Long range .44

[boomerdog]

Hi Veral,

[boomerdog]

Sorry about that!
My question is: What would you recomend for best long range (200+yds at targets only) accuracy?From reading previous posts, it seems that the 280 or 300 LFN are the way to go. Is this correct?Also, I have a nice old Model 29 that I don't want to abuse, so would these still work with milder loads at less than top velocity? Do you have a preference for this application, 280 vs 300? Or something else?
Thanks, Joe V.

[Veral]

  I've obtained the best long range accuracy with the 44 magnum using 320 gr bullets.  As weight goes down, accuracy falls off.  I definitely don't reccomend less than 260 gr in my recommend profile and that only for minimum recoil, 280 gr does very well and 300 will make almost anyone happy, without having to drive them at full power.  With a 320 gr, loads must be stout to get optimum stability.  Also, if shooting a S&W extensively, don't use over 280 gr at 1200 fps for best gun life.  They stand the heavy loads well if one doesn't pump thousands through, but will get loose it they are used extensively.

[Lloyd Smale]

my go to long range load is verals 300 lfngc at about 1200 fps. It shoots like a rifle way out there.

[blue roan]

Hi Veral,

I got one of your 433 300 WFN moulds and a used copy of your book at the Quigley shoot in Montana last  year.  Could have doubled my money 5 minutes later!  But they are still mine and I treasure them both.

I like the bullet, but have a .430 sizer; unsized won't chamber in my Ruger VAQUEROS , BLACK HAWKS and BISLEYS.  So far, not much luck with proper length for MARLIN 1894s.  Any suggestions for over all length, etc. or is this design just not compatible with good feeding in the rifles.  I want to get a .432/.433 sizer for my Star to use in the rifles, thinking the push through die will allow the larger and hopefully more accurate diameter to chamber.

I really like the book and am picking up the subtle things that I missed on the prior readings.  After the holidays, I want to pick up two copies of your book--autographed if possible--and tuck them away next to my signed books by John Taffin, Mike Venturino and Elmer Keith.  I have a treasured Hensley & Gibbs #68 mould from my flirtation with IPSC in the 70s and 80s.  It's the only one I have ever seen comparable to the workmanship on the LBT mould I "stole from the unwary seller for $20;"  He set the price and I didn't hesitate about reaching for my wallet and then saw it was setting on your book--for another $10!  (Boys and Girls, it's hard to beat scoring those prizes after getting to shoot my Shiloh Sharps on the Quigley practice range as much as I want,  and then read Veral's book with the booming of buffalo guns behind me!  A d--- good day for me!)

I finally had to share this story.  Thank you for your skills and sharing your knowldge.  Happy Holidays to All

Ed  aka Blue Roan  aka EDK on other sites

[paul105]

blue roan,

You said "So far, not much luck with proper length for MARLIN 1894s".  Maybe I didn't read far enough, but not sure what you mean. Is the loaded cartridge longer than spec, or are they too long to feed in your 94.   My 1894 is finicky about what it will cycle -- looks like carrier presents the cartridge slightly to high, so that the case mouth/forward portion of bullet catches on the upper edge of the chamber. Overall length hasn't been a problem, but bullet nose profile seems to be.  Looks like an easy fix -- just remove a minor amount of metal from the carrier "u" -- but, I'm too chicken to try it.   My rifle I sluggs at .432 grove dia.This afternoon, I loaded up some LBT 260gr WFNGCs sized .432 from Montana Bullet Works.  I'll give them a go in the 1894 for accy and function sometime soon -- will report back.  If I remember correctly, the Marlin's rate of twist might be marginal for 300+ gr bullets.

FWIW,

Paul

[Veral]

 Ed,
  You SURE did have a good day!
 
  The downside of your success is that you didn't get the casting instructions with the mold.  With most of my revolver bullet molds, sizing to fit the cylinder throat of interest is mandatory, and you'll have good results once you get the right sizer.

  The WFN will not feed smoothly in a Marlin rifle unless seated quite deeply, which means a .350 nose length, and yours probably wears a .4 nose length, or even longer.  One easy option is to use 44 special brass, but don't run out and buy some to try it, as you may not get enough powder in to get the 300 grains up to stability speed, which will require about 1800 fps.

  The best bullet for Marlins is the LFN, with nose length of .450, and probably 280 grains will make most shooters happiest.  A 300 grain will shoot with extreme accuracy when loaded to 1800 fps +, which is easy on the gun, but after one shoots a few rounds he'll begin to wonder if he's holding the wrong end of the rifle to his shoulder!    I let my little wife shoot a  300 gr 1800 fps load at a deer once (which she missed much to my surprise).  She was quiet for perhaps a half hour, then said.  "Don't ever let me shoot that gun again."  Her shoulder was black for a couple weeks. -- I'd have never let her shoot it had I realized it would bruise her.  It takes about 10 shots to bruise my shoulder.

  I told that story so no one reading this will get a bullet they don't like shooting.  The 44 Marlin will kill deer and elk almost instantly with chest shots using the LFN at 1550 or the WFN at 1400 fps, so a weight should be selected that stabilizes well with velocities in that vicinity, if one doesn't like heavy recoil from the light gun.