Lee 430 200 RFP... What ya think?

[Animal]

I just ordered this Lee mold today. I plan on using COWW +2%tin, sizing to .430 and topping them off with a little Lee Liquid Alox. This little bullet is destined for some light 44spl loads. Anyone have thoughts they care to share on casting with this mold? Quirks? Likes?

The firearm is a Charter Arm Bulldog target model 4in barrel (most recent model). I mostly just plan on shooting paper and soda cans with it. I'm thinking minimum charges of Hogdgon Clays (not the Universal or International stuff, just Clays) because I have so much of it and it does well for any other plinking load I've made in other pistols.

[Pablo 5959]

I use the same Lee mold for punching paper out of my Smith 629.

It sure saves on lead.

I run 14.8 gr of Blue Dot in my Mag cases for a nice light load. Plus I have 5 lbs to burn through.
Pablo

[waco]

I load it over 7gr of Unique for my brothers Rossi lever gun.

[Duster340]

Hey Animal,

The Lee 200 gr RFP has become one of my favorite go-to cast bullets for use in my Bulldog. I filtered my load data tracking worksheet to pull my best loads so far with the Lee 200gr RFP. (Below) My 2 1/2"Pug is a tack driver using 7 gr Unique. The Bullseye load is fairly mild and I get a bunch of them out of a pound of powder. I apply 2 very light coats of Liquid Alox drying between coats. Minimal leading. Loaded up some test batches with varying charges of Red Dot & Blue Dot, but have yet to test them at the range. NOTE **Standard Disclaimer: Start low and work up loads.


Ranking

Caliber

Bullet Brand

Bullet Weight

Bullet Type

Powder Type

Charge Weight Gr

Lee Auto Disk #

Primer

Comments



A

.44 Spcl

Cast

200

RFN

800X

7.2

Hand Dip

CCI LP

Nice load. Accurate.



A+

.44 Spcl

Cast

200

RFN

Bullseye

4.8

.53

CCI LP

Nice load. Accurate. Cream Puff



A

.44 Spcl

Cast

200

RFN

Unique

6.4

.82

CCI LP

Nice load. Accurate.



A++

.44 Spcl

Cast

200

RFN

Unique

7

.88

CCI LP

Nice Load. Very Accurate.

[shoot-n-lead]

I am actually fixing to try this in my 44's. I just got the mold and am about to cast some for effect.

Hope yours and mine, both, work as well as we would like.

[Animal]

I don't know if I'll ever get a lever action rifle, but if I do it will be a .44 cal. Until that day happens, I'll only load flat points so that I'll be all set if it does happen.
Unfortunately, powders are scarce around here. All the powders mentioned are basically extinct in my area.

I purchased a 2 hole Saeco #420 when it was on sale last year. I love that bullet, but it is too time consuming to cast in large numbers. I'm hoping I'll enjoy the Lee just as much with less production time and joint pain:smile:.

[Animal]

I am actually fixing to try this in my 44's. I just got the mold and am about to cast some for effect.

Hope yours and mine, both, work as well as we would like.

I'm hoping we can compare notes

[BruceB]

This LEE bullet has served in my ".44 Lite" loads for many years.

I should call it ".44 LC" for "light and cheap." 9.3x62 Al gave me the mould quite a few years ago, and ben1025 from Colorado presented me with four pounds of HERTERS' #160 powder about ten years ago.

The combo of the free mould and the free powder gives me a load that runs about 800 fps from a 4" S&W Magnum (in Magnum-length brass). At only 6.0 grains per load, the four pounds will likely out-last ME. The accuracy is wonderful.

All my .44 loads are in Magnum brass, and they are the .44 Lite mentioned above, the ".44-1000" running the RCBS 44-250KT at 1000 fps, and the flat-out ,44 Magnum load with the same RCBS bullet at 1450 from a 7.5" Ruger SBH.

I've never seen a need for loading .44 Special brass, and probably never will......but that's just me.

[luvtn]

I too have a newer CA Bulldog Pug with the 2.5 inch barrel. It shoots best with 240 gr lswc, 14.5 grs of 2400. At the last gun show I accidently bought a box of 200 gr RFP. It shoots well with 15 grs of 4227. I am starting to warm up to this latter load. I need to try other powders also. Good luck.
lt

[harley45]

I use it in mt 629 for light loads over blue dot and hs6. I powder coat and haven't had any issues with it. mine is the 6 cavity makes production quick and easy!

[paul edward]

That is the mold I would get if I was buying a new one today. Before Lee offered that mold, I got their 429-214 SWC. Boolits cast in that mold work well in my old model Bulldog with either 4 grains of Bullseye or 5 grains of Win 231.

Also makes good light loads for the.44 Magnum.

[Animal]

The mold was supposed to show up today, but our postal service sent it to the wrong post office. Oh well, I didn't need it today anyhow. I sure am glad to hear that it has such a good reputation. I can't wait to start testing loads. I just have this feeling that 3.5-3.7gr of H. Clays is going to be a super smooth and accurate load.

[Duster340]

I don't think you'll be disappoint Animal. Look forward to your review.

[Shuz]

This is a great boolit for .44 lever guns and lighter loads in the .44 mag. 9.0g of Green Dot gives between 1024-1052fps outta 4" and 5" Smith 629's. 18.0g of 2400 gives 1500fps outta Winnie Trapper rifle with a 16" bbl. Accuracy with this design is very good, and in a 6C mould, I can turn out a bunch of boolits in short order.