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06-26-2022, 05:35 PM
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Any recommendations for a 44spl/44mag bullet?
I'd like to not buy two different bullets, what would you recommend for a dual purpose mildish load lead bullet for the two?
Thanks
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06-26-2022, 07:46 PM
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Never mind...
Turns out I have a whole can of 240gr lead cast. Thanks
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06-26-2022, 10:23 PM
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06-27-2022, 12:45 AM
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I like 200 gr hardcast or plated RNFP or SWC
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06-27-2022, 01:13 AM
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It's hard to beat a 240 grain cast SWC in the 44s, although I shoot 200 grain WCs quite a bit.
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06-27-2022, 04:50 AM
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Any 240 to 255 grain cast SWC will work for both. Look at GT Bullets. GT Bullets!, Fine Hand Cast Lead Bullets
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Last edited by Alk8944; 06-27-2022 at 04:51 AM.
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06-27-2022, 09:13 AM
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If you like lead bullets, the old 429421 is still well respected.
If you cast your own, a 4-6 cavity mold will pile them up quickly.
Kevin
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06-27-2022, 11:00 AM
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I usually shoot traditional bullet weights for caliber. 240gr .44, 250-255gr .45 Colt, 210-215gr .41 Mag, etc. Many times point of aim/point of impact seems to work out better for many fixed sight handguns.
The Hi-Tek coated bullets have proven to be very clean and work well over a wide range of velocities.
I have a .41 Mag Blackhawk that I load from mild to wild using Bayou Bullets.
Their .430" offerings are in the link below.
.44 Caliber
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06-27-2022, 11:14 AM
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Like Cdog says, in most cases the original bullet for caliber is usually best bet, if shot at same velocity. Even though 44sp is lighter than 44mag the 240gr cast is hard to beat in 44s for 1 bullet fit all. I’ve always found that going to lite side sacrifices accuracy.
I just loaded 44sp with 214gr HBWC, if this doesn’t work out the HB inserts can be removed for solid WC that is about 240gr.
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06-27-2022, 01:25 PM
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Not much better than a Lyman 429241 for use in a 44 caliber gun. I have 5, 44 Magnum guns and the only one giving me problems is my Puma carbine which doesn't feed the SWC much better than 75%. I have loaded these (thousands) from mild to wild and was able to get some very accurate loads (Dan wesson 44H-2"@ 30 yards, consistently). Works quite well in 44 Special brass too...
Last edited by mikld; 06-27-2022 at 01:28 PM.
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06-28-2022, 10:00 AM
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Yep, 429421 or a HG503. The Thompson bullet is supposed to be a winner too. I want to start casting so bad, I just have too many irons in the fire right now and I dont see it changing much anytime soon.
Good luck.
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06-28-2022, 01:48 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BillBro
Yep, 429421 or a HG503. The Thompson bullet is supposed to be a winner too. I want to start casting so bad, I just have too many irons in the fire right now and I dont see it changing much anytime soon.
Good luck.
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You can start small if you want to begin casting now. I started with one mold (44 caliber 240 gr SWC) a Coleman propane stove, a stainless steel 2 qt, pot a slotted spoon swiped from Ma's kitchen. I used candle wax for fluxing, stirred with a wooden stick, Lubed with an old (long discontinued) Lee pan lube/size kit, and tumble lubed some with alox. No I didn't get 100% keepers, but culls went back in the pot, but I did get enough good bullets, to keep my 629 fed for about 12-14 months then bought a bottom pour melter.
But you're right about a new "iron in the fire". I now have 18 molds, 14 sizing dies (haven't needed/wanted a lubrisizer yet), 1.65 metric tons of various equipment/supplies and a stack of lead ingots and pucks about 2'x2'x18" high in my shop and maybe 300 lbs of scrap lead stored in my shed...
Last edited by mikld; 06-28-2022 at 01:51 PM.
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06-28-2022, 02:26 PM
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My long time favorite is 429215GC. Works from mild to noticeably thumping. All the way from about 7.5 gr of unique up to much more advanced territory in the magnum. Less recoil than the usual weights.
Of course, have also used many 240 to 250 gr, the acknowledged traditional.
Wishing you all the best no matter what your choice or choices may be!
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06-28-2022, 02:43 PM
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I stopped loading .44 Magnum some years ago, but continue to load .44 Special ammo for several S&W 29s and 24s. I've used a few of the popular bullet designs including #429421, HP version of the same, #429244, and several others. My favorite for the last ten or more years has been a SAECO mould featuring a 200-205 grain plain flat base/ flat nose design. I don't know the mould number offhand but it's the only one they make with the described characteristics.
I've found a .431" or .432" cast bullet works best in all my revolvers and I did have this mould professionally opened up slightly by Eric Ohlen to cast a .432" bullet. This design is at least as accurate as any .44 bullet I've ever used and felt recoil is significantly below that of heavier bullets.
While I have used this bullet in .44 Magnum cases, I did not load it to a magnum level, but I suspect it would work well as long as fit is right and the alloy matches the load.
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06-29-2022, 03:47 PM
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MBC's Hi-Tek 200, 210 & 240gr bullets are of fine quality: they can be had in both 12 & 18 Brinell depending upon how "mildish" you really want to load.
Cheers!
P.S. I really don't think 200+ gr of either hardness would make much difference to the recipient at Magnum velocities...? Unless you needed to shoot through something pretty darn thick!
Last edited by STORMINORMAN; 07-28-2022 at 06:12 AM.
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06-29-2022, 05:39 PM
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I like hardcast Pennbullets 185gr double-ended wadcutter. Though the grand master Robert Palermo passed away, and is no longer running the business.
