.444 Marlin Load Data, 300+ grain Lead Bullet?

[Landric]

I've checked all my manuals and haven't located what I'm looking for. I want to find a lead bullet load (with or without a gas check) using a bullet heavier than 300 grains. There are a number of 320-330 lead bullet offerings, some of the bullets specifically marked for .444 Marlin. However, I can't find any data. I might just suck it up and go with a 300 grain bullet (probably jacketed since most of the 300 grain data is for jacketed bullets), but I'd like to find some heavier bullet data.

I have a bunch of H4198 that I use for .45-70, so I'd like to use it for .444 if possible, but I'm open to other powders.

Anyone have any heavy lead bullet data for the .444?

 

[rcmodel]

The reason you aren't finding any 300+ heavy bullet .444 Marlin loads is because they are rifled too slow to stabilize heavy bullets.

Most are 1/38 rifling, and 300 grains is the upper limit of stability at the velocity's you can attain.

The 45-70 & .450 Marlins are rifled 1/18 or 1/20 to stabilize heavy bullets.

rc

 

[MMCSRET]

rc has it!!!!!!! My 444 works well with Lyman 429640(obsolete) cast of WW and water dropped, sized .431 and gaschecked. Finished 429640 weighs 290 gr. and does quite well over SR4759 or 5744. I tried the Cast Performance 320 gr. and it was unhappy in my rifle. I have an early 444 with Micro-groove and a 24" barrel.

 

[336A]

For more info than you can shake a stick at look here, some very eye opening reading.

http://www.beartoothbullets.com/tech_notes/archive_tech_notes.htm/17

http://beartoothbullets.com/tech_notes/archive_tech_notes.htm/19

http://beartoothbullets.com/tech_notes/archive_tech_notes.htm/28

 

[Landric]

Thanks 336A, that is just the sort of data I was looking for, and some great info. I actually have some H322 hanging around so I can give some of those a try.

rcmodel said:

The reason you aren't finding any 300+ heavy bullet .444 Marlin loads is because they are rifled too slow to stabilize heavy bullets.

Most are 1/38 rifling, and 300 grains is the upper limit of stability at the velocity's you can attain.

The 45-70 & .450 Marlins are rifled 1/18 or 1/20 to stabilize heavy bullets.

rc

The newer Marlin rifles have faster rifling and should be able to stabilize heavier bullets. I've actually got one of the H&R1871 Single Shot rifles in .444 on order. I'm not sure which rifling it has, but its probably the new faster rifling since the .444 H&R wasn't introduced until after Marlin acquired H&R1871. Either way though, I'm going to get a newer faster twist Marlin 1895SS eventually. I just really like those heavy lead bullets.