265 Hornady

[SJB358]

I was able to shoot my new to me Marlin 444 into jugs this weekend. It was out of the Hornady Superformance factory loads. They run about 2250 or so out of my rifle. I blasted this bullet into the jugs at about 10-15 ft. Found the jacket in the 4th jug and the lead core on the ground next to the jugs. I will weigh it later, but I was pretty disappointed in the performance to be totally honest. I know it would hammer deer without issues, but I wouldn't use them for anything more. It is just me, but when I think of a 444, I want a big solid mass that sticks together and moves alot of flesh.

They are pretty accurate though. I wouldn't have an issue of hammering whitetails of black bear with them, but with that huge frontal area, I am not sure how far they would drive in something heavy like elk and such.. Could have been a freak bad bullet and it expanded way past the Interlock as well.

 

[JD338]

Scotty

That is an acid test on bullets for sure.
Try the .429 300 gr JHP for grins.

I sure wish Nosler would still make the 250 gr PT. That is an awesome bullet.

JD338

 

[SJB358]

Scotty

That is an acid test on bullets for sure.
Try the .429 300 gr JHP for grins.

I sure wish Nosler would still make the 250 gr PT. That is an awesome bullet.

JD338

Jim, for sure, the 300 grain Nosler will get its turn in the jugs out of the 444 Marlin. It can't do much worse than the Hornady.

I also have about 20-30 of the 250 PT's as well. If I can work up a load with another 250, I will swap it out for the PT and run that into jugs as well and maybe some deer! I have a feeling it will be another 300 PT we are so fond of in our Guide Rifles.

 

[JD338]

Scotty

That is an acid test on bullets for sure.
Try the .429 300 gr JHP for grins.

I sure wish Nosler would still make the 250 gr PT. That is an awesome bullet.

JD338

Jim, for sure, the 300 grain Nosler will get its turn in the jugs out of the 444 Marlin. It can't do much worse than the Hornady.

I also have about 20-30 of the 250 PT's as well. If I can work up a load with another 250, I will swap it out for the PT and run that into jugs as well and maybe some deer! I have a feeling it will be another 300 PT we are so fond of in our Guide Rifles.

I agree Scotty,

I shot a few WT and a couple hogs with the .429 250 gr PT out of my S&W 629 Classic 44 Rem Mag. Every one made a nice big exit wound. The 444 would be better.
Here is a .429 250 gr PT that I "recovered" laying on the ground after it went through a spike WT deer.

JD338

 

[DrMike]

I guess I'm not terribly surprised at your result, Scotty. It will do what it is designed to do--no more, no less. It will certainly take down a whitetail (or a mule deer or a black bear). It is better than a stick in the eye if I was facing an angry grizzly.

 

[gerry]

I thought that was supposed to be a tough bullet too, other than broadside shots on elk and moose I would be hesitant to give it a try on them too. Do you have plans to try the 270 gr Speer? With its bonded core construction you would think it would hang together better.

 

[SJB358]

Yeah, without a doubt Mike. I guess I just thought it would hold its core, with the Interlock and all. I know over at Marlin Owners, it is a very highly regarded bullet, so I am not judging it, just expected it would hold itself together. Probably would be much different at a 100 yards though.

Your right though, it would be much better than a sharp stick with a terrible bear off my toes!

 

[SJB358]

I thought that was supposed to be a tough bullet too, other than broadside shots on elk and moose I would be hesitant to give it a try on them too. Do you have plans to try the 270 gr Speer? With its bonded core construction you would think it would hang together better.

Gerry, I am going to try the 300 grain UniCor and also the 290 grain Beartooth Bullet. I see the 300 grain Speer is very tough in construction like the 300 grain UniCor in .458. That bullet is very impressive. Big frontal area and huge weight retention.

 

[gerry]

The 300 gr would be even better, I thought they discontinued it but it is still listed as being available at MidwayUSA. Would love to see how well it would do in one of your jug tests.

 

[SJB358]

The 300 gr would be even better, I thought they discontinued it but it is still listed as being available at MidwayUSA. Would love to see how well it would do in one of your jug tests.

I have 4 boxes of the 300 grain Speer thank to a generous Marlin Owners shooter. He used to have a 444 Marlin and sent me a bunch of his old stuff. Pretty cool place over there. Very similar to here, just lever action centric.

 

[SJB358]

The 300 gr would be even better, I thought they discontinued it but it is still listed as being available at MidwayUSA. Would love to see how well it would do in one of your jug tests.

Here is the Speer Gerry. Seems to still be kicking?

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/193158 ... -box-of-50

 

[gerry]

That's good it's still available I bet you will be very impressed with how well it performs.

 

[FOTIS]

Scotty

That is an acid test on bullets for sure.
Try the .429 300 gr JHP for grins.

I sure wish Nosler would still make the 250 gr PT. That is an awesome bullet.

JD338

Or the 270 or 300 Speers! I have a bunch of them Deep Curls

 

[JD338]

The Speer 300 gr Deep Curl may be just the ticket for the 444.

JD338

 

[FOTIS]

I must say I am really surprised. That 265 is usually a bad azz!


http://www.marlinowners.com/forum/444-m ... nship.html

 

[SJB358]

The 300 grains are UniCor technology whereas the 270 is a Deep Curl. Not sure of the difference?

I agree Fotis, it always seems pretty decent. I wasn't trying to bash the bullet, but I was under the same thoughts as you were. I thought it was tough. While still a great bullet, it didn't impress me a ton.

 

[SJB358]

I must say I am really surprised. That 265 is usually a bad azz!


http://www.marlinowners.com/forum/444-m ... nship.html

Fotis, you know the difference may be the extra 100FPS on them. I was running the Hornady Superformance loads out of my rifle. They chronoed at over 2200 from my rifle just before the jug test. The test on Marlin Owners was done at 2096... I guess with keeping the speed lower, they would be more than great. That Hornady ammo shoots though. Very accurate stuff..

 

[FOTIS]

The 300 grains are UniCor technology whereas the 270 is a Deep Curl. Not sure of the difference?

I agree Fotis, it always seems pretty decent. I wasn't trying to bash the bullet, but I was under the same thoughts as you were. I thought it was tough. While still a great bullet, it didn't impress me a ton.

Pretty much the same. They hold great together

 

[gerry]

I'm really interested in seeing how well both of those Speer's perform, I have always had a thing for the 444 and maybe after we pay off our house in a few years one will reside in our house Along with maybe a 35 Remington...... and a 223....... and maybe.........

 

[FOTIS]

I have these I will be loading soon

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/591708 ... -box-of-50