200grn v 240grn 44 Spl

[D.B. Cooper]

So, after my other thread about having to swap to coated bullets, I wonder if I shouldn't swap projectile weights as well.

I was never really impressed with the accuracy of the 200 grain RNFP projectiles I have been shooting. That may be due simply to poor/incomplete load development on my part. I went with 3.8 grns Clays (barely above the minimum) because it was cheap, very light recoil, and produced about a 3" group at 15 yrds.

But I've never been happy with performance during the league shoots. I miss a lot. And it's usually just near misses around the edges of the 10" plates. It's probably me and not the ammo, but I feel like I shot better with the store bought HSM 240 grn SWC.

What is the better weight bullet for 44 special from a 4.2" barrel? Missouri Bullet sells a 240 grn RNFP, which means I get the easier reloading of the gun without the SWC projectile, but I get the heavier weight.

Is there anything to be gained by going to the more costly and heavier recoiling 240 grn, or should I st stick with the 200 and just keep looking for the best load?

 

[joneb]

For my S&W 696 I use a 205gr LTCPB from Penn bullets with VV n340 at around 1,000 fps or I use W-231 at around 850 fps.
Unfortunately they broke the mold for this bullet.http://www.pennbullets.com/44/44-caliber.html
My other favorite powder for 44 spl is Accurate #5 10+gr with a 180gr XTP works well.

 

[Walkalong]

Magnus #702

 

[Fine Figure of a Man]

There is no down side to trying some 240's and it is possible that they will be more accurate.

 

[Galil5.56]

Speaking from experience using a .44 Magnum revolver (M29), I can't say I have ever found 200 grain bullets to be more accurate than properly sized 240 grain ones. I loaded .44 Special brass with 6.3 grains of Red Dot, 240 gr LSWC bullets, and they are very, very accurate. Velocity should be around 825-850 FPS or so. YMMV, so use discretion... I'd probably not go above 6 grains in an actual .44 Special revolver.

You might first up that Clays charge a bit, and see what happens with those 200 grain bullets with more velocity. No matter the results, if I'm shooting a 'big bore' revolver, I like to use a heavy bullet in doing so... Just me, but it just feels 'right'. Good luck.

 

[zeke]

Personal favorite for 44 special is 200 lrnfp over 6.2 to 6.4 gns hp-38. This gets about 800 fps from 3 in 696 and burns efficiently and is very accurate in every 44 special owned. Really just a personal preference for 44 special, but like alot of calibers lower pressure rounds may not shoot so well. Longer bullets may help especially with larger cylinder throats, where shorter under diameter bullets don't do so well.