44 mag loads

Waterdog · March 11, 2001, 12:04 AM

I am loading up a batch of 200gr RNFPs for my 1894 Marlin carbine, I am leaning towards Unique for my powder.

I am not looking for hot loads the slugs are hard cast but probably won't tolerate much over 1200fps.

If putting recipes on the net is a problem, then point me in the right direction and I will follow up.

Any info welcome

Waterdog

zot · March 11, 2001, 01:04 AM

http://www.alliantpowder.com

Target Shooter · March 11, 2001, 10:36 PM

Try 10.0 grains of Unique. I've used this load for years in my pistol behind a 215 grain cast bullet.

TS

wolfz · March 12, 2001, 09:32 PM

Weird as it sounds if you go to a slightly "softer" bullet in the .44 Mag you can get higher velocities and less "leading". It has to do with the time at which the bullet obulates (sp.) (seals barrels from the hot gases pusing it). The hard cast takes a fraction of a sec. longer and allows hot, cutting gases to get past and cause leading from side of bullet.

I can drive a lead bullet in my 444 marlin at over 2000fps with very little leading (even in a micro groove barrel!).

Waterdog · March 15, 2001, 10:27 PM

Wolfz, are your slugs gas checked?

Waterdog

wolfz · March 18, 2001, 10:36 AM

Yes they are gas checked. But I'm driving them real hard!

Hal · March 20, 2001, 03:40 AM

My "plinking" load for the .44mag is 15.8 to 17.3 grains of 2400 under a 240 grain lead SWC hollow point. YMMV as to your success with a SWC bullet in your lever action though. Seating depth and amount of crimp was largly a matter of trial and error for me. I use this load in a Winchester Trapper with good results. I guestimate around 1000 fps out of this load, which is plenty fast enough for me and 25 or 50 yard paper targets. The 2400 gives better shot to shot consistancy, doesn't lead the barrel, is bulkier in the case and therefore easier to "eyeball" for an overcharge, has more of a "boom" rather than a "crack", and seems a bit easier on the shoulder over the same velocity loads using Unique. I'm personally partial to 240 grain over the lighter 200 to 215 grain slugs, but YYMV. I owrked this load up about a year ago. I wanted something between the Cowboy loads, and the standard loads listed at Alliant.com.

The bullet I use mostly is the Hornady stock # 11118, a swaged(or so I'm told) lead 44 cal .430 240 gr SWC/HP. They're a bit more than the gun show special cast lead bullets, but I like the dry powder lube Hornady uses, and I have yet to have to size one. I measured an entire box of 400, and each one was spot on at .430.

March 22, 2001, 12:01 AM

Waterdog, I've been using the combination you've described in my Marlin 1895S with excellent results. No problems with barrel leading, and despite what I've heard about Unique being dirty with cast bullets, I've got no complaints. 10.0 grains feels about right, although I've downloaded to 7.0 grains just to experiment. My Marlin feeds the D&J cast 200-grn. RNFP's well, haven't had a misfeed yet.

Shoot straight,
freedomlover

maxwayne · March 22, 2001, 06:49 PM

Unique is my fvorite powder in the big revolvers. I load as light as 7 grains, but you can go higher. As someone earlier had advised, check with Alliant. I have a Winchester 94 in 44 mag and it never ceases to amaze me as to how hard that thing can kick.

March 11, 2001, 12:04 AM	#1
Waterdog Junior member Join Date: January 6, 2000 Location: AZ Posts: 1,236	I am loading up a batch of 200gr RNFPs for my 1894 Marlin carbine, I am leaning towards Unique for my powder. I am not looking for hot loads the slugs are hard cast but probably won't tolerate much over 1200fps. If putting recipes on the net is a problem, then point me in the right direction and I will follow up. Any info welcome Waterdog

March 11, 2001, 01:04 AM	#2
zot Senior Member Join Date: April 2, 1999 Location: U.S.A. Posts: 566	http://www.alliantpowder.com

March 11, 2001, 10:36 PM	#3
Target Shooter Senior Member Join Date: May 19, 2000 Posts: 176	Try 10.0 grains of Unique. I've used this load for years in my pistol behind a 215 grain cast bullet. TS

March 12, 2001, 09:32 PM	#4
wolfz Senior Member Join Date: October 13, 1998 Location: Chandler, Az, USA Posts: 125	Weird as it sounds if you go to a slightly "softer" bullet in the .44 Mag you can get higher velocities and less "leading". It has to do with the time at which the bullet obulates (sp.) (seals barrels from the hot gases pusing it). The hard cast takes a fraction of a sec. longer and allows hot, cutting gases to get past and cause leading from side of bullet. I can drive a lead bullet in my 444 marlin at over 2000fps with very little leading (even in a micro groove barrel!).

March 15, 2001, 10:27 PM	#5
Waterdog Junior member Join Date: January 6, 2000 Location: AZ Posts: 1,236	Wolfz, are your slugs gas checked? Waterdog

March 18, 2001, 10:36 AM	#6
wolfz Senior Member Join Date: October 13, 1998 Location: Chandler, Az, USA Posts: 125	Yes they are gas checked. But I'm driving them real hard!

March 20, 2001, 03:40 AM	#7
Hal Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 1998 Location: Ohio USA Posts: 8,563	My "plinking" load for the .44mag is 15.8 to 17.3 grains of 2400 under a 240 grain lead SWC hollow point. YMMV as to your success with a SWC bullet in your lever action though. Seating depth and amount of crimp was largly a matter of trial and error for me. I use this load in a Winchester Trapper with good results. I guestimate around 1000 fps out of this load, which is plenty fast enough for me and 25 or 50 yard paper targets. The 2400 gives better shot to shot consistancy, doesn't lead the barrel, is bulkier in the case and therefore easier to "eyeball" for an overcharge, has more of a "boom" rather than a "crack", and seems a bit easier on the shoulder over the same velocity loads using Unique. I'm personally partial to 240 grain over the lighter 200 to 215 grain slugs, but YYMV. I owrked this load up about a year ago. I wanted something between the Cowboy loads, and the standard loads listed at Alliant.com. The bullet I use mostly is the Hornady stock # 11118, a swaged(or so I'm told) lead 44 cal .430 240 gr SWC/HP. They're a bit more than the gun show special cast lead bullets, but I like the dry powder lube Hornady uses, and I have yet to have to size one. I measured an entire box of 400, and each one was spot on at .430.

March 22, 2001, 12:01 AM	#8
freedomlover Guest Posts: n/a	Waterdog, I've been using the combination you've described in my Marlin 1895S with excellent results. No problems with barrel leading, and despite what I've heard about Unique being dirty with cast bullets, I've got no complaints. 10.0 grains feels about right, although I've downloaded to 7.0 grains just to experiment. My Marlin feeds the D&J cast 200-grn. RNFP's well, haven't had a misfeed yet. Shoot straight, freedomlover

March 22, 2001, 06:49 PM	#9
maxwayne Senior Member Join Date: March 10, 2001 Posts: 402	Unique is my fvorite powder in the big revolvers. I load as light as 7 grains, but you can go higher. As someone earlier had advised, check with Alliant. I have a Winchester 94 in 44 mag and it never ceases to amaze me as to how hard that thing can kick.