44 Mag bullet questions and suggestions

[BgDnTx]

I'm brand new to reloading - haven't loaded one bullet yet - so I have some questions if you all will put up with me.

I have done some reading and here is where I am so far:

1) I bought a 629-6, 6.5" barrel (I posted a thread w/ pics a while back. This is my 1st 44 mag, but I have other guns and I am familiar with firearms, just not reloading)

2) I bought 200 rds of Georgia Arms 44 mag in 200g-750 fps cowboy, 240g SWC-1100 fps, and 240g JSP-1000 fps (to try out some different rounds and get the brass)

3) A new Lee Challenger single stage w/ hand primer and dies

4) Some 2400 powder and Federal large magnum pistol primers

So now to get going, I'm looking for some lead. I believe I would like to go with a generally standard bullet to start out, using a standard powder load, not super hot, so I'm leaning toward a 240g SWC.

My questions based on the 240g SWC are:

1) Should I get gas checked or not? And what's the difference?
2) What hardness with leading in mind? (I have read leading depends more on bullet diameter, and I see that 18bhn seems pretty standard)
3) What diameter specific to this 629? The .430 or .431 or other?
4) And finally - anyone want to suggest where to buy around 250 bullets to start out? (I am not going for super accuracy or competition, just a good bullet that helps minimize any problems newbies have when they get started)

Thanks a bunch in advance for any help here, and additional suggestions will be appreciated.

JSD

[Rule3]

I buy my lead bullets from Missouri Bullets. Seems you are all set and ready to go, 2400 powder is a good one to use.

If you are shooting light slow loads get the 12 BHN for Mag loads get the 18. They are cheap enough so get 2 boxes. Shipping will be the same up to 4 boxes (2000) rounds.

Missouri Bullet Company

I shoot more of the 12 as I use them for 44 special and I do not need full house Mag loads to put holes in paper.

[arjay]

431 is the standard size for cast bullets.You should be fine without gas checks.Try the harder bullets with 2400 as the best results with that powder will be magnum velocities.With any luck they should work fine for moderate loads,but you'll need a different powder for them.I've had good results with unique.

[Model 27 Man]

I also have a 629 and was thinking of loading, or having a friend who is into reloading, reload 44 Magmum rounds with the bullet performance down graded to 41 Mag levels, still powerfull enough for deer, but not so wild to shoot. Good idea? Bullet and powder thoughts?
Thanks

[tappedandtagged]

In my 629 with a 3" barrel, I load the Missouri Bullet Company "Kieth" bullet. It is a 240 SWC hard cast (18 BHN) bullet. It performs reliably with no issues for me over medium dose of AA #9. I also load it up with around 7.5 grains of Unique for light plinking. I got leading in my barrel with the 12 BHN cast bullets, but the 18 BHN seems to do great for me.

Get some! Best price I've found. I actually just got some in the mail today!

Missouri Bullet Company

[4barrel]

You have what you need. Go with the 18 hardness & 17-18 gr. of the 2400 & you have a target load. I actually make my own but I have done business with M.B.C.

[arjay]

Originally Posted by Model 27 Man

I also have a 629 and was thinking of loading, or having a friend who is into reloading, reload 44 Magmum rounds with the bullet performance down graded to 41 Mag levels, still powerfull enough for deer, but not so wild to shoot. Good idea? Bullet and powder thoughts?
Thanks

I use 71/2 -10 gr of unique for milder loads with a cast 240 gr lswc and that works out,roughly to 750-1000 fps.The max charge with unique is higher,but I don't have a manual handy.For true magnum velocities I use 2400.

[Skip Sackett]

Answers in red.

