C430-310-rf

[tdoor4570]

Has anyone tried these in a 444 Marlin, what load was used? Looks like it would be a heavy hitter.

[RED BEAR]

I actually do use the lee 310 rnfp. If i remember right 38 grains of imr 4198. And it is a thumper. And actually shoots pretty good in my micro groove barrel. These are hard cast with gass checks.

[Beerd]

have to seat them deep in the case to chamber in my Marlin with no throat.
but they still shoot good.
..

[stubert]

I shoot them from a 6" Ruger Red Hawk and they are a penetrating S.O.B. Took a big buck 2 years ago with one, had over 14" straight line penetration thru the neck before it exited. This is only at 1250 fps.

[tdoor4570]

Looking for possible load info for this boolet. I do not have any in any of my load books. Son has a 44 mag handgun and I have 444P marlin, looking for loads for each.

[gwpercle]

Has anyone tried these in a 444 Marlin, what load was used? Looks like it would be a heavy hitter.

The latest issue of Handloader Magazine has a very large and in depth article with the most reloading data on the 444 I've seen in one place. Cast and J-word , many different powders.... It made me wish I had one to load for.
If you're a 444 loader you might want to check it out.
Gary

[stubert]

In my Red Hawk, 20.8 grains 296, Win wlp primer, seated to 1.71" Rugers have long cylinders. If you seat to 1.6, DROP your charge!

[tdoor4570]

The latest issue of Handloader Magazine has a very large and in depth article with the most reloading data on the 444 I've seen in one place. Cast and J-word , many different powders.... It made me wish I had one to load for.
If you're a 444 loader you might want to check it out.
Gary

Have the December issue here in front of me now need to check out a couple of items listed.

[Shuz]

The latest issue of Handloader Magazine has a very large and in depth article with the most reloading data on the 444 I've seen in one place. Cast and J-word , many different powders.... It made me wish I had one to load for.
If you're a 444 loader you might want to check it out.
Gary

FWIW--I saw that article, and was surprised at the dearth of info on my favorite powder in the .444 Marlin, Reloder 7.
While I have the Lee C430-310RF, I have chosen the MP-433-300HP for use in my Marlin 444XLR. 45g of Reloder 7 with that boolit sized to .432 and seated to 2.504 OAL gives me 2158fps and a 1.9" 5 shot gp at 100 yards. That is not a max load, but it is an accurate load and that's what I strive for in all my shooting. I would still start lower and work up with either the MP-433-300HP or solid, or the Lee 430-310RF. Hope this is of some help.

[quilbilly]

My 444 likes 4198 with the 310's but also shoots well with 3031 and 5744 all at about 1800 fps. Since I no longer hunt elk, I have downsized the loads a bit for use on black bear and deer at close range using 240 gr SWC-GC boolits at about 1500 fps using Red Dot. With this lighter load, I don't even need a recoil absorber. I have tried a 260 gr SWC-PB but found those boolits were not stable at an MV of 1250 using Unique.
BTW - The reason my loads using the 310's may seem mild at 1800 is because I used the 260 gr SWC's with sabots in my muzzleloaders for years taking several elk. It was clear to me that I didn't need to beat myself up with recoil in the 444 if all my shots are under 100 yards (often a whole lot less).

[HangFireW8]

I have loaded some dummies and found that they did not feed/eject well in my original, late microgroove era 444SS.

I replaced the black metal magazine follower with the new red plastic follower, and now the dummies feed and eject perfectly. I have yet to shoot any 310gr loads yet. I did have my 444 upgraded to the Ballard style barrel back in the day, so I'm not concerned about stabilization. The Ballard barrels have a tighter twist, proof that Marlin did listen, on occasion anyway.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/42...colt-long-colt

[tdoor4570]

the C430-310-RF mold got here this morning , plan on loading IMR-4198 into the shortened FTX brass with a start load of 33 gr. gas checked and powder coated. What do you guys think? brass is ready to go, it just have to warm up a bit to get out in the shop to cast

[reloader28]

I really like that lee bullet in my 444, but I have to taper the shoulder just a little bit in the lathe for it to feed. My mold is a fat one, but I dont mind.

H4198 and 1920fps is my heavy load but since it is rarely needed I also like some old 860 at just under 1300fps

[HangFireW8]

I really like that lee bullet in my 444, but I have to taper the shoulder just a little bit in the lathe for it to feed. My mold is a fat one, but I dont mind.

Feed problems? Which follower are you using?

It boggles my mind that a magazine follower in a lever action affects feed so much... but it does.

[reloader28]

Wrong words sorry. Not to feed actually. It will feed from the magazine fine it just wont fully chamber because of my fat shoulder.
I have to taper a bit right in front of the crimp groove to fully close the lever. Even sizing the nose to .429 aint quite enough

[Beerd]

I solved that problem by ignoring the crimp groove and seat the bullet a fuzz deeper.
..

[tdoor4570]

the C430-310-RF mold got here this morning , plan on loading IMR-4198 into the shortened FTX brass with a start load of 33 gr. gas checked and powder coated. What do you guys think? brass is ready to go, it just have to warm up a bit to get out in the shop to cast

finally got some slugs cast up and made a couple of dummies. Set the overall length a 2.525 to check if they feed ok, that works great,now load up some rounds and wait for a good day to go to the range. My slugs weight with gas checks is 308 gr. should be a heavy hitter.