I just bought 44 mag dies and was wondering what was the most accurate bulk bullet for reloading, guys are shooting out of a smith? I just bought a S&W 629 hunter 7.5” brl. Was going to try 2400 powder first?? Thx

I'm not an expert on jacketed bullets as my 44 Magnums digest a largely cast bullet diet. Some haven't seem a jacketed bullet as long as they have been in my possession. Early on, in '88, I fed my 629 loads of Nosler 240 JSP with 2400 and AA9 and they worked exceptionally well. I soon discovered bullet casting and now 99% of my 44 Magnum reloads use cast lead bullets. The all around best bullet for my 5, 44 Magnums is Ranch Dog's design 240 gr. RNFP which feeds 100% in my Puma and is accurate in my Ruger SBH, Dan Wesson 44H, S&W 629 and sometimes I shoot in my 10" Contender...

If you're not a seasoned reloader try a load right out of your manual with a 240-250 gr JHP (or LSWC) and 2400. This load combo has prolly been used 3 bizillion times...

I shoot mostly cast bullets too but before I started casting my own I found the 250gr Sierra FPJ was a very accurate bullet in my 629-4 and my Rossi 92. With that accuracy comes price though.

Problem with a lot of load combinations is what may shoot well out of one gun may not be so hot out of another.

Most all major brands of jacketed 240 grain bullets should shoot well once a good load is found. I have usually had good success with Nosler, Hornady, and Sierra bullets to name a few. The 240 XTP is an excellent deer bullet. A lot of shooters have reported, in general, that plated bullets seem a little less accurate than a jacketed or good cast bullet. Coated cast are becoming very popular, and reportedly seem a little more accurate overall than plated as well.

When it comes to cast, it is important to match the bullet with the chamber throats for good accuracy and reduced leading. Most newer Smiths have relatively tight specs, so .430 / .431 should work well. Check yours by pushing a bullet through each throat by hand. They should be tight.

2400 is an excellent upper mid-range / full power powder. For cast bullets at fun level velocities, I have always had good luck with Red Dot and Win-231.

Larry

I've found both Sierra and Hornady bullets to be quite accurate. My bullet of preference is the Sierra 210. Not available in bulk however. My cheaper substitute is the Remington 210 which I can get in 1k boxes. They aren't quite as accurate but close enough for what I do with them. When I was hunting I'd switch back to the 210 Sierra then. They both hit the same place with no sight adjustment needed. I use WW296 in my higher power loads.

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Lynnie, Professional Pest

A good 240 gr bullet , cast , plated , jacketed works well with 8.5 grs of Unique for a good " everyday " load in Smith 29's . It has plenty of power for most needs including target shooting . If you want something a little lighter , 6.5 -- 7.0 grs of 700X is real nice for about 900 fps . For long distance , flatter shooting , or for less recoil a 215 gr bullet works well .
Regards , Paul

A heavy bullet with a light to warm load of a fast powder should get good results as a target load. You can move into 2400 or other magnum powder as you go up in the power scale. Magnum powders usually aren't quite as consistent as non magnum powders, especially at lighter loads.

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

A cast 245 gr SWC over 8 or 9 gr of Unique for everyday use, same bullet over 18 gr of 2400 for hunting or a 240 gr JHP with same charge of 2400. These loads have worked for me for 40 years, doing everything I needed done from flattening metallic sil. steel targets out to 200 yards or putting venison in the freezer.

My Super Redhawk loves the 260gr Keith by Rim Rock over 18.5gr of 2400. They clock 1280fps and shoot really good.

I also use 8.5 grs. of Unique with 240 gr bullets. I've used
that combo for over 30 years.

You can use .44 Special loads in a .44 magnum if you want a REALLY light load.

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

What loc n load said. I like Berry’s 240 grain hard cast LSWC over 8 to 9 grains of unique or universal.

Every firearm is a rule unto itself when it comes to accurate ammo and accurate reloaded ammo. What works well in mine, might be horrible in yours.

The first question I would ask of you, are you new to reloading?

For 2400, I like to load 300gr XTP from hornady. I load in the middle of the range for Hornady load data.

Works amazingly well out of my 629 classic 5.5".

2400 is my current favorite for .44 mag

Good sound advice has been given by those who have responded. I just finished loading over 100 rounds to .44 special specifications yesterday and can't wait to make empty brass.

Follow the loads recommended in a current reloading manual and you won't go wrong. Try different loads to see what your revolver likes best. The Hornady XTP bullets, as previously stated, provide excellent accuracy and are my favorite for hunting with my .44 magnums and .357 revolvers.

