.444 Marlin and Blue Dot

Ok, I know Blue Dot isn't the top end velocity king in .444, but I have a 16 1/2 " carbine (Marlin) that is showing promise, accuracy wise with the 280 grain Ranchdog bullet. And I have a bunch of Blue Dot. I've worked up to 20 grains of it under the RD bullet, and there are zero signs of pressure. it's delivering under an inch at 50 yards most of the time, and that is satisfactory for what I want. Still feels light for a .444 load, but all i am wanting is a suitable load for things up to the size of deer and hogs out to about 100 yards. Anyone else have any experience with this combination? I've been shooting the Lyman 429244 with Unique, but wanted to step it up a little, and use up some Blue Dot...

You should easily be able to go to 22 grains in a 444 with no pressure problems. But 20 is plenty powerful. I use 19 grains in a 358 win and it is death on deer.

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Originally Posted by Nobade

You should easily be able to go to 22 grains in a 444 with no pressure problems. But 20 is plenty powerful. I use 19 grains in a 358 win and it is death on deer.

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Thanks, I might just stay where I'm at. Shoots good there. And I have a pair of .358's also, I might use some of it there too, I usually shoot the RCBS 200 grain in those with Unique, for my lighter loads.

One nice thing about Blue Dot is very little muzzle flash in low light or nighttime. May not matter to some but I would rather have less razzle-dazzle if all else is equal. It’s one of my favorite powders - I know it has a sketchy reputation but I’ve never had problems with it.

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Originally Posted by HWooldridge

One nice thing about Blue Dot is very little muzzle flash in low light or nighttime. May not matter to some but I would rather have less razzle-dazzle if all else is equal. It’s one of my favorite powders - I know it has a sketchy reputation but I’ve never had problems with it.

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I've never had any problems with it, either. And these are some of the most accurate cast bullet loads I've ever assembled for this particular rifle. And the lack of muzzle flash will be a benefit also, as this is a short barrel.

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Originally Posted by Nobade

You should easily be able to go to 22 grains in a 444 with no pressure problems. But 20 is plenty powerful. I use 19 grains in a 358 win and it is death on deer.

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Sorry for the drift, but do you have a bullet weight and velocity for the 358 load?

I shoot the 210 Lyman with 12 gr of Unique cast real hard and water dropped in the 444 rifle for Cowboy Silhouette matches, 444 shoots 1" at 200 meters. Oh the match is shot with lever action rifles, standing, forty rounds out to 200 meters. Handgun silhouette targets. Tough competition was a big bore Martini, as issued, paper patched, 5744.

Never thought about Blue dot in the t-4s,
I know 24 grs of 2400 under a 300 gr cast is a hoot.
Have nodoubt about it thumping stuff out to 100 yds. easily.

RP

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Originally Posted by Silvercreek Farmer

Sorry for the drift, but do you have a bullet weight and velocity for the 358 load?

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220gr running about 1700 fps.