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View Poll Results: Which hunting bullet for 44 mag lever action
240gr Nosler JSP 12 48.00%
240gr Swift A-Frame 3 12.00%
265gr Hornady Interlock 10 40.00%
Voters: 25. You may not vote on this poll

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Old February 21, 2021, 09:30 PM   #26
Shadow9mm
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Originally Posted by Dranrab View Post
For deer and boar, it simply doesn't matter. A plain jane Remington 240 grain JSP will sail right through a deer and wreck innards in the process.
I disagree. For deer any of those would get the job done, no problem. Boar on the other hand are tough. they have a "shield" that covers their vitals. It is similar to scar tissue/heavy leather and can be 1-2in thick. Not just any bullet will do, you need to lean towards a heavy game bullet that will hold together well...
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Old February 21, 2021, 09:35 PM   #27
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That's an interesting take. I will see how obtainable the Swifts are.

Currently Brownells.co.uk have them listed at £80.75 = $113.11 for 50. Swift's website is charging $61.00 / 50.

I know the UK is a smaller market than the US and there are costs associated with import but frankly that is just not a funny joke. I wonder if there is a "grey" import route...

Scrummy
you may be able to order directly from swift. Or see if you can find someone in the US to purchase, then international ship to you.
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Old February 21, 2021, 09:52 PM   #28
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Originally Posted by Shadow9mm View Post
you may be able to order directly from swift. Or see if you can find someone in the US to purchase, then international ship to you.
Be careful about that. You might run afoul of ITAR regulations.
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Old February 21, 2021, 11:43 PM   #29
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Be careful about that. You might run afoul of ITAR regulations.
Took a quick glance a ITAR. Its not "ammunition" just a component with no explosive(primer) or propellant. Also as it is already commercially available there , there should be no export or import restrictions on the item itself, just logistics issues to get it there. But if you know more feel free to fill in....
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Old February 22, 2021, 12:23 AM   #30
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you may be able to order directly from swift. Or see if you can find someone in the US to purchase, then international ship to you.
That might not be a bad idea. It's the international shipping where things get problematic.

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Old February 22, 2021, 12:25 AM   #31
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Originally Posted by Shadow9mm View Post
Took a quick glance a ITAR. Its not "ammunition" just a component with no explosive(primer) or propellant. Also as it is already commercially available there , there should be no export or import restrictions on the item itself, just logistics issues to get it there. But if you know more feel free to fill in....
I think there are 2 bits to this.

1) What ITAR actually said
2) What people are actually willing to do which tends to be more restrictive as they want to avoid touching ITAR

Scrummy
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Old February 22, 2021, 01:51 AM   #32
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I would vote for hand-cast bullets first, but if you must have jacketed bullets, you ought to try the Speer 270 grain bullets a chance, if you can get them.
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Old February 22, 2021, 02:03 AM   #33
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I would vote for hand-cast bullets first, but if you must have jacketed bullets, you ought to try the Speer 270 grain bullets a chance, if you can get them.
Yeah, I think will have to be jacketed and sadly Speer bullets can be a bit difficult to obtain here.

I like the look of the 270gr Speer. I'm guessing that is what Federal are using in their "Hammerdown" rifle ammunition line?

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Old February 22, 2021, 03:21 AM   #34
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I also hope they don't discontinue the 265 because it is a great 444 bullet
You mean the 265 interlock? I'm desperate for their return too.
The 265 gr Interlock is not cataloged. The 265 FTX is listed, but not the Interlock. Might be time to try something a little different.
https://cuttingedgebullets.com/shop/...ets?caliber=72
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Old February 22, 2021, 03:56 AM   #35
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The 265 gr Interlock is not cataloged. The 265 FTX is listed, but not the Interlock. Might be time to try something a little different.
https://cuttingedgebullets.com/shop/...ets?caliber=72
The problem with those FTX bullets is they are rather long and really eat into your powder capacity in things like 44 mag. Probably matters less in things like 444 Marlin and 454 Casull etc.

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Old February 22, 2021, 06:49 AM   #36
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The 265 gr Interlock is not cataloged. The 265 FTX is listed, but not the Interlock. Might be time to try something a little different.
I ordered some of those CE for my 444; they are a little tricky in seating because the drive band has to be in the right place. I'm too scared to do a whole ladder at their price point!
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Old February 22, 2021, 06:51 AM   #37
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Originally Posted by KEYBEAR View Post
GRS. VEL.(FT/S) PRESS.
23.0 1,750 25,200 CUP
MAXIMUM LOADS
GRS. VEL.(FT/S) .
24.0 1817 PRESS 36,200 C

This is the Data from Hornady and N110 with a 240 XTP . I have used Win 296 for years VihtaVuori N110 powder gives a small window less then 2.gr .
Please look it up for yourself .
Sorry Keybear, 2.0 gr window?
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Old February 22, 2021, 12:24 PM   #38
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Sorry Keybear, 2.0 gr window?

