444 Marlin + 2400??? [Archive]

MBTcustom

09-19-2013, 05:11 PM

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

09-19-2013, 05:46 PM

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

09-19-2013, 07:00 PM

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

09-19-2013, 07:26 PM

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

09-19-2013, 09:01 PM

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

09-19-2013, 10:12 PM

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

runfiverun

09-20-2013, 12:25 AM

you know 2400 will "work" in the 45 acp too....[smilie=1:

btroj

09-20-2013, 06:07 AM

Can and should are not the same thing Run.

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

Dang Mods keep stirring things up

Shuz

09-20-2013, 10:42 AM

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

09-21-2013, 11:07 PM

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

Shuz

09-22-2013, 09:30 AM

goodsteel-- Did you chrono your loads?

MBTcustom

09-22-2013, 09:46 AM

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

09-22-2013, 10:48 AM

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

Shuz

09-23-2013, 10:04 AM

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

09-23-2013, 02:32 PM

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

09-23-2013, 02:35 PM

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

09-23-2013, 08:42 PM

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

10-16-2013, 04:18 AM

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

01-03-2014, 02:34 PM

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

01-08-2014, 12:13 PM

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.

C. Latch

01-08-2014, 12:18 PM

My dad has a '74 vintage Marlin that never gets shot and I have some 2400 and this thread is very interesting to me. Only problem is that my only .44 mold is a Lee 430-310.

GaCop

01-08-2014, 12:19 PM

Forgot some important information; the 300gr FN-GC is made by Cast Performance and the 325gr FN-GC is from Montana Bullet CO. I'm wondering if I shouldn't go lower with a faster powder and lighter charges?

mattd

01-14-2014, 11:12 PM

Only problem is that my only .44 mold is a Lee 430-310.

Why is that? Cause it drops small? Was thinking that would be a good bullet.

C. Latch

01-15-2014, 03:07 AM

Why is that? Cause it drops small? Was thinking that would be a good bullet.

Only a 'problem' insofar as it's a bit heavy for the 1-38" twist. In theory, anyway. I'll have to load some up and see how they shoot.

mattd

01-15-2014, 10:00 AM

Apparently, that's a myth. Here's beartooth bullets experiments with heavy bullets....http://www.beartoothbullets.com/tech_notes/archive_tech_notes.htm/28
Be sure to read parts 1 and 2 .

What is your 310 dropping at?

C. Latch

01-15-2014, 10:12 AM

That's why I said 'in theory'. I don't remember what they weigh; I haven't cast any of them in several months. I do know that they were well over 310, I think closer to 320. I meant to load some back in the spring, and had 100 of them ready to load and lost them. Found them about a week ago hiding in a box of .38 nickel brass.

Apparently, that's a myth. Here's beartooth bullets experiments with heavy bullets....http://www.beartoothbullets.com/tech_notes/archive_tech_notes.htm/28
Be sure to read parts 1 and 2 .

What is your 310 dropping at?

mattd

01-15-2014, 10:15 AM

Sorry. Meant diameter. Sounds like the 444 is gonna like something big like .432

C. Latch

01-15-2014, 10:18 AM

Sorry. Meant diameter. Sounds like the 444 is gonna like something big like .432

I don't remember that either!:grin: I sized them .430 but before I load any I'll slug the .444 and if needed I'll cast a different batch and maybe not even size them. I never had tried to slug the .444 and was just going to guesstimate, but there's a slug laying 5' from that rifle right now and next chance I get I'm going to measure it.

w5pv

01-15-2014, 11:08 AM

Myself and a million others have always thought of .444 as a heavy brush gun,never thought of it as a long range gun.I have never put one to my shoulder and have no expeirence with the weapon.

Highwaller

02-06-2014, 02:20 PM

I'm still on this .444 long range quest. I forgot to mention that I'll be using
A C Sharps High Wall, 30" Badger Bbl, tang and globe sights. Just waiting
For the weather to warm up a bit--- it's -8* here right now.
Been casting for the Marlin lever gun since I bought it in '70 so
I have molds, but nothing heavier than the 250gr Keith. I'm thinking I want
to try something in 300-325gr PP in the High Wall. Any suggestions for molds for that?
Have never done any Paper Patched before, so I'm learning a lot from this site
before I jump in up to my eyeballs.
I do appreciate the input.

HotGuns

02-06-2014, 08:57 PM

I can tell yall one thing. I have 6. .50 caliber rifles. None of them stick it to me like my Marlin .444 does.

Yeah...it will body slam a deer. I've done it. Yes...it kills them with authority and I do mean authority.

But I gotta say that although I'm not overly sensitive to recoil, that thing slams me harder than any other rifle I have ever shot. The .50 BMG's I shoot can't hold a candle to that Marlin when it comes to recoil.

I love that gun. Its accurate. Its a nice looking gun. At the range on a bench rest...6-7 shots and I'm done!

Shuz

02-07-2014, 11:54 AM

HotGuns--Have you ever tried a PAST or other brand of "sissy pad" whilst shooting your 444 from the bench?
A "sissy pad" is my term for a recoil absorbing shoulder pad that works for me with the .444 Marlin, .35 Whelen and 300 RUM from a bench.

Highwaller

02-07-2014, 03:54 PM

HotGuns
Twenty odd years ago I could take a whole lot more from the Marlin than I can nowadays.
I once fired it from prone, at a chuck that was uphill from me. Lesson learned. Instant nose bleed
and watery eyes! I'm hoping that this Highwall with it's 30" no. 3 Bbl will tame things at least a little bit. I use a Limb Saver shoulder pad, and if that isn't enough I'll get a Lead Sled. This project of mine is about what can be done with the .444 cartridge at long range, not how tough I wanna pretend to be. I'm not sure what it is about that cartridge that punishes us so much, but I suspect its a combination of things. Who knows, maybe I'll stumble onto to something that makes it more pleasant to shoot. Wouldn't THAT be sweet?!!!

jackmanuk

02-07-2014, 04:36 PM

i love 2400

i use it in 44 mag 357 mag 308 win and my latest addition 223 its a good powder, cheap and you dont use much of it

mattd

09-17-2015, 12:31 AM

This thread is too good to go by the way side! I loaded up some RP brass, with the 429244 bullet, in 26, 27, and 28g of 2400. same micro groove marlin as the OP, and a similar bullet.

26g
1807
1561
1593
1583
That first shot is weird, and the rest aren't even close to reported velocities

27g
1857
1630
1606
1630
Ok, there's that first shot high again. Must be the recoil changing the OAL. I'll load single bullets for the next round.

28g
1883
1686
1696
1654
Nope, single loading didn't change anything.

Why in the world would the first shot be so consistently high? the first 2 groups I loaded the magazine and worked the lever to load. The last group I loaded individually into an open breech. There was never anything better the 3 inches at 50y, as you might expect from a slow twist and low velocities.

Any ideas?

Shuz

09-21-2015, 11:01 AM

mattd--As one of the fellas on the Marlin 444 site says,"Velocity is your friend" when it comes to the .444 Marlin with it's 1:38" twist. Contact Alliant before you try working up your load, and be careful, as none of my cast bullet reloading books even shows a loading using 2400 in the .444 Marlin.