General use load...

[Jim Puke]

I have a fondness for the usefulness and just general handling and convenience of lever rifles...in handgun rounds, in particular. I have had one in 44mag since I gave up on the Ruger 44mag auto carbine many, many years ago. Until the last couple of years, I have always stoked it with 250gr cast bullets...429421 or Remington 240gr SJHP bullets. Recently, I have been trying some different things through it and after using them, I have come to a little different conclusion than what is the general consensus...concerning the general use ammo for this little rifle.

I started a while back, to load some 180gr full wadcutters for it and put a lot of them through it. After plinking, quasi-penetration testing and hunting with them, I have come to the conclusion that they are a TERRIFIC match for this rifle. My loads have chrono'd between 1600 and 1700fps and have been plenty accurate as far as I have tested them...75yds, as that is as far as I will be shooting at most things, with iron sights. They penetrate and wreak havoc on anything shot with them. They will totally penetrate a deer at 45yds and leave a wound channel that you can stick a rake handle through...and a dead deer on the ground. They have virtually no recoil and they are easy on the lead supply. Also, function great in the gun and I know they would work well if forced into use for personal safety. Overall, I have found MY round for the lever in about 95% of the use that I will have for it.

With that said, I am not talking about shooting deer at 150yds, or 500lb hogs or brown bears or any other extreme use for this little rifle. But, for what I have it for, these little wadcutters work fantastic.

 

[cadillo]

Are you going to leave everyone in suspense, or identify the mould, manufacturer and model number?

Also, regarding overall length, how deeply, or not so deep do you seat it to get reliable feeding in that mystery lever gun?

 

[Jim Puke]

Are you going to leave everyone in suspense, or identify the mould, manufacturer and model number?

Also, regarding overall length, how deeply, or not so deep do you seat it to get reliable feeding in that mystery lever gun?

Sorry, meant to include that...H&G 107B mold...as made by Ballisti-Cast...bullet is seated to the crimp groove. It should work well in any lever gun.

 

[Srb08]

That looks like a pretty spiffy bullet for .44 spec as well.

 

[Jim Puke]

That looks like a pretty spiffy bullet for .44 spec as well.

It does work well for .44spec...I just prefer heavier bullets in the handguns so they will penetrate better at lower velocities.

 

[Chuck 100 yd]

Wadcutters and semi wadcutters do not feed well in most leverguns. I like the way they shoot but they need to feed well for most uses.

 

[Jim Puke]

Wadcutters and semi wadcutters do not feed well in most leverguns. I like the way they shoot but they need to feed well for most uses.

I have tried in 2 lever guns and they function fine..although, I only own one lever...

Also, my rifle does not do well with swc's...no comparison between it and the wadcutter...wadcutter functions great because it does not have that long nose.

Most levers do not do well with SWC's...and mine is no different.

 

[Chuck 100 yd]

Cool!!! As long as your gun will shuck em, you got it made. Have fun!

 

[stevemb]

Hmmnn..I've yet to try the Penn 180gr FWC that my Bulldog and Ruger Sheriff like, in the Marlin. Thanks for the info.

 

[mikld]

Hmmm, my .44 Mag. Model 92 clone, Rossi Puma, won't feed full or semi-wadcutters in Magnum brass. I currently use Ranch Dog's design 240 and 265 gr. RBFP.

 

[Jim Puke]

Hmmm, my .44 Mag. Model 92 clone, Rossi Puma, won't feed full or semi-wadcutters in Magnum brass. I currently use Ranch Dog's design 240 and 265 gr. RBFP.

My friend has the new Taurus/Rossi and it feeds them fine. It will feed the semi's ok...not really smooth(like my rifle) but, it is no problem. I guess they are all different.

 

[powder smoke]

My Winchesters 94 trappers eats pretty much every thing I feed them.
Got a 44 & a 45, I like the Keith Style slugs. 250 255 respectively.
Pistol cartridges are loads of fun in lever guns I enjoy the heck out of it. ps

 

[Old Dog Soldier]

Jim Luke says..... "these little wadcutters work fantastic"

BINGO !!!! Yes they do! .38 special... .357mag... .41 mag... .44special... .44mag... .45lc... .38-55... .444M
.45-70 etc. Just about ANY straight case, revolver or rifle, is a wonderful utility piece with the
right wadcutter load.

ODS

 

[Jimbo357mag]

That 'powder coating lube' seems to be getting real popular. Is that why the bullet is red?

 

[snakeeyes4445]

Could you post your load? I have a bunch of what look like Penn 180s which weigh about 190. Powders and velocities that I have found are all over the place and I can't decide where to start.
I have a .44 mag Marlin 94 with the oversize .433 bore and the slow 1 in 38 twist.
This leads me to believe that a lighter faster projectile might fill the bore and be what I'm looking for. PM me if you don't wish to publish.
I appreciate the post and the help.....it would save me a lot of range time for other projects that interest me a little more.

 

[Bayouhunter]

Thanks Jim for the info. I haven't loaded for 44 magnum yet my Flattop 44m was stolen in 2010 and I never replaced it. But I have two Marlins waiting on me to pick up when I get home after this hitch. One in 44 mag the other in 35 Remington both JM guns the 35 is a 1971 gun and the 44 is a 2000 version.
I ordered the RD .432 265gr for the 44 and a 200 gr RCBs version for 35 Rem both from NOE. As soon as my wallet cools down some I start looking for that wad cutter. Which powders are you using for your 44mag? My wife is starting to question me with those looks she gives me for overspending on guns.