Hornady FTX 265 grain Bullets in 44 Magnum and 444 Marlin.

TNRat · #1 09-06-2009, 01:11 PM

I posted this at the Marlin owners forum as well but also wanted to try my luck here.

I bought a box of these to experiment with and can't find any load data. I did find one thread somewhere on the 'net from July of this year where someone was telling of a discussion with Hornady. The Hornady rep stated the 265 grain bullets were meant for 444 Marlin only.

I don't see why these would not work in the 44 Magnum 1894 Octagon I have, and possibly my pistols if they actually fit the cylinder, but of course I can't proceed without bonafide load data.

The net, several forums, my 7th addition Hornady manual, and the Hornady website all show zip. The 7th addition from 2007 actually shows nothing about these bullets for any cartridge.

Anyone know where I can find load data?

0.430 diameter, #4305, 265 grain FTX. 50 rounds were marked $27.97 + taxes, but I got them slightly cheaper.

Thanks.

RidgwayCO · #2 09-06-2009, 01:29 PM

Since you have the Hornady #7 manual, why not use the start loads (or even a little below) for the Hornady 265gr FP bullet? Your FTX is probably a little longer than the FP, so maybe use a slightly longer COL (or just crimp in the cannelure and take whatever COL that gives you).

The problem with the FTX in the carbine might be that it's too long. My Marlin 1894 doesn't reliably feed .44 Magnum rounds that are loaded much longer than 1.610" COL (and it doesn't feed .44 Russians AT ALL). In contrast, my S&W 629 can take a much longer COL (like 1.760") and still function perfectly (but requires a good roll crimp to prevent ANY bullet pull).

sza · #3 09-06-2009, 01:53 PM

If you can measure the length of one of the bullets and give me an idea of the powder(s) and loaded OAL you want to use, I'd be happy to run some QuickLoad simulations for you.

TNRat · #4 09-06-2009, 09:11 PM

After seeing the two posts above I delved into this a little further by getting some measurements to see if it would in fact fit. I should have thought of that to begin with but thought it would be as simple as asking for loading data.

Anyway, thanks for everyone's input. SZA - I might take you up on your offer later if I have something like this come up again.

The OAL for the bullet itself is 1.037 inches. I measured other bullets intended for these two types of guns chambered in 44 Magnum and found that every other bullet, including a few 300 grainers, are much shorter, with the longest being the Sierra JSP. OAL was 0.891 inches for the Sierra.

If one were to utilize the middle of the main crimp while reloading the Hornady FTX the cartridge OAL would equal 1.820 inches. This means the entire polymer tip would extend past the end of my Smith & Wesson 629-3.

This could also mean it would not cycle through my Marlin 1894 Octagon. While I have some bullets loaded out to 1.615 inches, past the specified COAL of 1.610 inches found in the Hornady 7th edition reloading manual, they cycle fine in the Marlin as long as one does not “baby” the action.

There were other things that I took into consideration but the COAL in my novice reloading opinion makes everything a mute point. One could load these singly into the chamber of the rifle but I don’t see a big enough advantage over traditional type bullets to go to that trouble. I would think you could also use a 44 Special or Russian case to bring the COAL down, but again I don’t see the point. My interest in the 44 Magnum pistol and rifle combination is based on simplifying my life, not complicating it.

The bottom line is that I have to agree with Hornady in that the 265 grain FTX’s should be reserved for the 444 Marlin.

Thanks.

RidgwayCO · #5 09-06-2009, 10:18 PM

Wow, TNRat, I had no idea they were THAT much longer. Thanks for the info.

jackruff · #6 03-11-2017, 10:03 PM

I have a similar situation, except in my case I bought the 265 gr. FTX bullets (two boxes) by mistake, thinking they were the lighter-weight FTX .44 bullets. I am going to load them in .44 special cases but have not yet decided on what powder and how much of it to use.

tennexplorer · #7 03-11-2017, 10:06 PM

Another problem you may have is the Marlin has a slow twist. They may not stabilize.

Nemo288 · #8 03-12-2017, 07:58 PM

The 265 FTX is designed for the 444 Marlin.
You can pretty much depend on it not expanding at anything less than about 1900-2000 fps.
It is also very long and a mistake AFAIAC.
Hornady wants us to cut our brass shorter to use these.
No thanks! (They do stabilize just fine in the 38 twist at mach 2).
The Hornady 265 FP is also designed for the 444 and works just as well or better although has a lower BC.
Hornady SuperFormance 444 ammo is loaded with the FP and is the best commercial 265 grain 444 ammo there is.
100+ fps faster than their LeveRevolution ammo using the FTX.
I bought some of the 265 FTX to experiment with and shoot them in my 444 double rifle loaded in the full length brass.
These loads will not even go into the 444S.
I also shoot the 265 FTX in the .445 Encore although they are not achieving their rated velocity there either.
For the 44 magnum I prefer the Cast Perf. 260 WFNGC. with 18-19 grains 2400.
It is very accurate and should take care of anything in the lower 48.
Beartooth and Montana Bullet make good versions of these LBT designs too.