Reloading 444 marlin what weight boolit?

[Jeffrey]

Good Day Ladies and Gentlemen,
I want to load 444 Marlin for plinking and hunting hog and deer in Louisiana and Mississippi. I have alloys from pure lead to linotype.
Will a 240gr boolit be a reliable killer given good placement? Or is a 300gr a necessity for adequate penetration?
A friend has personal experience of hunting with 265gr Hornady FTE. The only bullet he recovered in 4 deer hit and recovered was buck facing him, deer hit in chest, bullet recovered at deer's genitals. I like the 265gr RD but don't like 6 cavity moulds or aluminum sprue plates.
Thanks in advance for your replies. Jeffrey

[JDL]

A 240 works fine for deer and have never recovered one. I think it would work fine on hogs too.

[Crusty Deary Ol'Coot]

Jeffrey,

The 240gr will do, personnaly I like a bit larger.

Cast boolit but make sure it has a wide Flat nose (WFN) boolit profile. It will take game all out of proportion to what a "J" bullet shooter would expect. Been there and done that!

An alloy of 50/50 - wheel weights and pure lead would likely do fine, while many folk use just wheel weights.

Expect the boolit/bullet, providing it is a good one to go all the way through a critter in many cases.

Again, personally I think you are better off with a good cast boolit unless using the higher quality "J" bullets.

With some of the lesser "J" bullets they simply do not have the integrity to hold together.

Keep em coming!

Crusty Deary Ol'Coot

[1Shirt]

Mine likes the 310 lee GC, cast about 12-15 BH, and doing about 1550-1600. Doubt there is a hog that could stand up to that at under 100 yds with anything resembling a decent shop placement.
1Shirt!

[Jeffrey]

JDL, I figured the same given a not brittle alloy. I just won't be undergunned. Thanks
for the info from a local.
CDOC, the 265 would be nice, but is not available except as a 6 cav RD ($$) or an iron
mould ($$$$). Would a Lee 429 240 SWC qualify?
1Shirt, A friend has taken elk with a 44 mag and 310gr cast. Knew it would do it, but
didn't want to go throwing away lead 1/4oz at a time while plinking.

[Crusty Deary Ol'Coot]

The typical SWC does have a smaller meplat then the typical WFN boolit and therefor would have a bit less shock value.

Now, how that would play out on taking a critter, I can't say. All I know is just how very effective the WFN boolits are in the 45/70.

There are a number of commerical casters that make the WFN profile boolits for sale, which would keep you from dealing with the cost of getting started in casting at least for awhile.

I cast 310gr boolits for my .44 mag. but fear that the LBT Long Flat Nose (LFN) profile would make it troublesome in the Marlin.

I first used it in a BlackHawk but now shoot it as a steady diet in my RedHawk. No such problems with boolit length there.

CDOC

[x101airborne]

I have shot a cubic butt load of hogs with cast 44 mag boolits, wich is the same for the 444 also. I have NEVER recovered a boolit from a hog as of yet. My son shot his first hog, a 325 pounder with a marlin 44 mag and a 310 grain ranch dog and it did stop inside, but that thing stunk so bad, I wouldn't go after it. That was the only one that ever stayed inside an animal. Now I shoot mainly 260 to 265 grain plainbase out of my pistols and have never recovered a boolit. It is more than adequate for anything, maybe just short of a grizzley.

[dale2242]

I have a 14" Contender barrel in 444.
My most accurate load so far is a 265 Saeco boolit # 432 over 42 gr of 4198. This boolit is a FNGC. The only problem is the stiff recoil.
I have been working up some midrange loads with 240-250 range SWCs.
loads with 700x and Unique have not shown the accuracy that I have been getting with the 265.
I am working on some loads with 429421. I `m hoping for some better groups....dale

[DrtRacr09]

Perfect timing for this post, I, too am looking for advice for the .444. What i've learned so far, factory Rem 240's= pure garbage for anything other than paper. Have been loading Hornady 310 XTP's, all recovered under hide on offside, between 90 and 98 percent retainage and the size of a quarter= elk or deer no more than one final step. Give me $28 and I have 100 J-words. Give me a mould and I have boolits for a lifetime. But which one???????????????

[krag35]

I realy like my RD C-432-265-RF.