Originally Posted by JSDinTexas

My questions based on the 240g SWC are:

1) Should I get gas checked or not? And what's the difference? Gas checks go on the base of specially cast bullets that act as a "buffer" for the lead bullet from the heat of the powder. Similar to a jacketed bullet but only the base is covered. No, you do not need them. I shoot plain based lead bullets to 1800fps without leading. All depends on fit.
2) What hardness with leading in mind? (I have read leading depends more on bullet diameter, and I see that 18bhn seems pretty standard) 18BHN is too hard for the type of loads you are talking about. 12bhn to 15bhn maximum. If it was me, I would make them softer rather than harder. Especially if you are going to use 2400. 2400 is going to be VERY low pressure and you will need a soft bullet to obturate. OR get a load that pushes the 12BHN to 15BHN to at least 1000fps.
3) What diameter specific to this 629? The .430 or .431 or other? .431" for lead in almost all new 44Mag revolvers.
4) And finally - anyone want to suggest where to buy around 250 bullets to start out? (I am not going for super accuracy or competition, just a good bullet that helps minimize any problems newbies have when they get started)
Standard cast bullets from almost anywhere with the hardness as a caveat. I cast so I do not buy bullets anymore. If I did, I would use Missouri Bullets, I hear nothing but good from them. There is a forum member that owns Tennessee Valley Bullets. NKJ_nut is his handle.
Thanks a bunch in advance for any help here, and additional suggestions will be appreciated.

JSD

[Skip Sackett]

[BgDnTx]

I registered on Missouri Bullets and looked at the .44 Elmer K, which seems real good. I notice it says .430 but Mr Skip indicates .431 as the choice. Am I splitting hairs here, or is their bullet actually closer to .431 and just listed as .430?

[Skip Sackett]

What BHN is their .430"? Softer is better when undersized.

(Just Skip, please.)

[BgDnTx]

Missouri Elmer K is 18

[Skip Sackett]

THAT is because they expect you to drive it like Elmer DID!

Find another source or call them.

[Skip Sackett]

Albeit, EK's "hard" bullets are super soft by today's standards.

[11e40]

i have found unique to be better suited for 240 lswc bullets for lower velocity loads. 750-950 fps. in .44 mag. cases. standard primers. hth.

[dla]

Originally Posted by JSDinTexas

I registered on Missouri Bullets and looked at the .44 Elmer K, which seems real good. I notice it says .430 but Mr Skip indicates .431 as the choice. Am I splitting hairs here, or is their bullet actually closer to .431 and just listed as .430?

I'm gonna guess, (because it is an S&W), that .430" will work better for you. You want a bullet that will pass through the cylinder throat reasonably snugly and be just ever-so-slightly larger than the bore diameter. Modern S&W products seem to be pretty good about keeping the Cylinder throat a smidge larger than the SAAMI .429" groove diameter. Shoving a .431" bullet through a .4295" cylinder throat is just going to swage down the bullet, possibly asymmetrically.

2400 is like all propellants - it has an optimum pressure where it will burn completely - below which it will produce powder zombies. So keep your loads in 44mag territory and it will run clean for you (no sooty case sides and no powder zombies).

Stick with the 18bhn bullets. And if you get the urge to make 44 "minimum" loads, use a better powder than Unique - like Hodgdon Universal or a literal raft of other fast to medium burn rate powders. Unique keeps getting mentioned on forums by mindless old coots who don't get out much and still think it is 1964

[DAB]

just got done reloading a mess of 44mag. my longstanding load: 200gr JHP (hornady or nosler), 20.5 to 21.0 gr of 2400, CCI 350 primers, OAL 1.590-1.600. should run 1400 to 1450fps.

[tappedandtagged]

Originally Posted by JSDinTexas

I registered on Missouri Bullets and looked at the .44 Elmer K, which seems real good. I notice it says .430 but Mr Skip indicates .431 as the choice. Am I splitting hairs here, or is their bullet actually closer to .431 and just listed as .430?

They work as they come (.430) in my 629, which is a newer model.

[silentflyer]

Unique? Mindless old coots?
Sonny we were shooting long before you were a gleem in your Dad's eyes. 10 shots at 25 yards, 10 grain's of Unique under a 210 grain .41 mag slug.

//smith-wessonforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=97647&stc=1&d=1357909417.

