I like to target shoot with my 44 magnums and looking at less expensive ammo. The HSM cowboy loads come in 200 and 240 grain at an OK price. I’m concerned with how dirty they might make my barrel and with lead buildup.
Anyone have experience with these that they could share?
Thank you

The Cowboy Loads are pleasant to shoot. Cleaning is the same for jacketed or plated bullets.

Once I got my first 44 Magnum revolver I knew I would need to reload to afford this revolver.

I think they are diry on purpose to seem slightly like blackpowder loads. They have shot well in my M58 .41 Magnum and are slightly cheaper.

With a lead projectile and anyone's powder you are still going to have to clean it.....just the nature of shooting lead projectiles.
Doesn't bother me in the least to do so.

Randy

If the bullet fits your barrel correctly you won't see any leading. Even if you do cleaning it isn't anywhere near as difficult as some on the NET claim it is. Most times just clean your barrel as usual and you're done.

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SWCA #3437

I haven't had problems with barrel leading shooting lead bullets. But the lube creates a lot of smoke and the gun gets dirtier than when I shoot jacketed bullets.

Fortunately, as you said, it comes off easily when I clean the gun.

HSM is the only folks loading .44-40 WCF at the moment. Yeah, at $70 a box, it ain't cheap. But Compared to everyone else, it is cheaper since other manufacturers are selling their loads for over $100 a box. Anyways, it is fairly simple to clean from my Model 544.

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I have been shooting lead in 44 mg, 41mg, and 357mg revolvers for many years with no lead problems. I don't shoot hige velocity; 900 fps or slower is just fine.

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"Don't Give Up the Ship"

Normally at the local gunshow I have a dealer who sells me 6 to 7 thousand rounds of 45LC HSM, 255gr FMJ. Cleaning isn't any different from shooting any other gun. Cleaning is a Zen moment, allows you to clear your mind while muscle memory goes about stripping and cleaning the weapon. In March of 2020 when the pandemic was starting I hit the show at the center, my dealer had on hand nearly 15k rounds of 45LC ranging in price from 18 to 25 a box of 50, after some haggling I purchased his entire inventory of 45LC along with nearly 9k rounds of 38spl, 8k rounds of 45acp and about 5k rounds of 40s&w. Being in the nursing field I sort of had an inkling that the pandemic was gonna cause ammo prices to skyrocket and I was right. From my other dealer I purchased nearly 18k rounds if IMI 9mm ranging from 124gr to 158gr. I'd sure love to see 9mm get back to 7 bucks a box.

Umm, I'm an RN Nurse Practitioner with 20 years Naval experience and 20 years civilian nursing experience. Started out in the Navy as an E3 making $615 a month, retired as an E6, took a little time off to educate myself, got my Masters in nursing, my first gig as an RN I made $20 an hour. Now I make $55.54 an hour averaging 50-60 hrs a week. Take all that I still don't come near to what the old ball and chain makes as an MD. I work hard play hard, my relaxation therapy is shooting and cleaning guns. While I agree many nurses are underpaid, you want the big money you gotta work for it. Lol, took the wife out to eat yesterday, ran $223.58 then the Fri kin movies at 17 a ticket and 40 for concessions. Geez, what's happening here? Last movie I hit I paid 8 bucks.