24" Marlin .45colt - Accurate bullet?

Gryphon Black · Post by **Gryphon Black** » Tue May 06, 2008 1:08 am

For all the folks shooting a 24in barrel Marlin in .45 colt, I would like to know what has been the most accurate bullet out of your gun.

I wanna try to build a tack driver load for mine, and I like jacketed and TMJ bullets, but I would like to stay open minded about weights and shapes and power levels, etc.
I don't plan on this being my high-volume plinking round, so I don't mind a couple dollars cost on a box of 50, or 20, or what.

It's a wide field of possibilities, and I'd like to narrow it a bit by asking first...
Thanks in advance

Gryphon

jd45 · Post by **jd45** » Tue May 06, 2008 12:25 pm

I've gotten good results with the Speer .451" 260GR JHP in my 1892 with 24" barrel. jd45

J Miller · Post by **J Miller** » Tue May 06, 2008 12:55 pm

Gryphon,

I have no helpful load data but I do have a suggestion. Before you start working up your loads, slug the barrel.

I had one of the 24" Cowboys back in 1996, probably one of the first runs, and it was horribly inaccurate. I tried all my good loads, loads that shot into 2" at 100 yds from my 16" Win 94AE Trapper, and it was useless. Key holes at 25 yds, complete misses at 50 and literally no hits within feet of the targets at 100 yds.

I had to sell it before I could diagnose it's troubles, but my theory is an over sized bore. That pretty much had to be it, because it wouldn't even group with .454" bullets.

Joe

adirondakjack · Post by **adirondakjack** » Tue May 06, 2008 1:48 pm

Though not exactly worked up to "tack driver" status, my 24 inch Marlins will both hit a 12 inch plate reliably at THREE HUNDRED yards using generic 250 gr RNFP .452 lead bullets at about 1375 fps (10.5 grains Unique). That was a load chosen strictly to give me the proper velocity to get enough sight travel with the Marbles Tang peep sight to be able to see the target. I'm sure refining it would do better yet. If ya swat em hard enough to get anything over say 1100 fps, almost any bullet with a relatively long profile can be a good one. The old 260 speer is a good one, as would be any TC or rnfp of at least 250 grains.

meanc · Post by **meanc** » Tue May 06, 2008 2:04 pm

I don't know about a tack driver, but I'm sure my 1894CB 45colt is capable of delivering it with maybe a scope or better shooter.

I've been using Hornady 250gr XTP over 20gr 2400. This is the very first target group it shot. A full magazine tube of 13rds at 100yds.

The first three (lower right measured .96")

The next two were adjustments for elevation. (mid right)

The last eight are all into the middle group.

These were shot with the factory iron sights off sand bags.

Gryphon Black · Post by **Gryphon Black** » Tue May 06, 2008 3:03 pm

20 grains of 2400? Jeepers! I went up to 17.8 grains of that powder, and thought I was near to breaking the thing. Maybe I'm a recoil wimp...

So 250gr is the min?
Anyone ever try 230gr round nose .45 auto bullets? Pretty sure I can get a good crimp with my Lee factory crimp on the smooth surface, and I can feed 'em in one at a time if the noses aren't flat enough.

How about 300gr?

I get single large hole 5 shot groups at 25 yards with my 200gr Rainiers, but haven't had a chance at longer yet.

adirondakjack · Post by **adirondakjack** » Tue May 06, 2008 4:57 pm

The 250s and heavier work best because they are longer, hence a better ballistic coefficient. 230s would be OK at 50 yards, and might be ok at 100, but if not, try something longer.

For a real treat, a 250 XTP and 21.5 of H110 will kill about anything short of a big grizz yer likely to encounter.

jd45 · Post by **jd45** » Tue May 06, 2008 5:11 pm

What Joe said! I slugged my bore & got .4505". I decided to try the Speer & it paid off. BTW, they also offer a .451, 300gr jacketed bullet as well. Don't know if it's a hollow or soft point, but I do know it's more pricey than the other. You can get good deals on these bullets from PowderValleyInc.com, but you might have to wait a few weeks for delivery. jd45

mad mucus · Post by **mad mucus** » Tue May 06, 2008 5:30 pm

.454" 250gn LRNFP over 10.0gn Universal.

Mucus

oldgerboy · Post by **oldgerboy** » Tue May 06, 2008 6:06 pm

I made up a load for my buddy that gives between 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 at 100 yards. He does have a rather gross 4 to 12 power scope on it that does give a visual edge.

The load isn't a screamer but is faster than stock.

15 grains of Blue Dot under a 225 grain Speer JHP

jd45 · Post by **jd45** » Tue May 06, 2008 6:44 pm

Here's my recipe:
Starline case; Fed 155 (magnum) primer; 29grs of H4198 for about 1450fps with the 260gr Speer. I've run hotter loads, with H110 for example, but didn't get groups as tight as with this load.......3-shot cloverleafs with a Williams FP peep & white-bead front @ 75yds. jd45

bj94 · Post by **bj94** » Tue May 06, 2008 8:29 pm

The one that I saw would do well with almost any bullet, if it had enough 296 behind it. You can definitely get into stout recoil territory too.

O.S.O.K. · Post by **O.S.O.K.** » Tue May 06, 2008 9:20 pm

Mine shoots the smallest groups with hot rod loads with the 300 grain Hornady XTP. H110 or W296 powder - 20-22 grains (check your reloading manual for "Ruger" data). Just have to see where your rifle likes em.

And that's a powerhouse too - about 1400-1500 fps.

adirondakjack · Post by **adirondakjack** » Tue May 06, 2008 10:24 pm

Oh, remembered another good one. any 250 Jacketed bullet and 18.5 of IMR 4227

Gryphon Black · Post by **Gryphon Black** » Wed May 07, 2008 3:32 am

Okay, so longer is usually better than shorter, I'm hearing.

How 'bout the Barnes copper pistol bullets? They show a 250gr and a 275gr in .451. If my bore ain't too wide for 'em, shouldn't they do well?
Any one tried 'em?

Cherokee · Post by **Cherokee** » Wed May 07, 2008 8:34 am

My best LA load is my cast RCBS 45-255 (SWC) @ 268 gr with a bunch of Bluedot in RP brass and CCI LP primers. Start around 12 gr and work up to your gun's preference.