44 Mag Rifle Load

[Kcustom45]

I have some questions for reloading 44 mag in my Marlin 336. I am loading 240gr Hornaday XTP's over H110. I noticed that Hodgdon is recommending the same load for handgun and rifle.

Is there any reason that I shouldn't or couldn't push them a little hotter in a rifle, and or does anyone have a pet load using those components?

 

[Clark]

I put a marlin 44 mag barrel on a Ruger 44 carbine, and that barrel looks like it could take allot more than my S&W29-4.

I don't know about the 336 locking mechanism.
I could try to buy a 336 to take apart at the gun show next Saturday.


But in general, 24 gr H110 and 240 gr in 44 mag has always worked so well for me, I never wanted more.

 

[rcmodel]

Is there any reason that I shouldn't or couldn't push them a little hotter in a rifle,

Yes, the reason is that the Marlin 336 is no stronger then a lot of .44 Mag handguns, and not as strong as a few of them.

But the real reason is brass strength. There is a tiny bit of it showing through the extractor cut in the barrel, and that is the weak link in the chain.

You would do well to stick with published load data for either handgun or rifle.

rcmodel

 

[Ranger J]

The only 44 cases that have ever 'gone south' on me were max loads in an 1894. That little bit of casing showing through has always worried me and evidently for good reason. If I were you I would stick to published loads. If you need more get a 444.

RJ

 

[papajohn]

The Marlin action is a good one, but not as strong as some. Hot loads run the risk of brass failure, bolt setback, and at worst, a catastrophic failure of the action at the juncture of the barrel, action, and feed tube, due in part to the design of the barrel threads.

If a full-house 44 Magnum isn't enough to do the job, you are already in deep doo-doo!

PJ

 

[JNewell]

Even if you had a really strong action like the Win 92, or maybe especially if you did, I'd worry about someone accidentally using the ammo in a weaker gun, with disasterous results.

 

[ds/ks]

I shoot 23.5gr H110 thru SBH and M77/44. My SBH thinks they are plenty stiff. 240gr. jacketed.

 

[Kcustom45]

Yes, the reason is that the Marlin 336 is no stronger then a lot of .44 Mag handguns, and not as strong as a few of them.

But the real reason is brass strength. There is a tiny bit of it showing through the extractor cut in the barrel, and that is the weak link in the chain.

You would do well to stick with published load data for either handgun or rifle.

That is exactly what I was looking for. Thank you. I knew there had to be a reason, and I guess I was figuring that the 336 was stronger than it is.

If you need more get a 444.

Good idea only it is not legal here for deer. I just wanted to make sure that given a good hit I was going to put the deer down quickly, and from what I have read my loads should do the trick.

Thanks again to everyone who responded.

 

[chas100]

44 mag load

I have a Ruger 44 mag Carbine. My best load is 23 grs H-110 , Speer 240 gr sp, col 1.6 . 3 shot group 50yds cover with a quarter. ( Holes are so big )