Home Forums Reloading Bullet Casting Velocity ? for Marlin 1894 .44 mag.

I will be casting a 200 gr., Lee .430, from wheelweights(quenched)and Lee liquid lubed for a mild load in my 629 Smith
to 'plink' with. Question being---can I use this in my 1971 vintage Marlin saddle ring w/micro-grove without experiencing
leading? My load will probably be 12.5 gr. +/- HERCO. (Blue Dot or Unique could also be used.) I am thinking velocity would run about 1550-1600(?). I've only shot my cast bullets in handguns and muzzleloaders, so I haven't run anything faster than about 1150. Comments appreciated.
Also, has anyone used this weight cast bullet on deer? (Close range, out to 75 yds.)

They should pose no problems as long as the size is right.

I have a blackhawk and a marlin in 41 mag and it does a good job with the 210-220 grain cast.

I don't gas check or water quench mine though.I need to chronograph these one of these days.
I have a NOE brass mold with the pins for 2 different hollowpoints as well as a flat point.

They do shoot good and the penta points would make a mess if used on varmints.

Give them a try.

If there's a fly in the ointment it will be the microgroove rifling. In standard rifling styles the velocity you mention is easily obtained w/o quenching and use of softer alloys than wheel weights using LLA lube.

Lyman 311041, roughly 50/50 lead/WW with 8 oz of tin tossed into a 20# batch, velocity of approx. 1600 fps from a Savage 24 groups about 1" with iron sights at 25 yards. Another load using roughly the same mix but with 4# of linotype substituted for 4 of WW does this at 1800+ fps and 50 yards:



.25-20 with the first alloy mix above at 50 yards and 1600 fps:



I diluted LLA approximately 10% by volume with mineral spirits, lube and size, lube again and dust the bullets with motor mica to cut down on gumming up the seating die. IMO, bullet fit to bore and pressure are more important than hardness of alloy. In point of fact and alloy too hard for the pressure generated will lead more quickly than softer alloy because it will not properly obturate.

The Lyman 257283 ready to load:



A Lyman 150 grain 7mm bullet and 311041 of the first alloy mix before lubing. Gas check on 7mm not seated.



I have not noticed any particular difference in accuracy between the plain base or gas checked bullets to date, or any leading from either. Pressure and velocities are similar.

Thanks for your comments. I will try a few different 'mixtures' and see what shoots best. I think of all the linotype I had access to, MANY decades ago when I was in printing, but did not cast. Also, some nice groups there!!!