Although I have only taken one deer, a 5 point buck, with my Classic DX, I always carry a .44 magnum with me with deer season is open in TN. I limit my shots to deer within 50 yards anything beyond that, and most are, receive the attention of one of my designated deer rifles.

Good luck and have fun!

Same here for almost the same amount of time. I did switch to powder coated bullets a while back. I am still amazed at the ease of clean-up after a good shooting session.

240gr LSWC bullets coated or lubed from Summers Enterprises

5.0gr of Bullseye or 8.5gr of Unique

Standard LP primer

44 Magnum case

1.600" OAL

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NEVER GIVE UP YOUR GUN

What would Skeeter shoot?

240 grain coated lead and sized to fit the throat.

I like some of the above, but I have settled on a 240 grain hard cast led semi wad cutter over 10-12 grains of Unique with a Winchester large pistol primer, which is the only one rated for both standard and magnum loads. This is the load I would use universally, because I practice with what I carry, but if you want a milder round to target shoot with, the above recommendations of 8.5 grains of Unique would work well with this same combination. Go safely.

I'd say try to find a caster in your area(freight cost being what it is and lead is heavy,the closer you find the better).If you can get a bullet in the 215/225gr range,10gr Unique will give you around 1150/1200fps and ,while you will know it when you touch one off,it is easy on both the gun and the shooter.
If you want something with more ''gusto'',a full charge of H110 developped for a 255 or 265 gr bullet will yield you above 1300fps and will draw attention on the firing line.Not recommanded for indoor ranges though!
Have fun.

For 357 magnum, 41 magnum, 44 magnum jacketed bullets I use 2400 powder. For leadcast in all of them it’s Unique powder in all of them. I keep it simple down to two powders. My 45acp uses Unique also.

Like Joni Lynn, I've used Remington 210 SJHPs, and my Classic DX will cloverleaf them from a rest at 50yds if my eyes function properly. I use a near-max charge of H110. I'm satisfied with that sort of accuracy. As others have said, different guns often give different results, so testing is advisable.

Best wishes,
Andy



P.S. Zero bullets are very consistent and less expensive than the major manufacturers. I have used their .357s for a number of years and been more than satisified -you might give their .44s a try.

OP doesn't mention the intended use for his .44 Magnum.
As mentioned, a 240 grain lead semiwadcutter over 8.5 Grains of Unique will do it all. Target, pins, up to deer.
If he's going after big bears or IHMSA silhouettes, that's where the specialist loads come in.

Two of my favorite loads:
LSWC 240 Unique 8.5 LO:1029 HI:1064 AVG:1048 ES:38 SD:9.84
LRNFP 185 Red Dot 6.5 LO:829 HI:842 AVG:836 ES:13 SD:4.43

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-jwk-
US Army '72-'95

For Whitetails I've used Speer 210 Gold Dot behind H110, from my Smiths its doing 1 1/2 to 2" from a rest at 50 yds.

I have found that ball powder measures more accurate thru most powder dispensing devices. Therefore I usually use Hogdon powders and my favorite in the 44 mag is H110. I have been hunting deer in Ohio with a 29 Silhouette ever since they made pistols legal to hunt with. I have many deer kills at over 100yds using the 240gr XTP Hornady bullets. What ever bullet/powder combo you use, stick to the books!
jcelect

The 240gr Nosler JSP is my go-to with a load of H110.

Or even better yet, load 44 mag brass with a top-of-the-powder-range (or maybe 1/10th gr over) 44 special recipe.

For max loads in 44 magnum using a 240 gr bullet , cast , jacketed etc . I prefer IMR 4227 . I give up a little velocity but it’s much easier on the gun and the shooter . I always use a FULL magnum primer with this powder. Regards , Paul

My 629 likes 240 grain Hornady XTP for accuracy and either targets or hunting, and 240 grain Berrys Plated Flat Nose for pretty good accuracy for targets. I load both over medium to high loads of 2400, or high loads of H110.

You might want to pin die those cylinder charge holes-some of those competitor and hunter revolvers have .428 holes.

Found some cast wadcutters in the reloading bench. These are 200 grain and I use to shoot these about 10 or so years ago. So with the dies still in the press I'll load these over some Titegroup. I don't know which mold these are cast out of as I had a gentleman casting my bullets for me for years.

I have no info for wadcutters , as I only use semi wadcutters . But a light charge of Bullseye would probably work well , something around 4.0 grs .

296 and hard cast bullets are always fun

Zero 240JSP's. At less than $14 per hundred delivered to your door (free shipping) I don't know of a better option.

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Carry.."hope" isn't a strategy

Cloverleaf at 50 yards? I think I'd be satisfied with that.

And I agree about the Zero bullets. I was kind of amazed at their quality.

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"