
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Edmond, Oklahoma
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« Reply #3 on: November 20, 2009, 03:49:05 PM » |
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Hawlg + Dawei + Me. We all three cannot be wrong.  I have several boxes of the Hornady 265s sorta retired (but there is NOTHING wrong with them for the game mentioned) since I switched to Ranch Dog's 280 hardcast. |
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reflex264
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« Reply #4 on: November 20, 2009, 05:44:57 PM » |
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It is my favorite .444 bullet. I have a batch loaded but the .444 is probably going to set this season out. reflex264
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 Team 444 member 57 Team LTD-V member 1 |
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6pt-sika
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« Reply #5 on: November 20, 2009, 06:32:33 PM » |
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While I do agree the Hornady 265 is a good bullet by no means do I think of it as the best .
For my own personal use I would rather have a lighter bullet and a heavier bullet !
The Nosler 250 Partition and the Swift 280 would be better for me !
And if I was stuck to ONE bullet only the Speer 270 or the Swift 280 would most likely win out !
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Sika Deer , Cast Bullets , 444 and 45-70 Marlin's !
The GM GOODWRENCH #3 !
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Silent Running
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« Reply #6 on: November 21, 2009, 04:37:12 AM » |
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I think the Hornady would do just fine! After all we know shot placement is 90% anyway. I lean to the 300gr bullets in jacketed type, I use the Speer for 95% and the Swift 300gr for the last 5%. A couple hundred Swifts would last me two life times.
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If Clinging to my God, My Guns and My Constitution makes me a Right Wing Extremist, then so be it! I will be proud of the company I keep! One Day Soon, We Will Look At The Bush Administration As The Good Old Days!
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Dawei
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« Reply #7 on: November 21, 2009, 06:35:35 AM » |
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David
Only two defining forces have ever died for you:
1. Jesus Christ
2. The American Soldier, Sailor, Airman, & Marine
One died for your soul, the other for your freedom.
1Cross+3Nails=4Given
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WyoStillhunter
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« Reply #8 on: November 21, 2009, 09:03:42 AM » |
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In 2009 I hunted three half-days with the 6.5X55 and tagged antelope, deer and elk. The .444 didn't get out of the closet this year.  In past years it has served me well with 265 gr. Hdy. bullets, either factory ammo or handloads. 2006 No pic of the little antelope I shot. 2006  2006  2007  No shot opportunity in 2008 but the Marlin with 265 gr. bullet sure carried well.  I don't claim it is the best but this bullet has done everything I have asked of it. |
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"Hunt close, then get closer."
Team .444 -- Member #22
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VTDW
Really Short Fuse
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Edmond, Oklahoma
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« Reply #9 on: November 21, 2009, 09:51:27 AM » |
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While I do agree the Hornady 265 is a good bullet by no means do I think of it as the best .
For my own personal use I would rather have a lighter bullet and a heavier bullet !
The Nosler 250 Partition and the Swift 280 would be better for me !
And if I was stuck to ONE bullet only the Speer 270 or the Swift 280 would most likely win out !
Was not the question! |
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dgslr
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« Reply #10 on: November 21, 2009, 06:36:44 PM » |
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Is the 265 Hornady up to the task?
Yes I've never recovered one.White tails aren't stout enough to make them expand out past 200-250 yards.At least not for me.Pigs are stout enough,but the bullet always exited.If I was going where bear or elk were on the menu,the 265 gr. Hornady is what I would use.
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Silhouette shooter's shoot off hand,no scope.
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Wes
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« Reply #11 on: November 21, 2009, 07:42:49 PM » |
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Yes it is up to the task for most anything.
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308/338
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« Reply #12 on: November 23, 2009, 05:55:30 PM » |
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When I first bought my 444S the only bullet I knew was the 240 gr. pistol bullets and then I started to reloading for it and realized that 44 cal. rifle bullets didn't exist. I was happy when Hornady came out with the 265 gr. FN rifle projectile I now load it only and have about 700 of them on hand. I also put this 265 gr. projectile in a 50 cal sabot that hold a 44 cal. bullet for my T/C Omega since it with 100 gr. (2X 50gr. pellets) of Triple 7 has a velocity about 1700 fps and 2100 fps. with 3X pellets. It equals the velocity of the 444.
I won a 50/50 shoot with my T/C hawken Green Mountain barrel 1 in 28 twist with this sabot bullet combination 90 gr. loose Pyrodex against shooter with regular rifles with scopes at 50 yards.
I also used 270 gr. Speer GD. with good results. I have on hand 300 gr. Rem. that I would sell. At one time I was going to load them but my reloading interest went elsewhere.
Do I think the 265 gr. enough! more then enough; more then enough for any creature that's in my neck of the woods.
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