[CWH44300]

I keep seeing, magnum primers
Modern data
Modern 2400
Standard primers, or is this still 1954...lol

[CWH44300]

10-4, on that one, I've been loading for over 30 yrs
Every time I've tried something besides unique for midrange loads, I end up giving it away or using it on the brush pile, unique is still around because it just works period and while I'm at, I feel the same about 2400
Ok rant over

[BgDnTx]

Thanks for all the info, coots and all

I believe I will go with Missouri Elmer K 240g to start out, and load them accordingly. I realize many shoot reduced loads, and I agree that punishing oneself with hot loads is not necessarily the fun we are looking for, but my thinking is that it is a 44 Mag after all - we'll see.

I will say there are a myriad of opinions, and I think they all have a certain validity (and sure didn't want to start any squabbles). I really appreciate the input - it certainly helps to speed up the learning curve.

[series guy]

Once you buy a .44 magnum you'll just want to buy them all. Invest a few dollars in some plug gauges from mcmaster.com. .....4285, .429, .430, .431 is a great start. Use these to check the size of the chamber throats on your present gun and any future prospects. Most any bullet .001 over the throat size will shoot well. If you have .429 throats as I would suspect .430 or .431 will work well. You can try both side by side and see which shoots the best. All my .44 shooting is done with 7.5gr. of Titegroup. One of my best range buddies shoots 8gr. of Unique and his son loads nothing but 2400. We can trade ammo any time during a shoot and point of impact is the same. If you're not the curious type pick someones established load and just shoot. Or experiment a bit if that's your idea of fun. You have to remember there's an unlimited number of combinations available and nobody can test, try, or publish them all. Enjoy yourself and your new gun.

[silentflyer]

No squabbles, some one has to set you young whippersnappers on the right course.. LOL...

[BgDnTx]

Yes SilentFlyer I understand I'm retired and try to stay open to all my options. And I take all comments on any forum or review page with a grain of salt, so to speak.

[Skip Sackett]

Dla usually calls someone else names when they disagree with him. Some things some folks don't seem to grow out of.
I remember doing the exact same thing when I was 10 or 12.
Now that I'm a man, I usually just consider the source and go on.
You don't have to "be something bad", as in being a "mindless old coot", if you disagree with me or other good folks on the forum. I just wish they would bring back the ignore function. It takes away from our honest and good discussions to be so negative.

[silentflyer]

Compared to what some of my shooting buddies call me "mindless old coot" is a complement..

[AzRedleg]

I use the lyman 429421 and the 429244 the most. One is a gas checked bullet the other plain base. I use the GC bullet with full power loads (don’t really need to though) and the plain base with plinking loads. Both are SWCs that drop at about 250 grains. I cast mine right at 12 - 13 BHN. Back when the .44 MAG was developed 12 BHN was considered plenty hard enough. If you want some nice fun plinking loads I suggest you use .44 SPC load data. I use a max .44 special load in my .44 MAG brass often. I do shoot some full power loads occasionally, but don't really feel the need to abuse myself all that often. I use H110/W296 or 2400 when I do.

I find the .44 to be exceptionally accurate and a fairly forgiving round to load for and great fun with lower power loads. If you buy some samples of a few different diameter bullets you can test for fit in your revolver. If the bullet drops through your revolver’s cylinder throats it is probably too small. If it takes slight finger pressure to push it through it is about perfect. A little too big is better than a little too small.

Have fun with your 629.

[BgDnTx]

Excellent, thank you. I keep hearing about Lyman. And pushing one in the cylinder to check diameter is a good idea - pretty logical
I do plan on branching out to different loads and formulas including the special. I figured for the first time out, I would load the most standard configuration, hence a 240g SWC and 2400.
Keep your head down over there - and hope you get home soon.

Originally Posted by AzRedleg

I use the lyman 429421 and the 429244 the most. One is a gas checked bullet the other plain base. I use the GC bullet with full power loads (don’t really need to though) and the plain base with plinking loads. Both are SWCs that drop at about 250 grains. I cast mine right at 12 - 13 BHN. Back when the .44 MAG was developed 12 BHN was considered plenty hard enough. If you want some nice fun plinking loads I suggest you use .44 SPC load data. I use a max .44 special load in my .44 MAG brass often. I do shoot some full power loads occasionally, but don't really feel the need to abuse myself all that often. I use H110/W296 or 2400 when I do.

