Which boolit for a .44 special

[drklynoon]

I have a 4" stainless .44 special and am getting ready to buy a mold for it and want some feedback from you guys. The stipulations, I only have access to W/W's no tin additive I also won't be using a new Lyman mold because it will drop to durn small. Other than that I am open to any suggestions. I do not know wheather a gascheck bullet will be needed or not. I have now shot 240 gr. and 200 gr. cast through it and both felt fine. The 200 gr. was less accurate but leaded less, that was due to the 240's being a factory bullet. I really am unsure which way to go here. any suggestions would be welcome. Thanks Nathan

[NickSS]

I would opt for a Lee 240 gr RF bullet mold. It will be close to a factory bullet and I have found that the flat point makes for a effective small game bullet.

[2 dogs]

I have shot alot of bullets in the 44 special and one of the best balanced was the 429215 GC. However, you are right, some of the molds will drop em a bit small.

[subsonic]

Heavier boolits tend to be more forgiving and just seem to shoot more accurately for me. If you are hung up on accuracy like me, I'd suggest the Ranch Dog 265gr mould. You will probably have to push it kinda hard to get the best results though.

I dont have that 240gr 2R Lee, but it's on my list, and so is the 200gr RF.

[Ben]

431215 plain base HP ( There was no such mold ever made ---to my knowledge ---by Lyman, this one was custom HP'd for me by Erik along with the removal of the g/c shank leaving a rear base band of .4325" )

I shot these into a 5 gallon bucket of wet sand.

Here is what the bullet looked like when it came to a stop.
Shot from my Ruger New Model , 44 Special, 7.0 Unique.
Alloy is ACWW's with about 1% tin added to aid in mold fill out.

In my opinion, it is just about perfect for my applications in the .44 Special.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v494/haysb/431215%20%20HP/PICT0001-2.jpg

Decided to cast more after the test today..........

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v494/haysb/431215%20%20HP/PICT0003-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v494/haysb/431215%20%20HP/PICT0007.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v494/haysb/431215%20%20HP/PICT0012.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v494/haysb/431215%20%20HP/PICT0002.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v494/haysb/431215%20%20HP/PICT0014.jpg

[canyon-ghost]

For about ten years, all I ever used was a cast iron mold. When I got a 44 Special last year, I discovered Carolina Cast Bullets. Jerry sent me a big sample in a trade. The 200 grain Lee Round Flatnose. For a plain base bullet, they worked surprisingly well. I was shooting them to 50 meters on the last range outting. Hit two targets at that range, too!!
I own the Lyman 215 gascheck mold too. I have both. There is nothing wrong with either. The Lee is 90285 two cavity, and will get pretty sharp at 7.4 grains of Unique.

Second bullet down on the page: http://carolinacastbullets.com/44_Special___44_Magnum.html

http://i758.photobucket.com/albums/xx228/3rdshooter/Picture25.jpg

[Ben]

canyon-ghost

Isn't the 44 Special a wonderful cartridge ?

BTW, those are some sharp looking grips on your Ruger !

I put Pachmayr grips on my Ruger 44 Spec., tames those 7.5 gr. Unique loads.
The factory grips were just too small for my BIG hands.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v494/haysb/Pach%2044%20Special%20Grips/PICT0009.jpg

[462]

I've never bought a new Lyman mould, but the many that I have drop at or fatter than their nominal dimension. For the .44 Special's, I use a Lyman 429421 which originally dropped at .431", but I beagled it to drop .433" to fit the guns' cylinder throats. There is no need for a gas check.

Ben,
Nice boolit.

[Larry Gibson]

If you want a 200 gr bullet the Lee cowboy 429-200-RF is a good one. If you really don't like Lymans (I've had no problems with them dropping WW alloyed bullets at the correct diameters) 429421 then I'd suggest the RCBS 44-250-K.

