The UK's Finest Independent Forum for Shooters and Gun Owners. Est 2010.

Hi folks,
I think I am going to get myself a marlin 20" lever rifle in 44 mag to play with for steel playes etc and gallery rifle.
Im after some advice on reloading for it.
What is the best weight of bullet for this type of shooting? Is the norm 240 grains just like the revolver or would you tend to go heavier?
I have viht n320 n340 n350 n105 and n110 at hand to load with.
Also bullet diameter, I notice on tim hannams website that there are two different bullet diameters for the 44 cal, which does this rifle like best? I think they are listed as .427 and .430.
I would also like to experiment with higher power loads with n110 or 2400 powder but im not sure how accuracy will hold up once I start pushing the lead bullets this fast?
Maybe copper jacketed bullets would be better for full house loads?

Help appreciated

Garry

.427 is usually for 44-40 and .430 is for the 44 special and magnum.
I can make and sell you some boolits - pm me if you are interested.

4.9gns american select,you can benchrest with that load.....

Gallery rifle? 240gn LRNFP and 6.0 gns of Unique.

Out to 300, jacketed 200gn bullet and 28.0gns of H110!! (But only if you have all of your own teeth, in good condition!)

GR - either 240gn RNFP or some of Rog's 200gn RNFP sitting in front of 6gns of Vectan AS. Unless you are only going to reloading in very small numbers, I'd move onto cheaper powder. Vectan AS and GM3 are about £20 per tub while Unique, Ramshot etc are just over £30

I'd like to try some full power loads with GM3!

Sim G wrote:
Out to 300, jacketed 200gn bullet

Oh evil purveyor of apostasy, wash out thy dissident mouth and purge your black heretic soul lest you lead others astray!

Oh by the way Simon I forgot to say.


:55: :55: :55: :55:

Hi I've been shooting GR for about ten years or more. There is a lot to learn about tuning a gun for comps, I reckon about three days work for a new gun. Then tweeking the ammo, why shoot full power ammo at ten metres. ? One needs the sights on target, not pointing at the sky, when rapid fire.
I am on my second .44 mag and am working on a good load, it's different to my first rifle. It's very important to get the correct scope for the job. I've settled on a Hawke 30 eclipse. I've not taken part in comps for the last couple of years due to a serious health problem but any help is free. Ronboy

dromia wrote:

Sim G wrote:
Out to 300, jacketed 200gn bullet

Oh evil purveyor of apostasy, wash out thy dissident mouth and purge your black heretic soul lest you lead others astray!

What he said. Jacketed bullets! Whatever next. wtfwtf

Thanks fellas for all the response!
What sort of accuracy should I expect from my handloads?
I didnt think one of these rifles would be that accurate out to 2-300 yards?
So do you mean that lead bullets are good enough for full power loads or do I need jacketed?
I will mostly be shooting steel plates informally and doing a little gallery rifle so I like the idea of the highe powered loads fo informal stuff to get those steel plates ringing as loud as I can!