44mag...cast bullets loads

javy

New member
Want to load some 240gr. cast bullets. Any body have some loads they might share. Never loaded cast bullets before.

Thanks, Javy
 
Start with 17.5 grains of 2400. And work up slowly. Mine safely shoots 20.0 grains of 2400. I have heard of a few other guys shooting a little more 2400, but 20.0 was more than enough for me.

I really like 2400. It gives great case fill. Just be sure to apply a good heavy crimp for good powder burn. My SD's also went down considerably when I used a heavy crimp. I believe 2400 was Elmwr Keith's load of choice with his "Keithn Style" bullet. I also believe his load of choice was 18.5 grains(of 2400) if memory serves me correct. Tom.
 
Elmer's pet load was 22 grains of 2400 with a 250 grain SWC lit with a standard large pistol primer. It is a powerful load and one that I have used often, but most times substituted a Sierra 240 grain JHC for a lead bullet. I hate scrubbing lead out of a barrel.

Most of my cast bullets using the magnum case have been something in the neighborhood of 9 grains of Unique. If wanted just a bit more power then I might use 14 grains of Blue Dot. I used to use this load to topple 200 meter targets when I shot IHMSA around 30 years ago. It is still a favorite.
 
I have heard that 22.0 grains was his load. But then I have also read(Per John Taffin) that the hot load for the 44 Special was 18.5 grains of 2400. And from what I understand that was EK's starting load with the 44 magnum.

I also have heard about the 22.0 grain being his pet load, as you say. But I can't believe he would suggest that as a starting load. I believe he thought that 18.5 was the starting load for the 44 magnum.

I may have made a mistake with quoting his load. But I have read about both being his load. However I would never suggest anyone start a load at 22.0 grains of 2400?? Would you??

I am truly not wanting to start an argument about a great man, and his load. And if I am wrong I apologize. But I would definitely not quibble about 18.5 being a good starting load?? Would you?? Tom.
 
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'Cast bullets in the 44 mag' is rather vague. One may ask exactly what type of bullets & what your intended uses are? I've loaded 44 cast bullets on the light & medium side for general target & plinking. For that I've used powder in the medium burn rates like H Universal or Unique.

With gas checked Beartoooth hardcast bullets my choice was upper end charges of win-296(H-110). These went along on a bear hunt & could also be used for deer hunting. I'd rather shoot lighter loads for general use.

As posted I wouldn't start at max & gun to be used could also be a factor.
 
For 240-250's I shoot 10 - 11grs of Unqiue for hunting and then 5.0grs Bullseye for plinking. The Bullseye load kicks a hair more then a 38 from the heavier 44's.
 
I bought 500 meister swc hard cast, no gas check. My pistol is a ruger bisley hunter.

I don't need necessarly need to shoot full power loads. Something for general shooting and might want to shoot a pig when the chance occurs.

Don't want to get into scrubbing a lot of lead.

Thanks,Javy
 
Originally Posted By: HOGGHEADI may have made a mistake with quoting his load. But I have read about both being his load. However I would never suggest anyone start a load at 22.0 grains of 2400?? Would you??

I am truly not wanting to start an argument about a great man, and his load. And if I am wrong I apologize. But I would definitely not quibble about 18.5 being a good starting load?? Would you?? Tom.

I have never met Elmer Keith (other than to stop by his grave for a few minutes when I am in Salmon) but I rather doubt that he ever even thought too much of loads that were anything lighter than full house. I was just mentioning his favorite .44 Mag load. If I were loading for a comfortable and accurate load for my .44 Mag then 18.5 grains of 2400 would be fine with me.

BTW, he DID have a favorite load that used 18.5 grains of 2400. That was in the old balloon head .44 Special brass. Someone gave me a mostly full box of Peters .44 Special brass once and I tried that load (to be shot in my .44 Magnum) and it worked fine. It was warm, but not quite .44 Mag levels.
 
Originally Posted By: javyWant to load some 240gr. cast bullets. Any body have some loads they might share. Never loaded cast bullets before.

Thanks, Javy

There are a lot of good loads posted here. Remember you should be in the habit of checking any load someone gives you in several different manuals before you use them in your guns.

Take a look at the Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook, lots of great info there.

Vol #3
http://www.lymanproducts.com/lyman/publications/cast-bullet.php

New vol 4

http://www.lymanproducts.com/lyman/publications/cast-bullet4.php
 
Originally Posted By: javy

Don't want to get into scrubbing a lot of lead.

Thanks,Javy


IMO scrubbing lead has little to do with how fast you push your bullets in a 44 magnum. I have pushed WW to 1800 fps with no leading. 1600 fps is a good rule of thumb.

Leading is more a factor of improperly sized bullets. GC's are not really necessary for 44 magnum revolver velocities. Rifle velocities-Yes. Revolver velocities-No.

Leading is also a factor in rough barrels, or barrels that have not been cleaned properly. Ansd last but not least leading can be caused by mixing cast and jacketed bullets at the same time.

Always clean every spec of copper out of your barrel before you shoot cast bullets. And that can be a bit tough.

Diferent sized chambers and rough forcing cone can also case leading problem. But most quality modern revolvers have solved most of that problem. If not then just sent your cylinder and have it honed(and forcing cone polished). That will help considerably, and is not real expensive to do.

Also remember when it comes to powders that some mfrs. have made slight formulation changes in their powder. For example with 2400. The loads you will find in the older loading manuals are a bit more than the loads for 2400 that you find in modern reloading manuals. However they did reformulate 2400 powder. So it does burn a tad bit hotter. So don't start above 18.5 as a starter(IMO). Alot of powders have been reformulated. Tom.
 
Hogghead, I am curious as to what weight bullet that you are talking about when you say that you are getting 1800 fps. And if you don't mind, would you care to share that load data? I have been loading .44 Mags for 38 years and the most speed that I ever got out of a 7 1/2" Super Blackhawk was 1700 fps with a heavily loaded 180 jacketed bullet.
 
Never said I was getting 1800 fps in a 44 magnum revolver. I said I have pushed WW to 1800 fps without leading in a properly sized bullet. But that was in a rifle and in a different cartridge. If you thought I meant the 44 magnum, then no that is not what I said. I was just trying to say that you can push straight WW fairly fast if it is sized. And obviously lubed properly. However I do believe 1800 is doable in the 44 magnum in a rifle. But then again, the bullet still needs to be sized properly. If I was pushing a bullet that hard in a rifle however I probably would go with a GC. But I do not see the need to push a bullet that fast. At least not for the hunting I do.

You must have misread what I said. Or I could have easily not presented it properly. I do make mistakes all the time.

However if you reread my second paragraph you can see that I am talking about rifles and revolvers.

The bullet I shoot in my 44 magnums is a Lyman 240 that I cast. And my load for that is 20.0 grains of 2400. Then I also load a lower charge of 2400 for my 329PD for practice. Tom.
 
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OK, my bad. Since we were talking about cast bullets in the .44 Magnum I thought that was what you were referring to.

I have shot many thousands of both cast and jacketed .44 bullets over the years and I enjoy them both. But for my kind so shooting I will continue to keep my velocities at 1000 fps or less for my lead bullets. Just works better for me that way.
 
If it's been said, already - I missed it. Brinell Hardness Number (BHN) has a LOT to do concerning velocity vs. leading with cast bullets. Lube also counts, as does sizing.
Mark
 


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