[quilbilly]

My 444 functions great with the 310 gr but I use it for elk. The 240 will do just fine on anything else weighing under 500 pounds. You don't need a lot of velocity with either one. I have been using the same boolits with sabots in my muzzleloader for 15 years at an MV of about 1600 and either is devastating

[JDL]

Jeffrey, The 240 grain I was referring to is the Thompson designed Lyman 429244 and I use it cast from wheelweights in a Marlin 1894 .44 mag. I've tried the Lee 310 grain but, it was becoming unstable at 100 yards but, still grouping about 3" so I made the 240 my standard. Your .444 may stabilize a 310, which would give you an extra margin for penetration but, I really don't think you'll need more.

[Jeffrey]

I really like my RD C-432-265-RF.

I Like that boolit too. I just wish it was available in a two or even a single cavity mould. I would buy it today. I really don't need, or really want a six cavity mould for a single shot rifle (CVA Elite Stalker).
Buying a 100 or so from Carolina Casting would be an option, but being fully set up for casting, the cost of doing so would be nearly the cost of a 2 cavity LEE mould.
I think I'll check in at the boolit swap page and see if I can find someone to swap for some. That may help me to decide to drop the funds to get a mould for the boolit I really want.

[lead4me]

I Like that boolit too. I just wish it was available in a two or even a single cavity mould. I would buy it today. I really don't need, or really want a six cavity mould for a single shot rifle (CVA Elite Stalker).
Buying a 100 or so from Carolina Casting would be an option, but being fully set up for casting, the cost of doing so would be nearly the cost of a 2 cavity LEE mould.
I think I'll check in at the boolit swap page and see if I can find someone to swap for some. That may help me to decide to drop the funds to get a mould for the boolit I really want.

I just got finished making a BUNCH of Lee 310 GC sized @ 430 with gator checks and lubed with Felix lube for my 44 mag. Got way more than I feel like loading up right now. They were cast using 1lb of mono to 9lbs of PL, someone on here sent me some boolits to try out once to help me decide. Time to return the favor, you pay shipping if it's over a few $$$ and I'll send you a handful to try out (15/20). Drop me a PM if interested.

Rod (lead4me)

[Crusty Deary Ol'Coot]

Good offer lead4me,

I too am willing to send along some samples, but as said earlier, fear my LBT LFN (long flat nose) boolits will be too long for the Marlin.

I did use them in a .44 Marlin, but needed to work the action slowly for them to feed.

Not something a person would want/need in a push comes to shove situation.

Nose just a bit long for that gun I fear.

CDOC

[Jeffrey]

I thank you guys for the offers. I have pretty well decided to order a Ranch Dog 265 and will learn to deal with the six cavities. I have heard nothing but praise for Ranch Dog's products. About time I get one for myself. Jeffrey

[BOOM BOOM]

HI,
The 225 gr, Speer HJHP has killed Mule deer for me reliably.
So has the Lyman Kieth style SWC 250gr.:Fire::Fire:

[seabreeze133]

Try Beartooth Bullets 290 gr sized .432 (depending upon what your bore measures) over his recommended load of H335 in the 444. STIFF, but accurate.

My Marlin 1894 44 mag likes the 429244 unsized w/23.5 gr OLD H4227. Not sure of the velocity, but excellent accuracy w/my old eyes and iron sights. RD recommends a lower load if u are using current mfg 4227.

The 429421, w/ case trimmed to min length w/10 gr Unique works well for me. Some 1894's will not feed the Kieth bullet unless seted to same length as 429244. Mine will.

I prefer the 429244 over the RD 265 gr bullet for fullpower loads.

Don

[Wilson]

The 310 lee GC, WW dropped in water works well in my .444 Handi. I like the flat nose. Killed a deer and a pig with that combo this year. I also have the 265 RD 6cavity the bullets are nice, but the 310gr Lees shoot better out of the Handi. I'll probably do some more load developement this year for that RD bullet.

[Marlin Junky]

The Lee 310 is a very good design. If you can get a mold that drops .432" boolits (assuming you want to feed a 336) you will not be disappointed. This particular boolit works very well in my short barreled 336 from 1700-2100 fps (with suitable powders).

