powder for 44 mag rifle 1894

nistech95 · April 27, 2013, 03:17 PM

Wanting to get some ideas in what powder to use in my 1894 Marlin chambered in 44 mag. I will be using a 240gr JHP and looking to make a hunting round for this. Any suggestion on what to use?

ruger357w · April 27, 2013, 04:00 PM

I've always used Hodgdon H110 in my pistol and in my wife's marlin with good results.

oldpapps · April 27, 2013, 04:26 PM

Check what is listed in each of your loading books and at the manufacturers web pages and take your pick. So many to choose from.

What do you have on hand?
What can you get at your LGS?
What can you get on-line?

For longer barrels, maybe the slower pistol powders. But faster pistol powders work very well.

No good answer to this.

I will tell you the powder that I use. Jacketed 240 grain Hp's Olin 630 (won't find any, and only very old books list it) and for lead 240 SWCs, 231 (used to use Olin 230, again won't find any of that either).

Many like 296/H110. Others hate/love Lt'gun. There is always 2400.

Load with care,

OSOK

buck460XVR · April 27, 2013, 04:45 PM

In my .44 carbines(both a Marlin lever and a Ruger 77/44) I like H110/W296 or IMR4227 under 240 gr jacketed. While the 4227 does not give quite the velocities that H110/W296 does, is gives great accuracy and because it is less temperature sensitive, gives me more consistency when hunting one day in 70 degrees and three weeks later in -10. IMR4227 really shines in long barrels whether they be carbines or long-piped revolvers. Both H110/W296 and IMR4227 perform better for me than 2400 with 240 grainers in MY .44s. Since I use the same loads in my revolvers that I use in the carbines, Lil' Gun is a no-go.

maggys drawers · April 27, 2013, 05:00 PM

Quote:

buck460XVR said- IMR4227 really shines in long barrels whether they be carbines or long-piped revolvers.

+1 on 4227. Great loading density and the most accurate load I have for my 1894 .44 magnum rifle.

Dave P · April 27, 2013, 05:04 PM

I have very few loads that shoot well. Damn that super-slow 1:38" twist barrel!

But a medium load of 296 with a ranch dog 265 (gas check) seems quite consistent. Heavy hitter!

nistech95 · April 27, 2013, 08:19 PM

As far as on hand the only thing i have is some Blue Dot. Saw Lil Gun at LGS today..wanted H110 or imr 4227...guess it is just a waiting game in when I can find some...oh the thrill of the hunt for components

zxcvbob · April 27, 2013, 09:04 PM

Blue Dot might be OK. You won't get top velocity out of it, but do you really want that with JHP's? Seems like they are designed to expand at revolver velocities and you're going to pick up a couple of hundred FPS (they might explode like a varmint bullet) Blue Dot will back it down a notch or two -- and you HAVE the Blue Dot, there's something to be said for that.

oldpapps · April 27, 2013, 09:24 PM

CAUTION: The following post includes loading data beyond or not covered by currently published maximums for this cartridge. (Well it is listed in an old book, but I don't like to give actual loading amounts.) USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. Neither the writer, The Firing Line, nor the staff of TFL assume any liability for any damage or injury resulting from use of this information.

OK, this is directly from an old Hornady listing, copyright 1990.
Hornady #4420 - 240 grain hollow point
Listing for 'Blue Dot'
Starting - 15.2gr - 1100 fps, 15.9gr - 1150 fps, 16.7gr - 1200 fps, 17.5gr - 1250 fps, 18.2gr - 1300 fps, MAX listed load - 19.0gr - 1350 fps

Blue Dot isn't bad, far from it. Not necessarily my first choice, but I could live with it

Start at the 'Starting' load and work up. You've got 3.8 grains to work in. Better yet, check several sources for comparison first. Don't trust anything on the internet, trust no one!

Always error on the side of safety,

OSOK

Rifleman1776 · April 28, 2013, 08:24 AM

Based on my experience with .44 mag. and a Marlin lever gun. The first thing I would do is change the brand of rifle.

Dave P · April 28, 2013, 09:01 AM

"The first thing I would do is change the brand of rifle."

oww - that's harsh! I love mine.

Airman Basic · April 28, 2013, 11:19 AM

Have an old one with the micro-groove rifling. Shoots fine with jacketed but have to keep the velocities down with cast. 8 grains of Unique and a 240 grain roundnose from a Lee gang mould shoots great, fun to shoot and slips through the action like butter. Also takes deer within 100 yards. Anybody doesn't like 'em got no cowboy in his blood.

Boomer58cal · April 28, 2013, 04:50 PM

I use 2400 in my win 94 in 44 mag.

SIGSHR · April 28, 2013, 05:29 PM

2400 always worked well in my Marlin M1894 with lead bullets. Regarding Blue Dot, I recall an article in Shooting Times years ago where the author found Blue Dot and freezing weather were a bad combination-he got flattened primers when using 357s loaded with Blue Dot on winter days.

WESHOOT2 · April 29, 2013, 06:46 AM

2400
aa9
n110
h110
w296
hs6

jtmckinney · April 29, 2013, 06:55 AM

24 Grains H110 with 240 grain HP/XTP is what I shoot in my Ruger Carbine.

Hope this helps.
James

Ted D · April 29, 2013, 07:06 AM

Doesn't anyone use a Henry BB.? That's what I have haven't started reloading for it yet can't find brass or bullets.I refuse to pay high dollar prices when I do come across it

Airman Basic · April 29, 2013, 08:13 AM

If you're refusing to reload 'cause of high prices, you might be thumb twiddling for a while.

Boomer58cal · April 29, 2013, 05:21 PM

I second that

April 27, 2013, 03:17 PM	#1
nistech95 Junior Member Join Date: January 26, 2013 Posts: 9	powder for 44 mag rifle 1894 Wanting to get some ideas in what powder to use in my 1894 Marlin chambered in 44 mag. I will be using a 240gr JHP and looking to make a hunting round for this. Any suggestion on what to use?

April 27, 2013, 05:04 PM	#6
Dave P Senior Member Join Date: August 16, 1999 Location: North Florida Posts: 1,346	I have very few loads that shoot well. Damn that super-slow 1:38" twist barrel! But a medium load of 296 with a ranch dog 265 (gas check) seems quite consistent. Heavy hitter! __________________ I think this country is screwed.

April 27, 2013, 09:04 PM	#8
zxcvbob Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2007 Location: S.E. Minnesota Posts: 4,720	Blue Dot might be OK. You won't get top velocity out of it, but do you really want that with JHP's? Seems like they are designed to expand at revolver velocities and you're going to pick up a couple of hundred FPS (they might explode like a varmint bullet) Blue Dot will back it down a notch or two -- and you HAVE the Blue Dot, there's something to be said for that. __________________ "Everything they do is so dramatic and flamboyant. It just makes me want to set myself on fire!" —Lucille Bluth

April 28, 2013, 09:01 AM	#11
Dave P Senior Member Join Date: August 16, 1999 Location: North Florida Posts: 1,346	"The first thing I would do is change the brand of rifle." oww - that's harsh! I love mine. __________________ I think this country is screwed.

April 28, 2013, 04:50 PM	#13
Boomer58cal Senior Member Join Date: February 18, 2013 Location: closer than you think Posts: 967	I use 2400 in my win 94 in 44 mag. __________________ The number one cause of death in the 20th century. 290,000,000 citizens were first disarmed and then murdered by their own governments. This number does not include those killed in war. We're from the government, we're here to help

April 27, 2013, 04:00 PM	#2
ruger357w Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2012 Location: Maine Posts: 158	I've always used Hodgdon H110 in my pistol and in my wife's marlin with good results.

April 27, 2013, 04:26 PM	#3
oldpapps Senior Member Join Date: September 22, 2011 Location: Middle America Posts: 518	Check what is listed in each of your loading books and at the manufacturers web pages and take your pick. So many to choose from. What do you have on hand? What can you get at your LGS? What can you get on-line? For longer barrels, maybe the slower pistol powders. But faster pistol powders work very well. No good answer to this. I will tell you the powder that I use. Jacketed 240 grain Hp's Olin 630 (won't find any, and only very old books list it) and for lead 240 SWCs, 231 (used to use Olin 230, again won't find any of that either). Many like 296/H110. Others hate/love Lt'gun. There is always 2400. Load with care, OSOK

April 27, 2013, 04:45 PM	#4
buck460XVR Senior Member Join Date: December 28, 2006 Posts: 4,342	In my .44 carbines(both a Marlin lever and a Ruger 77/44) I like H110/W296 or IMR4227 under 240 gr jacketed. While the 4227 does not give quite the velocities that H110/W296 does, is gives great accuracy and because it is less temperature sensitive, gives me more consistency when hunting one day in 70 degrees and three weeks later in -10. IMR4227 really shines in long barrels whether they be carbines or long-piped revolvers. Both H110/W296 and IMR4227 perform better for me than 2400 with 240 grainers in MY .44s. Since I use the same loads in my revolvers that I use in the carbines, Lil' Gun is a no-go.

