Author Topic: 444 and IMR4350 (Read 755 times)

Whip · « **on:** February 03, 2006, 05:39:27 AM »

I have been looking for a medium load for my 444 with 240g bullets with as full a case as possible. I saw on Reloaders Nest a load for 55.5g IMR4350 that went 1775 fps. I loaded 5 with 53g then 5 with 54g then 5 with 55g. They were all about the same, around 1600 fps. Not much increase . I thought that was strange. They all shot good groups. I hold my gun up and eject slowy to catch my brass and put them in my cartaridge box. When I got home I dumped the cases out and there was un burnt powder. I don't know if I should scrap the load or try a Mag. primer?

?? :?

Lone Star · « **Reply #1 on:** February 03, 2006, 05:47:11 AM »

IMR4350 is a very slow powder for 240-grain bullets in the large .444 case. The pressure was very low, the reason for the low velocity. Unburned powder is due to to the low pressures. This powder is designed for pressures above 45,000 cup and doesn't burn well much below that. The slowest powder that IMR lists for the 240-grain bullet in the .444 is IMR4895. For a moderate load use a faster powder, or accept the mess from the unburned IMR4350. It doesn't hurt anything as long as it does not gum up the action.

Whip · « **Reply #2 on:** February 03, 2006, 12:37:57 PM »

Yes. I have been shooting IMR 4895, H4895, and Rel-7 is my best heavy load with the 265g bullet. I just had some 4350 and thought I would try it. I knew it was low preasure. It did shoot good. I have shot as low as 45g H4895 and it was 1757fps. I am going to try 43g and see how it shoots. I am just looking for a lite load that will one hole at 50 yards if I can get it. With the powder that I have.

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #3 on:** February 03, 2006, 09:52:53 PM »

benchmark and varget have worked well for me.

Mikey · « **Reply #4 on:** February 04, 2006, 02:48:51 AM »

Hey Whip - get yourself on over to the Beartooth Bullet site and see if Marshall Stanton has come up with any slow loads for the 444. Last year sometime he was going to have some slow load data available on his site but don't know if he got it out yet. That should give you a lot of information. HTH. Mikey.

Whip · « **Reply #5 on:** February 04, 2006, 05:24:27 AM »

Yea. I have looked at all the loads on Load Swap and I have posted some that I have found that work pretty good.

Triple4 · « **Reply #6 on:** February 07, 2006, 02:39:15 AM »

Find some Data 2200 powder, it will fill the case and it's a medium velocity powder in the 444.