`94 Marlin 44Mag Cast -- Lighter Load Performance

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MEHavey

MEHavey

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Schwing said:
I went with the Marlin on the .44 because I wanted to mount a scope on it.
The Rossi's are all top eject which makes that a challenge. The problem is that,
so far, I can't get acceptable accuracy with the Marlin unless shooting Jacketed
bullets. I shoot mostly lead so...
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Schwing, I already posted the 280gr/Fast"Heavy" Cast load that works in the Marlin HERE.

Over that last week I went looking for a lighter load for general work. After futzing around with four different bullets/weights/alloys (from a 200gr 44-40 bullet to the Lyman 240s/429667 & 666, and AA#7 to Power Pistol to RedDot, I had nothing to write home about. (Minute-of-Saucer-Yuck would be the right word) :banghead:

Went back to QuickLoad for the fast powders, Accurate Bullets for a true flat base 240gr, cast at a really soft 30:1 for rapid seal and duplicated my 14,000/44-40 pressures using Unique (peak pressure at 400 nanoseconds).

Like many things in life, it suddenly went "snap"

10s84rq.jpg

Try 14-15ksi/flat base/soft for Med-Light loads.

.
 
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For 75 yards, I consider that pretty amazing. Do you remember what your unique loads were for the 240 grain bullet?

I hadn't seriously considered unique for .44 but I would be more than willing to get some good accuracy:)
 
The ACC432-240 is (actually) the plain base 240gr bullet in the above target.
The keys are:

- Flat base (not bevel)
- Matching softness (30:1/BHN:6) to pressure (~13, 000psi)
- Reasonably fast pressure rise *
- Sizing to 0.432"

- The load as listed above was Unique/7.5gr.
~~~~~~~~~~

* I could use even faster powders like RedDot, but it runs outta gas too fast for the req'd pressure, and velocity suffers
** I could kick the speed up, but then I also have to run increased hardness. The objective was a moderate 44Mag that was pleasant to shoot all day.
 
Sounds like I need to go mold shopping:( The only 240 grain mold I have has a beveled base.

I am also thinking I will need to lap whatever I get since the barrel is about .432. I am probably going to need .433 before they start shooting straight.

Thanks for all of the info!
 
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