I guess that is good or bad not sure what sorry is ?
I got the Data from Hornady starting load 23.0 max load 24.0 N110
The VihtaVuori manual is the same for N110
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Old February 22, 2021, 01:40 PM   #39
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1-20"

Question to the OP.....what is the manufacture of your .44 lever rifle?

The 1-20" twist rate description of the OP's .44 has caught my eye. Most all the traditional .44 mag lever carbines (and the original Ruger semi .44) were twisted 1-38" and gave so-so accuracy in many examples. The faster twist rate of 1-20" is more in line with revolver twist rates and was used by Ruger in their model 96 and 99 carbines before they went defunct. I don't know what twist rate was used in the last of the Marlin levers.

The .44/265gr brought the .444 Marlin up to its true potential. The lighter slugs were far better suited to .44 mag velocities. If I had a .44 mag carbine with a 1-20" twist, I'd shoot 240 gr JHP for deer. The 240 gr slug is a chunk of lead, and I cannot imagine it not passing thru a whitetail on a broadside shot. If I felt I needed more penetration, I'd opt for a JSP. Big (200 lb plus) hogs are tough, but they are not bullet proof.
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Old February 22, 2021, 02:04 PM   #40
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Originally Posted by KEYBEAR View Post
Sorry Keybear, 2.0 gr window?

I guess that is good or bad not sure what sorry is ?
I got the Data from Hornady starting load 23.0 max load 24.0 N110
The VihtaVuori manual is the same for N110
Hi Keybear, that's interesting.

Viht's current online data for the 240gr Hornady JTC-Sil is 20.4-22.1 which is a 1.7gr range.

https://www.vihtavuori.com/reloading.../?cartridge=47

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Old February 22, 2021, 02:44 PM   #41
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Originally Posted by bamaranger View Post
Question to the OP.....what is the manufacture of your .44 lever rifle?

The 1-20" twist rate description of the OP's .44 has caught my eye. Most all the traditional .44 mag lever carbines (and the original Ruger semi .44) were twisted 1-38" and gave so-so accuracy in many examples. The faster twist rate of 1-20" is more in line with revolver twist rates and was used by Ruger in their model 96 and 99 carbines before they went defunct. I don't know what twist rate was used in the last of the Marlin levers.

The .44/265gr brought the .444 Marlin up to its true potential. The lighter slugs were far better suited to .44 mag velocities. If I had a .44 mag carbine with a 1-20" twist, I'd shoot 240 gr JHP for deer. The 240 gr slug is a chunk of lead, and I cannot imagine it not passing thru a whitetail on a broadside shot. If I felt I needed more penetration, I'd opt for a JSP. Big (200 lb plus) hogs are tough, but they are not bullet proof.
Hi bamaranger,

It's a 20" barrel, 1:20" twist Chiappa Alaskan.

Currently with a Leupold 2.5x28 Scout Scope



Skinner carry case:





Reckon should be good for a cleaning kit / rod and an MTM box of 50 rds.



And when you unpack it:





And out on the range:



Hoping to develop a plinking load (240gr cast lead RNFP and Unique is current favourite but not so keen on how unique measures) and a hunting load. For the hunting load, Thinking 240 gr Nosler JSP or maybe Swift A-Frame / 265gr Hornady over H110 which I have some of or N110 which is still relatively obtainable and cheaper here.

Best wishes,

Scrummy
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Old February 22, 2021, 02:54 PM   #42
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Viht's current online data for the 240gr Hornady JTC-Sil is 20.4-22.1 which is a 1.7gr range.

My VihtaVuori manual is a older copy maybe 20 years old .
The manual has a starting load of 19.9 and max of 21.7 useing N110 .
Just me but i do not care for a powder that close to start and max loads .
I have a pound of N110 that a dealer gave me some time ago i will not use it .
The powder (N110) is temperature sensitive as in my manual .

I shoot a bunch of unique and 240gr. lead bullets .
My load in handguns is 10.2 and like it
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Old February 22, 2021, 03:14 PM   #43
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Originally Posted by KEYBEAR View Post
Viht's current online data for the 240gr Hornady JTC-Sil is 20.4-22.1 which is a 1.7gr range.