To answer the OP, I'd say a 200gr wadcutter would be my choice. If you are going to load it up hot in .44 Mag (>1000 fps), then hardcast is a good option.
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06-29-2022, 08:05 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gamecock
I like hardcast Pennbullets 185gr double-ended wadcutter. Though the grand master Robert Palermo passed away, and is no longer running the business.
To answer the OP, I'd say a 200gr wadcutter would be my choice. If you are going to load it up hot in .44 Mag (>1000 fps), then hardcast is a good option.
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Funny thing about bullet casting companies. They are in the business to sell cast bullets. Ask a group of casters how to launch bullets at magnum velocities and they will tell you that size is more important than hardness. If you don’t know your diameters (throat and groove) you are flying blind.
I no longer mess with 44 calibers but when I did, I sized to .430-.431. Never had leading at any velocity when properly lubed.
Kevin
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06-29-2022, 08:36 PM
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I shoot the plain base bullets like the RCBS version of the Keith bullet for speed of casting and not having to buy/seat gaschecks, but my absolute favorite . 44 bullet for special or magnums is the Ray Thompson designed 429244 gas check hollow point. I've killed several deer with this bullet in both specials and magnums and it has not failed, and is very accurate. I burn either 2400 or AA-9 behind these with a standard primer.
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07-01-2022, 09:56 PM
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We cast a 429421 Keith bullet for everything but hunting. .44 Special and Magnum using W296, H110, 2400 and Unique.
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07-02-2022, 06:27 AM
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It’s hard to beat Elmer’s cast bullet!
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07-02-2022, 08:01 AM
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Too bad Bob Palermo has passed, his bullet knowledge was priceless. Right before he passed, he sold me what he believed to be his most versatile 44mag bullet, the 240gr TC bullet. IF Penn Bullets is still going, give a call over, it was a Family run business, I'm sure Bob departed some of his wisdom on the folks over there. As always, sizing is most important when choosing cast bullets, measure your throats Brother!
Last edited by 342ti; 07-03-2022 at 03:31 PM.
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07-02-2022, 10:55 AM
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Missouri Bullets 240gr TCFP and 240gr Keith, almost all as .44spl.
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07-02-2022, 11:11 AM
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I found that with lighter loads I had to use 200 gr bullets in my 6” 629 just to be able to regulate the sights for bullseye
With heavier loads 240gr are fine
Your revolver(s) may be able to tell you what they like better than we can
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07-14-2022, 02:57 PM
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.44 Magnum bullet..............
My go to bullet for more than 25yrs. now is a 200gr. RNFP over 7.5gr. Unique. If I want to step it up a bit I load 9.0gr. Unique. I've shot thousands of both loads, Unique is the only powder that I use with cast bullets, altho in nearly 50yrs. loading for the .44 Magnum I've tried several others.
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07-14-2022, 03:40 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Marksman
My go to bullet for more than 25yrs. now is a 200gr. RNFP over 7.5gr. Unique. If I want to step it up a bit I load 9.0gr. Unique. I've shot thousands of both loads, Unique is the only powder that I use with cast bullets, altho in nearly 50yrs. loading for the .44 Magnum I've tried several others.
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I like Unique also and have been loading .357s for a long time with it.
What length barrel? Do you know velocities? Charter Arms ok?
Thanks
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07-14-2022, 06:54 PM
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Wouldn't be loading any 44 Specials with a 200gr bullet & 9.0gr of Unique for any Charter Arms revolvers... . That's really more of a Magnum load, IMHO.
And I just bought one!
Cheers!
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07-27-2022, 09:10 AM
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I thought the post was about loading for .44 Magnum, I didn't imply that the 9.0gr. Unique load was one to be utilized in .44 Special much less in a Charter Arms Bulldog.
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07-27-2022, 10:09 AM
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I have two that I shoot the most. The 235 gr rf and the 280 rf. I do keep a 429421 HP in homage to Elmer but it isn't shot the most.
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07-27-2022, 03:30 PM
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I guess you are going to use those 240gr cast bullets you found.
You never did tell us which powders you have in stock. We can probably come up with a common load for both 44's you want to load if we knew what powders you have/want to use.
I don't load for either but my shooting/reloading buddy who I trust does load for both and I can get some data for you from him. He has been loading since the early 70's so about 50 years or so...
I just want you to know where I'm getting the data so use it or don't use it, I'm only trying to help and hope I can...
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07-28-2022, 09:37 AM
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It's hard to beat a high quality, cast lead 240 grain semi-wadcutter bullet for mild, medium, or full power loads in the 44 Special and 44 Magnum.
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07-28-2022, 06:27 PM
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For overall plinking in just about every .44 caliber handgun I own I use 200 gr. plated bullets, no muss...no fuss. I've cast bullets for .44's and will continue to do so, I just like the plated bullets. I do have one pet bullet that I had made up after shooting a few of my buddy's. I took an older Lyman 429421 single mold I had laying around and sent it off to have it converted to a hollow point. I really like it and cast it up 20:1 for excellent accuracy and assumed energy potential on the intended target. They weigh all of 225gr. and I use 7.5gr. of Unique.
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08-12-2022, 01:19 PM
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The Ideal/Lyman 429421, or RCBS, H&G or any other good clone of that bullet is hard to beat. The 250 gr RCBS version is supposed to be closer to what Keith originally designed. IDK if it is, but all of those I have shot, were equally good. I ended up buying the Lyman 429421 in the end, just because I got a good deal on it. I size mine as fat as possible, that still fit my cylinder throats. Right now I'm without a 44, but from memory my 29 seemed to like 0.431" bullets, and my Redhawk liked 0.433" bullets. Find what best fits yours.
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08-12-2022, 02:01 PM
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Elmer’s cast bullet of course!
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