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Looking into handloading for deer came across this article http://castpics.net/subsite2/ByCaliber/ ... 0Rifle.pdf
After reading this I'm thinking 240grn is the most the marlin will stabilize. Anybody have expierience with heavier projectiles being accurate out of this gun? Thanks.

I've shot some 265gr RanchDog lead gaschecks that worked fine.
http://www.carolinacastbullets.com/44_S ... agnum.html
http://www.ranchdogoutdoors.com/bin/TLC ... otes05.pdf
http://www.marlinowners.com/forum/1894/ ... 4-mag.html
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthr ... mag-Marlin
http://www.lasc.us/Fryxell44OverWeight.htm

Hornady Manual #9 has 44 Mag rifle loads with bullets up to 300 grains in weight, AND it lists the rifle as a 1:38twist.

I found 1:38" micro-groove to suck while using soft cast 300 grain projectiles. Gas checks helped but I found the soft cast projectiles were reduced in diameter by the depth of the rifling, thus confirming my fears of "stripping" the soft lead.

1:20" Ballard type rifling works great, as it uses a more distinct rifling. The 1:20" twist is identical to what T/C Contender uses in their 44 Mag 14" barrels, which I re-chambered into 444 Marlin and used with a 320 grain NEI mold.

My 14" Contender pistol was more accurate than my Marlin 444 rifle.

Sorry for short posting earlier - smartphone was dying a dumb death.

I have the hornady manual. How did you come to the conclusion that the 1-38" sucks? What bullet weight did you work up to? Thanks for the good read on them links

I don't know anything about reloading, but my favorite deer round for that rifle is the CorBon DPX. Might want to look at the load for that and go from there?

i load the same round in teh same rifle. never had any accuracy issues, but i only run 240 gr bullets. never felt the need to go heavier. the 240 gr slug is moving 1850 out of my muzzle. if something doesn't go down after getting hit with that, i pretty much don't want to be around it in the first place.

if you're only deer hunting the standars 240 would be plenty. there is a lot more info out there as this seems to be the most common loading for 44 mag.

never run cast though my rifles so i guess i cna't comment on that vs jacketed on performance.

i have run berry's plated at lower velocities and found them mroe than suitible for minute of deer range use. my experince was that you won't clover leaf with them, but they're accurate enough to have a lot of fun with.