My VihtaVuori manual is a older copy maybe 20 years old .
The manual has a starting load of 19.9 and max of 21.7 useing N110 .
Just me but i do not care for a powder that close to start and max loads .
I have a pound of N110 that a dealer gave me some time ago i will not use it .
The powder (N110) is temperature sensitive as in my manual .

I shoot a bunch of unique and 240gr. lead bullets .
My load in handguns is 10.2 and like it
Hi Keybear,

N110 is a bit temp sensitive but so are all the H110, 2400, W296 type powders. N110 is at least single based so likely to be a bit less so.

Certainly H110 is rarely seen with more than a 1.0gr spread (Both Nosler and Hodgdon quote the 240gr JSP with only a 1.0gr spread).

I hear what you are saying with a 10.2 gr load but that has no hope of making the muzzle energy requirements I need unfortunatley (I quite often plink with a 240gr RNFP and about 6.5gr of Unique)
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Old February 22, 2021, 03:15 PM   #44
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H110 is one of the best powders as is 296 that I preferred at a time when win was winchester brand. As far as bullets I've always like the 210 class of weight for my pistol. As I manually H.P. 240 cast to 210 weight. 240gr. jacketed weight gave the best accuracy in my rifles. (Ruger 44 mag semi & Win 94 Trapper.) Sold the Regan era Trapper and gave the Ruger to my son for his brace of hunting rifles.
As of Christmas the Ruger long ago became a safe queen according to my son. To be honest if interested in a straight wall rifle cartridge. I would rather have a 45-70 or 500 SW big bore than a 44 mag.
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Old February 22, 2021, 03:27 PM   #45
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Took a quick glance a ITAR. Its not "ammunition" just a component with no explosive(primer) or propellant. Also as it is already commercially available there , there should be no export or import restrictions on the item itself, just logistics issues to get it there. But if you know more feel free to fill in....
DDTC (ITAR) handed off sub 50 cal "conventional components" to the Dept of Commerce for Import/export control, but buying direct from a manufacturer may very well require licensed import receiver by American law. The manufacturer should be able to tell you that pretty quickly.
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Old February 22, 2021, 03:33 PM   #46
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Scrumbag

In a 4.5/8 Ruger SUPER BLACKHAWK 10.2gr. of Unique is 890 fps .
Out of a 20 inch barrel you will be pushing a lead bullet very fast .
(It Better be hard)
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Old February 22, 2021, 03:40 PM   #47
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H110 which I have some of or N110 which is still relatively obtainable and cheaper here.
BTW--we're a bit short on sympathy for "hard to find powders"--because NOTHING is available here in the US!!
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Old February 22, 2021, 03:45 PM   #48
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Originally Posted by Sure Shot Mc Gee View Post
H110 is one of the best powders as is 296 that I preferred at a time when win was winchester brand. As far as bullets I've always like the 210 class of weight for my pistol. As I manually H.P. 240 cast to 210 weight. 240gr. jacketed weight gave the best accuracy in my rifles. (Ruger 44 mag semi & Win 94 Trapper.) Sold the Regan era Trapper and gave the Ruger to my son for his brace of hunting rifles.
As of Christmas the Ruger long ago became a safe queen according to my son. To be honest if interested in a straight wall rifle cartridge. I would rather have a 45-70 or 500 SW big bore than a 44 mag.
I hear you buddy and I know people like H110. Just it isn't easy to get here and is running nearly twice the cost of N110 when you can find the Hodgdon stuff.

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Old February 22, 2021, 03:48 PM   #49
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Scrumbag

In a 4.5/8 Ruger SUPER BLACKHAWK 10.2gr. of Unique is 890 fps .
Out of a 20 inch barrel you will be pushing a lead bullet very fast .
(It Better be hard)
Keybear, I hear where you are coming from but the hunting laws where I am require an ME of 1,700ftlbs to be legal for our larger deer species. For a 240gr bullet I need to get an MV 1,786 fps.

Unique just won't get there and where I am hard cast lead just isn't such a thing to buy and I certainly can't cast it. I started this thread with some very specific questions for a reason
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Old February 22, 2021, 06:29 PM   #50
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BTW--I just got CVA's 2021 catalog e-mailed and they had a 44 mag hunter single-shot available for just over $200--I snapped one up cause the 444 marlin hunter I have is a superlative shooter and I suspect (hope) this one will be too.

BTW Scrummy--that is a magnificent looking rifle.

23.8 grs H110 240 Nosler jsp shot through my 16" Rossi

Attached Images
File Type: jpg H110NSL240JSP_zps1bc8e85f.jpg (520.1 KB, 152 views)
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