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View Full Version : 44mag Mould Advice Needed



timtonya
02-13-2013, 08:33 AM
I'll be hopefully buying a Ruger Redhawk, Super Redhawk or Super Blackhawk Bisley Hunter. I already cast for 40 and 45. The powders I have on hand are tightgroup, 800x, autocomp and bullseye. I'd like a good target/hunting multipurpose bullet. Any suggestions on what size/grain? And which mould maker?

Thanks

Tim

44man
02-13-2013, 09:05 AM
With those powders I would stay around 250 gr
If you go to a slower powder like H110 or 296, then the Lee 310 would be my choice.

Fernando
02-13-2013, 09:09 AM
I'm new and after lurking here I picked up a Lyman 429421 used and a new 310 Lee.
Seems these are representative of the 2 schools of thought on hunting bullets for the larger bores.
Your ahead of me though as I've only dabbled with the 38 for years.

timtonya
02-13-2013, 09:16 AM
Ya I'd like something as to keep the recoil manageable. I have Lee molds but haven't tried anyone else. I do like the Lee 6 cavity molds with built in sprue plates. No hammer needed. I thought about buying cast bullets but have about 200# of lead in my garage.

winelover
02-13-2013, 09:27 AM
What is your budget? If money is no object, pick up a mold from Accurate Molds, Mountain Molds or get in on a Group Buy from NOE or MiHec. Something in 240 to 250 grains and a plain base. If a carbine is in your future, you may want to go with a RNFP. No need for the 300+ grainers-----unless you like changing sight settings every time you switch to lighter boolets! JMHO.

Winelover

timtonya
02-13-2013, 09:33 AM
I'd say not more than $100. I see RCBS has a decent Keith style mold, 44-250-K.

cbrick
02-13-2013, 10:26 AM
Very difficult to go wrong with an RCBS mold, by far the best off the shelf mold out there and many of their boolit styles are exceptional.

Rick

timtonya
02-13-2013, 10:34 AM
NOE has some good molds. They have a 250gr Keith style. They also have an affordable lead pot thermometer and a mold probe one to.

Mal Paso
02-13-2013, 11:45 AM
Last I looked NOE still had the 429421 in 4 and 5 cavity. I've admired the RCBS molds for years, just couldn't get past them having only 2 cavities. I have the NOE 5 cavity from the first run and it works well. Depends how many you want to cast.

cbrick
02-13-2013, 11:52 AM
That pesky two cavity thing is my one and only gripe with RCBS molds. I've got 25-30 RCBS mold and no doubt would have many more, even duplicating some of the two cavs I have, if only . . . I have MP and NOE molds in RCBS designs simply for the 4 and 5 cav.

Rick

mdi
02-13-2013, 01:44 PM
I'd suggest a 240-250 grain SWC, plain base as a starter for the .44 Magnum. Loads of info available out there for these and they are considered the "classic" .44 Magnum bullet. I have Lee molds, Lyman molds, Ideal molds, and they all work for me (I'm still on a budget). I don't use any of the powders you listed for my .44 Magnums so I can't help you there (I use Unique, Blue Dot, True Blue, 2400, and WC820 for my .44s), but I'm sure you can find data on them in a Lyman's Cast Bullet Handbook...

W.R.Buchanan
02-13-2013, 04:57 PM
I use Lyman 429244, and 429215, Mihec 434-260, and Lee 429-240, and 429-310. I also have a Magma 429-190SWC mold for plinking rounds.

Everyone works well.

I use the Lyman and Lee boolits for heavy loads for my revolvers and ammo for rifles, because they use gas checks. The Mihec mould has interchangable HP pins and will also drop solids. It is a plain based boolit and works well for mid range loads for revolvers both in Special and Magnum cases.

For heavy loads H110/W296 and 2400. For midrange loads UNique, W231, and similar powders.

the .44's are some of the most versitle rounds out there and there is plenty you can do with them, and there are more moulds made for them than just about any other caliber.

Lots to know, lots to learn, and all of it is great fun.

You will be well armed for just about anything.

Randy

RKJ
02-13-2013, 09:06 PM
I just checked Midway and they have the Lyman 429421 in a 4 cav mold for 92.00. I really like mine (2 cav) as it drops very nice bullets very quickly.

Mal Paso
02-13-2013, 09:58 PM
I just checked Midway and they have the Lyman 429421 in a 4 cav mold for 92.00. I really like mine (2 cav) as it drops very nice bullets very quickly.

You are doing well if you get a good one. I purchased 2 4c Lyman 429421s. Both were undersize and tapered. Nothing wrong with the way they cast but there have been more than a few complaints about Size and Shape.

