Home Forums Lever Action Central Big Bore Levers 348 and Barnes 220x

I was given a box of Barnes 348 220x bullets. Anybody got a favorite load?

Unrelated to your question. I see you most likely have favored the 444 Marlin at some point. From your experience and loaded to full potential, which is a more heavy hitter 444 Marlin or 348 Win? I ask because the 444 Marlin loaded for heavy caliber is a very potent cartridge pushing a 250 gr jacketed at 2,500 fps and can handle 330 gr HC gas checks at 2,200 fps and 355gr HC gas checks at 2,100 fps. I think the 348 Win is an awesome cartridge as well. I have taken elk with the 444 Marlin, but never had the pleasure of pulling the trigger on a 348 Win. What is your opinion on power when comparing the two. Sadly the 444 Marlin doesn't get much respect, but it kills big animals as well as anything out there. Thanks.

that's like ordering a woman on E-Bay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! they are individuals! each and every one...........You will get generalizations of load info but you better back off a bit and work your way up as like I said each one is a individual and has likes and dislikes..........If your
348 is a bitch you can sell it or burn it up................but not a bad wife that never goes away.................................My 71 is 9 months older then me...........doesn't complain about what ever I feed her and I get to lock her up in a vault when I don't need her............just
load to factory speeds with a powder that shows moderate pressure and recoil and all will be well as 348's do well on elk usually DRT results with 200 gr plus bullets at 2500 or so.......forget magnum crap as it is NOT needed................

Moose:

The 220 gr weight splits the difference between the 200 and 250 gr bullet offerings. You can still use IMR 4895 or 4064
as the bullet mass is not critical yet ( IMR-4350 territory). Barnes manual shows loads, or you can interpolate
backing off from 250 gr loads and adding some velocity through your new loads.

Have been doing some IMR 3031 load development for 450 AK and Fuller M-71s. Using Alaska Bullet Works 400 gr bonded core and Hawk 400 gr FP.
Annealing necks and case shoulders in wildcat brass is a good idea-for the 348 also- for sure. Longer case life.

Been studying the benchrest candle method. Keeps the case head cool but stress relieves the neck-shoulder.

Moose:

The 220 gr weight splits the difference between the 200 and 250 gr bullet offerings. You can still use IMR 4895 or 4064
as the bullet mass is not critical yet ( IMR-4350 territory). Barnes manual shows loads, or you can interpolate
backing off from 250 gr loads and adding some velocity through your new loads.

Have been doing some IMR 3031 load development for 450 AK and Fuller M-71s. Using Alaska Bullet Works 400 gr bonded core and Hawk 400 gr FP.
Annealing necks and case shoulders in wildcat brass is a good idea-for the 348 also- for sure. Longer case life.

Been studying the benchrest candle method. Keeps the case head cool but stress relieves the neck-shoulder.