Favorite bullet weight for .44 magnum

SWBigBang · Sep 9, 2009

The .44 seems to provide a wide range of available bullet weights.
For a .44 magnum and target shooting (no hunting) and ranges of 25-50 yards is there a preferred bullet weight?

Does that change with ranges out to 100 yards?

David LaPell · Sep 9, 2009

I prefer 250 grains (lead), the Lyman # 429421. This is a great target bullet and a good hunting bullet as well. Very popular after 70 plus years.

ENH · Sep 9, 2009

I like the 250 gr also.

Rule3 · Sep 9, 2009

Not that I know that much about 44mag but always thought it was the 240 gr.? With the 250 are there advantages as to accuracy, loading or just personal preference??

Marksman · Sep 9, 2009

If I want to magnum power loads I shoot the 240 or 250 grain bullets. For a milder plinking load I shoot a 200 gr. RNFP bullet over either 7.5 gr. Unique or 9.0 gr. for a zippier load that is still pleasant to shoot.

djml66 · Sep 9, 2009

Nice 44mag load

My most common plincking load is a Berry 200 over 11.1 Unique. Enough umphh to remind me it's a magnum and easy on the wrist. It's over 1200 fps, but I';ve never had an issue with Berry plated bullets with up to 1300 fps.
Well never had a problem with them at any velocity, but it's usually not over 1300. One exception, i use a Berry 100gr in 357sig (in a Glock 31 with LWD bbl) that's around 1500. Never seen signs of plating seperation or leading.

dave

jubela#4 · Sep 9, 2009

My favorite is a 250 grain Keith type bullet. The Lyman #429421 mentioned is excellent and actually designed by Elmer Keith. A few commercial casters are making this bullet now if you don't cast your own.
The target load I use is this bullet and 7.5 grains of Unique. Very accurate and pleasant to shoot.

canoe on the yukon · Sep 9, 2009

SWBigBang said:
The .44 seems to provide a wide range of available bullet weights.
For a .44 magnum and target shooting (no hunting) and ranges of 25-50 yards is there a preferred bullet weight?

Does that change with ranges out to 100 yards?

For punching holes in paper,any weight will do however I suspect that the overwhelming majority use bullets in the 240-250 grain range.That is certainly true with me.

44wheelman · Sep 9, 2009

240 up to 265 grain... too much more and kinetic energy drops, too much less and ballistic coefficient goes down. Not to mention some of my guns don't have enough sight elevation to use 300gr and/or 200gr.

Snapping Twig · Sep 9, 2009

I load the 429421 250g for my 900fps loads and the 429244 265g for my magnum loads.

I'd hunt with either, but prefer the 265g for that purpose and I shoot 100 yards when I can with both.

running iron · Sep 9, 2009

I like the 300 gr. XTP for hunting and the 240 SWC for self-defense and target shooting. I've heard the 300 gr. has less energy, but that is not what I've seen from my applications. If you want to hunt big critters, the 300 gr. is tops IMO. Maybe out past 100 yds the 240 0r 250 is best, but that's farther than what I've encountered. If your shots are that long, I would use a rifle anyway. I guess it depends on terrain and what your after.

Skip Sackett · Sep 9, 2009

'Pends what firearm I am loading for

If I am loading for my handguns, 250gr + cast lead bullets. Hensley & Gibbs #503, a true Keith bullet.

If I am loading for my Marlin lever guns, 240gr Jacketed whatever, makes no difference.

primersp · Sep 9, 2009

i like shoot in 629 the lyman 429215 and also i buy the mold 3 months ago the rcbs 44-240 sil ,with no gas check i have a rcbs 250 kt
all shoot well

Vanilla Gorilla · Sep 9, 2009

I prefer my homecast RCBS "250" which actually comes out closer to 260 grains. I shoot these from contact distance out to 400 yards.

44forever · Sep 9, 2009

Short range, a 190 grain wadcutter...

at about 900 fps works well for taget shooting. Beyond 50 yards, I usually use a rifle but would prefer the 240 for such things in a pistol.

Hook686 · Sep 9, 2009

In my 329PD I prefer 200 grain JHP
In my 629 Classic I prefer 300 grain JSP
In my carbine I prefer 240 grain JHP

44forever · Sep 9, 2009

Short range, a 190 grain wadcutter...

at about 900 fps works well for taget shooting. Beyond 50 yards, I usually use a rifle but would prefer the 240 for such things in a pistol.

sonny · Sep 9, 2009

From his book "Big Bore Sixguns," I find that John Taffin's standard load is 250 grain hard-cast over 10 grains of Unique for 1150 fps. This is close to the original heavy .44 Special load. For target, this is perhaps hotter than you need, and you could easily get by (for informal target) on published loads which give about 800 fps on each loading. This is my favorite place:
Hodgdon - The Gun Powder People
I don't know what your barrel length is: Presuming a 4" barrel length, the velocity will increase by about 200 fps if your barrel length is 6" and 300 fps if 8 3/8".
Using 240 or 250 grain will not make more than about a 4" difference in trajectory out to 100 yds if you zero at 25-35 yards. You will find it difficult to hold iron sights any better than that unless your eyes are awfully sharp.
I highly recommend a decent reloading manual. Stay safe; have fun.
Sonny

Littledragon777 · Sep 9, 2009

I am using 180 gr. Hornady XTPs over 15 grains of AA#5 for inside shooting and 240 grain factory XTPs for hunting.

Rodrockinoff · Sep 9, 2009

My mileage varied

Guess I'm the "weird guy" here, but I have been casting bullets for the 44 mag for over 20 years. My two molds are 310 and 360. They shoot fine and have good accuracy. Does anyone else shoot the big bullets?

Rod

Favorite bullet weight for .44 magnum

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