RCBS 44-250-K v. 44-245-SWC ?

[Petrol & Powder]

I'm looking at RCBS molds for a 44 Special load in the 245-255gr range. I see two RCBS molds that look very similar but I can't seem to figure out why the "Keith" style one (44-250-K) is 250 grains and the plain ol' 44-245-SWC is listed as 5 grains less? Is there any real difference?

[Bigslug]

Thicker front driving band on the Keith. Elmer was a stickler for three equal length driving bands - a beefy front one helping with alignment going into the bore, and a beefy extra pair helping maintain it.

[Petrol & Powder]

So, the two designs are fairly close?

[GLL]

For Reference:



The 44-245 KT was changed to the 44-245 SWC but is the same mold ! (#82043)
The 44-250 KT was changed to the 44-250 SWC and then discontinued ! (#82044)

The 44-250 KT is one of my favorites in .44 Special.

Jerry

[Petrol & Powder]

OK, that helped a lot. The 44-245KT and the current 44-245-SWC are the same bullet but they have a shorter front driving band from the 44-250KT.
Of my current RCBS choices, which one is better?

[GLL]

The 44-250-KT (#82044) is no longer in production and would have to be found used. It would be my own choice for .44 Special if I were buying an RCBS mold.

The 44-250-K (#82080) is very popular and somewhat the equivalent of the old IDEAL/LYMAN 429421.

I feel most would choose the 44-250-K over the 44-245-KT but it is mainly a personal preference.

Jerry

[MtGun44]

Go for 44-250-K. This is one of the really good Keith type molds, works very well for me.

Bill

[ShooterAZ]

Go for 44-250-K. This is one of the really good Keith type molds, works very well for me.

Bill

Same here. I love this mold. It's a keeper with medium target loads and full steam loads.

[Petrol & Powder]

Well that settles it, 44-250-K it is.
Thanks all.

[MtGun44]

10 gr of Unique is a nice moderate/warmish load, 8.5 is a mild load and Elmer's 20 gr of 2400 really
did it for my warthogs.

Bill

[Petrol & Powder]

Yea, powder is a bit difficult to come by right now and I don't have Unique on hand. I might be able to get some Unique in the next week or two. Haven't seen 2400 in a long time. Any others that will work?

[ShooterAZ]

Bill's loads and mine are essentially the same. One or the other of us must have peeked at our load notebooks. It wasn't me because I have never been to Kansas. 8.5-10 gr Unique and 19-20 gr 2400. I also found a powderpuff load of 4.2 gr of Clays to be VERY accurate and clean burning. I have two RCBS 44-250-K molds, found one at a gunshow for $10 bucks. That one was casting a tad undersized for my needs, but beagling one side did the trick. It's a wonderful boolit. Another favorite of mine is the NOE-44 200 gr RF. It casts at 220 gr with my 44 alloy and my Blackhawk loves this boolit sized to .431.

[Petrol & Powder]

The RCBS 44-250-K is on the way along with a .430" sizing die. I'll start looking for some Unique and maybe some 44 Special cases. I've got 44 mag factory cartridges which will eventually yield some brass, albeit magnum cases. Since I intend to load below magnum levels, I'd prefer to use Special cases, if I can find some. Ultimately I'd like to have one "all-around" 44 Special type load that's hotter than the factory 44 Special stuff but below 44 magnum level. If I could do it with WW231 or maybe Bullseye, that would keep my logistics simple but I'm fine with adding Unique to my supply provided I can find some.

[MTtimberline]

7.0 to 7.5 grains of 231/HP-38 works well for me with the 44-245-SWC and 429421 castings in Magnum cases. Makes for a good moderate load that is fun to shoot at the range. They are just above the Special level and go about 1000 FPS. The 429421 seems to provide better accuracy.

[h8dirt]

In a 44 MAGNUM (not Special)

10 gr of Unique is a nice moderate/warmish load, 8.5 is a mild load and Elmer's 20 gr of 2400 really
did it for my warthogs.

Bill

[h8dirt]

I use the 250 grainer sized to 0.431", 7.5 grains of Unique and a standard LPP for an "all around" warm load in my 44 Specials. It's pretty universally recognized as such. 17.0 grains of IMR4227 works good, too. They work for me; proceed with caution.

The RCBS 44-250-K is on the way along with a .430" sizing die. I'll start looking for some Unique and maybe some 44 Special cases. I've got 44 mag factory cartridges which will eventually yield some brass, albeit magnum cases. Since I intend to load below magnum levels, I'd prefer to use Special cases, if I can find some. Ultimately I'd like to have one "all-around" 44 Special type load that's hotter than the factory 44 Special stuff but below 44 magnum level. If I could do it with WW231 or maybe Bullseye, that would keep my logistics simple but I'm fine with adding Unique to my supply provided I can find some.

[canyon-ghost]

This is a good read and tells you a lot about Elmer Keith.

[Petrol & Powder]

Thanks for all the info. And FWIW- the gun is a 629 so no worries about the hot 44 Special loads, they're still way below 44 mag. levels.

[30hrrtt]

My 245 - KT has a front driving band same as the middle but the lower band is narrower. It has shot the only one hole group at 50 with my Super Redhawk though several goes just under 1 1/2 inch.

[376Steyr]

I have an older 44-250-K. Darn thing wanted to drop at .429, just like it said on the outside of the box. I used Beagle tape to get it up to .430-.431. Once I switched to a softer alloy and a non-crayon lube I finally started to get the legendary .44 Special accuracy.