Been lurking here a while, decide to bite the boolit so to speak and join/post.
Looking to get some guidance on some load workups for 444 marlin, I'll list out the parameters and what I'm looking to achieve and some questions I'm hoping to get answered.
Parameters:
Weapon- '73 Marlin 444ss 22" Barrel.
Boolit/Mold- Brand new brass MP Molds 432-256 (HG#503 Clone) solid tip, Plain Base. Should drop about 260gr .432-.433 with straight wheel weight according to the site, will know when I get a chance to mold a few.
Brass- factory remington 240gr soft points (15 total- 3 fired/decapped so far. looking to get more factory ammo to shoot/reload- maybe leverevolution as it seems to be all I can track down. May order a 50pc bag of starline brass).
Press- Lee Hand Press with quick change collars (looks kinda like a set of bolt cutters, no bench mount. I like the portability aspect but could result in lower consistency).
Primers/powder- Waiting guidance and to see what is available in my area. From reading here and at Marlinowners I see Winchester Large rifle primers as well as IMR 4198, H 4895 and Reloader 7 coming up as top recommendations over and over.
Goals:
Primary goal is a light-moderate recoil, accurate loading that gives me good accuracy/minimal drop out to 200 for paper and sufficient punch to anchor whitetails at that range.
One loading to accomplish both would be ideal. Something I can enjoy shooting like 50 of but still have enough oomph for hunting... maybe I'm asking a lot here but I think it's doable. Maybe in the 1500-2000fps range or so, I don't really know enough to make the call there.
Questions:
Is my do all cartridge loading a reasonable expectation? If so any recommendations on a start point (powder type/amount, wads/fillers, etc)?
Should I water drop or air cool? Will pressures for the intended velocity range be too much for air soft/too little for hard (obturation, etc)?
Should I consider/try paper patching for some higher end loads (won't be doing gas checks)?
Is there anything big I seem to have missed/overlooked?
Any other general ideas/recommendations?
Oh! last thing I swear, any recommended lube recipes- I want to make my own if possible. Don't necessarily need detailed instructions, just a direction to go searching in. Simple is best.
Thanks in advance for any guidance you can offer, there is such a huge wealth of knowledge on here its overwhelming at times, hence the directed post. I find everytime I get on here searching I leave with more questions than I started with hahaha.