Why is the 445 SuperMag unpopular

[majorKAP]

Now that it's been established that the DW 7445's are essentially useless, contact me for help in the disposal of yours. The going local scrap metal rates apply.

[kelye]

John, they're on their way to you. Thanks, Kelye

[bula]

Ok, it's been unpopular. How to fix, how to fix.. I've no interest in getting more velo from my 44mags., so my wallet is safe. In the past you would get a number of "big names" on board and do the letter, phone and then E-mail campaign. Internet social media chatter has to be added to what worked in the past. 

[mindustrial]

Jul 22, 2018 13:48:35 GMT -5 2 Dogs said:

Sounds like this caliber could sure use a lever action carbine!

I always wanted to take one of the Marlin 336's in 44mag and rechamber to 445sm. But then the bbl.'s were micro-groove, and the loads I'd want to shoot in it are 300gr gas checks; didn't think it would be a great combination. Eventually, the urge passed. I found a 336/44 once, but he wanted $600... that's twice what I paid for either of my 444's. Thought about it; but couldn't see what it could do that my.44mag Win/Miroku '92 and/or 444 could do, so I passed. Still always thought it would have been a fun project.

[bula]

Believe sometime back here when the 445 mentioned, I related that a friend now gone had a DW 445. We did not have a chrono, no hard data for ya. But I sure couldn't tell much difference between his DW 445 and my 44mag RH with both of us using the 300gr XTP. Mine seated to lower cannelure, his the upper. Both of us using at that time WW296 . His DW was shot loose from too many of those loads. My RH had way less loads thru it at that time. But as others have said, the 445 didn't seem to pay you back in velo for the extra powder used. A case where math on a page doesn't tell the while story ? 

[bigbore5]

I seriously considered the 445 years ago, but JD Jones talked me into a 444 Marlin barrel instead. Like he pointed out, brass is a problem and the 444 gives more from the Contender. He didn't specify on which end of the gun that "more" was, but I will say that barrel hasn't been shot as much as the others he sold me!

[bigbrowndog]

I’d say brass and gun availability and the 454Casull

Trapr

[CraigC]

I think the biggest problem with the .445 is a lack of modern data using heavy cast bullets. All the data I've seen is with standard-fare 300gr jacketed bullets.

When making comparisons so the Buffalo Bore 340gr .44Mag load, one must remember that that load is approaching 50,000psi. Their limited selection of .445 loads show a good +200fps over the .44Mag. I bet they'd do better with heavier bullets.

[RDW]

May 11, 2024 10:39:37 GMT -5 CraigC said:

I think the biggest problem with the .445 is a lack of modern data using heavy cast bullets. All the data I've seen is with standard-fare 300gr jacketed bullets.

When making comparisons so the Buffalo Bore 340gr .44Mag load, one must remember that that load is approaching 50,000psi. Their limited selection of .445 loads show a good +200fps over the .44Mag. I bet they'd do better with heavier bullets.

Very Interesting topic, The 445 Supermag.
The 44 cal stuff is something i worked with a lot back in the 80s and 90s.
Craig you are spot on. a shortened version i have shot extensively is 1.450" long and is very effecient. And will match the printed data of the Super mag in a long cylinder that will fit in a standard length frame.
1.6 case length straight cases i have found do not like H110 and W296. But they love 680, 1680, 5744 and if you really want to see the 445 sm shine, 350 plus bullet weight and IMR and Hodgdon 4198.
However you need 8 inches of barrel and 1 in 16 minimum twist. Anything less than 8 inches of barrel just wastes a lot of unburnable powder with a bullet less than the length of a 350 plus grain bullet. I can show some impressive data that will way out weigh the standard magnum in Fps with 2 loads i have utilizing a 360 and a 390 gas check lead bullet.
to get the kind of speed out of the magnum is a standard firearm comprimization. 44 mag will go pretty darn hard when loaded to the extreme but as you stated , it is well in excess of 50K and a primer flattening type situation that will limit case life and everything wrapped around it. However a big fat cylinder and even six shot at that can give some impressive results in a tight Barrel gapped custom when loaded like a rifle.
I have a 210 grain silver jacketed winchester bullet load with 1680 that will flat out fly mach jesus in a 445 Sm but so will a 414.
R

[Encore64]

I had one built on a Midframe DMax. A 5-Shot Oversized Cylinder made from 17-4, so it's not giving up the Ghost.

With heavy bullets, it's several hundred fps faster than it's shorter counterpart.

It is not pleasant to shoot...

[edk]

Folks complain about the 44 mag in a 10 inch contender. Try on a 445 super mag for size. It did not live here very long.

[aciera]

John Linebaugh built a 5 Shot on a Ruger Maximum frame for Otto Candies.
It was Sporty!!!!

[bula]

I keep a book in the small library (bathroom). Currently it is Hunting for Handgunners, by Larry Kelly and JDJ..came to me by way of a member here. Yesterday made it to the chapter on the 445 DW.. There are  6 pages of solid info by solid sources. Many points on the first 2 pages seem to have been nicely covered by the posts above. 

[squigz]

I've just acquired a 445 in a 14" SSK barrel, I have some 1680 on the way and plan on shooting 300gr XTP when I find some brass for the gun. It's going to be quite the ordeal I'm sure based off everything I've read.

[bigbore5]

Speaking from 444 experience, wear a glove.