444 marlin and 500 linebaugh

[todd]

here is two thats for me......

500L
tc encore/ 23" MGM heavy factory barrel
450gr lfn gc made from MBW
16.5gr of hs-6
1237fps avg of 5 shots
8.02 std dev


444 marlin
tc encore/ 23" MGM heavy factory barrel
300gr fn gc (saeco/ 12+/-bhn/ Bullshop)
24.0gr of 2400/dacron
1625fps avg of 5 shots
9.11 std dev

the 444 was about right on with my guesstimate(1600fps), while the 500L guesstimate(1300+fps) was a little off. the 500L goes around 1 1/2 -2" at 100 yards(5shots/bench). the 444 marlin goes around 3/4 - 1" at 100 yards(5 shots/bench). all rifles are dead on at 100 yards. its only to do 50 yards and less shot at a deer/black bear.

i haven't chroyed a load for years. about 12 years ago, i shot my last chronograph thru the screen. so i decided i didn't need it. since i've been doing cast boolits, i figure what the h-e-double hockey sticks, so i bought a caldwell ballistic precision chrony.

it was about 4-5 years ago when i had 12-14 pieces of 200gr hornady xtp. i loaded them up in my 444 with trail boss and i shot them at 50 yards. it was a 1 1/2″ at 50 yards, if i throw the one out, it goes to 3/4″ at 50 yards. i figure that is good group for 12-14 200gr xtp’s and trail boss.

265gr hornady fn with 41.0gr of h4198
200gr hornady xtp with 16.5gr of trail boss*
275gr ranch dog with 41.0gr of rel7
275gr ranch dog with 40.0gr of h4198
280gr lfn gc with 41.5gr of rel7
280gr lfn gc with 42.0gr of h4198
250gr mihek hp with 11.5gr of unique*
220gr wc with 13.0gr of unique*

they are all sub minute groups(* = 50 yards) at 100 yards(5 shots/bench). MGM does wonders for barrels!!!!

 

[Brad]

Never tried 2400 in the 444. It works well in the 45-70 so the 444 should do well with it too.
I have a couple 300 gr bullets I can try with that load. A 300 gr bullet at 1600 is nothing to sneeze at. I would hunt damn near anything with a load like that.

 

[todd]

in my 444, i've done a 22.0 - 25.5gr of 2400 with a tuft of dacron and a 300gr fn gc. i didn't go further than 25.5gr because i don't have pressure gauge. i have about 12 - 13 lbs of 2400 that wasn't used. you like the 300gr, it doesn't "kick" much.

 

[fiver]

my internal pressure gauge would have probably said no-mas before 25grs.

 

[todd]

thats why i ended it at 25.5gr. i know that if you take a little bit over alliant 2400(25.5gr) is erratic on pressure. on 444 cases, they "seemed" to be fine. the cases were expanded about .006 - .010" , the primer pockets still held and the spent primer looked fine on the 25.5gr..


left: 24.5gr of 2400
middle: 25.0gr of 2400
right: 25.5gr of 2400
all used a tuft of dacron(1.1 - 1.3gr)