cheap shot 44mag--best round

[kimbershot]

this is a multi thread question--so here goes.

just picked up a pristine basically new unfired ruger super blackhawk bisley hunter for an obscenely low price . (400). i want to test this new puppy out so i shopped a few of the chain stores for ammo, hitting wally world and dick's. no matter how i cut it, to buy 100 factory rounds was gonna cost me at least 70.00. i roll my own 223/45acp/45-70's and i computed that new dies, shell plate, lee mold and cases for the 44 would run about $100. (an initial 100 rounds). i got the powder, primers and the time to cast my own.

the question is, (a) i am looking at lee molds- am i better off starting with 240gr or the larger 310gr mold. (b) pet loads-i would load mild to almost wild for for target as well as hunting--(deer/hogs)--any suggestions.

 

[Jeff F]

I would start with the 240's and also look into a mold that allows you to gas check if you are going to load heavy.

 

[GRIZ22]

I vote for 240 also. Those heavy weight bullets are more special purpose. 99% of what one would use a 44 magnum for won't know the difference being hit by a 240 or 310.

You'll also get more bullets out of your lead.

 

[BCRider]

And if you're looking at a plinker load you may want to go with a 180 gn mold as well. A light bullet with the right light charge behind it will shoot to the same POA as a full house 240gn load. And again you'll get that many more bullets from a lb of lead.

 

[plateshooter]

I just went through a similar situation. My SBH is a 1972 with the barrel shortened to 4 5/8. I bought the 200 RNFP lee mold. Got a lot of leading with that one. I tried the 240 SWC GC mold, still got some leading even using gas checks. Tried sizing it at .430 and .429. Bought the 240 tumble lube mold, and bingo. That one shoots the best with little or no leading at all using 7.5 grains of Unique. I used 2 applications of liquid alox with that bullet. I am done screwing around now. I found a load that works, and I am sticking with that one for everything.

Best of luck in searching for your load for your gun.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I'd go with 240's...I shoot mine at about 1100 fps with no leading. However, they are MBC brand Elmer K style, not home cast. They sure are accurate and should take care of any of my hunting needs.

As far as brass goes. Used .44 is tough to find for free and pricey when buying used. All of my .44 I've bought for people and ended up paying 15 cents a round or so after figuring in shipping. Finally after scrounging up 500 or so over time, I said enough and ordered 1k from Star Line for 160 bucks shipped. I should have enough .44 brass to last the rest of my life.

 

[kludge]

If you think a lever gun might be in your future then it might pay to consider a RNFP that will feed and chamber more easily, and with the right maplat will still perform on game.

 

[Cop Bob]

Sounds like a 240gr Semi Wad Cutter, or Keith style bullet with fill the bill of what you are looking for.... for now..

I generally just buy bullets instead of molding. Working out the proper blend of lead, tin, antimony. hardness testing, fluxing, temperamental mold temps... it's a pain in the tail.. but some folks like that...

Sorry if I sound negative on what your trying to do, it's just that it is neat 100 degrees here today... post this again in the winter, and I may offer to help ya.... I once had a drop of sweat drop off my nose into a lead pot....ONCE I said... only once... wanna see the scars? It splashed some of it down the top of my shoe.. I don't cast a lot these days..

 

[Magnumite]

I use 240 grain bullets almost exclusively in 44 Magnum. Been loading it for 31 years.

My favorite light load is a good cast 240 grain SWC over 5.2 - 5.9 grains of Bullseye. It is accurate, easy on you and the gun and deadly on bowling pins. Out of the 5.5" barrel of my Redhawk it goes from 900 to 975 fps.

For a step up and very accurate out to 100 meters is the same bullet and 10.7 grains of Unique. My favorite bore Hunter's Pistol centerfire load and will go about 1050 fps out of my 5.5" RHK.

I use a few heavy loads and one or two I won't publish. My favorite is actually a standard load of xx.x grains of Blue Dot over a good 240 grain Remington SJHP. It goes 1275 - 1300 fps from the 5.5" Redhawk and 1425 from the SBHK. I've shot several back to back scoped, bag rested groups with this load that shot we into 1.5" at 75 yards from the SBHK.

As always, use the load manuals as your guide and start at a lower powder charge.