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Ceapea

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Everything posted by Ceapea

  1. For a free Quick Load type program you could try Gordon's Reloading Tool.The more info you put in the more accurate it is.
  2. Thanks for that info. I'll be on the lookout for some.
  3. We got the 444 Marlin out today. At 25 yd, from a rest, both loads shot exactly the same. And that was very good in my opinion. Both loads (240 gr LRNFP and 28.0 and 30.0 IMR4198) shot a one hole, 3 shot group of 9/16”! And two more in each group opened them both up 1 ½” exactly. I may consider experimenting with pistol powders…but why?? These loads shoot! Also, pressures were high enough (but VERY low…recoiling like shooting a 38-lever gun!) to provide enough expansion at the case mouth to prevent soot. And, being that the case is too short to accept a crimp from 444 Marlin dies, I experimented with a second Lee FCD for 44 spl/magnum die set. Guess what! It worked! I had to crimp each by feel (aren’t they all?) and couldn’t fully cycle the press handle. But it provides a very easy to perform, consistent crimp.
  4. Thanks, and good to hear from someone else who has run into this uncommon situation. I feel pretty good about my recent discoveries. No concerns with "reduced" loads, using a powder that isn't supposed to be reduced to begin with. I think that Hornady should come up with data for all their short cases...no matter the cartridge. They are a component supplier after all. They had to know that this would become an issue at some point. Even if they used/recommended lighter bullets in the "new" loads. At least the case that someone ultimately paid for, would be reusable...
  5. So, I was able to pull a factory Hornady cartridge apart. The FTX bullet is .525” from bottom to the center of the cannelure. The LRNFP bullet is .388” from bottom to top of crimp groove. Or, .137” shorter than the FTX bullet. The FTX seats considerably deeper into the case, all the while sitting on top of a considerably “warmer” charge of the same powder. There is more case volume available (even in the shortened case) using the LRNFP bullet. Pressure will not be an issue with the lead bullet fully seated to the crimp groove. The Hornady load, in the short case, is 36.6 gr to 41.9 gr IMR4198. With a 25 gr lighter, and .137” shorter (effectively) bullet, a 12%-23% lower charge of the same powder (still a published load for powder/bullet combination), I feel completely comfortable and safe making ammo for the 444 Marlin using all the above components. Now, I will load up 10 rd each at 28.0 gr and 30.0 gr. A few each for test firing/recoil and case inspection. And a few each for accuracy/grouping.
  6. My buddy has a 444 Marlin and about 600 rd of Hornady ammo with the 265 FTX bullet. We have been “emptying” (by shooting) the factory brass so that I can load some 240 gr LRNFP bullets using IMR4198. Several books list that powder as some of the best for that cartridge, using that bullet. The problem is, the Hornady cases are shortened (by Hornady!) to 2.065”, down from the normal trim to length (TTL) of 2.215” The 40 cases that I have prepped are at 2.077, or .138” shorter than the normal TTL. That makes our cases 93.7% (a 6.3% reduction) volume of a normal TTL case at 2.215”. For that 265 gr bullet, Hornady lists 36.6 gr – 41.9 gr IMR4198. I plan to pull one of the factory rounds to measure bullet seating depth compared to what will need to be done with the 240 gr LRNFP bullet. The two Lyman books I have are showing starting loads of 28.0 gr (50th edition) and 32.5 gr (Cast Bullet book) for the same 240 gr LRNFP bullet. The charge of 28 gr is a 23.5% reduction of 4198 and the charge of 32.5 gr is a reduction of roughly 12% from that listed for the FTX bullet. All being starting loads for that powder. I called both Hornady and Hodgdon and was told that I cannot load that 240 gr bullet in the shortened cases. It seems that with a 25 gr lighter bullet, and a 12% to 23% lower charge, the load I want to create would be safe. That is, assuming the 240 bullet seats to no more than, and possibly less than, the depth of the 265 gr FTX bullet. Does anyone have access to one of those subscribe to, load calculator programs, that could run some numbers? What do you all think? Thanks!
  7. So I got a chance to hold both a TSO and a Shadow 2, one each in SAO and DA/SA. I gotta say, the Shadow 2 fit my hand perfectly! And very surprising to me, the SAO trigger was not great! But the DA/SA had one of the best DA pulls I have tried. And the SA pull was better than that of the SAO! Strange but true. And while I didn't have my original TS to compare, the TSO did feel like it fit my had slightly better than the original. But that DA/SA Shadow 2 was fantastic! Think I'm going to go that route.
  8. I have an original TS in 9mm. While I have large to extra large hands, I still find the grip of the TS a bit too big. Which is okay, as I do not compete with it. It is for really accurate plinking and general range use. The same will be true for the next one, TSO or Shadow 2 SA. So for those of you that have both, or have shot both, which would you pick, and why? Also in the mix…kinda, is the Shadow 2 DA/SA. Not my first choice, as I am a huge fan of SA guns. Though I have always heard great things about CZ DA triggers. So, if you think you can convince me to go DA/SA, feel free to offer up those reasons as well. Thanks!
