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Post by bagdadjoe on Sept 7, 2018 10:07:41 GMT -5
Ok..I bought two 444 Handi rifles...got a couple handfuls of brass including some "444 Shorty" Hornadys..and a Lee C430-310-RF, pretty nice bullet.
The only Unique load I have found so far was a "non-published" one listing 15g for this bullet from a trusted source.
Any recommendations on a medium load for the 444..such as Unique? I have a torn rotator cuff in my right shoulder, heavy loads cause me to OD on Tylenol ;-)
Thanks
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Post by z1r on Sept 7, 2018 11:17:34 GMT -5
In the past when I shot a lot of cast bullet silhouette I used a bit less than that in my .45-70 405 loads. I used the starting load recommended by Lyman.
They list Unique in 444 loads. As I recall the MAX listed for a 225 gr bullet was 17.5 grains of Unique. With a 310, I'd think your 15 gr load would be MAX. I don't have that copy of the Handbook any longer but it would be worth picking up a copy.
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Post by bagdadjoe on Sept 7, 2018 13:18:52 GMT -5
Thanks.
They listed 15 and 18.
I tried a half dozen at 15...no pressure signs...cases fell right out primers looked just as they did..but with a firing pin mark.
Certainly won't exceed that.
Powder coated and seated long...
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Post by sheriff on Sept 7, 2018 14:17:30 GMT -5
I run 12 in my 350gr .45-70's
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Post by bagdadjoe on Sept 7, 2018 14:28:23 GMT -5
That's why I asked...plenty of info for H322, Re7 and such. Not much for Unique.
Thanks.
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jgt
.327 Meteor
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Posts: 782
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Post by jgt on Sept 10, 2018 8:32:17 GMT -5
There are slower powders available. Unique is a very fast burning powder to use in a rifle case especially one as large as a 444. That, coupled with a 310 grain bullet and you are in an area that has little loading data for a reason. Slower powders cut down on muzzle blast and recoil in most instances. You state the reason for the load is for something more compatible with shoulder injury. I would suggest you look at a burn rate chart and pick a powder like 4227 or 1680 if you are set on using a "pistol" powder. One other safety warning I would like to impart, do not under any circumstances mix up AA 7 with Reloader 7 in a 444 marlin case. It can turn your rifle into a grenade. Otherwise, call a powder company and talk to someone who can explain which powders are available for your case/bullet combination and still be compatible with reduced loads. Good luck.
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Post by dougader on Sept 10, 2018 14:23:47 GMT -5
I check in with the guys on the cast boolits website when I want to look for reduced/cast bullet loads with faster powders. There's a ton of information over there...
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Post by todddoyka on Sept 10, 2018 14:53:55 GMT -5
check... www.gmdr.com/lever/lowveldata.htmi use the 444 with 300gr saeco fn with 25.0gr of 2400 with a tuft of dacron. i haven't chrony yet, but i'm guessing 1600fps. my 444 is a tc encore with a 23" MGM barrel. i'm disabled(due to a bad stroke) so i decided that 2400 is the way to go fer me. i can't find the load data that was used, was it alliant's reloading manual or hercules? |
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Post by todddoyka on Sept 10, 2018 15:25:54 GMT -5
300gr saeco fn with 25.0gr of 2400/tuft of dacron  cases fired with dacron
50 yards 250gr penta hp  50 yards 280gr lfn gc  ****try trail boss, i find it doesn't "kick". and the 444 goes quietly "bang" instead of the loud "BANG" that you are used too!!! |
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Post by todddoyka on Sept 10, 2018 16:30:39 GMT -5
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Post by bagdadjoe on Sept 11, 2018 10:50:41 GMT -5
Thanks guys.
I pulled the few that I had loaded and started over.
I also have a RCBS 250K and Lyman 429215 molds I can cast lighter weight bullets with...the Lyman being gas checked.
I used to have a 444 Contender years back, rechambered and ported by Mag-na-Port.
Used LBT 320 LFN's over a healthy dose of 2200 Data powder. Definitely a thumper..those days are gone, for me, anyway. ;-)
Thanks again for the info...
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Post by bagdadjoe on Oct 8, 2018 11:29:11 GMT -5
Alrightttt!
Decided to take the easy way out...just picked up a Limbsaver recoil pad.
Going to try out the few factory Leverevolutions that came with gun #1, the wood stocked one and see what that tastes like, and take a few of the 300g cast loaded at the bottom end and see what those are like.
Going to have to do *something* with this shoulder...slowly becoming left handed.
Getting older definitely is not for sissies..
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Post by todddoyka on Oct 8, 2018 13:47:02 GMT -5
my jug of 2400(8 lbs) has run out. but don't worry, i have another 8lb jug!!! unfortunately its a different lot  . fortunately, i shot the 444 marlin and IT decided that the 300gr saeco fn is better with 24.0gr of 2400(tuft of dacron). the other now empty jug, said 25.0gr of 2400(tuft of dacron) is the way to go. always check your lots of powder, a 1gr of powder can make you inaccurate. |
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Post by theblackspot on Oct 8, 2018 15:42:43 GMT -5
I have used blue dot with that 310 lee and got good results
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Post by bagdadjoe on Oct 9, 2018 9:39:23 GMT -5
Thanks guys!
Can't get too much input...
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. fortunately, i shot the 444 marlin and IT decided that the 300gr saeco fn is better with 24.0gr of 2400(tuft of dacron). the other now empty jug, said 25.0gr of 2400(tuft of dacron) is the way to go. always check your lots of powder, a 1gr of powder can make you inaccurate.