Finally!
Tried 51.7 gr of 1680 behind a 270 Speer Gold Tip flat point. Still no chrono so no velocities, but when I settlet down & shot a group after I got it sighted in it put the 1st two rounds touching(approx. .25" center to center), the next round I called as blown bad when I pulled the trigger & I was right. We won't talk about it other than to say it was a seperate group, & I knew it as soon as I pulled the trigger. Fired one more hoping for the same hole as the 1st two, but blew it & opened the group(shots 1,2, & 4) up to approx. .85". This was at 50 yds, with a TC 3x Recoil Proof scope, & shooting off a pic-nic table with sand bags. For most of you that's nothing to write home about, but for me this is wonderful.
I think if I do my part it may be sub MOA with this load.
Now I need to load up 20 more & go find a moose or black bear.
Has anyone used these bullets on big game at 444 velocities(I'm GUESSING somewhere between 2100 & 2300 fps), & if so what were the results?
Thanks guys.

Well Vance not ever having shot a big boomer in a Contender I am not about to critize your groups. On the other hand I am thinking that when you get some flesh and bone in your sights you'll do OK. Some people are target shooters and some people are game shooters, and some people are both. I know guys that can not shoot a group on paper to save their souls, but are some of the best game shots I have ever had the privledge of hunting with.

As for the load, never hunted moose but I would think it would do the job at reasonable range provided the bullet is put in the right place.

How are you coming with the .30-30 AI project? Every time I go out and shoot mine I question my sanity for ever selilng it.

Larry

Atta' boy Vance........good things come to those who wait. I'm thinking your persistance is paying off. Hope none of us ever gets to the point where we quit learning(may be a further trip for Kyode than the rest of us)......how boring will that be? I've had a blast with my short 444 Marlin Contender.....lately you've got me thinking of a 15" Encore 444 Marlin w/o brake project......durn ya' anyway!!!! I'm sure plenty of the members wish you as much luck as me on your hunt, but I'm sure none of them wish you MORE luck than I do!!
Cheers,
Dave

cool vance keep us posted.....i wanna hear more,more,more.

.......yep,doc.....i'll be learnin fer a while yet.

Thanks for the encouragement guys. It's been harder than normal to get this one to come together for some reason.
Hopefully I'll get a critter to show for it this year.
Larry, to be honest with you I shot one box of factory ammo thru the 30-30AI to fireform some brass & haven't touched it since. Wanted to get the 444 worked out 1st. Feel like I'm there now. I don't even have bullets yet. Some 150 ballistic tips maybe, or perhaps something in the 165 range? Decisions decisions. I've been wondering about 1680 as a possible powder choice for the it. It supposedly works well in the 7.62 x 39.... Probably a little fast. Any ideas anyone?

Hey Vance ! If you want to try a bullet that really stabilizes well , and hits with a lot of authority , try Hornady 300 gr XTP's. I started out using 240 gr., but did'nt like the groups , so I moved up to 300 gr. I took a large Ohio Whitetail last year at about 90 to 95 yards, had complete pass through , and needless to say , he dropped on the spot. Oh ya , I use a 15" Encore with a Leupold 2.5x8 scope , and average about 1 to 1.5" groups at 100 yrd's off the bench.

Finally got to run the 270gr Speers over 51.7 gr of AA-1680 accross the chronograph. 2105 fps avg. Avg. dve. 4 fps, extreme 9 fps. Not quite what I was hoping for on velocity, but as accurate as it is it's this years hunting load. I'm still not at max yet so I'll keep playing with it & see what accuracy & velocity do as I bump it up, but these are the loads that will be in the gun for now. Just over 1.5" high at 50 yds = about 6" low at 200 yds. I can live with that.
Now I just have to find a legal bull. No easy task around here.