RCBS 44-225GC Opinions??

[BobinIL]

I am looking for a good 44 magnum plinking bullet that I can run fairly hot 1200-1400fps out of my Redhawk and Marlin 1894. I have ordered the RCBS 44-225GC mold because I figure it will be close to 240grns by the time you add the gas check and lube. Any opinion on this bullet? I have tried the Lyman 429-421 and the lee 430-245C and didn't care too much for either of these. The lyman was good but leaded the barrel of both guns terribly. (I may try sizing the lyman bullet a little bigger) THe Lee was just plain awful, It cast at .432 to .436 and deformed so bad when I ran them through a .431 sizer that I couldn't use them. In fact I couldn't get the gas check to go on the lee bullets without pressing them on with the sizer die.

[44 flattop]

Its a great bullet and mine end up sized, lubed with GC in place, at 242grs. I think it'll work very nicely for what you have planned for it (plinking) and don't discount it for hunting as you can very easily get that bullet up in the 1800+fps range with really good accuracy.

44

[BigboreShooter]

EXTREMELY ACCURATE!!!!!

BigBoreShooter

[BobinIL]

I cast a few more of the lyman 429-421 bullets and ran them through a .431 sizer (Previously I used a .430 sizer) Backed my load off from 20grns 2400 to 18grns 2400 and WOW what a difference. Easy recoiling, accurate and printed 1240 on my chrony out of a 5.5" barreled Redhawk with zero leading.

[MtGun44]

IMO, GCs are not necessary for .44 mag if a good PB design, properly fitted and with a
good lube is used.

I'd recommend Lyman 429421, H&G 503 or RCBS 44-250-K.

Bill

[piece]

For me it works great in a S&W 29, 24gr of Vectan SP3 powder will make a decent 440m/s

[rintinglen]

I have had very good luck with it in a 7 1/2 inch Redhawk-- mine ended up weighing about 235 grains cast pretty soft. But with the gas check, I could still launch them fast using 24 grains of H-110. These days I mostly shoot the 429-421 at much lower velocities--17 grains of 2400 or 9 grains of Herco or Unique. Not many moose here in la-la land.

[30hrrtt]

What's the metplat diameter of the rcbs 225?

[Lloyd Smale]

its a decent bullet but ive had better luck with the lyman 429215

[BobinIL]

I spoke too soon on the leading issue with the Lyman 429421 mold. Cleaned my Redhawk tonight and still removed a fair amount of lead from the bore. If I were to keep using this bullet I think I would have to size them to .432. That being the case, my new RCBS 44-225GC mold should be here tomorrow so I will start working up a load for that bullet. I am thinking 18.5grns of 2400 should give me 1250-1300fps out of my 5.5" Redhawk.

[44 flattop]

I've had real good luck for a good medium load when using 2400 is to use about 17.5grs. Not real heavy, but still right at about 1200fps with excellent accuracy.

44

[Shuz]

IMO, GCs are not necessary for .44 mag if a good PB design, properly fitted and with a
good lube is used.

I'd recommend Lyman 429421, H&G 503 or RCBS 44-250-K.

Bill

Plus one, Bill!

Also like Lloyd says, I've had better luck with a Lyman 429215.

I once had an RCBS 44-225, but sold it because I didn't like the fact that a boolit design advertised at a nomial 225g should weigh over 240g with gas check.

Boolits cast from 429215 with WW+1% tin weigh 223g checked. I use a minimum number of these for any bbl cleaning needed.