Shot a bunch today, 270 shoots great, 44 not so good.
 

Well, I shot about 60 rounds through the .270 today, enough to where it was burning my hand to shoot anymore. It shot great, even with a hot barrel. Shooting 130gr. Speer spitzers with 55.8 of IMR 4831 and some with 48gr of 4064. Both shot well through the gun, no bad shots that I could attribute to the gun, just my lack of being able to hold still. Now the Marlin 1894 44 Magnum was a different story. I just cannot get that gun sighted in for crap. Help me out there, the back site needs to go the way you want the bullet to go and the front goes the opposite? Or is it the other way around? Anyways, I would get it grouping close, say hitting high and right a couple of inches and then I would get a flyer that would hit low and left. Or vice versa. It was just frustrating. I had loads set up with 24gr of H110, all with 240gr swc bullets, all the way down to 18gr of H110. It didnt matter, they all shot all over the place. It didnt matter if the barrel was hot or cold. All targets where at 25 and 50 yards with the 44, and the 270 was at 50 and 100 yards. Could it be that maybe I need a heavier bullet? The problem with that is feeding though.

RE: Shot a bunch today, 270 shoots great, 44 not so good.
 

By the way, the 44 saw about 80 rounds through it.

RE: Shot a bunch today, 270 shoots great, 44 not so good.
 

If I read your post right, you should avoid continuous shooting once the barrel gets hot. You're cooking the throat and significantly reducing barrel life.

RE: Shot a bunch today, 270 shoots great, 44 not so good.
 

Yeah, good point. I know that shooting a hot barrel isnt good for the gun. I was letting it cool between groups, but by the time that I was done and getting frustrated I kinda said F it. Anyways, this next batch of bullets I am paying closer attention to detail and making sure that they are all seated and crimped all the same and I will see if that helps. I am sure that it will. I am also thinking about getting a peep site for the gun, since the open buckhorns sites leave little to be disired.

RE: Shot a bunch today, 270 shoots great, 44 not so good.
 

you're pushing it with 24 gr of h110. pretty hot load esp with a lead bullet. you're correct.....move rear sight to desired point of impact.:)

RE: Shot a bunch today, 270 shoots great, 44 not so good.
 

I've got a marlin 1894 in 357 mag thats the same way at about 50 yards. It just does not like lead. So I use 158 gr XTP's, shoots great. I just pick my wife up a 1894 44 mag but I have not tryed lead in it yet. I'll have to see.

RE: Shot a bunch today, 270 shoots great, 44 not so good.
 

Yeah I know that 24gr. is about the limit. Whats funny is that after 80 rounds the gun wasnt all that dirty. I was very surprised at that expecially after shooting that many lead bulelts. I think that I may have found part of the proble though. I think that I over oiled my gun the last time that I cleaned it. It had oil seeping from all over the action.

RE: Shot a bunch today, 270 shoots great, 44 not so good.
 

Try using leadshot bags instead of sandbags less movement.Also try 57gr.IMR 4831 with the 130gr bullet in the .270.It's been my standard load for 30 years.Running at about 3000fps.Make sure only the fore end of the rifle is touching the rest and have a support bag under the butt stock.Both elbows should also be grounded comfortably on the bench.Try for consistancy when shooting and your groups will tighted.Always wear ear protection to prevent hearing loss and flinching........Hope this helps..........Harold

RE: Shot a bunch today, 270 shoots great, 44 not so good.
 

Make sure your Marlin doesn't have a micro groove barrel. If it does, it'll never shoot lead well. The micro groove barrels fill up with lead, and your 25 yard groups will look like 40 yard shotgun patterns.

On another note, the manufacturer doesn't recommend H-110 for plain based lead bullets,(as opposed to gas checked or jacketed) as the powder burns so hot, it melts the back of the bullet and leads the hell out of your barrel. (I can confirm this; 1 cylinder full had my barrel coated with lead!):eek:

Well, that's enough out of me! I hope I didn't discourage you.

RE: Shot a bunch today, 270 shoots great, 44 not so good.
 

Good point. I have been on a quest for shooting lead thru my 45-70 microgroove and nothing shoots well.


Also to the person that said you are going to burn your throat. Not with a 44mag. Pressure isn't touching even 44kPSI.