still working on the Martini sporter and coming up with a cartridge to use in it. We have necked a 444 Marlin down to .30 cal and it may work well. The neck is a bit short, but the case looks like a good possible for the rifle. We are going to experiment with some other cases and see what else might work. The case has to be rimmed for extraction and 30-06 dies are being used. It's fun if nothing else.

.444 Marlin necked down to .30 caliber. Sounds like a .307 Winchester. Will it work?

Nitro: The 444 case is actualy 57 MM, and the 307 is 51 MM. 30-06 is 63 MM, so his case capacity with the 30-06 dies will be the same as 30-06, but the neck will be .243 inches shorter than a normal 30-06. It should work as a 30-06, but with very little bullet support as the case neck will be only .125 in long. I think that an 8MM die used to form the case, and then reduce the neck in a .308 Winchester die will be a better case. Case capacity will be around 62.68 grains of water, where the case capacity for the .307 is 56.69 grains of water, a gain of 6 grains of water over the .307. In other words a 257 Roberts necked up to .30 caliber also known as the .300 ICL Tornado. The 444 case just makes a rimmed version of the Tornado. (150 grain bullet in front of 52 grains of 4350 will get 2790 FPS acording to P.O. Ackley. Looks like a good load for target shooting!

Lee L.

M1894,

Thanks for the info. It is now clear why the .30/444 is preferable over the .307 Winchester. Sounds like a very interesting project.

thanks for the responses. I am still working on things a bit. Yes the neck is a bit short, not sure how concerned to be about it. Another case to try would be the 400/350 express or 9.3x68R trim and size with 30-06 die for a true 30-06 rimmed cartridge.

thanks for the responses. I am still working on things a bit. Yes the neck is a bit short, not sure how concerned to be about it. Another case to try would be the 400/350 express or 9.3x68R trim and size with 30-06 die for a true 30-06 rimmed cartridge.

That would give you more consistant neck tension, and better accuracy as well. Availability of brass would be the next concern, if using the 9.3 cases make sure you get at least 50 cases, more if you can afford them. At one time the British chambeed the Martini enfield for the .303 British, which would make a good chambering. Lee L.

The 30-444, isn't that the 309 JDJ?

Here's a link to ssk's webpage explaining the JDJ cartridge lineup.
http://www.sskindustries.com/cartridges.htm

The 30-444, isn't that the 309 JDJ?

Here's a link to ssk's webpage explaining the JDJ cartridge lineup.
http://www.sskindustries.com/cartridges.htm
It could be, the article does not say what they did, if it was full length or not, and if the shoulder was changed in angle or position. I was in the shop when parker Ackley was chambering the Tornado in a model 98 using one of his barrels. there is less body taper to the Tornado than the 30/444, and a steeper sholder angle than the 30/444, giving the Tornado a case capacity of 4.06 CC'S and the 30/444 a case capacity of 3.99 CC'S. The two cartridges are pretty close to each other. I would guess that the 309 JDJ is pretty close to the Tornado.

Lee L.

the barrel I have is off a bolt gun and currently in 30-06. In order to fit it to the action it needs to keep as much chamber area diameter as possible to completely thread into the action(large Greener Martini single) I first thought of the 30-40 Krag(similar to the 303Brit) but will have to remove to much area and the barrel won't be threaded in well. For this reason I am trying as close as possible to get a 30-06 rimmed. I could go up to a 300 flanged NE or the like but then I could be getting into cases that could exceed the pressure limits of the action.

If I had a small cadet action I could go down to a 30-30 with this barrel. But that project is for another time. ;)

It's also the .308 Bellm. It gives you a longer neck than the .307 Winchester. It's the .444 sized down in .308 Winchester dies.

Attached is a picture of the .307 Winchester case and a .444 after being formed to .307. then a .308 winchester. the next is a picture of the brass removed from the .444 after trimming to length.
Edit: Sorry, i think this second picture is .356 cases formed from .444.

[QUOTE=Carignan577]the barrel I have is off a bolt gun and currently in 30-06. In order to fit it to the action it needs to keep as much chamber area diameter as possible to completely thread into the action(large Greener Martini single) I first thought of the 30-40 Krag(similar to the 303Brit) but will have to remove to much area and the barrel won't be threaded in well. For this reason I am trying as close as possible to get a 30-06 rimmed.

The 30/444, the .300 Tornado, or the 309 JDJ would only require the removal of .243 + or - a few thousanths which should leave plenty of chambered area for threading. whichever way you go, keep us posted.

Lee L.

By shortening the chamber and the set of 30-06 dies both the same ammount, you wouldn't even have to re-chamber.

Lee L.

thanks, I will. I have lots of ideas and info. to wade through now. It's a fun venture.

thanks, I will. I have lots of ideas and info. to wade through now. It's a fun venture.

If you want something a bit longer than a 444 case to start with, you might want to consider using 9.3x74mm cases. I have a few I was messing with and as best I can figure, ballistics equivalent to a .300 mag shouldn't be outside the realm of possibility.