44 & 444 with Ranch Dog at Range

[Newtire]

OK Gang,
This is by far not the ultimate test as I know I am not the best shot on here. I loaded 3 different loads for .44 Mag in Ruger Deerfield Rifle. Here are the results:

All shot at 50 yds. Open sights Lee Liquid Alox oal=1.610"
20.5 gr. H-4227=about 2-2 1/2" 5-shots. Funny thing is, this powder burned really clean in my .30 carbine but sure left alot of powder granules behind in this rifle.

17 gr. 2400=about same as above but burned clean.

17.5 gr. 2400=1 1/2" 5-shots. This is about what I was getting with the Lee 310RF and 20.0 gr. Win 296.

So...I plan on working on that a bit.

The .444 Marlin went like this:
2-loads tested. 4X Tasco 50 yds.

25 gr. 2400 2.510 oal= 3shots into 1 1/2"
46 gr. H-4198=5-shots into 1".
This load is pretty brutal even with my new Pachmayer Decelerator. I have shot a similar load out hunting and didn't feel a thing.

I did some other shooting but will post these on different threads to keep things from getting too confusing.

[Ranch Dog]

Newtire... I'm working with all the H-powders but my experience with H4198 leaves the others behind. I've used 47.0-grains with a boolit weighing in at 265-grains and a BHN of 31. I get 2375 to 2400 FPS depending on the temperature and one hell of a thump. I can tell you that it also delivers quite a thump as this South Texas nilgai is unable to tell you about...

http://home.awesomenet.net/~ranch-dog/Casting/TLC432285RF/TrophyRoom/Nilgai.jpg

This critter is the size of an elk but a hell of a lot tougher. Not tough enough for the TLC432-285-RF.

I'm going to come up with some method of recording the various loads you fellows come up with for future reference.

[1Shirt]

Ranch Dog, Nice looking animal!
1Shirt!:coffee:

[Newtire]

Hi RD,
Thanks for the great design bullet for One thing! I guess I'll try the 47 gr. Load like you are doing. My gun is one of the later ones with the 22" barrel. Will probably lose a couple hundred feet off the speed you are getting. Apparently the .432" size agrees with my Marlin and it's micro-grooves. I am going to size a few down to .431" for the Ruger .44 mag. rifle as the .432" left them too big for some of them to chamber. I had good luck with that gun & the Lee 310RF sized to .431" so will probably do better with the smaller size.

By the way, no leading in either gun using Liquid Alox. Will do some Felix-lubing next batch. Would like to hear about those other loads people come up with if you get around to putting some of them together.

[k8bor]

Ranch dog,
Maybe a silly question to ask, but does your chronograph give you any BC numbers at those velocities? I know some of the better ones do, and If you have them and I can duplicate those speeds in my .444, I should be able to come with a trajectory chart for these. That's a pretty good speed for a bullet like ours, there isn't much of anything in North America that could stand up to that. Good balance of weight, caliber and speed. TKO number in the 38.5 range.
Dave

[Ranch Dog]

Dave... the BC is .224. I verified it with a chronograph off the muzzle and one in front of a 100-yard target (I've got two). You are right, it is an awesome performer with the right alloy!

http://home.awesomenet.net/~ranch-dog/Firearms/Images/ExtBallistics444TTLC432.jpg

With this kind of performance, I use this "deep woods" rifle out in some pretty open country...

http://home.awesomenet.net/~ranch-dog/Hunting/2005/Michael_444_Goat.jpg
Texas Speed Goat.... check out that open country!

http://home.awesomenet.net/~ranch-dog/Hunting/Images/MuleDeer2004.jpg
Texas Desert Mule Deer... more open country!

Heck, I would pop a big bear with this in a heart beat if I ever get in their woods or on their shore line.

[k8bor]

Wow, I had no idea the .444 would shoot that flat! It's amazing how much of this kind of stuff never ends up on the pages of magazines people read. Leverevalation (sp) has nothing on this load. Thank You, now I have to get to work putting some of these together. I'm also going to purchase some 4198, both for the .444 and for another project gun. I'm having a 336 in .35 remington rechambered for .356 winchester, and 4198 is supposed to be a real good powder for that one too. I'm probably never going to shoot anything out of it anymore except the .358 reprisal bullets that should be on it's way as I write this, but that ought to be another outstanding combination.
Dave