44 Mag Carbine Ammo

[Mule]

My son recently acquired a 44 Mag semi-auto carbine. We would like to build some ammo for it.

On hand we have 240 gr and 300 gr cast SWC's and 240 gr Hornady XTP's and Sierra 240gr JHP.

What works and what doesn't?

Are cast bullets a viable option?

What powders work best?

noob to 44 mag. The projectiles on hand are for our muzzle loaders.

Thanks for your help

 

[Jimbo357mag]

Ruger doesn't recommend lead bullets as the gas port can get fouled. That said some people report they shoot lead without problems. I have a Deerfield and it likes 240gr jacketed bullets (XTP's) with a full charge of H-110 or Accurate #9. Faster powders did not work well.

 

[Chief 101]

I think you need to try some of everything you have, for my gun the best shooting ammo is 180 gr Sierra with a case full of H110. Second best is 290 gr Cast bullet with H110 powder. I have tried a bunch of cast and jacketed 240 grainers with some of the popular powders with no luck. I am going to assume my gun is an anomaly because they all should shoot the 240.s. I say to try what you have access to, bullet and powder wise and hope your is less finiky than mine. 2400 powder was close to the H110 in accuracy but much slower in velocity. I got one hole groups at 50 yds with the good loads and 5" groups with most of the others. Good luck
ps: the 180 Sierra's were left over from the '70s and as far as I know are no longer available...and I do use a 4x scope.

 

[Mule]

Looks like I will be powder shopping. Win 231, Tite Group and Unique cover my current pistol reloading.
Thanks for the replies.

 

[RSIno1]

Ran the same 240 jhp in my SB & carbine. It took hot pistol loads to cycle the carbine

 

[Chief 101]

mine cycled using hot loads of Unique, but H110 gave the best results, with 2400 a close second

 

[Chief 101]

mine cycled using hot loads of Unique, but H110/WW 296 gave the best results, with 2400 a close second

ps I have shot many hundreds of cast bullets with no ill effects, I recommend you to use what shoots well. Mine disassembles so easily if there was a problem with fouling the gas system it is easily cleaned.