Cheapest consumables for 44mag?

[edfardos]

I'm between a Super Redhawk or a S&W 629 when it comes to getting a new 44mag. I've been loading 40S&W's with AA#5, free brass, and berry's bullets for a couple of years now. These loads are very cheap and very effective.

Having said that, what do you use for 44mags? Can you use cast lead? do they make plated bullets? I'm assuming jacketed (Hornady) is simply out of my price range for plinking. What's the speed barrier for lead or plated bullets? 1200fps? Do you just use larger/heavier bullets until the speed is under that with the 44mag?

curiously,
edfardos

 

[96/44]

Cast is the way to go for inexpensive reloads, Unique works well for light to medium loads and a lot of loads per pound. I have never tried plated bullets in the .44, but I have had good luck with them in .357 up to about 1250fps. If you prefer jacketed, you can usually find Remington bulk bullets at a good price, if you are willing to buy 1000 or more.

 

[contender]

While cast bullets are cheaper than plated or jacketed,, you can really cut the costs by casting your own as well.
However,, yes,,,, Berrys does make a plated 44 cal bullet. As always,, load plated bullets using cast bullet load info.

 

[edfardos]

thanks for all the replies, i appreciate the info and the patience. I too was thinking cast would be the most cost effective, so with that assumption what is the maximum speed for lead? My hornady manual shows hornady lead swc bullets with a maximum velocity of 900fps. What's the maximum practical speed for a cast bullet? I was kinda hoping for 1200fps for a 240grain projectile. Is that possible with cast bullets?

thanks again,
-edfardos

 

[Dale53]

edfardos;
I have shot .44 Magnums for years (both S&W and Ruger). Just about ALL I use are my home cast bullets. They can be driven as fast as you can safely drive any bullets in the .44 Magnum without leading and with excellent accuracy (under 1" at 25 yards and from a rest can keep most on a playing card at 100 yards).

I have taken several deer with mine - the longest shot was 85 yards and the next year or so took another one at 75 yards. All but one of my deer were taken with one shot. I shoot mostly a 250 gr Keith (I have used both Lyman 429421 or a Mihec mould for a clone of the H&G 250 gr Keith bullet). They can be shot from 800 fps to 1400 fps with excellent accuracy using the proper powders. My full load powder of choice is H110 or Win 296.

I can cast my bullets for nearly nothing. I have put 10,000 .44 magnums through my revolvers and have been MORE than happy with my own cast bullets. I load for many calibers and use my home cast bullets for all.

Dale53

 

[WESHOOT2]

The Hornady bullet is not cast; it is swaged, with that material's lower speed limit.

Penn Bullets for lead.
Universal for non-stomper loads.
W296 / H110 / N110 / AA9 for stomper loads.

 

[contender]

You can get higher velocities with cast bullets. It all depends upon the bullet hardness AND the type/amount of powder. I suggest you look into cast bullets vs any swaged ones (the hornady ones listed in their manuel) if you want a little more velocity.
And I agree with Dale53 in that for a hunting bullet,, the cast ones are hard to beat. Several of us here met in Idaho in late 2009 for an elk hunt. out of the 5 elk we took,, 3 were dropped with cast lead SWC designs. Two of them were one shot, drop right there kills. The two 1 shot kills were at 73 yds and 120 yds. If they will drop an elk weighing around the 800 lb range with one shot,, do not hesitate to use them for most other applications.

 

[Bucks Owin]

Here's my vote for cast bullets too. Besides allowing you to save on the biggest expense in your handloads, get higher velocities, and in many cases better hunting performance, the art of casting good bullets is an addicting hobby in and of itself! Handguns and cast bullets go together like pie and ice cream! :wink:

They're not too shabby in many rifles too BTW..

 

[Jimbo357mag]

Oregon Trail $72 / 500
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/default.aspx?productNumber=150058

Rainier $86 / 500
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/default.aspx?productNumber=1050725344

Remington $100 / 500
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/default.aspx?productNumber=1601407088

...Jimbo

 

[don44]

I like Oregon Trail bullets too.

 

[edfardos]

Thanks Jimbo! those Oregon Trail lead bullets are right in my price range. My only concern is with the reviews which indicate heavy to severe barrel leading with medium loads. Are any of you 44mag users using those Oregon Trail lead/cast bullets at 1200fps? any lead fowling in the barrel? Is it easily removed after a day at the range?

curiously,
edfardos

 

[don44]

I have never had leading using their 44Mag bullets. I don't hot rod 'em, but have never had any trouble with their bullets. Hope this helps you.

 

[WESHOOT2]

I suggest Penn Bullets.
And Beartooth.
And Cast Performance.

 

[pop-gunner]

1) Decide on a gun.
2) Measure the chamber throats.
3) Buy bullets that fit that gun.
Cast bullets are easy, you can push them all day long at 1400fps with no-to-minimal leading as long as they fit the chamber throats. If they are too small they will lead due to gas cutting.
I buy Dardas' bullets sized to whatever gun I am shooting and they work great.
Plated bullets not so much. In order to crimp them so that they don't move under recoil you will cut the plating and they separate, keyhole, and just not work well.

 

[volshooter]

For my SBH I use 21.5grs of WW296 under a 290 WFP flat point hard cast for a good crony average of 1300 fps. I only buy my hard caats from Tennessee Valley Bullets. Great accuracy, no leading or gas checks.