Favorite Bullet Rossi 44Mag

[Farmall]

Wife got me a new Rossi 16" SS levergun in 44Mag yesterday for my birthday. Trying to find a good bullet to use in it, and am looking for suggestions. Will use mostly for plinking, and maybe dispatching the occasional farmyard pest, so don't intend on running these at full throttle either. No gas checks either.
Just got done learning about the 429421 not working, so I am thinking of something with a more round nosed profile may be best.
Any suggestions?

[HollowPoint]

When I first got my Rossi/Puma M92 I used to shoot 300 grain gas checked HP exclusively. That's because I originally planned on using it for deer hunting in real brushy terrain.

The bullet mold that formed these bullets is a custom Mihec mold I purchased in the very first "Group-Buy" I ever participated in.

In my rifle it's an accurate bullet out to about 75 yards but, after shooting several hundred of them at full power I started looking for something I could use for plinking.

I ended up using the Lee 240 grain SWC. It's an inexpensive two cavity mold that I opened up to .432. It was originally dropping bullets at about .430 but that was just a tad small for my bore dimensions.

I use a charge weight of 8.5 grains of Unique powder that give me a sweet shooting plinking load with enough power to drop a coyote out to 100 yard if I hit him correctly. (accurate too)

I also have a Lee 240 grain six cavity round nose mold but it drops bullets at .429. I'd have to open up each cavity to get it to work for me. Since I got the SWC mold working real well I thought I'd hold off on modifying the six-cavity round nose mold.

I've found that in my little lever action I have to add a slight taper crimp in order for my cartridges to cycle properly.

There are a whole lot of other guys on here with their own pet-plinking-loads for the 44 lever action. I'm sure that between the bunch of us you'll find exactly what you're looking for in an accurate and inexpensive plinking load.

HollowPoint

[EDK]

Moulds are kinda like car racing..."How fast can you afford to go."

Plain base round nose flat point would be the NOE clone of the RANCH DOG TLC 432 265: get the RANCH DOG original if you want a gas check. I use both in my MARLIN Cowboy rifles. (The RANCH DOG is currently available and the least expensive of all mentioned here.) I have an original LYMAN 429640 gas check in two cavity. Also a MIHEC plain base Craemer style hollow point clone on order in group buys...four cavity. LYMAN 429667 was...and is...a favorite of mine for several years.

MMA10MM had a group buy of a modified clone of the ELMER KEITH LYMAN 429421/H&G 503/RCBS 250KT that feeds nicely in my rifles....good luck finding a used one.

Since 90%+ of my shooting is with the assorted 44 VAQUEROS, I use faster powders. It is hard to go wrong with 6.5-to-7.5 grains of TITEGROUP or HERCO or HP38/231 or UNIQUE. Go a little lower with RED DOT/PROMO. You're on your own loading these, but they work for me.

[Hanzerik]

Mine likes the RD 432-265
I have yet to fire any loads with the 429421, but have cycled some dummy rounds with this bullet and they feed fine.

[helice]

My Rossi likes the 429244 at .431 and the 300 gr WFN GC. It shoots a 280 gr LFN PB better yet if I keep the velocities a bit lower

[ColColt]

When I find a good buy on a Marlin 44 I'm going to use the boolit I use in my M29-the Accurate Mold 43-260B. It's like a Lee 358-158RF on steroids and shoots clover leafs in the 29 so hopefully, it will do well in the Marlin.

[Farmall]

Thanks for the ideas guys. I have the Lee 200gn RNFP, that drops right about .430" so think I'll start there. I have the 429244, but didn't think it would work either, due to similar nose profile to the 429421.
While the RD molds look great, I just don't want to mess with, or think I will need a gas check.

Broke the loading gate / spring assy last night, so I'm on hold until the mailman brings me a new one! Maybe I'll get time to fire up the pot and cast some of the 200 grainers.

[HDS]

Thanks for the ideas guys. I have the Lee 200gn RNFP, that drops right about .430" so think I'll start there. I have the 429244, but didn't think it would work either, due to similar nose profile to the 429421.

Have you even tried the 429421 to make sure it works or not? It works in a lot of peoples Rossis, including mine.

[Farmall]

Yes, I could get them to feed when loaded in 44 special brass, and sort of in 44mag, but not very nicely. Thinking a more rounded nose profile would feed better.

When I replace the loading gate, I plan on slicking things up a bit. I'll retry the 429421 also.

[robertbank]

I have had good luck with the 429421 boolit cast from water quenched WW alloy. I am just now working on loads for the gun but results to date are promising. My Rossi loads them just fine.

Take Care

Bob