  9. Mid year, last year, I placed an order for 2000 bullets in various calibers. The order was shipped within two weeks. Love their bullets! Then, I placed an order back in February. The status was "pending" all throughout Feb. and March. I emailed them several times asking for order/shipping status as my CC was charged back in February and as of 4 days ago, my order was "in process". In the last message from two weeks ago, I mentioned that if I didn't hear from them, I'd have to assume something went wrong and I'd have my CC bank file a dispute. Finally, two days ago, I received a message mentioning most of the things others had received. Busy, short staffed, etc... Within 3 hrs of receiving that message, my order status switched to "shipping". I should have the bullets in the next three days. I'm glad that I procrastinated on contacting my CC bank. I really think that they have quality products.
  10. Those are a bit different than mine. I believe that mine are Hornady bullets. They are in a Hornady box. Yours look like 3/4 jacket bullets.
  11. I’ve posted this question on a few different sites. For the most part, it is said that these bullets do not separate from the jackets and, they need a stout load to send them down range efficiently. So, I will just load them in 44 mag brass, with a good middle weight charge. It was a thought is all. I’ve had great success loading 38 spl cases as mentioned above.
  12. Thanks. I like to extrapolate too. I’ve actually done a very similar thing with 38 spl brass and light 357 loads using a long seated (to 357 mag coal) bullets. That was with 2400 too. But, 11 gr of 2400 in a 38 spl, seems more tame than 18 gr in a 44 spl case... Though I have only a few post here, I have been a lurker, and a loaded for over 10 years. So far, I’ve loaded just under 150k rd with just two issues. One was a primer that fell out of a primer pocket. The other was minor...forgot what it was. This load is for a Henry single shot rifle. Supposedly, it and the 45-70 share the same heavy profile barrel and action.
  13. I’ve got some OLD 44 caliber half jacket bullets that are in a Hornady box. I’ve been told that they most likely are Speer bullets...that at some time in the distant past, Hornady and Speer were together, or at least did some business together. I was told (all this info came from forum questions/answers many years ago and a call to Hornady!) that they were short lived and discontinued because the copper (half) jacket was seated below the case mouth and firing the round sometimes stripped the jacket off the bullet...the crimp would dislodge the jacket...sometimes. I don’t know. But that just sets the stage for my real question. Can it be assumed that a 44 spl round, loaded to the same COAL as a 44 magnum, using the same bullet, would have (nearly) the same resulting internal case volume in both cases? I found that these bullets, if loaded to 1.610” in a 44 spl case, leaves the jacket just outside of the case mouth...maybe .030”I want to load it to the lightest 44 magnum in my books, in spl cases. Actually, just a bit lower, even. The manuals list 18.3 and 18.4 gr of 2400 in magnum cases. I am looking at 18.0 gr 2400 in the spl case, loaded to the magnum coal.Am I wrong in saying that the resulting case volume would be nearly identical? The brass is the same, other than the length, no? Again, I only want to do this to use up 200 otherwise (supposedly) unusable bullets. Thanks.
  14. Picked up the last Tripp Research Navigator C that Dawson Precision had. Been watching it for a while and when I called about some sights, I asked about it. They said if I was serious about it, they would knock off $200 and send me two free Dawson shirts. So...I did it!! It arrives tomorrow. Can't wait!!
  15. Thanks, I tried WST at 4.2, 4.4 and 4.6 gr. The 4.4 worked the best so far. I also like Red Dot and Bullseye. So loads with those two will soon come along. I have been shooting full power, and some mid range, ammo for years. Even when shooting PPC, I usually use hotter (4.8 WST) loads in my 1911s. I am familiar with mouse fart loads for my PPC revolver, 2.3 gr Bullseye, and have had great success with it. I just never stepped down the big boy 45.
  16. Hello, I'm a new owner of a very nice condition, used STI Target Master. In getting familiar with the pistol, I couldn't help but notice the extreme ease to cycle the slide by hand...racking the slide. Much reduced effort compared to several of my 5" guns with "std" recoil springs (16#-17#). Anyway after some searching on line, I found info that STI used 14# springs in their 6" 1911 pistols. Can anyone here verify that? I'm not sure what I have in the gun currently. Maybe the previous owned changed it to something lighter for some pet light load. I do have a brand new Wolff 14# spring and tried it out in the gun. Feels very similar, if not the same. But not positive. So, now the real question. Having not shot it yet, and not wanting to damage anything, I am looking for a lighter loading for the 200 gr LSWC that will reliably cycle the slide. And lastly, if 14# is std for the Target Master, will firing factory ball ammo be too much for it? Or in other words, is the Target Master only for target loads? I have used 4.3 and 4.8 gr of WST and the 200 LSWC in my 5" guns. While not hot, both seem a bit stout for the very light feeling spring in the STI. Thanks, Ceapea
  17. Hi, New member here. I've been shooting IDPA and PPC for about 10 years. I have been looking around and listening (reading...) on this site for several years. Lots of good info! Looking forward to learning more and sharing when I can. Ceapea
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