427smith
02-13-2013, 10:03 PM
believe it or not I've cast, loaded, and shot 100,000 44 mag in the last 45 years. (I save the end flaps from my primer boxes, that's how I keep totals) I use mostly 9 1/2 or 10 of unique for 240 plain base and a heavy load of 2400 for gc 250's. No matter what safe load you put in a 44 it'll be fun. Just so you know A smith & Wesson is bout had it after 40,000. Rugers last forever. never liked the colt anaconda, or the uberti.

oldfart1956
02-13-2013, 10:16 PM
I'd stay with a RNF over the SWC. It's easy to get a round nose flat to shoot beyond 25yds. ....not quite so easy to get a swc to group beyond that. At least in my limited experience. The rnf will work easier in a lever-action if you decide to get one later. If you're thinking about a lever-action down the road get a mold that drops em fat! I'd be looking for one in .430 to 432 to even start. It's easier to size them down than to fatten em' up! Like I said....in my limited experience. Audie...the Oldfart..

cbrick
02-13-2013, 10:38 PM
I'd stay with a RNF over the SWC. It's easy to get a round nose flat to shoot beyond 25yds. ....not quite so easy to get a swc to group beyond that.

I'm sure glad you didn't tell me that before I won State & National Championships in long range revolver (200m) using a SWC, I'm sure it would have made it much harder to do.

Rick

MtGun44
02-13-2013, 10:39 PM
+1 on the RCBS 44-250-K. Load over 10 gr of Unique for a nice, medium hot plinker that you can
hunt with, too. Size to throat diam, use air cooled WWt alloy, no need at all for GCs in .44 Mag.

Bill

runfiverun
02-13-2013, 11:29 PM
i think i have bi-polar mold syndrome.
i use two types in my 44 mag the 429667 which is a 240ish gr rnfp.
and the 429421 which is the iconic keith type mold.
i seem to use the rnfp in the 44 mag the most and the 421 in the 44 specials.
i also have an rcbs 240 swc gas check mold i don't use too often and another
240-gr rnfp mold i bump hollowpoints into for my 44-40.
but any of them do rather well on top of 10 grs of 800-x in the 44 mag it's pretty mild load and could go up some but i never seen the need to do so.

Lloyd Smale
02-14-2013, 05:47 AM
ive got a slug of 44 molds. Out of all of them some of my favorites are the rcbs 240swcgc, lymans 244 and 215 and 640. Ive also had good luck with verals 280lfngc and plain based version. Ive had good luck with both accuracy and game taking with all of those designs. out of all of them if i had to pick one it would be the rcbs 240swcgc. It has shot well in every 44 ive tried it in.

44man
02-14-2013, 08:49 AM
I agree with rick and a few others. The SWC can be very accurate, I was shooting the 429421 to over 400 yards in 1956. I just think they need a well aligned cylinder to bore.
The most accurate .357 boolit I had was the 358156 HP I shot from my model 27. I could hit 1" targets at 100 yards from prone. Other guns did not work out so I have to stick to my guns here and say it is the individual gun. The RNFP and LBT style nose boolits are easier to work with.
I also shoot the RCBS and I just use 7 gr of Unique, it is very accurate to 50 yards if I make it hard enough. It shot much better from the SRH then it does from my SBH. I blame the sandblasted edges of the cone to being unkind to the shoulder on the boolit. My gun needs a full nose.

oldfart1956
02-14-2013, 09:02 AM
I'm sure glad you didn't tell me that before I won State & National Championships in long range revolver (200m) using a SWC, I'm sure it would have made it much harder to do.

Rick Didn't say it couldn't be done Rick...just said the rnf is easier to get grouping for a beginner. And certainly easier if he ever gets a lever-action. At present one of my most accurate loads is a swc (in .45 colt) 200gr. boolit. Took a while to figger it out though. And I even got a swc to run through a lever-action! :) Glitchy...but it ran. Guess I should have highlighted..."in my limited experience." Audie...

timtonya
02-14-2013, 10:29 AM
So if I buy the RCBS 44-250-k, can I tumble lube? I don't own a lubesizer. Would I need to buy a lee sizing kit?

44man
02-14-2013, 10:45 AM
So if I buy the RCBS 44-250-k, can I tumble lube? I don't own a lubesizer. Would I need to buy a lee sizing kit?
I don't like TL. I would get a Lee size die and stuff a good lube in with my fingers or pan lube before sizing.

cbrick
02-14-2013, 10:49 AM
I am no fan of tumble lubing but yes, you can tumble lube it. You may need to get the LEE sizer, depends on as cast size & throat diameters. They RCBS should cast pretty close to stated diameter with some variation due to alloy used. If it isn't much smaller than the throats and it chambers it can be tumble lubed and fired without sizing.

Rick

cbrick
02-14-2013, 10:50 AM
I don't like TL. I would get a Lee size die and stuff a good lube in with my fingers or pan lube before sizing.

