Traded for a Ruger 44 Mag.

[Freightman]

My son came over with his 50th aniversy 44 Mag and said it was a little tough for his hand and was going to have to do something. I said how about I trade you my 357 Mag Ruger BH with the understanding that if you do not like it bring it back. So I loaded him up with 1000 loaded rounds of ammo and another 1000 emptys and all sized and primed and the mould I had. Went to the range and shot the 50 rounds he had and it was intense but managable, my hands are larger and tougher than eather of the boys because of what I did for a living, after I got the sights set i could keep them in 2.5" at 25 so I will work up some loads and see how much better it will shoot. I think I will step the loads down from what he had as I am just going to kill paper with it.
Here are some pictures (not good ones)

[txbirdman]

I've got that same revolver. I shoot mostly 10 gr. of Unique with the 429421 sized .430 and have shot many 5 round groups of 1.5" or less at 25yds. The grips were too small for me so I found a set of Pacmayr's for a SAA on ebay for next to nothing (guys with SAA's must not want to put rubber grips on them). Anyway the guns shootablility increased significantly after that.

[drklynoon]

Seems like a nice trade on both of your parts. I haven't shot a .44 mag BH only the RH But like anything else we reloaders can make up whatever we want for managablility or function. Happy Shooting.

[Larry Gibson]

Good trade for the both of you. However, I'll bet he comes back wanting it back..........

I've also the same Ruger 50th FTBH .44. Mine shoots really well and the grips fit my smaller hands perfectly. I use 5 gr Bullseye under the TL429-240-SWC in 44 SPL cases for an excellent plinking, small game load at 800 fps. In magnum cases the RCBS 44-250-K or the Lyman 429421 over 9 gr Unique at 1075 fps will shoot into 1 - 1.5" all day long at 25 yards (pretty good for my old tired eyes anymore) and is my "general purpose" load. It is very comfortable to shoot without a glove on.

Either of those 250 gr Keith type SWCs cast bullets over Keith's classic load of 22 gr 2400 runs 1350 fps and is an excellent load also. BlueDot powder is also excellent with either of those Keith SWCs with 17.3 gr being an excellent load at 1417 fps. The Lyman 429244 or the 429640HP "Devestator" (both at 270 gr) over 23 gr H110 (WW cases with CCI 350 primers) run 1350 fps with excellent accuracy and are my "go to" cast bullet big game hunting loads. The Hornady 240 XTP over 24.5 gr H110 (WW cases with WLP primers) runs 1430 fps and is deadly for big game also.

All loads mentioned have been thoroughly pressure tested in a Contender Barrel with an Oehler M43 and are within SAAMI MAP for the .44 Mag. The XTP load is almost identical to the factory Hornady 240 XTP load in charge, pressure and velocity, not to mention superb accuracy.

BTW; I've whoosed out as if I'm shooting more than a cylinder full of the magnum level loads I put a PAST shooting glove on.......;)

Larry Gibson

[Swampman]

Those are great pistols. I really like 8.0 grains of Unique under a 240-250 grain hardcast boolit. I usually wear a leather work glove with the fingers cut back when shooting hot loads.

[Iron Mike Golf]

You might try some different grips. I like Pachmayr Presentation. Shooting "Ruger Only" heavy loads from my 45 Colt BH (5.5 inch barrel) is much nicer than stock grips. Get some rubber over the backstrap hot hot loads.

[Freightman]

Good trade for the both of you. However, I'll bet he comes back wanting it back..........



Larry Gibson
Not a big deal as it will be his anyhow, if you haven't talked to your sons or daughters about who gets what in your gun safe you need to. Then write it down. Saves hurt feelings. By the way he turned 50 this year so you can see where I am coming from. I am getting well used, might be approaching antique stage.

[Larry Gibson]

Not a big deal as it will be his anyhow, if you haven't talked to your sons or daughters about who gets what in your gun safe you need to. Then write it down. Saves hurt feelings. By the way he turned 50 this year so you can see where I am coming from. I am getting well used, might be approaching antique stage.

I've already got that done also....great advise for anyone of any age who have guns to be left to family.....best you say who gets what.

Larry Gibson

[Matthew 25]

Freightman, I like antiques. I hope you will try some of the lighter 44 loads listed above, they make very nice holes and are so pleasant to shoot. No reason for a 44 to be painful.

[tek4260]

Love those 50th Flats! Only one problem for me with them, but a hacksaw fixes is right up.

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/tk3945/101_0844.jpg
http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/tk3945/101_1088.jpg

Then a few parts

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/tk3945/101_0944.jpg

Really close to a PPP

[Heavy lead]

tek 4260, those grips look like the bearpaw EIG 5, if so, that's what I have on mine, sure like them.