444-Cowboy level loads

[Four Fingers of Death]

I am taking part in a shoot soon and it is being shot under Pat Garret rules I am told and I will need to use one of my long lever rifles as well. I have a 1894 30/30 Classic and a Marlin 444S. Apparently they are happy to let the more modern calibres shoot to encourage participation. I have loads for the 30/30, but fancy shooting the 444. as my 45/70 and 375 have reciever sights.

Has anyone used Trail Boss in the 444 for plinker/cowboy loads? I will be using commercial cast coated boolits as I'm not in a position to cast at the moment.

[Chuck 100 yd]

Yes, The 265 gr.Ranch Dog bullet cast of WW and LLA lubed over 12.0 gr Trail Boss gave 1137 fps from my 22"marlin and very nice groups at 50yd.
Soft load and much fun!
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c356/chuckleininger/IMG_1329.jpg
I allways seem to pull one!!:(
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c356/chuckleininger/IMG_1332.jpg

[Four Fingers of Death]

It's always hard to find a durned target that don't wiggle every now and then.

My bullets are 245Gn, so I suppose that would be a good starting point.

I gotta try one of those Ranch Dog moulds can't imagine why I haven't got one already. Do you put the gas check on before using the LLA or after? I imagine before, but desn't it need lube to go through the die reliably?

thanks Mick.

[crabo]

http://www.marlinowners.com/forums/index.php/topic,27078.0.html

From the Dog himself...

[Four Fingers of Death]

Great article, I still can't figure out when he puts the caps on. I'll go vack and re-read it tomorrow. Thanks, I'll also check out the site there then.

[Chuck 100 yd]

Mick, I use a very light touch of Imperial sizing wax on the raw bullet and size and seat the check using my Lee push through die. A quick wipe with a paper towel and then I dip the bullet in LLA that has been thinned with just a couple drops of mineral spirits. I only cover the driving bands and base with one coat of LLA. I dont like to have lube all over the bullet and it is not needed.
Have fun!

[Ranch Dog]

4finger,

I've been a bit behind in everything but noticed your questions. I need to go back and add some comments to that topic. I would normally install the checks after that first light coat of wax is tumbled on to the bullets. If the checks are tight, it seems to help them fit on. If the checks are loose, it seems to help them stick on.

[Ranch Dog]

I've also switched to using a "cooking sheet" instead of wax paper. I bought one of these slick surfaces at a discount store and it works great. It is as slick as the wax paper and of course extremely durable for reuse.

That used wax paper with the dried Alox was a great way to start a camp fire!

[Chuck 100 yd]

Cookie sheet!! why didn`t I think of that??
I haven`t been very frugal with my LLA . I have bought many of the Lee size die kits over the years and have a bunch of those little bottles of LLA laying around. I have used little of it in the past as I`d size in the Lee die and lube in my RCBS or Saeco luber /sizers.
I am just now perfecting my tecnique of using the LLA thanks to Ranch Dog!!
In the past I thought it too messy.:-D

[mike in co]

isnt 444 and cowboy play sorta an oxymoron ??( i refuse to call the cap guns "shooting")

mike in co

[WyrTwister]

Great article, I still can't figure out when he puts the caps on. I'll go vack and re-read it tomorrow. Thanks, I'll also check out the site there then.


For .44 caliber SWC's for my S&W wheel gun , I used LLA , let " dry " , sized / GC'ed with the Lee push through die and then lubed with LLA the final time .

God bless
Wyr

[joatmon]

Can you use the checks there for cowboy shoots? Is that where Pat Garret
comes into play! Thanks Aaron

[Four Fingers of Death]

Chuck 100yd gave me a load for the 265Gn Ranch Dog and we went from there, got off topic I suppose. The guys from the club who are holding the shoot, want the velocities kept to 1000fps or thereabouts to avoid target damage. Can't use gas checks.

As I said, I'll be using some of the 240Gn Commercial cast coated bullets that I have downstairs to get rid of them.

Mick.

[Newtire]

Hi Mick,

I used 20.5 gr BlueDot with that boolit with excellent results.

The little Lee 200 gr. RNFP also is a great plinker with 12 gr. Unique or 14 gr. Blue Dot.