Another 1894 .44mag bullet question

[fatelk]

I have the Lee 358-158-RF mold for .357 mag and I really like it. Does anyone make something really similar for the 44 mag? Something like a 430-255-RF would seem perfect.

I looked at the Ranck Dog 265gr mold, but I don't care for tumble lube, and would prefer one without the gas check. This would be for a S&W 29 and Marlin 1894. I don't want to go over about 265gr in the S&W.

The Marlin is another story. I have yet to find anything that will shoot worth a darn in it, cast or jacketed. I'm about ready to junk the thing, but I'll mess with it a little more first.

[phaessler]

I have had real good luck with an Ideal 429244, 429640( now discontinued), and Miha's 432-640, which he has the solid available still, not a plug, but a good mold around the weight you requested, and plain base like the Lee you referenced.

Pete

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=143551 Miha's extra list

[longbow]

Mine likes the H&G #503 and Mihec 434640, both PB and both about the weight you are looking at.

I had poor results with the Lyman 429421 in both feeding and accuracy but the feeding was my picky Marlin not liking SWC's and the inaccuracy was largely due to poor boolit fit. The mould cast at 0.429" and the groove diameter is 0.4315".

A little (well, quite a bit) of work on the carrier and cartridge stop fixed feeding and a fatter boolit of at least 0.432" fixed the accuracy issue.

Mine shot jacketed bullets fine but didn't like cast until I fattened them up. If you haven't tried it yet slug your barrel and make sure you have a boolit at least 0.001" over groove diameter.

The Mihec 434640 is an excellent mould though a little heavier in solid than you might want.

You might check out Accurate Molds:

http://accuratemolds.com/catalog.php?page=6

Tom has a good selection and will cut to whatever diameter you want and with or without GC shank.

Longbow

[fatelk]

This looks like just what I'm looking for: http://accuratemolds.com/bullet_detail.php?bullet=43-260B-D.png

What do you think? My 1894 bore slugs at .4298", and I think I would order a .432 mold. I intend to try a few more things in my 1894. I have the Lee 310 mold, but haven't shot any of them through it for accuracy yet. 310 is too heavy for the S&W and I want something that will work in both.

I don't hunt, but I give bullets once in a while to a friend who is a wildlife guy. He has a 29 and an 1894 also and shoots bears on occasion. I would think that would be a good bear bullet?

[longbow]

It looks like a good boolit to me but I think I would reduce meplat diameter a bit (personal choice) and check OAL for cartridge crimped into that crimp groove. I can recall factory OAL but my 1894 did not like anything longer than factory OAL until I filed the cartridge stop.

Also, mine is microgroove with slow 1:38" twist and doesn't like anything heavier (longer) than about 270 gr. Some do well with heavier boolits and design does play a part. RanchDog says his 300 gr. boolits stay stable all the way to 300 yards. I believe him as some heavy designs seem to do okay and especially if pushed to high velocity.

I have tried "J" bullets at 300 grs. and they were sideways at 50 yards. I tried cast TC 300 gr. and they did okay to about 75 yards but were sideways at 100 yards.

265 gr. RNFP's shoot well out of my gun to 200 yards so that is where I stay ~ 265 gr. or less.

That's what works for me.

Longbow

[fatelk]

I just cycled some Lee 310gr rounds through my rifle. They went through slick. One hung up slightly on the bullet flat, but that might have been just the way I was doing it. I couldn't get it to repeat. I've shot a lot of SWC's in it without a hiccup.

The Lee 310 has a .35" meplat, and OAL of 1.695". The 43-260B has a meplat of .33" and should have a slightly shorter OAL. I'm inclined to think it should cycle well in my rifle, but it sounds like mine might be something of an exception. I guess I won't know about accuracy until I try it.

It might be a while before I buy another mold, though. There was a time that I wouldn't even consider paying that much for a bullet mold, but I'm learning that sometimes good quality and getting just what you want are worth paying for.

[longbow]

If you buy a mould from Tom it will be top notch I am sure. Mine is excellent and if I had more toy money I would be buying some more right now ~ I will eventually. Excellent mould, excellent service and the mould is cut to, and casts to, my spec. What's not to like!

Yeah, one of the reasons I suggested a slightly smaller meplat is that you said you aren't hunting so meplat isn't too important and that was another source of hangups in my 1894 was on large flat noses.

Some don't seem picky but some do ~ mine was before I worked on it. Sounds like you got a good one that isn't picky.

Enjoy!

Longbow

[Fishman]

The lee 310 over h110 shoots well in my 1894p

[monge]

try the lee 90341 240gr rd pb works for me with ww and 2% lino. 5.6gr 231.