1894 44 mag test continues

[Brad]

I have a few loads that are doing reasonable but I want to tweek them a bit and see what I can get.
Using the Lee GB 434640 mould I got from Glen I cast some. All from range scrap, all heat treated to 425 for an hour then quenched. I dried them off and sized them to .431, .432, and .433. Lube is Ben's Red.
I plan to get them loaded today, shootng may have to wait as I work this weekend and we have lots of rain in the forecast.
All previous shooting was with .433 sized bullets. They feed OK but the loaded rounds are snug enoug in the chamber to require some effort to fully seat them at times.

 

[Ian]

It's a boggy marsh here, too. Had to cut a path through the humidity to my 50 yard berm with a machete to test loads last night.

 

[JonB]

I'm hoping to get to the range this weekend or early next week. yeah, we are gettin' rain, on and off, but it's finally the end of the tree pollen season. I was at our club's range last weekend, helping rebuild the back-stop and put up fresh plywood...and I paid for that with allergies symptoms for a couple days...dang Oak pollen
But on the plus side I scored a coffee can full of used bullets...and with the week's rain, I suspect there could be another coffee cans worth of easy pickin's. and there is a bunch of tarnished 223/556 brass that's 7 yards in front of the 100 yard berm,that I left lay last weekend...that Law enforcement training does some 'close-up' rifle shootin'...fur sur !

 

[Ben]

Brad,

I have a Handi, .44 Mag.
I'm anxious to see your range results.

Ben

 

[Brad]

I still need to analyze the results but at first glance it was nothing to write home about.
I am in the process of getting another mould that may well be more suited for this rifle. Time will tell.

 

[Brad]

Chronograph data. Diameter doesn't seem to make much difference here. The .432+ and .432- are because my .4315 sizer didn't make the bullets mch smaller than the .432 sizer. Bullets were hard enough to spring back a fair amount.




Those are the targets in order from largest to smallest diameter with the CCI 350 primer.



Largest to smallest with the Fed 155 primer.
Not sure why these ended up rotated. The targets are rotated 90° CCW. They were posted on the frame with the writing in the proper orientation.

Notice the odd low or high shot. Usually the second shot in a string. Warm enough to not be a cold barrel issue. Not constant enough for lube purge issues. I think?

The rifle still shows a strong urge to string.

 

[Brad]

Here is my set up at the 50 yard line. I wish the bench was 2-4 inches taller with the seat in the same location. I find myself hunched over too much when shooting off these benches.


This is the muzzle of the rifle. Barrel hasn't been cleaned in over 400 rounds. No leading at all. Not even an antimony wash of the lands.
The lube star is pretty firm and stays that way. The chronograph does get sprayed heavily with lube. I tried to get a photo but it turned out poorly. For as soft as BR is the star isn't overly wet or gooey. As you can see it doesn't run off the muzzle and this was after 60 rounds in maybe 45 minutes. The barrel wasn't hot but was certainly warm at this point.

 

[Ian]

I know we've been over this, but I've slept since then.....what's the twist rate? I seem to remember 1 in 38" being standard.

Run your load through quickload if you haven't already. I don't know how heavy that bullet is, but you might be light on charge. If all else fails, try 19-20 grains of 2400.

 

[Brad]

Bullet weighs 290 gr. I went to 22 gr and I felt it was a bit hot. I ran 21.5 with a 305 in the revolver and it shot very well but that was a different bullet.
Yep, it is a 1-38 twist. I am going to try the bullet from Josh once I get the mould. It weighs 245 so it might shoot better.
I will say that a 290 gr bullet at 1650 is nothing to sneeze at. It makes quite an impact on the berm. Wet clay soil sure shows where the bullets dug in.

 

[Ian]

I can loan you some 429421HP bullets that would group 2" at 100 out of my revolver if you like. IIRC they're about 225-230 grains.

 

[Josh]

This is the one he is talking about, it was designed by Edd.

 

[gman]

My understanding is a 1-38 twist will not work well with the heavy weight slugs. If memory serves 275 is about the cut off. If driven fast it may help but it sounds like you did that. Have you ever tried the Fed 150 instead of the magnum 155? Not sure how it would work on 2400 but I find it works well with 296-H110.

 

[Brad]

I have tried 5 different primers so far. I used CCI 300 and 350, the Fed 150 and 155, and Tula LP.
The CCI 350 and Fed 155 gave best results in earlier testing.

Bullet weight might be the issue. The new mould should help with that issue.

 

[gman]

If I can help by sending some bullets to try let me know. That 1-38 twist has kept me from getting a 44 mag rifle. If your testing turns out well I may have to rethink it.

 

[Brad]

Some claim the twist works fine, other swear at it. I decided to see what I could get it to do.
I will try some lighter bullets soon. I will see if I have enough 240 jacketed to give the a go too. Jacketed will give me a baseline or sorts.

 

[Rick]

I will see if I have enough 240 jacketed to give the a go too. Jacketed will give me a baseline or sorts.

Don't you know those things will ruin your bore?

.

 

[Brad]

They will? Worse than range scrap? I mean, think of all the dirt and sand in the strange scrap. That stuff is worse than wheel weights!

 

[Ian]

Nothing is worse than powder coat. You're safe with all those other things.

 

[Winelover]

Marlin 1894 SS carbine @ 50 yards (off camera tripod, no rear rest)
NOE 265 RNFP PB solids (sized .432)
Air Cooled wheel weight alloy (my approximation)
WW Super brass
WLP primer
16.5 grains of 2400

This is the load I use for whitetail. No need for heavier bullets, IMO



10 shots in 2"




Same load but with CCI 350 magnum primers



Same load but with RP brass and CCI 350 magnum primers.


I can go up to 18 grains of 2400 and still maintain these group sizes but I find that whitetails aren't bullet proof. Harder alloy and higher velocities usually lead to longer tracking distances. I refuse to ruin shoulder meat.

 

[Glen]

Go with a 2-4" shorter stool for your shooting bench.