Most accurate 44 mag cast bullet load?

[BearStopper]

I have 3 Ruger 44 magnums and all shoot well with a 240 gr semi wadcutter sized to .430 with mag primers and 20 grains of 2400 but I want to experiment and try some different options as those bullets are running out and I will be casting with the Lyman Keith mold. Just curious what the most accurate cast bullet loads others have used.

 

[flatgate]

My best has been with a 300 gr. LBT gas checked LFN design loaded over 21.5 or 22.0 gr. of WW-296 sparked with CCI-350's. Not even remotely related to a Keith bullet, however.

Not for the faint of heart but it'll put 5 holes in about an inch and a half at 25 yards if I do my part. 7-1/2" barreled .44 Flattop or Super.

It shines at longer ranges, as well.

flatgate

PS Have you read John Taffin's stuff? Click Here

 

[Hammer]

.

Any recommendation for a mid-range load ?

Something like a 240 - 250 grainer at 1,000 to 1,100 fps.


.

 

[SBH4628]

My most accurate load was/is 23.0gr 296 with the RCBS 240SIL. Barn burner load.

 

[Bucks Owin]

This was a very accurate bullet in my avatar FT. This one is up for bid at ebay cheap. (Sorry I can't seem to post the link but it should be easy to find) This target was shot at 140 yds with that bullet over SR 4759 at around 1350 fps....

 

[Jimbo357mag]

For a reduced 44 magnum load I have found Blue Dot pretty accurate with a 240gr bullet in the 11.0gr - 13.0gr load range (firm crimp).

...Jimbo

 

[captainkirk]

I like the RCBS 245 SWC over about 7-9 grains of unique for a mild-mid load.

captainkirk

 

[Rick Courtright]

Hi,

A buddy used to shoot IHMSA silhouettes regularly w/ his Smith 8 3/8" 629. I have a 7 1/2" RH that only comes out infrequently for some fun shooting.

My full house .44 load is a 240 gr Lee SWC w/ a gas check, sitting atop the Winchester book load of 296. His is a Lyman 429421 Keith bullet over a load of 2400: he had to do some 'sperimentin' as he found best accuracy within a window of only about 1/2 gr in his gun, somewhere about 1/2 to 1 gr below the Alliant book max, if memory serves. Both bullets are cast from straight wheelweights, water cooled, lubed w/ Lee Liquid Alox.

We've fired both loads thru both guns on a few occasions. The RH is generally a hair more accurate w/ either load than the 629. The 2400 load is usually the more accurate in both guns.

My midrange load is that same Lee bullet over a starting load of Unique from the Alliant book. It's more accurate than what I'm capable of wringing out of the gun...

Rick C

 

[miatank]

My light load is 5.9gr of 700-X under a 240gr moly coated cast lead bullet.

dave - gets the job done

 

[Anonymous]

300 gr. LFP using 10.4 grs. of AA#5 for 1003 fps. I think AA#7 would work good too but it has a little more velocity for their starting load. I wanted the slowest load I could find. I tried 2400 and it was almost as good and Unique, but the AA#5 was a very accurate load with a comfortable amount of recoil with such a heavy bullet. A 300 gr. bullet is going to offer a stiff recoil no matter what IMO.

 

[Three44s]

My favorite load of all in the .44 mag is the following:

The RCBS 250K, a Federal 155 primer, and HS-6 powder.

From the Hodgon's #26: Start load @ 10.0 gr. and max @ 12.0 gr.

Later manuals list heavier charges of this powder.

But the charge of 12 gr. gives tested pressures of around 24,000 psi which just happens to be right in line with Richard Lee's results published in his #2 manual as to the compressive strength of alloy enriched wheel weight sourced alloy.

My charge is 11.8 gr.

I get 1066 fps with just 7 fps standard deviation from a four inch Smith.

I get 1176 fps from my 7.5" Redhawk.

I like the "tone and tenor" of this load. It's a real SWEET HEART!

Not much gets past this load either.

Three 44s

 

[buckeyeshooter]

keith bullet in a wadcutter lyman 429421 and a big charge of 2400 with non magnum primer--- just what you are shooting now. Can't beat perfection!

 

[WESHOOT2]

I was also going to mention HS6 for 1,000-1,100fps......

My personal "plinking load" (in my 5.5" Redhawk, also its IPSC load), is 7.3g Universal, 240g cast LSWC, CCI350.
Very accurate, about 873fps.

 

[sarge]

I shoot a 240 grain hard cast SWC over 9.0 gr Unique for 1070 FPS out of my 7.5" SRH.

 

[terryjulie]

My hunting load is a 260wfngc from BTB and 10 gr. Unique. I think I get around 1050-1100.

 

[daveg.inkc]

I know thread was started in 2010, but I agree with 10 grs Unique. And 11 grs HS-6. HS-6, with 11 grs is very accurate in my .45 C.

 

[the_buckshot_kid]

I don't load or shoot lead bullets but my father-in-law does. He casts his own using Veral Smiths molds. With 17gr of 296 and a 280gr wfn bullet, he can consistently hit 2" clay targets at 100yds with either his Redhawk or his SuperRedhawk.

 

[sixshot]

Anybody that can consistently hit 2" targets with the 44 magnum at 100 yds is my friend!

Dick

 

[the_buckshot_kid]

Yes it's incredible. He's put the basic work into his revolvers...lapping,cyl honing,etc. I have 2 Taurus revolvers in .44mag and .454casull, shooting 100yds bench rest, shots stay inside a 4"circle with factory Winchester ammunition but my Ruger SBH I can't hit 6" steel at 100 no matter what I do.

 

[LAH]

Anybody that can consistently hit 2" targets with the 44 magnum at 100 yds is my friend!

Dick

+1