.44 magnum load for Marlin

[jackruff]

I'm trying to find a good load with cast bullets that my 1894ss Marlin with Ballard rifling shoots well.  I have a few 260 grain cast bullets with wide flat noses and gas checks.  I have Unique and 2400 powder and Lyman and Lee manuals.  These manuals have little to say, in fact nothing, about this particular bullet with these powders.  Suggestions would be appreciated.  I also shoot a Ruger Super Blackhawk, but that's another story.

[keith44]

At one time IMR published data for 270 - 300 grain bullets with 3031 powder for use in rifles.  I've used the load once with 300 gr XTP's in a single shot rifle, and it works pretty good.  2400 always seems to give me the accuracy.  I'd start with the 300 grain load data and see if that holds promise.

Lyman lists a 275 grain SWC cast of linotype with 2400 they list 17.6 grains to a max of 20.4 grains.  Alliant shows 2400 with a 265 grain jacketed flat point with a max load of 17.0 grains.

So if it were me, my guns, and my personal safety, I'd try 17.0 grains of 2400, and not go over about 18.8 or 19.2 grains, depending on how things felt, looked and seemed.

Be careful, and you should end up with a very doable combo.

Keith

[jackruff]

I talked to the friend of mine who cast the bullets and gave them to me.  He has loaded a good many of them, and suggested 18.0 and 19.0 grains of 2400, so that is what I am going to try.

[jackruff]

So if it were me, my guns, and my personal safety, I'd try 17.0 grains of 2400, and not go over about 18.8 or 19.2 grains, depending on how things felt, looked and seemed.

Be careful, and you should end up with a very doable combo.

Keith
[/quote]

Thanks, Keith.  I appreciate the response.
Jackruff

[keith44]

You're welcome.  Please post shooting results when you get a chance.

[mdi]

Check with Ranchdog http://www.ranchdogoutdoors.com/. He designed a mold for a 265 gr. flat nose gas checked bullet for the Marlin rifle.  There is also reload data on his site.