[rossi]

Marshall,

I was wondering how fast you could push a lighter cast bullet with your design, say 240-260 grain in the triple four.  

The reason I ask is that I would like to give my triple four a shot at pronghorn and I would like the flattest possible trajectory.

I realize the BC is going to be one of the governing factors out there at long distances, but after reading your post on the 290 grains running upwards to 2500 fps and getting 250 yard range (absolutely awesome, a lever gun with close to 375 H&H ballistics and firing a projectile with a 0.055-inch larger bore).  

Is it possible to ring out 2650 fps out of a 240-260 grains and shoot 285 yards, if need be, or am I pressing the laws of physics and possibly my luck? Also,  would the bullet stay together at those velocities.

By the way I meant to ask you,  did you get the article I e-mailed you last Monday?  I'm assuming you did.

Take Good Care
~rossi~


(Edited by rossi at 1<!--emo&:0--><img src="http://beartoothbullets.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':0'><!--endemo-->2 pm on July 20, 2001)

 

[Marshall Stanton]

Rossi,

I'm sorry for having taken this long to answer your post.   I had intended to include some information with the post, and simply haven't had the chance to get it together until today.

I would highly recommend that you look at the trajectories of the lighter bullets.   While at the onset they appear to be just the ticket in your .444, looking downrange both at energy and trajectory, those short stubby little handgun bullets lose their oomph and trajectory very quickly after 100 yards.

I thinks instead you would be better served by one of the 300+ grain bullets shoved to the true potential of the .444 Marlin's capabilities.  For antelope I understand that you won't be needing six feet of penetration!  What you will need however is the flattest trajectory you can muster from the .444.  If you need expansion, simply anneal the nose of the bullets as described in our Tips and Comments section!

Below is a comparison of the .444 Marlin and our .432"-330g LFNGC bullet at 2200 fps sighted 3.0" high at 100 yards, and the typical .30-06 Sprgfld 180 grain 2700 loading with a sight in (like most folks do) at 1" high at 100 yards. (No I understand it isn't apples to apples comparison, but the numbers are really interesting)  

Your triple-four isn't that much of a handicap out there at 200-250 yards at all!  Check it out and let us know what you think!

God Bless,

Marshall