Will be likely using a new load for future .44 revolver entries with bare lead bullets. Went so far as to rezero the 29-3 10 5/8" default Field Pistol gun. A big decision for me! Was ages getting loads to do well, so any ammo change for my usual entries isn't taken lightly.
Just FYI, it consists of filling the case with Reloder 7 or IMR 4198 to the base of the bullet. Removes any tendency to lead the forcing cone, but, more importantly, it isn't powder position sensitive. We've been noticing at distances past 50 yards that having the powder charge forward (i.e., coming up on the target from a muzzle down start) results in much lower impact. (Or in my case raising the muzzle high before pulling the trigger on the odd occasion makes for high (to VERY high whilst using .45 Colt) misses!)
Interestingly, using the same powder measure setting results in different charge weights between 4198 and RL7, but the case fill and the POI out to 100 yards are pretty much identical using the same sight settings. Best 100 yard accuracy seems dependent on the particular revolver, but there haven't been enough ten shoot groups done to be sure as they're both pretty good.
Will be a while fine tuning the new combo, but initial testing has been very promising. A few minor drawbacks: You're going through 2 1/2- 3 times as much powder, recoil is a little more noticeable, and unburned powder grains can get under the extractor star if you don't change the unloading process. If hits increase, then I reckon it's worth it!
BTW, for those few of you wondering what sort of match this was and have gotten this far: IHMSA- Metallic silhouette. We were all shooting either Field Pistol (FP) or Field Pistol Any Sight (PAS) entries.