I find the .44 to be exceptionally accurate and a fairly forgiving round to load for and great fun with lower power loads. If you buy some samples of a few different diameter bullets you can test for fit in your revolver. If the bullet drops through your revolver’s cylinder throats it is probably too small. If it takes slight finger pressure to push it through it is about perfect. A little too big is better than a little too small.

Have fun with your 629.

[Nick B]

Not that it matters but the Missouri 240 grain is a poor excuse for a "Keith" bullet . The bullets with the green and orange lube in Skips pics are a true Keith design bullet .

[BgDnTx]

Originally Posted by Nick B

Not that it matters but the Missouri 240 grain is a poor excuse for a "Keith" bullet . The bullets with the green and orange lube in Skips pics are a true Keith design bullet .

May I ask in what way is Missouri deficient, and does this mean you do not recommend this bullet?

And let's cut to the chase - this question is for anyone: does anyone recommend a good place to buy SWC to use for reloading for my .44 in a quantity of 500 or less?

[arjay]

I've been using cheycast.coms bullets for several years in various calibers and I like em.I've used their 44 cal 240 gr lswc with 7-10 gr of unique with good results They are hard cast and they also have some available with black powder lube..I havent tried them with 2400 at full mag velocities yet as I still have a stash of jacketed magnums I made years ago.45 cal bullets are available in 452 and 454 for those with over sized throats in their 45 colts.

[Rule3]

Originally Posted by JSDinTexas

May I ask in what way is Missouri deficient, and does this mean you do not recommend this bullet?

And let's cut to the chase - this question is for anyone: does anyone recommend a good place to buy SWC to use for reloading for my .44 in a quantity of 500 or less?

Because it is not exactly the same kind of grooves as EK. That;s what the call it EK "style"

I have shot thousands of them and they are not deficient in any way

It makes no sense to buy less than 500 say from a place like Midway as it will cost more than the 500, Many companies sell cast lead. IMHO Missouri is the best overall, price, quality, shipping Service whatever.

[iouri]

EDIT: sorry edited out off topic rant.

[Rule3]

Compare:

Lyman Products Your Primary Source for Reloading Equipment

Missouri Bullet Company


Does it matter? Not to me. I actually like the bevel base as it's easier to load

[dla]

Originally Posted by JSDinTexas

May I ask in what way is Missouri deficient, and does this mean you do not recommend this bullet?

And let's cut to the chase - this question is for anyone: does anyone recommend a good place to buy SWC to use for reloading for my .44 in a quantity of 500 or less?

It's not deficient at all.

There is this myth of "Elmer" where somehow Elmer's old bullet design is believed to be the end-all of 44mag bullets. Well, it's just a myth. But there's still a lot of Elmer worship in reloading circles, and if Elmer wiped his rear with a pine cone his groupies would too.

[arjay]

Well that's silly.That's what the Sears and Roebuck catalogue is for.

[silentflyer]

Corncobs....

[BgDnTx]

I notice, as occasionally happens, the thread has migrated from some relevant and very helpful answers to the subject of dubious solutions addressing personal hygiene. And for the record, down here in TX I understand some use prickly pear cactus.

So I will consider the thread has run its course, and go with Missouri Bullets for my first foray into loading. I did also look at others that were mentioned including Friendswoodbullet.com, Moyers cast bullets, cheycast.com, and one or two like Midway.

Thanks to all for the help.

[tacotime]

Do pay attention to the info about cylinder throat size. I never did before but it was from ignorance.

I'm learning it the hard way myself because my throats are close to .433. Smaller bullets have leaded the bore badly at a variety of loads. Not many casters make .433 bullets that I have seen. MBC shows .430 which I believe is a recipe for certain leading for me.