.444 Marlin & FTX Hornady Bullets

[MissouriCrowinMass]

I'm reloading some Hornady FTX 265 gr. bullets for my old Microgroove Marlin. These are the LEVERevolution rounds.

The cases must be trimmed down to 2.065" to get them to feed properly per Hornady. I'm using Lee Dies. I figured out how to put a couple of small washers in the Expander Die - that works fine. The Bullet Seating Die adjusts fine. The bullets seat tight - no problems. But neither the Bullet Seater Die or the Factory Crimp Die can crimp the cartridge as the casing is so short.

Any suggestions?

I shot a few rounds under 47.0 grains of Reloder 10X (no crimp - one at a time).....accuracy was much better than 330 grain Buffulo Bore Lead but nothing to write home about.

 

[Walkalong]

The FCD insert can be cut down ans shortened. Cut metal from the bottom. A lathe would be best, but not absolutely necessary.

 

[Rory McCanuck]

I ground my FCD down to work on the short brass.
Seems to work alright.
I think it was 0.160"

Another option would be to get Hornady dies.
From what I understand, they will crimp the
shorter brass, no problem. Not really sure how
that would work though. Maybe someone who has
Hornady dies will chime in.

 

[rcmodel]

I have shortened several RCBS sizing dies in the 32-20, 38-40, & 44-40 WCF calibers through the years to get correct shoulder length for use in both Winchesters and Colt revolvers.

I'm here to tell you RCBS dies at least, are harder then woodpecker lips.
Lathe cutter bits just smoke out on them they are so hard. Even carbide ones.

Best method I have found is to spin them in a lathe and grind them off with a hi-speed disk grinder.

rc

 

[Grumulkin]

First of all, I would make sure you need to crimp. Run a few rounds through the magazine and see if the bullets move under recoil.

If you need to crimp, Lee Precision can custom make a Factory Crimp Die of the proper dimensions for you. They've done this for several cartridges for me.

 

[rcmodel]

If his .444 Marlin is a tube magazine lever-action, he needs to crimp.

Don't trust case neck tension alone in a hard stomp'n lever-gun of any caliber.

rc

 

[Saint Dennis]

If the FTX is the flex-tip bullet, I believe they perform poorly in the micro groove barrels. Marlin now uses standard rifleing for that reason. I have the the micro groove 444. Hornady makes a 265 gr bullet specifically for the .444 that works well.

 

[MissouriCrowinMass]

You always get great input on this Forum. It's a wealth oh knowledge. Guys thanks for the help.

I found a set of Hornady 444 Marlin Dies on E-Bay for $29....going to give them a try.

I've read mixed posts on the FTX's with MG bores......some guys say they shoot good in MG barrels. Hornady says they don't. I'm giving them a try. I bought a 100 rounds on Gunbroker......nothing to lose. I got the rifle as a gift from a friend.

I do have 180 .432 Lead 300 gr. hollowpoints on order. Once again they say MG's have trouble stablizing heavy bullets but I've read where the Marlin really likes .432 lead.

 

[DM~]

I have shortened several RCBS sizing dies in the 32-20, 38-40, & 44-40 WCF calibers through the years to get correct shoulder length for use in both Winchesters and Colt revolvers.

I'm here to tell you RCBS dies at least, are harder then woodpecker lips.
Lathe cutter bits just smoke out on them they are so hard. Even carbide ones.

Best method I have found is to spin them in a lathe and grind them off with a hi-speed disk grinder.

rc

I've shortened RCBS dies too, and i just "carefully" use a bench grinder.

DM

 

[Walkalong]

Good news is the Lee collet inserts are relatively soft and turn/grind/file, etc easily.

Their die bodies are surface hardened.

 

[rcmodel]

Marlin now uses standard rifleing for that reason.

Actually Marlin changed to conventional cut rifling several years ago so they would shoot cast lead bullets.

They did it way before Hornady invented the FTX bullets.

rc

 

[Rory McCanuck]

I've read mixed posts on the FTX's with MG bores......some guys say they shoot good in MG barrels. Hornady says they don't. I'm giving them a try. I bought a 100 rounds on Gunbroker......nothing to lose. I got the rifle as a gift from a friend.

I haven't tried reloading the FTX bullets yet, but the factory LeverEvolution
shoot quite well from my MG.
Best of luck
BTW, that's a pretty good friend you've got there!

 

[MissouriCrowinMass]

Got a chance to test the 444 FTX Reloads today with my micro-groove Marlin rifle. I was very pleased. A couple of special things that you need to do:

a.) Trim the brass shorter per Hornady
b.) I bought a Hornady Die set to crimp as I could NOT crimp with my Lee Dies. (FCD) due to the shorter cases.

For my skills......this is fine accuracy for hunting < 100 yards with iron sights. I can recommend the Williams Ghost Ring rear sight with the front Fire Sight. The Williams rear sight is a breeze to install. Goes right in the rear holes for the scope ring.

What a difference from being all over the place with Buffulo Bore 330 grain lead! I love this rifle with these cartridges.