light bullets in 444

[Groo]

Groo here
 Trying to get a handle on the 444, I have a heavy mold for 44mag [ SSK 320gr]
 but am looking for info at the other end of the chart.
 180 to 200 jacket and cast , max loadings , from shorter barrels if poss..

[LaOtto222]

Hornady has 444 Marlin data in a 15" T/C barrel. Max loading for a 200 grain jacketed bullet takes 54.2 grains of RL7 for 2400 fps. Or 51.7 grains of H4198 for 2400 fps. These are max loads, so you should drop the levels and work your way up.

Good Shooting and Good Luck

[gcrank1]

Cast you will be limited to what the lead alloy can stand. I dont typically use fancy hard alloys, nor do I water quench to harden as dropped from the mould, so my cast bullets usually are running less that 1450fps. So many of the old traditional calibers ran about 1250fps with lead bullets so between 1000 and there is a nice place to start playing with them.
Once you get some experience with them behind you then you can think about if you really want (or need to) to try to push them faster and how to do it.
Be advised that your point of impact will change dramatically requiring good notes and repeatable sight/scope settings to avoid re-sighting in every switch.
FWIW, at one time I got into making 'light' and 'heavy' loads for my calibers; ie, plinking loads and hunting loads. Lots of messing about and trials and shooting fun, but came to realize I really only tended to use one load most of the time and HATED changing the sighting for each. Then I hit upon having whatever load I liked per gun and if I 'needed' more beans just go up in caliber. Thats been working out quite well for some time now as I have the advantage of having several rifles to choose from.

[cbshtr]

I have used the Lee 429-214 swc with about 7 to 10 grains of Unique. Very mild load that anyone can shoot. I haven't done any serious testing for groups but everything the size of paper plate was a hit at 100 yards. If I remember correctly when sighting in at 100 yards the bullets were hitting within 3 inches. But like I said, we were just shooting at a metal gong. Another plus for the Lee bullet is it is a plain base, not requiring a gas check to help keep cost down. I size mine at .431 and had no leading issues.

[quickdtoo]

Western has some 210gr gas checked, I can send ya some to try, I don't have loads for the 444 tho, most any light jacketed .430" bullet is intended for the 44mag and won't stand 444 impact velocities if they're intended for deer, the 225gr FTX might be a jacketed bullet to try tho, the factory loads shot good in my 44mag Handi.

Tim

http://www.westernbullet.com/ly4gr2.html

[Groo]

Groo here
 Thanks for the replies .
 In my world , Rifles run at near to or full bore, light loads are for handguns...
 Iam looking at a light BOB rifle that has heavy loads for game [ heaver bullets ] and mostly light bullets at full bore for defence at range.
 As I said , Light loads are for handguns and handguns are for close range,.

[bigvarmnt]

I Don't Understand

[gcrank1]

Where are you from Groo?
In my neck o' the woods 'defense at range' would mean the bad (whatever) should be far enough away that I do not need to defend myself. It might would be a bit hard to defend taking a far shot in court.
Now a light for caliber bullet is nothing new, that is what the old 'Express cartridges' were. You might look at some info on similar capacity loadings from then to build a basis for your notion.
Keep in mind that jacketed pistol bullets driven fast may have issues upon impact with too violent expansion and poor penetration.
Lead bullets can only be driven just so fast for the alloy and gas check designs will get you some extra fps. Some advanced techniques with cast bullets are said to achieve jacketed bullet performance but I have never gone there.

[petemi]

I play around with .38s and Mags in the Maxis, but that's about it.  Like gcrank1, I don't often change loads...I grab another rifle.  I try to find the most accurate long range load for any particular rifle and stick with it.  It makes life simpler.

Pete

[bucco921]

I Don't Understand

Me too...

[Groo]

Groo here
 OOps Sorry I am just use to talking to LE"s.
 Just retired with 34 years..
 Yes long shots ARE a consideration in my "world" [we will not even go into poloticts ]
 Defense is just that weather it is 2 feet or two hundred.
 We just pray that we never NEED to act, but must always be ready anyway.

[quickdtoo]

I've shot three bullets in my 22" 444 H&R, 240gr, 265gr and 355gr, they're all pretty much "full bore", have also shot some 275gr Hawks in my 20" octagon barreled 444 H&R, all targets shot at 100yds.

Tim

[Groo]

Groo here
 Thanks,, I was looking for someone shooting 180 to 200 gr at full bore to compare.
 I may settle for 240gr or 320gr cast [ molds I have] and put up with the kick and drop.

[Groo]

Groo here
 Also would you keep the 22inch or cut it back, [ most of my rifles have short barrels if I can take the PAIN]

[gcrank1]

For me, the 22" on the short H&R frame is already way short compared to a boltgun; and Im more of a 'long barrel' kinda guy anyway.

[cjrjck]

 If you plan to really push them out and want to take big game, take a look at the Sierra 220 grain FPJ. Yes it is a full jacket silhouette bullet but it is a hunting bullet too. At lower velocities it looks and acts just like the Keith hard cast swc. But at higher velocities, say over 1700 fps, they come into their own. Sierra even recommends them for high velocity hunting loads. Typically, the nose flattens a bit and the bullet penetrates forever retaining 90 percent of its weight. They make them in 250 grains too. Here is just one of many posts about it: http://www.noslerreloading.com/phpBB2//viewtopic.php?f=61&t=23587

[Groo]

Groo here
 Now we are getting somewhere!
 The lighter bullet will be for all around and a 300+cast for driving deep and hard [on both ends!]
 Also the barrel will end up between 16 and 18 inches long with glass and backup irons and used in the euro
 style,,, carried with glass cased and installed when needed.