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On Nov. 7, 2004, after a full day%u2019s hunting near Batnuni Lake in British Columbia%u2019s north central Cariboo, we were heading back to the ranch when we jumped this bull running through the aspens. At about 60 yards, offhand, I put a single 270 grain .444 Marlin round through the point of his elbow. The bullet completely shredded his heart, exiting high on the offside between the 4th and 5th rib. After the hit the bull turned, hopped about 30 yards onto a knoll, and lay down to die.
With the six inches of snow on the ground we slid him down the slope, long-lined him out to a clear spot and field dressed him. As it was about to get dark we tobogganed him the mile back to the ranch gate, and hung him on the tractor forks for skinning and halving in the morning. To give you an idea of his size hanging off the tractor, I%u2019m 6%u20195%u201D and his whole hind end is still on the ground. Didn%u2019t measure the span but he had six tines per palm. Your Buffalo Bore 270s are excellent, next to no meat damage, and recoil is surprisingly mild.
I%u2019ve been shooting this .444 since 1979, and these are the best rounds I have ever put through it. They beat hell out of my old handloads using .44 magnum bullets, which until recently have been the only ones available for this otherwise excellent cartridge.
I received a box of .444 Marlin 270 grainers and a box of 300s from Buffalo Bore only two days before we headed to the ranch for the hunt. Can%u2019t wait to see what the 300s will do next season.
Mark Rushton
Abbotsford, British Columbia
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