444 Marlin reloading

[Redfish1]

Has anyone tried the 225 grain FTX leverevolution bullet in a 444 Marlin load?
If so what were the results? What was the recipe?

[tacklebury]

I don't own a .444 Marlin, but have loaded them in the .45-70 Gov.  After a little load development I can get Sub-MOA groups with my factory sights at 100 yards and for hunting, they are deadly accurate.  I also use Hornady Interlock HP's with equal success.    In the .45-70, I use Reloader7 and follow the Load notes from Hornady and have tried from 34.3 to 52gr with good performance in a wide range of load strengths.  See the link to the .444 Marlin load notes below.  I think they have you covered.

http://www.hornady.com/assets/files/ftx_load_data/444_marlin_ftx.pdf

edit* I have heard from others that load for the .444 that the H4198 is a good powder.

[quickdtoo]

I've shot 3 loads in my 444M Handi, 240gr and 265gr w/H4198, my favorite powder for it and the 45-70, and RL7 with 355gr Beartooth cast bullets, all shoot excellent, I think the 225gr will be too lightly constructed at 444 velocities since it's made for the 44mag, same problem with the 240gr XTP from all I've read, the 265gr FTX or FP would be a better choice if for hunting. 

Tim

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,118881.msg1098392036.html#msg1098392036

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,124487.msg1098436387.html#msg1098436387

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,120494.msg1098403886.html#msg1098403886

[tacklebury]

I've had the std. 250 gr. XTP in .45 colt will de-jacket occasionally if you push them up.  I'm only using them now with like 10gr. Unique instead of H110 loads.  I'm sticking with the .45 300 gr. xtp mag for heavier loads now.  Sad thing is you get 1/2 as many for the price.  8(

[Redfish1]

I've tried the 265 FTX on our deer here in south Louisiana and I don't get the wound channel
and damage that I would like to see. A big deer here is 200 lbs. the bullets don't need to be
as heavily constucted. The 240 grain remington flat nose performed well but are not
as accurate as I would prefer. I bought a box of the 225's so I guess I'll just load up a few and
do a little experimenting on my own. The woods here after Katrina are thicker than any I have
ever seen so when I pull the trigger I want a bang flop or a blood trail that is short and easy to
follow. I'll post my results.

[Swampman]

I prefer the Speer 270 grain Gold Dots or the Remington 240SP.