Best cast bullets for Marlin 44Mag. rifle
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Charlie98
Member
Loaded OAL is an issue. I loaded some true Keith bullets in my .41 Marlin, and they were just a hair too long to cycle properly... vs the standard commercial psudo-Keith bullets that work 100% I also use some heavy Cast Performance bullets... with a wide, flat nose... they also cycle 100% so it's not necessarily the bullet nose profile, but they are shorter than even my standard 215grn SWC bullets I load.
There are also some ways to clean up the Marlin to feed better.
There are also some ways to clean up the Marlin to feed better.
mrawesome22-250
Member
The minimum groove spec for 44RemMag rifle is .431". My 1894 barrel slugged .4315".
.432" cast bullets produces the best accuracy out of my gun.
gtbullets.com has a large selection of 44 cal bullets and they will size them to the correct diameter for 44mag rifle.
.432" cast bullets produces the best accuracy out of my gun.
gtbullets.com has a large selection of 44 cal bullets and they will size them to the correct diameter for 44mag rifle.
Charlie98
Member
As opposed to load data, I think the OP is asking more about a bullet that will feed well, not necessarily ballistics.... or at least that's what I'm reading.
Charlie98
Member
Here is what I'm talking about in my first post above...
These are 220grn true Keith style bullets. Note the longer ogive. Those did not feed well in my Marlin... I had to 'muzzle up' the rifle, and give the lever a little love jiggle to get them back far enough on the carrier to get them to cycle into the chamber.
These are my standard commercial 215grn SWC bullets (although they wrongfully call them 'Keith' bullets.)
The shorter bullets cycle in my Marlin 100% They have an OAL of 1.585" only .005" shorter than max OAL, but they cycle reliably. I didn't measure the 220's I had, but I'm sure they exceeded max OAL... and that's what I get for not checking beforehand. It is my suggestion you experiment with different bullets and seating depth, making sure you don't exceed max OAL, at least in the Marlin.
EDIT: This is for my .41 Marlin, but the OAL measurements are the same with the .44MAG, too.
These are 220grn true Keith style bullets. Note the longer ogive. Those did not feed well in my Marlin... I had to 'muzzle up' the rifle, and give the lever a little love jiggle to get them back far enough on the carrier to get them to cycle into the chamber.
These are my standard commercial 215grn SWC bullets (although they wrongfully call them 'Keith' bullets.)
The shorter bullets cycle in my Marlin 100% They have an OAL of 1.585" only .005" shorter than max OAL, but they cycle reliably. I didn't measure the 220's I had, but I'm sure they exceeded max OAL... and that's what I get for not checking beforehand. It is my suggestion you experiment with different bullets and seating depth, making sure you don't exceed max OAL, at least in the Marlin.
EDIT: This is for my .41 Marlin, but the OAL measurements are the same with the .44MAG, too.
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hossfly
Member
I can speak for my own. The oregon trail .431 swc feeds just fine and shoots acceptably for plinking. I plink with 44 specials and light magnums with this bullet and it shoot plenty well enough to have fun with.
Typetwelve
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The only lead I've ran in my Henry Big Boy are Missouri's Hi-tek coated Cowboy #3 over 8.5g of Unique in mag brass...they feed and shoot perfectly.
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