Need Advice On Initial .44 Mag. Bullet Weight....

[UtopiaTexasG19]

I just pulled my Ruger Blackhawk in .44 mag. out of mothballs after many years and am going over some re-load charts to decide on a initial load for target practice and then eventual hunting small whitetail deer. The charts show bullet weights from 160gr.-355gr. and I need some advice from those who are regular re-loaders what weight range they feel in the .44 mag. would be a good place to start. I remember from years back preferring something in the 240gr. range but my memory is not that good. Another side question...What in the world is the 355gr. used for???

[44man]

240 or 250, bottom line. Then 265 to 320 for hunting. Too light or too heavy is asking for trouble.
Jacketed bullets would start at the 300 gr XTP for deer but a few 240 gr bullets work, the 240 XTP can open too fast.
The 265 RD boolit, the Lee 310 and the LBT 320 would be my choices for deer.

[testhop]

i have several 44 moulds .
but use 3 most thay are a 180wc it is a custommould i got off fleabay use it for plinking and target .
next is a 220 lyman 429215 that shoots great (targets)
but my favorate is lymans 429421this is my hunting pick .
i dont load anything hot but warm.

[stubshaft]

240grs. +/- 5grs. gives the best balance of weight vs. velocity. I have settled on 429421 and the RCBS 245KT PB.

[white eagle]

like 44 sez
240 was the go to boolit for the foe d foe
however for hunting weights it has been surpassed in weight
personally I am going to use a 300 gr MP h.p or a 320 gr Accurate boolit

[Shuz]

As others have said, the Lyman 429421 is a good choice; as are any of the other clones of the "original" Keith boolit. The 429421, the Mihec 503 H&G clone, or a plain based version of Lyman's 429640 Devastator are the boolits I use for hunting.

[BCB]

I think the 44 Magnum might have been based on the 240+ grainer—but I may catch a learning lesson with that statement…

I shoot the 44-250-K in my SRH and it does O.K. as far as accuracy goes to about 75 yards. From there it falls apart quickly…

Now then, you ask what in the world is the 355 grainer for? I don’t know either!!!...

But, I am not an avid hunter with the 44 Magnum…

BUT, I do shoot the Lyman 429650 and it weighs in at around 320 grains with the check in place…

Why do I shoot it—it is very accurate with the ‘scoped SRH…

From a good sandbag rest, and when I get the “hold-over” for a particular day, it will hit a life-sized steel target of a groundhog @ 200 yards with about every drop of the hammer—takes about 10 seconds (!), it seems to get there, but the groundhog pendulum swings…

Good-luck…BCB

[fredj338]

I used to use a lot of diff wts, even the 180gr for varmint hunting. I have since settled on lead bullets for all my 44mag shooting & the 240-250gr is a good only bullet choice.

[odis]

I like you am gearing up for reloading for the 44 again, my choice was easy because I will also be reloading for my 3" barreled 624 so I purchased a mold from accuracy molds a 43 250 grain semi wadcutter, I remember that I had very good luck with a bullet that looked identical to it back in the 80s using either unique or 2400 powder. I have a couple of piles of slugs cast but have not had time to load any or shoot.

[HammerMTB]

For a long time I used a 240GC SWC. Found I really didn't need the GC, and then found I liked a RF nose better than a SWC. So, I sold the 240GC SWC and got a 265RF. I did get a mold with 1 cavity GC'd, just i case I ever get a 44Mag rifle. I'd like one if I come across the right deal.
I also like my 310RF Lee. It is really only for big critters, but it has a lot going for it in that department.
I am not a fan of high velocity and big expansion in lead boolits. I prefer a heavy slug that goes clean thru an animal and lets a lot of the air out of 'em.

[williamwaco]

Another vote for Lyman 429421.

This is the only bullet I have ever loaded for more than one batch.

[Mal Paso]

The 250 g Keith. Mine is the H&G 503 clone from MP Molds.

[Larry Gibson]

Lyman 429421 or RCBS 44-250-K are both excellent moulds to start with for the .44 magnum.

Larry Gibson