Larry Gibson

[drklynoon]

Those are some pretty bullets ben. I have bought two new Lyman molds and they both drop small for me with W/W's now if I go to the ol mans and use them with Linotype they drop fine. Fortunatley the guns I bought them for need a slightley smaller bullet so it works out well. The .44 in question is a Taurus and the cylinders are big I have never tried beagling an iron mold. I have nothing against the round flat nose. I am looking for accuracy mainly. The reason for the gas check is that if I am going to have to drive it a bit hard I have run into leading with my Plain base bullets. This is a huge generalization but it seems that when ever I break 850 fps I get leading this is why I am considering a gas check. I shouldn't be pushing the taurus much harder than that so it might not be needed. I have had some great luck with Keith style SWC so I am inclined to lean towrds a bullet like that but I know they were designed for the mag but my .45 colt loves that style and it and I'm only pushing it about 800 fps. Lee molds are awesome cause they heat fast and cause they are 20 bucks but I am more than willing to go with anytype I can order for around a 100 greenbacks.

[462]

What powder are you using that is causing the leading? I use 2400 and air-cooled wheel weights, and from Lyman's starting load to Mr. Keith's mini-mag load, neither gun leads.

Mr. Keith designed the 429421 for the .44 Special, long before the .44 Magnum was introduced.

[EDK]

I'd consider MIHEC'S version of 429421/H&G 503 aka the KEITH boolit. MMA10MM had a similar group buy awhile back that worked nicely in my rifles too. NOE makes a tri weight 44 wadcutter...get the heavy version...and a clone of RANCH DOG'S TLC 432 265 with lube grooves. MIHEC has a group buy going for a hollow point version of LYMAN 429640 aka the Devastator (in hollow point form.) This would also work in speedloaders if you have a double action revolver.

You will notice all of these are available in PLAIN BASE. Gas checks double the price of my boolits and I don't need them for 95% of my pistol loads. HOWEVER, I use the RD TLC 432 265 lubed with LEE LIQUID ALOX and gas checked to remove lead from pistol barrels. It's a lot more fun to fire another six rounds rather than getting out the chemicals and the CHOREGIRL copper mesh.

:Fire::cbpour::redneck:

[BoolitBill]

I have had good luck with RCBS 250-K and Skeeters load. It does all I need it to do and is accurate in my Ruger. http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/default.aspx?productNumber=744337

[Kraschenbirn]

To date, the most accurate boolit I found for both my Smith M24 and OM Ruger Vaquro is Lee 429-240-2R RN. Drops at .432/246 gr. from my unmodified double-cavity mould using air-cooled 50/50 PB/WW. Probably going to buy another of these and beagle/lap it out to get .433 finished boolits for my 1894 Marlin.

Bill

[drklynoon]

462 I have used Unique, Bullseye, Tightgroup, Trail boss, and a few others. This problem hasn't been much of an issue except in my .32 H&R. The consensus is that a gas check is not needed and thats fine by me I don't want the extra cost either. There seems to be an agreement on heavy bullet work more consistantly as well. Right now I am using a 215 gr lee SWC with 6.6 grs. unique and it just wasn't very consistant. I might not have gotten unique up to it's operating pressure. The load was just a starting point for the bullet to see if the gun liked them or not. This load may have leaded a bit, I am not sure because I could have missed some lead from the last time I shot and was using factory winchest stuff that leaded like a big dog. I still have 25 that I'm going to try again next week and then I am going to get serious about load development for it. As far as the design of the "Keith" style bullet even in the special he was driving that bullet pretty durn hard lol. I am still a believer in it for alot of different uses. Hollow points are awesome for hunting or defense but I am probably going to be using her for silouettes and paper and well those molds take forever :-).

[9.3X62AL]

My Model 624 x 6.5" dotes on Lyman #429421, and casts big enough to clean up in a .431" H&I die to .4315". Throats are just a tiny bit under .431", so everything gets along well. 90% of my loads are 7.5 grains of Unique, which run about 950 FPS in my revo. When hunting is on my mind, I run #429244 with 15.0 grains of 2400 for 1100 FPS. Those push back just a bit.

[leadman]

The 429421 works real well for me. Also the RCBS 44-225-SWC GC is a very accurate boolit that can be used a low or high velocity. I used to push these a 2,000 fps in my 444 Marlin Contender barrel. Work great in my 3 screw Ruger SBH. Recoil is less than with the heavy boolits also.

