44 mag cast bullet load
#1
Typical Buck
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: mt. airy nc USA
Posts: 572
44 mag cast bullet load
What is the max load for a hard cast .429240gr. bullet without a gas check to be used in my redhawk and marlin rifle.
I have unique which is dirty and win. 296 but will get what I need.
James
I have unique which is dirty and win. 296 but will get what I need.
James
#2
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: S Texas
Posts: 1,037
RE: 44 mag cast bullet load
That's kinda like asking how high is the sky. There are too many factors involved to give a meaningful answer. How hard are the bullets? What are you shooting it in? Revolver, single shot pistol, or rifle? What is the bore diameter?What diameter is the bullet? .429, .430, .431?
The only thing anyone can tell you for certain is in MOST cases, 1000 FPS is about the limit you can push a non gas check cast bullet without begining to get some leading. All those variables I asked about have a bearing on it. You might get leading at 800 FPS, you might be able to get 1200 without leading. Try a moderate load of Unique and go up from there. Most of the time Unique will top out at about 1000 FPS in a .44 magnum.
The only thing anyone can tell you for certain is in MOST cases, 1000 FPS is about the limit you can push a non gas check cast bullet without begining to get some leading. All those variables I asked about have a bearing on it. You might get leading at 800 FPS, you might be able to get 1200 without leading. Try a moderate load of Unique and go up from there. Most of the time Unique will top out at about 1000 FPS in a .44 magnum.
#5
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: S Texas
Posts: 1,037
#6
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 493
RE: 44 mag cast bullet load
Doesn't the Marlin .44 mag lever rifle still have micro groove rifling ? If so it may have very poor accuracy with any cast bullet! If it does or if you get heavy leading, you can try something a technition from Sierra told me and it helped but wasn't a complete fix. He said to coat my bullets with Lee Alox liquid lube and let them dry on wax paper. This is in addition to the lube that came on the bullets. Another step that can help is to use an over powder cardboard wad, and fill any unused space with shot buffer powder. I cut my wads from a beer carton with a 7/16 hole punch I got from Harbor Freight and use a snugg fitting rod to seat the wad. This works for 45-70 and with a size adjustment should also work with other calibers
#7
Typical Buck
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: mt. airy nc USA
Posts: 572
RE: 44 mag cast bullet load
A guy that runs a local gun shop told me to shoot a jacketed bullet ever
once and a while to clean lead from the barrel, is this a good idea or will it hurt the barrel.
James
once and a while to clean lead from the barrel, is this a good idea or will it hurt the barrel.
James
#8
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: S Texas
Posts: 1,037
RE: 44 mag cast bullet load
Doesn't the Marlin .44 mag lever rifle still have micro groove rifling ? If so it may have very poor accuracy with any cast bullet!
#10
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: ludington michigan USA
Posts: 280
RE: 44 mag cast bullet load
I've shot 240gr keith style bullets over 1400 fps with very little leading. They're heat treated linotype.
I have a marlin 1894 .44mag that is 4 or 5 years old and it has cut rifling.
I have a marlin 1894 .44mag that is 4 or 5 years old and it has cut rifling.