MJ

[Jeffrey]

I've been hearing a lot of praises on the LEE 310. The ballistic coefficient is higher than anything else I've seen in that calibre. I know it will shoot through a broadside elk when launched from a 44 mag: Buffalo Bullet +P+. I need to cast up some 265 RDs, shoot some piggies and see if the boolits pass through. That mould should be here tomorrow. (Happy noises)
Jeffrey

[Jeffrey]

RD 265 arrived today, scrubbed it out. Had to stop myself from heating it up this evening. Can't wait to pour the silver stream. :)

[krag35]

I sure like mine. I'll be casting up a year or so's worth in the next couple days. I either need to buy a couple thousnd GC or get hold of Pat and order a checkmaker set up. decesions ,decesions.

[BOOM BOOM]

HI.
I forgot to mention that I was shooting those 2 bullets in a Marlin 444 as the OP stated he was using. Mine had the micro groove rifling. Also I was able to get standard jacketed bullet velocities with IMR 4198, with the cast bullet.
Bet the RD 265gr. gc would be even better.
Wish I still had that rifle, barn it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:Fire::Fire:

[Jeffrey]

I cast some pure lead 265 RDs, going to slug my barrel as soon as I find my caliper :(. You know the old rule, you find an expensive tool as soon as you buy a new one. I have the following powders that could be good for driving it: H322, AA2230, IMR 4895 is listed for lighter boolits, but is not on the recommedded by Ranch dog list. I also have a good supply of Bullseye, Unique, and more Green dot and Herco than I know what to do with. My rifle is a H&R single shot with conventional rifling.

[helice]

I can't imagine that you will be at all disappointed with the Ranch Dog Mould you bought. Friends her have sent me some of his boolits (thanks again Leadmelter) and they are "fine". If you want a plinker you might try the Lee 200 grain Round Flat over 10-12 grains of almost any pistol powder in the 444. I have used 231 W, Red Dot, and 700X all with stellar results. Velocities are in the 44 Mag pistol range. I too hate to throw a 300 grain Gas Checked slug at beer cans for practice. I have a four cavity, 166 grain LBT PB mould that drops an ogival wadcutter. I have found that it's a hoot to shot. 13 grains of RedDot got close to 1700'/s where it started to spread out. It doubles as a light weight pistol boolit too for use in a light weight pistol.

[Crusty Deary Ol'Coot]

The advantage of throwing a 300gr boolit at a tin can is getting to REALLY know your rifle and just where it hits.

I'm pretty much a one boolit/bullet for one firearm person, feeling it is not wise to be switching around on a hunting rifle.

I shoot 465gr boolits from my 45/70 and don't switch around.

I hear lots of good about the Ranch Dog boolits, but am not a tumble lube person and shy away from Lee molds in anything short of the 6 cavity size.

Am I correct in thinking that the Ranch Dog boolits are all tumble lube????????

CDOC

[Jeffrey]

Borrowed a caliper from a coworker, drove two pure lead slugs through the barrel, measured them, ordered a Lee sizer kit and gas checks. The pure lead slugs cast large: up to .433. I've been looking on this site, but haven't been able to find good information on how much pure lead vs. wheel weight alloy shrink on freezing. I'm hoping to be able to tumble lube and load without sizing. The pure lead slugs are too fat to do that.

[krag35]

What dia. did the bbl. slug ? Cast some up out of the alloy you are looking to use and compare those to your slugged dia. If they are + .001 or .002 bigger go for it. To big isn't a problem, to small usualy is.

[miestro_jerry]

I use the RD TLC432-300-RF in my Marlin 444T and my Contender Super 14. The bullet and the cartridge perform well in both.

Jerry

[greywolf444]

I used the lee 310 on deer. With a full load of 4198 it is really too much power. Penetration is complete no matter the angle, any bones hit explode and destroy too much meat. Great bullet, just too fast. I am now loading a RD 300 that is dailed back to around 1800. No deer yet. Both molds shoot very well.

[Carolina Cast Bullets]

you wont regret getting the RDO mold. Once you get the hang of using a 6 holer, you wont use anything else. Lottsa bullets in not much time.

Jerry
Carolina Cast Bullets

[seagiant]

Hi,
I always have to show my favorite boolit in 444 Marlin for my Lone Eagle!