Yep, I would pan lube if I didn't have a lubesizer. Tumble lube would be my last option.

Rick

44man
02-14-2013, 11:43 AM
My RCBS boolit does not need sized, I use the Lee die to remove excess lube. I call it a fancy cake cutter! Messy, messy but oh so good!

runfiverun
02-14-2013, 12:22 PM
i think you'd be better off pan lubing and pushing through a sizer also.
but t/l would get you started.
i'd still use a sizer either way.

i hate pan lubing myself but it works well for many..

timtonya
02-14-2013, 02:02 PM
Too bad the RCBS mold isn't 4 cavity. For a little more I can buy a NOE mold which is 4 cavity.

Mal Paso
02-14-2013, 05:04 PM
Get them both, then you'll know for sure! I have 5 44 cal Keith molds in 3 variations.

Mal Paso
02-14-2013, 05:26 PM
Seriously, if you just shoot a few cylinders full in a mix with other guns the RCBS will be fine and last a lifetime. The NOE will most likely cast larger and need sizing, it will allow some people a better fit. All I reload and most of what I shoot is 44 so I need volume. 1,000+/month

timtonya
02-14-2013, 05:38 PM
I do like the RCBS mold. Maybe I'll buy that and get a Lee sizer kit or would it be needed?

timtonya
02-15-2013, 04:02 AM
How's Lymans current mold quality compared to RCBS?

runfiverun
02-15-2013, 12:53 PM
lyman is hit or miss right now.
i haven't heard anything negative about rcbs.
you will want to check the rcbs alignment pins.
they usually stand a little proud from the mold and need to be tapped in a titch.

Lizard333
02-15-2013, 01:52 PM
I can't comment any more on the bullet mold choices. You have been given excellent advice. I personally have most of those molds. I do have to advise you on the Ruger Redhawk instead of the Smith & Wesson. You'll get a better trigger pull on the Smith & Wesson but that's the only advantage. Go with the Redhawk and you'll never go back. You get the same trigger pull after 10,000 rounds on that Redhawk. And you still have a very good shooting firearm after that. I personally shot well over 20,000 rounds on my Redhawks and they are the best pistol I've ever shot.

timtonya
02-15-2013, 02:02 PM
Ya I really like the Super Redhawk 9 1/2". I'll probably buy an Accurate mold and try it out.

Huntducks
02-15-2013, 02:56 PM
You did not state and no one asked what are you hunting ? yotes deer elk bears? that right there would tell me what I wanted to load size wise.

I have a number of .429 molds and really like the Lyman 429215HP great accuracy and shot right threw 2 goats and a elk, look around and fined a used lubsizer.

timtonya
02-15-2013, 03:03 PM
Mostly target shooting, white tail deer and possibly home defense.

44man
02-15-2013, 03:51 PM
Home defense NO unless you want to shoot through your house and a neighbors house. Maybe ruin your car in the drive. Believe me a house will not stop the boolit. That stuff does not belong in deer hunting at all.
The best for the home is always a shotgun with bird shot.

felix
02-15-2013, 04:08 PM
Number 4 bird shot at that! ... felix

fredj338
02-15-2013, 08:15 PM
I have an older 4cav Lyman 429421 & a RCBS 245 for my Magma. Both cast fine bullets. I size & lube everything, so Star sizer & CR lately.

joes29729
02-15-2013, 11:05 PM
Hey guys new to casting and so I have a newbie question. I recently came into a pair of 1894 marlin 44 mags. Both barrels slugged at .430(hopefully I did that right) and are stamped microgroove. Now when I get a mold should I get one sized .431 or .432 and then size to .431? I hear it can be a **** shoot as to what size the molds actually cast also. Any suggestions as to brand name would also be much appreciated.

MtGun44
02-16-2013, 11:58 AM
I have not developed a load for microgroove bbls but the folks that have report
usually needing to be sure the boolit is big enough and they then have good results.
Apparently "big enough" is frequently larger than the "normal" diam that folks
expect to use, but this is pretty common in many cartridges with regular rifling.

I always go .001 or .002 minimum over groove diam for conventional loads in rifles,
so try several diameters and see what works. I'd start larger rather than smaller
if it was me. I've never had problems beyond the rare inability to chamber a round
with too large, and lots of problems with too small.

Bill

44man
02-16-2013, 01:18 PM
Yes, a little larger but you need to look at the twist rate of the Marlin's. The .44's came with 1 in 38" and it will cause your most problems.

joes29729
02-16-2013, 08:06 PM
Thanks for the replies thats a start. Guess I'll order some .431 and .432 sized and try to work up a load that works well. I'll be using Wheel weights so does anyone know if companies that sell cast bullets use an alloy close to wheel weights or if they will be close enough in hardness to not worry about it?