LF 444 light load

338 Imperial

338 Imperial

CGN Regular
Rating - 100%
184   0   0
Location
Chetwynd BC
Looking for a light load for the 444 that replicates the 44 special
say a 240-250 gn bullet @ 1500-1700 CUP.
maybe some cowboy action shooter has something developed.
thx Ed
 
338 Imperial said:
Looking for a light load for the 444 that replicates the 44 special
say a 240-250 gn bullet @ 1500-1700 CUP.
maybe some cowboy action shooter has something developed.
thx Ed
Click to expand...

You didn't mention the rifle used. If that's Marlin microgroove rifling with 38" rifling twist, then shooting 240-250gr bullets at 44Special speeds will not stabilise those bulets at all. Even shooting them at 44Magnum speeds you might have problems IMO. Try 200gr WC bullets. I wish you luck in your experiment though.
 
Last edited:
gunrunner8 said:
You didn't mention the rifle used. If that's Marlin microgroove rifling with 38" rifling twist, then shooting 240-250gr bullets at 44Special speeds will not stabilise those bulets at all. Even shooting them at 44Magnum speeds you might have problems IMO. Try 200gr WC bullets. I wish you luck in your experiment though.
Click to expand...

:confused:Could be but it's not something I've experienced in what I have or have had. I had the opportunity to 'play' with a model 94 Winchester in 44 Mag and in the two Marlin's in 444,

Marlin444S444.jpg


one I still have, and all of which were 1 in 38" twist. While I haven't pushed all that much in the way of light cast loads through them, I haven't seen any signs of instability.

44bullets.jpg


444Marlin325grcast.jpg


444Marlin250grcast.jpg
 
John, normal speed for 240gr bullet from 444Marlin at 2400 fps spins little more than 45 000 RPM.
"338 Imperial wants" to shoot those bullets at 44 Special speed or 800 fps with the spin of a bullet at 15 000 RPM or so. I think it's not enough to stabilise them.
I have Charters Arms Buldog 44 Special with 3" barrel and 240gr bulets tumble with moderate loads and I don't want to push my revolver to the limit while plinking so I use 200gr wadcutters and I am happy with that.
 
gunrunner8 said:
John, normal speed for 240gr bullet from 444Marlin at 2400 fps spins little more than 45 000 RPM.
"338 Imperial wants" to shoot those bullets at 44 Special speed or 800 fps with the spin of a bullet at 15 000 RPM or so. I think it's not enough to stabilise them.
I have Charters Arms Buldog 44 Special with 3" barrel and 240gr bulets tumble with moderate loads and I don't want to push my revolver to the limit while plinking so I use 200gr wadcutters and I am happy with that.
Click to expand...

Fair enough. I've never tried pushing them out quite that slow out of my 444, but I'll have to try it one day, with something along the lines of Trail Boss. I'm sure it can be done and I'd now like to see what the results are.
With the targets posted previously, the 325gr, I was pushing out at about 1900f/sec and the 250s at 1200.
In some cast loads, in particular using a 535gr cast in the 458WM I did get evidence of 'tumbling', and that was with light and heavier loads. The main factor contributing to tumbling was related more to the sized diameter of the bullet and hardness. Harder cast bullets and bullets sized to 0.002" over bore diameter eliminated the tumbling for me in that instance.
 
Not sure if this helps but my fire lapping load for the Marlin 444 is 3.9 grn Unique behind a soft lead 250 grn keith style bullet. Velocity is in the 500 fps relm. 5 - 6 grn Unique should get you in the 800 fps zone. And no the bullets do no tumble in my 1/38 twist bbls. One word of caution - you need to use a dacron filler in front of the powder to ensure consistent ignition.
For more detailed info on reduced loads in the 444 visit Beartooth Bullets website...a wealth of information can be found there as well as putting many of the BS Internet myths to bed.
 
tucker05 said:
Not sure if this helps but my fire lapping load for the Marlin 444 is 3.9 grn Unique behind a soft lead 250 grn keith style bullet. Velocity is in the 500 fps relm. 5 - 6 grn Unique should get you in the 800 fps zone. And no the bullets do no tumble in my 1/38 twist bbls. One word of caution - you need to use a dacron filler in front of the powder to ensure consistent ignition.
For more detailed info on reduced loads in the 444 visit Beartooth Bullets website...a wealth of information can be found there as well as putting many of the BS Internet myths to bed.
Click to expand...

Have done and I've printed out some of their info. For the 'stuff' around 1200f/sec I've picked up from the Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook. I'll have to try, once the weather improves a bit but TB for powder on light light loads will be a focus for me. I see 45-70 loads in the 700 - 1000f/sec range so I'm sure something similar is possible in the 444.
 
really appreciate the comments,
am looking for something along the line of tucker05 load...but with a newer powder perhaps the eliminates the need for filler / and fills the case more !
maybe a dream ?? maybe I need to use 44 mag brass instead ?(thats not ideal)
thx Ed
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom