Raineer bullets in .44mag rifle problems!

rdan · October 27, 2001, 10:46 PM

I've recently been loading Raineer 240gr. JHP using HS6 to get about 1400fps out of a Ruger Redhawk with some success.
The problem is when I fire them in my Marlin rifle they keyhole
terribly. Has anyone else had this problem? Does this mean the
velocity is too high for plated bullets? Would moly coating solve
this so I could use these bullets? Do you have any recomendations for inexpensive JHP which would work better?

Thanks,
rdan

WESHOOT2 · October 27, 2001, 11:07 PM

..........your HS6 load is incorrect for those bullets IN THAT GUN.
Maybe W296 is a better choice to stop the keyholing (but I know nothing about rifles).
Or maybe a switch to Starline cases, or crimping heavily using a REDDING Profile Crimp die, or trying Federal 155 LPM primers, or finally, after all else has been tried, a different bullet?

R-P and Winchester both offer relatively inexpensive JHP's.

(That HS6 load may be a bit much; little bit fast in '44 heavy'. I've used HS6 per customer specs to get a 255g up to 1200fps, but for more zoom I choose something 'slower'.)

Your results may vary.

rdan · October 27, 2001, 11:24 PM

Thanks Weshoot,
I picked up some H110 today.
Any suggestions on a starting load with it?

Thanks,
rdan

Dogjaw · October 28, 2001, 07:30 AM

The major reason for keyholing is the bullet speed does not match the rate of your barrel's rifling. It's not spinning the bullet enough to stablize it. Your probably sending those Rainier bullets too fast down the barrel. Use a slower speed with the bullets. You can also use a different bullet with more sidewall.

WESHOOT2 · October 28, 2001, 08:27 AM

Maybe his target is too close, and the bullet is not finished stabilizing at that distance..........

Quantrill · October 28, 2001, 09:21 AM

Some Marlin rifles have micro-groove rifling that needs a jacketed bullet to stabilize. Quantrill

WESHOOT2 · October 28, 2001, 06:11 PM

Look here: www.hodgdon.com

Waterdog · October 28, 2001, 06:55 PM

Plated projos are no good for full house loads, load down.

Waterdog

Big88foot · October 29, 2001, 08:40 AM

I had the same problem with Berrys bullets in my Marlin. They were fine in my handguns, but the rifle gave them enough extra speed for the plating to start to peel & cause keyholing. Berrys will tell you not to exceed a certain speed (I THINK 1400fps) and ESPECIALLY with a heavy roll crimp, which also cuts into the plating & causes it to separate.

October 27, 2001, 10:46 PM	#1
rdan Member Join Date: October 12, 2001 Location: North Carolina Posts: 44	Raineer bullets in .44mag rifle problems! I've recently been loading Raineer 240gr. JHP using HS6 to get about 1400fps out of a Ruger Redhawk with some success. The problem is when I fire them in my Marlin rifle they keyhole terribly. Has anyone else had this problem? Does this mean the velocity is too high for plated bullets? Would moly coating solve this so I could use these bullets? Do you have any recomendations for inexpensive JHP which would work better? Thanks, rdan

October 27, 2001, 11:07 PM	#2
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	PERHAPS........ ..........your HS6 load is incorrect for those bullets IN THAT GUN. Maybe W296 is a better choice to stop the keyholing (but I know nothing about rifles). Or maybe a switch to Starline cases, or crimping heavily using a REDDING Profile Crimp die, or trying Federal 155 LPM primers, or finally, after all else has been tried, a different bullet? R-P and Winchester both offer relatively inexpensive JHP's. (That HS6 load may be a bit much; little bit fast in '44 heavy'. I've used HS6 per customer specs to get a 255g up to 1200fps, but for more zoom I choose something 'slower'.) Your results may vary. __________________ . "all my ammo is mostly retired factory ammo"

October 28, 2001, 08:27 AM	#5
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	OR Maybe his target is too close, and the bullet is not finished stabilizing at that distance.......... __________________ . "all my ammo is mostly retired factory ammo"

October 28, 2001, 09:21 AM	#6
Quantrill Senior Member Join Date: February 28, 1999 Location: Arizona, USA Posts: 725	Marlin Rifles Some Marlin rifles have micro-groove rifling that needs a jacketed bullet to stabilize. Quantrill

October 28, 2001, 06:11 PM	#7
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	rdan Look here: www.hodgdon.com __________________ . "all my ammo is mostly retired factory ammo"

October 27, 2001, 11:24 PM	#3
rdan Member Join Date: October 12, 2001 Location: North Carolina Posts: 44	Thanks Weshoot, I picked up some H110 today. Any suggestions on a starting load with it? Thanks, rdan

October 28, 2001, 07:30 AM	#4
Dogjaw Senior Member Join Date: October 6, 2001 Location: S.W. Michigan Posts: 560	The major reason for keyholing is the bullet speed does not match the rate of your barrel's rifling. It's not spinning the bullet enough to stablize it. Your probably sending those Rainier bullets too fast down the barrel. Use a slower speed with the bullets. You can also use a different bullet with more sidewall.

October 28, 2001, 06:55 PM	#8
Waterdog Junior member Join Date: January 6, 2000 Location: AZ Posts: 1,236	Plated projos are no good for full house loads, load down. Waterdog

October 29, 2001, 08:40 AM	#9
Big88foot Junior Member Join Date: January 31, 2000 Posts: 14	I had the same problem with Berrys bullets in my Marlin. They were fine in my handguns, but the rifle gave them enough extra speed for the plating to start to peel & cause keyholing. Berrys will tell you not to exceed a certain speed (I THINK 1400fps) and ESPECIALLY with a heavy roll crimp, which also cuts into the plating & causes it to separate.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search