April 27, 2013, 08:19 PM	#7
nistech95 Junior Member Join Date: January 26, 2013 Posts: 9	As far as on hand the only thing i have is some Blue Dot. Saw Lil Gun at LGS today..wanted H110 or imr 4227...guess it is just a waiting game in when I can find some...oh the thrill of the hunt for components

April 27, 2013, 09:24 PM	#9
oldpapps Senior Member Join Date: September 22, 2011 Location: Middle America Posts: 518	CAUTION: The following post includes loading data beyond or not covered by currently published maximums for this cartridge. (Well it is listed in an old book, but I don't like to give actual loading amounts.) USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. Neither the writer, The Firing Line, nor the staff of TFL assume any liability for any damage or injury resulting from use of this information. OK, this is directly from an old Hornady listing, copyright 1990. Hornady #4420 - 240 grain hollow point Listing for 'Blue Dot' Starting - 15.2gr - 1100 fps, 15.9gr - 1150 fps, 16.7gr - 1200 fps, 17.5gr - 1250 fps, 18.2gr - 1300 fps, MAX listed load - 19.0gr - 1350 fps Blue Dot isn't bad, far from it. Not necessarily my first choice, but I could live with it Start at the 'Starting' load and work up. You've got 3.8 grains to work in. Better yet, check several sources for comparison first. Don't trust anything on the internet, trust no one! Always error on the side of safety, OSOK

April 28, 2013, 08:24 AM	#10
Rifleman1776 Senior Member Join Date: April 25, 2010 Location: Arkansas Posts: 3,309	Based on my experience with .44 mag. and a Marlin lever gun. The first thing I would do is change the brand of rifle.

April 28, 2013, 11:19 AM	#12
Airman Basic Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2013 Location: South of Interstate 20 Posts: 219	Have an old one with the micro-groove rifling. Shoots fine with jacketed but have to keep the velocities down with cast. 8 grains of Unique and a 240 grain roundnose from a Lee gang mould shoots great, fun to shoot and slips through the action like butter. Also takes deer within 100 yards. Anybody doesn't like 'em got no cowboy in his blood.

April 28, 2013, 05:29 PM	#14
SIGSHR Senior Member Join Date: September 13, 2005 Posts: 4,700	2400 always worked well in my Marlin M1894 with lead bullets. Regarding Blue Dot, I recall an article in Shooting Times years ago where the author found Blue Dot and freezing weather were a bad combination-he got flattened primers when using 357s loaded with Blue Dot on winter days.

April 29, 2013, 06:46 AM	#15
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	2400 aa9 n110 h110 w296 hs6 __________________ . "all my ammo is mostly retired factory ammo"

April 29, 2013, 06:55 AM	#16
jtmckinney Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2010 Location: Texas Posts: 490	24 Grains H110 with 240 grain HP/XTP is what I shoot in my Ruger Carbine. Hope this helps. James __________________ “Government does few things well but it does them at great expense” Cal Thomas “When Government Can’t Be Trusted” 6/11/2013 When I am weaker than you, I ask you for freedom because that is according to your principles; When I am stronger than you, I take away your freedoms because that is according to my principles. Frank Herbert "Children of Dune"

April 29, 2013, 07:06 AM	#17
Ted D Member Join Date: January 27, 2013 Location: Dayton.Ohio Posts: 76	Doesn't anyone use a Henry BB.? That's what I have haven't started reloading for it yet can't find brass or bullets.I refuse to pay high dollar prices when I do come across it __________________ LIFE MEMBER OF THE NRA.GREENHORN RELOADER

April 29, 2013, 08:13 AM	#18
Airman Basic Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2013 Location: South of Interstate 20 Posts: 219	If you're refusing to reload 'cause of high prices, you might be thumb twiddling for a while.

April 29, 2013, 05:21 PM	#19
Boomer58cal Senior Member Join Date: February 18, 2013 Location: closer than you think Posts: 967	I second that __________________ The number one cause of death in the 20th century. 290,000,000 citizens were first disarmed and then murdered by their own governments. This number does not include those killed in war. We're from the government, we're here to help