444 Marlin + 2400???

[MBTcustom]

Anybody got a load? I'm striking out here. I have a trusting friend that handed me his rifle and told me to do whatever I do to make it slamdunk deer.
I asked him if he minds a cast boolit load?
He said whatever! Just do your thing!

Hmmm, Ok.

I have been reading that 2400 is a very good powder for 45-70, and I figure that what's good for the goose is good for the gander (actually, that's a pretty good analogy LOL!)
Anyway, since I have recently become 2400 rich, and I already know what to expect from Unique, I'm like a man with a brand new shiny hammer: every problem looks like a nail LOL!

I've heard that 2400 is one of the do-it-all powders, and I want to test some loads in the 444 to see if it will play ball.
I'm using a Lyman 429-421 and I made a PB GC maker for it, so I should be able to drive these babies up to 2K no problemo.

So, anybody know how much 2400 it takes to get the 444 to 1800fps-2000fps?

[MBTcustom]

Perfect! Thanks a million!
Looks like 31 grains is what she wants. Being a cast boolit, it'll probably be going faster, but that's a great starting point.

[btroj]

I can't speak for that particular cartridge but I will say that I find 2400 to be at its best in the 1700 to 1900 fps range.
Trying to get 2100 fps in a 444 with 2400 is pushing it. That is RE7 or H322 time.

[MBTcustom]

I agree. I loaded 40 test cartridges.
10 with 26 grains
10 with 27 grains
10 with 28 grains
10 with 29 grains

We'll see what it likes.

[btroj]

Tim, you are a wise, wise man.

I feel bad that you have developed a new addiction, 2400 can do that to a guy

[MBTcustom]

I've yanked a press handle once or twice. LOL!

[runfiverun]

you know 2400 will "work" in the 45 acp too....

[btroj]

Can and should are not the same thing Run.

Now run along and play nice........

Dang Mods keep stirring things up

[Shuz]

I agree. I loaded 40 test cartridges.
10 with 26 grains
10 with 27 grains
10 with 28 grains
10 with 29 grains

We'll see what it likes.

goodsteel--please let us know how your testing turns out.

[MBTcustom]

27 grains was the golden ticket. At 50 yards it was a one holer.

[Shuz]

goodsteel-- Did you chrono your loads?

[MBTcustom]

Yes, but I can't remember which one I tested. It was over 2000fps by a smigion. I wanna say it was 2150, but I honestly don't remember.

[Wally]

My 3rd Edition Hornady Manual shows 40.3 grains as a Max load with their #4420 240 Grain JHP bullet!

[Shuz]

Yes, but I can't remember which one I tested. It was over 2000fps by a smigion. I wanna say it was 2150, but I honestly don't remember.

I guess I'll have to try that load. I've been shooting 45g of Rel 7 or 48.5g Of H-322 outta mine with the 265g RD or the MP-433-300 HP and that gets to be quite expensive after a few rounds, and my velocity is in the 2150fps area.

[helice]

Tim,
What was your gas check made from? You said that you were building a PB check maker.
Wondering if it was a beer can check or something heavier.

[MBTcustom]

It was an aluminum check, made from .006 material.
The boolits were about 20BHN, and lubed with FWFL.
I had problems with the boolits cutting the shank off the GC as they were being pushed into the 450, but I took the die out and dressed a heavy radius on it and that solved the problem.
They shoot good.

[MBTcustom]

1. It was a marlin
2. microgroove
3. Small enough
4. Big enough (At least, the groups and the bore condition seem to support that. LOL!)

Alright, I'm not that cold. LOL!
The boolits were sized in a .430 Lyman 450. and after sitting for 2 weeks, they measure .432.

[Nemo288]

This is exactly why I joined this forum.
I have been lurking for awhile and this is my first official post.
I am getting back into the 444, have some 2400 and landed on this thread.
I have been getting dis-enamored (if that is a term) with 296/110 and am returning to 2400.
Thanks! and Salud!

[Highwaller]

Finally! Been looking for a group of .444 fans for a long time. I started my addiction to this cartridge in 1970 with Marlin's lever gun. Always thought it's long range target potential is under estimated or simply not published. I'm about to start the quest to double or triple the ranges all the writers claim as max. I realize they are talking about effective hunting ranges but I'm looking for long range target fodder. This group will be a big help.

[GaCop]

Good information here. I'm playing with a 98 Mauser action in .444. The barrel is heavy with a diameter at the muzzle of a tad over 1". RL 7 and IMR 4198 have given me excellent velocities but dismal accuracy. My barrel looks to be button rifled (definitely not micro groove) and looks to be a 1 in 20" twist. I'm getting good accuracy with the lighter jacketed bullets (240gr with a 2" group at 200 yards) and fair results, so far, with the 300gr XTP (1.5 to 2" at 100 yards). Cast 300 gr FN-GC and 325gr FN-GC have not given me any accuracy at all with IMR 4198, throwing em all over the target. My cast bullets are factory cast and .430" diameter. I'm seating the bullets about .005" off the lands with the cast bullets and a moderate crimp using the Lee FCD just to straighten out the belled mouth and put a bit of crimp. Jacketed bullets are crimped normally.