Marshall,
Great piece on the triple four. I have always been a huge fan of this chambering, but often found myself defending it's attributes and capabilities to the 45-70 user. The 30-06 and 270 WCF comparison is very appropriate. There is not much the 30-06 can do that the 270 can't and the same holds true with the 45-70 and 444 Marlin.
I was wondering if you have ever read an article done on the triple four by Robert Sherwood. It appeared in a tenth edition of Handloader's Digest. It is titled "The 444 Formula For Survival". In it, he describes the awesome versiltility of the chambering from it's ability to launch standard big game bullets such as Hornady's 265 grain to shooting bird and rabbit scatter gun loads, lead cast balls (both single and multiple, cast bullets, 44 Magnum pistol bullets, and its general accuracy with not only smokeless powder, but getting good results with black powder as well. It is for this reason he deems it the ultimate survival chambering.
I had seen you mention some health issues you have been confronting. I hope you are well at this writing and I will add a prayer for you this day. Keep up the great work as I truely enjoy your writings.
I would like to add something to my original post. Mr Sherwood's claims are based on someones expertise in the use of Lyman tong tools, bullet sizers, lead pot and laddles and a knowledge of powders, burn rate, ballistics and expert reloading. He is obviously a seasoned expert. In no way do I wish to advocate or convey anyone experimenting as this author has with loading the 444 Marlin case with these various projectiles and powders. The basis of the article was only to illustrate the point that the 444 Marlin may be the best all around game getter (from grouse to moose) when confronted with a must to survive in the wild. I believe the article was directed at bush pilots.
Take Good Care
~rossi~
(Edited by rossi at 8:16 am on July 14, 2001)
