44 mag for lever

[schorkha]

I have Oregon Trail Trueshot Cast Bullets in the 44 Caliber 310 grain gas checked bullets. I found that if I load them OAL of 1.610 they cycle perfectly through both my lever actions Marlin 1894 and Rossi 92. I tried with 3 dummy rounds and they work great.
My question is what powder would be best for low volume for the 44 mag as the bullet is seated rather deep?
I tried searching the internet and cannot find what magnum powders have the least amount of volume. I also want to be cautious of not creating too much pressure so I'm sure I will have to experiment by starting at the low end of pressure.

 

[m500]

If you can get enough h110/w296 in there use it. If not I would suggest blue dot. It burns reasonably clean in a carbine.

 

[bheadboy]

i found AA #9 very accurate in my 44m about their data shows 14gr as just under max.

it will be low volume.

Bob

 

[Alex Wheeler]

2400 is my favorite powder in the 44. Less bulk than 296, it may work for you. The nice thing about 2400 is you can use it in light loads too.

 

[kelbro]

2400

 

[MrMajestic]

Vihtavuori N105 or Blue Dot. Be very, very careful as both of these go from mild to wild at a glance but will produce great velocities and accuracy with your space requirements.

 

[lbk49]

I've been using Power Pistol for light .44 loads, also for .357. It's a small grain powder, meters good, seems to run identical to Unique in terms of charge weights.

 

[Lazydays]

i found AA #9 very accurate in my 44m about their data shows 14gr as just under max.

it will be low volume.

Bob

In my 44 mag revolvers (a 629 and a Super Blackhawk) I like AA Number nine best. Meters well, and burns very clean. In My T/C's I usually use H110, and see 1700fps with a 12" barrel and a 250 grain bullet. The #9 load that I use in my revolvers is mild on recoil, and I still get 1380fps with the same 250 grain bullet (8" barrels). That same load in my 12" T/C gets almost 1600fps! Keep in mind that about 1750fps is about it before the lead starts to show up inside the barrel, so I'd think that #9 would be perfect.

Looking in three reloading manuals at 44 mag rifle data with a 300 grain bullet, I see way less than 100fps difference between a max load of H110 and a max load of #9. I think that H110 would start to make a little more impact in a Marlin (stronger action), but little if any improvment in the 94 Winchester. #5 would also do in a pinch as there is only 100fps difference between it and H110 in a 20" barrel. One should always keep a pound of AA#9 and #5 on the shelf, as it fits a lot of needs.
gary

 

[schorkha]

I want to thank everyone that replied to my question about which powder to use in a small area.
One other question:
Because I can see the outline of the .310 grain bullet it showed the imprint of the length on the shell. The actual space for the powder is .70. Will this small amount of space effect the pressure? I am guessing that I should definitely start at the low end of recommended amount?
Again, I want to thank you all that have responded to my question.
H

 

[MrMajestic]

You will only fit so much in and then it will deform the bullet nose with the punch. Of course the reduced powder capacity by the longer bullet will increase pressures. Have you tried to get in touch with the Manufacturer for their load suggestions? You could also check Lyman manuals as they offer many cast bullet loads.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

The real answer to the problem is to modify the timing of your rifle so it fill feed the round when the bullet is seated farther out like it should be. I have done this to mine and it is any easy modification. Also, the Marlin has a slow twist and most likely wont shoot that bullet well. You need to test it before you get too far into this.