Anyone know how many grains of powder in the Hornady Marlin 444 Super Performance shells? I have 2 pounds of powder but need an idea of where to start. Thanks, Optik1

P.S. the Whelen has 64 grains.

What powder and what bullet?

Hornady uses different powders then the ones offered by Hodgdon (which are a std blend that is applicable in a couple of cartridges for each powder).
The factory loads each cartridge with a different blend of powder and in some instances different blends in the same cartridge depending on bullet wt.
You can not go by how much powder is in a factory cartridge, nor consider a over the shelve powder the same as the one used in factory ammo.
Hodgdons web site offers data for the Superformance powders in cartridges they are found to be applicable in.

Hornady offers a 265 grain Interlock bullet in their 444 loader with this powder. This is what I am looking for. Optik1

Hornady may offer a "Superformance" load with their 265gr bullet but the powder is not the same "Superformance" powder you are buying off the shelf at your local gun shop.
Hornady as I said, uses specific "blends" of powders to produce each of their loads. You can not always build the same load with off the shelf components. If a load with off the shelf "Superformance" powder is not listed then the "blend" Hodgdon is selling is not optimum for that cartridge/load.

From Hodgdons web site:

quote:

"Can I buy the powder used in Hornady LEVERevolution factory ammunition?" Yes, this is the same spherical propellant used in Hornady's innovative and award winning high performance factory ammunition. This fabulous propellant meters flawlessly and makes lever action cartridges like the 30-30 Winchester yield velocities in excess of 100 fps over any published handloads, with even greater gains over factory ammunition. Other cartridges include the 35 Remington, 308 Marlin Express, 338 Marlin Express and the 25-35 Winchester. The list of cartridges and bullets is limited with this highly specialized powder, but where it works, it really works!

quote:

This is another of the spherical powders Hodgdon® Powder Company and Hornady® Manufacturing introduced to answer the frequently asked reloading question: "Can I buy the powder used in the Hornady Superformance factory ammunition?" Superformance delivers striking velocities in cartridges like the 22-250 Remington, 243 Winchester and 300 Winchester Short Magnum. Velocities well in excess of 100 fps over the best published handloads and even larger gains over factory ammunition! Because this propellant is tailored for specific applications, the number of cartridges and bullets is limited, but where it works, it really works!

You would be better served to call Hornady and tell them what powder you have and what bullet you want to use. They will give you a starting load and maybe an 'accuracy' load they have come up with.
As stated above, what you have is NOT what they load with, you can not substitute a like charge and expect the same result.

You should never assume that factory ammo is loaded with canister powder that you can buy. Ammo companies use non canister powder that they blend for a specific purpose. Usually.

Hodgdon Superperformance is a little slower than H4831. It is totally unfit for any possible use in a .444 Marlin. You will not find any loading data anywhere for it for the .444.

You need to slow down and learn more about reloading so you understand how to research a load properly.

First of all you need to tell us what bullet weight you want to use. Then go to the Hodgdon data and pick out a good powder. You will NOT find any recommendation for Hodgdon Superperformance. For many bullet weights with the .444 IMR4198 or IMR3031 will give good performance. Take a look at the burn rate chart here. Hodgdon burn rate chart
The proper powders for the .444 range from IMR4227 to IMR4895. IMR4198 to IMR3031 are close to idea for this round depending on light to heavy bullets chosen.

If you are looking for "Superformance" with the .444 you are not likely going to be able to buy the powder that Hornady uses. Get used to the marketing hype for propellants. Just because it has a trick name does not mean it is worth spending your money on.

Furthermore even if it does excel in one cartridge it may be a dud in your because the buring rate it totally wrong.

Instead buy a few good manuals such as Speer, Hornady and Lyman. None of these manuals are powder specific like a powder manufacturer's manual. You will mostly find IMR4198 and IMR3031 will give you the best velocities.

I am certainly learning about powders. Loaded a 444 case with 47 grains of Super Performance and shoot it through my crony. Average about 1200 fps for three rounds!

I bet you had a lot of unburned powder in the bore too.

Just try 4198 or 3031 and you will not believe the difference. Please consult a reloading manual. If you don't use accepted good data your learning experiences may get you hurt.

Since you proceded in spite of our advice do you know what would have happened if Superformance had the same burning rate as Unique. You might be in the hospital.

quote:

Originally posted by optik1:
I am certainly learning about powders. Loaded a 444 case with 47 grains of Super Performance and shoot it through my crony. Average about 1200 fps for three rounds!

BTT