[MtGun44]

Like 462 says, the 429421 was designed for the .44 Spl. 7.5 gr of Unique is a great load
in that caliber. I also have used a light to moderate load of W231 with good results, I forget
the exact load right now.

Bill

[Snapping Twig]

I use 6.5g W231/HP38 under the 429421 for a load that's just under the power of the 7.5g Unique load.

Very pleasant and accurate, more "juice" than factory loads and useful wherever the Skeeter load would be.

[Lloyd Smale]

there isnt to many 44 bullets i havent tried. My three go to bullets if i want the most accuracy out of my 44s are the rcbs 240 swcgc and the lyman 429244 and 429215. these are all gas checked bullets though.

[Bret4207]

Pretty hard to beat the 429421 or it's clones includint he GC versions. Ny M24-3 simply loves the 429421, but it's too purty to carry in the woods.

[txbirdman]

If you want a traditional look in an accurate bullet try to find a Lyman 429383. I have a 2 cavity in this mould and the bullet is more accurate than the SWC's in my revolvers.

[odis]

I have a 3 cavity mold from Accuratemolds the 43-250K. My only experience with this chambering is my Lew Horton 624 that I bough last year. I thought the Skeeter load with unique was perfect till this weekend when I shot up 50 rds using 4.5 of Bullseye and 50 rds. using 5 grs. of Red Dot. I don't have a chrono and I don't care what the velocity is because the gun is not legal to hunt with in my state plus I don't have a carry license. The Red Dot dot load was most accurate load so far. I like this boolit very much and am going to try some loads with 2400 next. I am using air cooled WWs and the slugs are sized at 431 and lubed with BAC the barrel is the cleanest part of the gun.

[W.R.Buchanan]

+1 on the 429421 style mould I have the Mihec version and it allows a variety of HP versions as well. Mine drops at .433 so I can size it for any .44 I own from pistols to rifles. Plus that the Mihec moulds are so nice to work with once you get the hang of them. I love mine.

Solids are 260 gr, and HP'S are 240 to 250 gr depending on the size of the hole.

NO need to look farther unless you need a Gas Check to prevent leading. I use 429244 for that, mostly for the rifles though.

Looking to have Accurate make a Brass .429244 shape mould in 300-310 grains IE one more driving band. It could be used as a heavy back up load for the pistols, and a front line load for the rifles. Gas Check included.

For those who haven't figured me out yet, .44 caliber is my favorite by far. And as far as versitility goes you can do just about everything from tincans to large critters that bite with one,,, er,,, several. or Four.

Randy

[rintinglen]

One other boolit that deserves mention, if accuracy is your prime concern ix the 429-383 mine casts right at .432 and gives great accuracy with five grains of Red Dot in my Ruger Flat top.

[drklynoon]

I went with the 429 240 swc gc lee mold. Hopefully it'll work out.

[TCLouis]

Lee 429-200 6 cavity

[Az Rick]

Another vote for the RCBS 245KT mould, mine throws a 250gr. boolit with ACWW. I shoot it in a .44spl. Ruger Bisley using Skeeters load. The plus for me is that my 1894 Marlin likes them as well. They shoot good!

[drklynoon]

One reason for the lee mold purchase is that I was told by alot of people that they throw around .433 and being that my throats are a little big that should work out just fine. I wish i could find a .432 sizer for my lubresizer. But I may just shoot them as cast. I went with the gas check cause there are a few things about this gun that made me think it might need a crutch to keep it from leading.

[lonnydk]

My best bullet is a 180 grain HP from a Mehic group buy mold....BUT....I am getting a group buy NOE mold for a 110 grain wadcutter for my Lipseys 44 spl. Does anyone have any experience with bullets this light in their 44's?

[MtGun44]

GCs are unnecessary in pistols.

Bill

[drklynoon]

I hear ya lol. The Taurus has some fitment issues that I can't really get around so the gascheck will cover it up. I do believe that you are right but have decided to give this a shot. I have had great luck covering up issues with a gascheck before so I'm gonna give it a try again.