I load a lot for the 44 Mags the 240gr, XTP works very well . I found a 240 XTP with W296 (22.5gr.) out of the little Ruger bolt rifle shoots very well . The 300 XTP has to much drop for my liking . The 240 bullets dead on at 50 yards will be 1 inch low at 100 yards . The 300gr. at 50 yards dead on shoot ok but at 100 yards drop 6.5 inches . I load only the 240gr. XTP for that Little Ruger Rifle because out to 150 Yards just point and shoot .
44 magnum cast or jacketed in carbine
- Thread starter Wendyj
- Start date
There is no SAAMI spec for +P 44 magnum. Why do you feel the need to load it over pressure? Did you have a reliable way to measure pressure? Stretched a Ruger revolver? HMM....... I wonder where between 40K and 80K your loads are that they stretched a Ruger frame?
https://www.johnlinebaughcustomsixguns.com/writings
I got to the range today with some hand loads. I used the Hornady xtp bullet and some Sierra sp both 240 grain. I had under loaded the Sierra and found out that with H110 that 24.1 grains was a much sweeter spot than the low end I tried on the Sierra bullets at 21.5. I know everyone gripes about a scope on the lever but I just couldn't see the targets at the 65 yard area I was restricted to today. First shots my barrel was cleaned with CLP and I should have swabbed out with alcohol or bore blaster first. Second set done better but one flyer. The xtp's done a real good job. I am hoping running the Sierras a little hotter will bring them in line. My first loads for it so I didn't take a whole lot. It did not like cast 240 with gas checks. What was strange is I loaded some light with HS6 and the went completely over my targets but felt like a 22 going off. I'm sticking with the H110 and experiment in .2 grain increments up and down until I find a sweet spot.
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First, if you are comfortable using a scope on the lever gun then by all means use a scope on the lever gun. It is a matter of what you are comfortable with and what feels right to you. I don't have a 44 Magnum lever gun as my 44 Magnum is an old Ruger 44 Carbine. I like the Hornady XTP, Speer Gold Dot and the Sierra 240 grain JHC bullets. I also use all 3 in my 444 Marlin lever gun. With 44 Mag my best results generally come with Win 296 but I also liked H110in the 23.5 to 24 grain loads. Win 296 was also right around 24 grains. The little Ruger being a gas gun I didn't want to beat the rifle up. I could never warm up to the cast bullets in the gas gun either but they gave good results in my 444 Marlin lever gun and were more pleasing to shoot as to punishment in the 444.
Keep working with the H110 and you will likely find something that works.
Ron
Keep working with the H110 and you will likely find something that works.
Ron
I'm kind of envious. I had a 444 back when they were priced decent 20 years ago. I had to wear a shoulder pad to shoot it but was it ever accurate. All I knew then was factory ammo but it would punch cloverleafs using Winchester ammo. Great gun. That Ruger 44 carbine is a nice gun also. I seen one used at my gun store today for $799. I don't know if that's a deal nowadays or not but seems like Buds were in the high 8-900 range.
I bought the Ruger as a kid around maybe 1966. My mom put it on her charge card and with her store discount I think it was about $120 which I repaid over 4 months at $30 a month. The Marlin lever gun was a gift from my wife about 25 years ago. I haven't hunted in several years but that Marlin 444 is a thumper, not exactly a T-Shirt gun. Someday my grand kids can sort out the hunting rifles, I could never bring myself to part with them.
Last Ruger 44 Carbine I saw for sale was a few years ago in a local shop with a $600 price tag. Enjoy your 44 Mag lever gun.
Ron