Big Bore loading for Lori

[SJB358]

Lori and I are planning to head to Idaho this Spring, for black bear. I think I have her 25-06 dialed pretty decent and is ready to turn over to her, but I wanted to give her another choice for a rifle while sitting over baits, if she wants. Plus, she said she wants to use one of the lever rifles, SO, racking my brain a little, I pulled out my 444 Marlin. Haven't really done too much with it, but it very accurate with 300's so far.

With M8 4X Leupold and QRW mounts

Well, then I thought about an extra M8 4X Leupold I have laying around, and an extra Weaver base. Well, as soon as I find some of the screws, I will mount the scope up in Leupold Low QRW rings... Should be a decent looking combo and the 4X should be great for the mountains.

Then, I got the thinking about the loads. She is very non tolerant of getting beat up, so I thought about the 30, 250 grain PT's I have. Got them from a very nice feller on another forum. Knowing I don't wanna blast those up finding a load, he also gave me a few boxes of the Sierra 250 grain FPJ's. He mentioned they shot identically to the 250 PT's. Well, I pulled some RL7 out and went to work. Used some QL data and Nosler's older manual, loaded up some Hornady cases with 41-45 grain increments of RL7 with CCIBR2's.

I am looking for something in the 2000FPS range with these and good accuracy (of course)...

The Nosler's are just a hair longer bullet and QL has the data looking very close. SO, what I am hoping is I can find a good load for the 250 Sierra's and then switch over, use a couple to verify zero's and go hunting with the 250 Noslers. With the loads I am running, I am running around 30-35K PSI, so I shouldn't run into any major drama with pressures, just hope accuracy is similar for the two. As long as they are consistent out to 200, I will be fine with good, hunting accuracy. Likely, the shots over the bait wouldn't be any longer than 150 yards at best.

Here is a picture of the two bullets.

Anyhow, any of you all that have any other 250 grain loads for the 444 Marlin, let me know.

Also, any of you ever used that Sierra in a 444? It does have a little exposed lead? Wondering if it'll expand?

 

[.280 Remington]

Looks great Scotty!

 

[wvchevy3]

Scotty , sounds like a good plan .Lee

 

[OU812]

Seems like a more than reasonable plan to me and the out come should be quite positive.


Bill

 

[SJB358]

We shall see. I am getting pretty excited to work with the big bore lever guns again. Been too long. Plus, I am excited to see what this 444 Marlin will do.

I know, it should be a hammer on bears though. VERY excited to see a 250 PT smash a bear!

 

[Thankful Otter]

Scotty, you have a 45/70. will you let her use that lever gun ? If so, I feel the Remington 405 JSp is very easy to shoot. I have not used them in a long time, but unless something has changed, they were easy on the shoulder.

I also shot 350 gr Cast loads at around 1200 when I was younger and they didnt beat me up.

Not sure if she wants to hunt with it or just play with it, but anyway, just a thought

 

[SJB358]

Scotty, you have a 45/70. will you let her use that lever gun ? If so, I feel the Remington 405 JSp is very easy to shoot. I have not used them in a long time, but unless something has changed, they were easy on the shoulder.

I also shot 350 gr Cast loads at around 1200 when I was younger and they didnt beat me up.

Not sure if she wants to hunt with it or just play with it, but anyway, just a thought

Cheyenne, I do have a Guide Rifle as well, but we both wanna hunt with them this Spring. I am trying to lessen the recoil using a little lighter bullets and less FPS. Plus, the 444 Marlin is a touch heavier with a longer barrel than my Guide Rifle, so I think I might be okay.

Your point is a great one though Cheyenne. Wouldn't be any big trick to load some 405's to 1200-1300 for her and they would be more than enough for any black bear.

Jeeze, don't you mention that to her... Pretty soon she will start trying to steal my Guide Rifle and that is about my favorite one of the bunch!

 

[Guest]

That's all good and fine for Lori, right up to the point Stella finds out about it...

 

[SJB358]

That's all good and fine for Lori, right up to the point Stella finds out about it...

HA! I will let her know you are clued in! :twisted:

 

[CatskillCrawler]

That .444Marlin sounds like a great choice for her, especially with the 250gr bullet. There's no reason why that won't intimidate a blackie to roll over for her.

Do you have any 200gr loads for your BLR worked up? That is always an option which shouldn't give her much anxiety on the recoil scene. Heck, even the 225gr PT load you have shouldn't be a bother. Not a "big bore" but still an option.

 

[SJB358]

That .444Marlin sounds like a great choice for her, especially with the 250gr bullet. There's no reason why that won't intimidate a blackie to roll over for her.

Do you have any 200gr loads for your BLR worked up? That is always an option which shouldn't give her much anxiety on the recoil scene. Heck, even the 225gr PT load you have shouldn't be a bother. Not a "big bore" but still an option.

Great idea CC! Didn't think about that..

Man, I will have to have her try it out.. She has shot it before and did well....

 

[pre6422hornet]

Looking Good Scotty!

Those rounds look bad ass man! She is gonna roll a big bear for sure with that set up!

 

[Woodycreek]

Lori should have a great rig for bears with the 444 using those 250 PTs. Don't forget my 45-70 as a backup if you need it. That way I could be hunting vicariously through my rifle :mrgreen:

 

[SJB358]

Looking Good Scotty!

Those rounds look bad ass man! She is gonna roll a big bear for sure with that set up!

I hope so. Seems to fit her well! Thanks for the comments on the loads. They do look pretty beefy, if I do say so!

Lori should have a great rig for bears with the 444 using those 250 PTs. Don't forget my 45-70 as a backup if you need it. That way I could be hunting vicariously through my rifle :mrgreen:

Don't worry buddy, I will have my 45-70 along with 300 PT's, just in case, but that 444 seems pretty capable too..

 

[SJB358]

Seems like it'll expand from the reviews. Time to get them into the jugs!

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/261330 ... box-of-100

 

[Elkman]

Looking very good to me!!! I am pretty sure those groups will be good enough for bears at short distance. She will do well !!!!

 

[FOTIS]

Seems like it'll expand from the reviews. Time to get them into the jugs!

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/261330 ... box-of-100

You gotta jug them Scott! And velocity be known!

 

[Oldtrader3]

Scotty, I would consider staying with the weight and loading back to the old time black powder levels or maybe a little more. They killed 20 million buffalo with those loads and heavy bullets there is something to be said for a 350 grain .44 at 1200-1300 fps. They worked well then and they have a gentle push not much rap! Just a thought?

 

[FOTIS]

Actually not a bad idea!!!!!!!!!!

 

[onesonek]

How much range would you plan on with the .444 Scotty? Also do you happen to know what the min. terminal velocity is of the PT's.
If were me, I would use the slower powders to keep the impulse down, the lighter PT at at 16-1700 to help with felt recoil., and just plan on hunting within effective range. Thinking roughly 100-125 yds. maybe a tad more. I known a few black bears killed with standard 250 gr factory loads in .45 Colt over bait range. Not exactly considered a powerhouse by most, but put in the right spot I think a little less than you asked for might do the trick.
Then I also agree with Charlies thoughts, as it came up during writing this. How bout you use the .444 and I send ya some 350's the 45-70 for Lori :lol: