[Flat Top]

In a previous post there was talk of a 444 shotshell, so I put a few together today for testing. I am hoping that these will feed through my Safari Grade 444 with the 2.750 COL. Here are a few of the shotshells with a 2.700 COL and a 405 grain bullet at 2.750. These shotshells will hold a full 3/4 ounce of shot, and will duplicate a .410 bore shotshells ballistics. Of course, the patterns will be good for only close range work, but for vermin, snakes, and small game up close, they will do the job.

 

[Tom in Arizona]

Re: 444 shotshell

Interesting, would like to hear about your feeding results, please post them. I have loaded and used the Speer shot capsules in 44 Magnum cartridges, but haven't thought of using any in my 444's. Might just give it a try.

 

[Flat Top]

Re: 444 shotshell

Will do! Just leave the cap off of the shot capsule......after the powder and wad fill the case with shot, and whats left over, fill the shot capsule with...then put them together, and compress it all to your COL (or a COL that will feed) and crimp with a Lee FCD.........I get 3/4 ounce (about 345 grains) in mine, so the COL will determine how much you can get in yours. I will report back on the patterns I get, and "if" it will feed............Here are the components I use....pretty simple. Also, for Redhawks (long cylinder) the same idea will work...COL 1.750, or just short of the front of the cylinder. I dont use this with my Redhawks because I make full metal shot shells from.......444 Marlin cases!!!! ;D

 

[Starrbow]

Re: 444 shotshell

I have never found a 410 shell that would chamber in a 444, I have tried almost all 2.5" shells made, I know this much, the kid down the road sure loves me, he gets all those shells!

I will be waiting to see just how those pattern with the fast twist barrels, those poor ole 444's of yours are getting so darn diverse, you may need to head down to local DSS office and apply for some checks

 

[Flat Top]

Re: 444 shotshell

Starrbow; I have been told that a 410 shell will chamber , but have never tried it. I will post some patterns. The patterns from my 44 mag Redhawk 4" (with the 1/2 ounce 444 Marlin shotshells) are ok for short shots...maybe 10 ft or so...here is a target (top pattern about 8" at 5 feet...bottom pattern at 10 ft). I am hoping that the increased load and longer barrel of the rifle may extend that out a bit...but who knows. Diversity.....I have the 405 at 2160....working on the 300 at 2500....and if this works out a shotshell.....any thoughts on what to pursue next?

 

[Pioneer]

Re: 444 shotshell

I was thinking about making the lever revolution brass into shot shells since I haven't loaded them otherwise and I have a coupole boxes of once fired. I have also tried a few times to load a 410 into my 444 and it just won't close, yet others have told me they have used them and worked well. I would be interested in trying this system if you get good results

 

[Flat Top]

Re: 444 shotshell

Pioneer; Are the 410 shells too long...or too "fat"? What is the "reason" that they wont chamber? It would be nice to just use a 410 shell....maybe there is a trick to it, but if there is I dont know what it could be. Weather permitting I should get to the range on wednesday....I will report back wednesday afternoon if that happens.

 

[Pioneer]

Re: 444 shotshell

Pioneer; Are the 410 shells too long...or too "fat"? What is the "reason" that they wont chamber? It would be nice to just use a 410 shell....maybe there is a trick to it, but if there is I dont know what it could be. Weather permitting I should get to the range on wednesday....I will report back wednesday afternoon if that happens.

THey do not measure too long, but it almost closes and then stops, so it might be the front end of the shell being a little too wide. I also heard before that some guys actually try to crush the end of the shell with their teeth , sort of biting it all around to make it a little tapered and it worked, but I did not try that yet. I do not know if they fed then or have to just load one when they need it. I have some here I should try crushing the end with pliers to see if it fits then

 

[Flat Top]

Re: 444 shotshell

Pioneer; That was my first though....maybe just running them up into a 444 sizing die....Iwould stay away from the "teeth" thing though!!! ;D Keep us posted!!!

 

[Pioneer]

Re: 444 shotshell

That is a good idea I wil try that with a couple. I wonder if they would be close to not being ejected because of open length, I will have to look at that too I guess

 

[Flat Top]

Re: 444 shotshell

Thats another good point. I cycled some of mine through the action, into the chamber and out the door...loaded, and they cycled just fine, but, my rilfe is modified to do that length. My question would be...What will an OEM rifle be capable of.....be interesting to find that out.

 

[Plundering Bill]

Re: 444 shotshell

Sounds like a fun experiment!

I may be just a bit lazy, so I think I will stick with my 44 super blackhawk with shot shells for now...but it is tempting to try!

 

[Flat Top]

Well, I tried out the shotshells and other than throwing more shot, the 444 shotshells produce about the same size patterns as the 44 Mag shotshells that I use in my Redhawk....I kind of suspected this would happen...see photo... 5ft, 10ft, 15 ft. A gentleman from my home forum told me that he melts wax into his shot charge and it is supposed to tighten the patterns. I am waiting for him to contact me with the details and the gains from doing this, and if his method works, I will give that a try on my next trip to the range. I will keep you posted.

 

[Pioneer]

I have heard about the wax before I can't find the data, but supposedly who ever it was used a cut down 410 wad, shot the capped it with wax to hold the shot in, but they also just loaded one at a time, not a tube full. If this is only good for 10 feet I don't want to go through all that work, I was hoping for 10 - 15 yards

 

[1R]

Patterns look good for snakes, etc. They don't show the donut pattern I'd expect from a rifled barrel. If you're wanting a small game load, though, tighter would be better.

 

[Pioneer]

I have been told that the shot does spriral out leaving a void in the center after a distance, but I don't thnk there is time at 5 to 15 feet to sprial out

 

[Sweetwater]

I never did pattern any of the shotshells I made, But that didn't stop them from working. Ruffed Grouse at over 50ft was never much of a challenge. shot more with the shotshell loads than I ever did with a shotgun. Used 357Mag, 41Mag and 45Colt. Made full cylinder length loads for the 45Colt from 444Marlin brass and full length loads for the 41Mag from 30-30W brass. I've never used the full-length loads on game, just the standard length brass loads. Don't know what I'd have found if I had patterned them, I just used them.

Jeff
NRA Life

 

[killswitharrows]

I can attest to the mouth crimp method. That's right I used my teeth and crushed the shot shell at the edge of the crimp. Just opening the crimp slightly. After doing that I was able to chamber, fire, and eject shot shell. Now I was loading them one at a time. So I do not know if they would cycle fully from the tube.

 

[Flat Top]

killswitharrows; Thanks for that info...now we know! My shot capsules were a bit to long to feed through my 444 so I am going to work with that a bit more. Also I got some info on the hot wax trick (supposed to tighten up the patterns) so I will try that the next time I go to the range.

 

[Joe S.]

I can attest to the mouth crimp method. That's right I used my teeth and crushed the shot shell at the edge of the crimp. Just opening the crimp slightly. After doing that I was able to chamber, fire, and eject shot shell. Now I was loading them one at a time. So I do not know if they would cycle fully from the tube.

something about putting a charged shell in mymouth and biting on it...

id be nervous as heck about that!