Good boolit for 44 Special

[badgeredd]

I'm going to start loading some CAST 44 Specials for my Bulldog and my S&W Model 24. I'm thinking I'd like a good plain base boolit. What are your opinions of the different ones available from Lee, Lyman and RCBS? I want a good inheritly accurate boolit around 240 grains or slightly less. Don't want to use GCs and want to enjoy shooting both guns. IF I want a hotrod I'll shoot the 44 Mag. Also I wouldn't mind a load that would make a nice carry load in the Bulldog. :Fire: So what say you? :Fire::Fire:

[AlaskaMike]

I think it's hard to do better than the Keith SWC. RCBS 44-250-K, or Lyman #429421. Both are a little heavier than 240 grains, but not by much.

Mike

[9.3X62AL]

Lyman #429421 is my go-to boolit in 44 Special and medium loads in 44 Magnum. My Special is a S&W Model 624 x 6.5", and I run these with 7.5 grains of Unique (Skeeter's Load) for about 925 FPS. This might be a bit much for a Bulldog. Sized @ .431", these shoot VERY well for me.

[Bret4207]

The 429421 works in my BD and 3" m-24. I'd prefer a 200 gr PB SWC or FN for the BD but haven't found one that works yet. The 429215 I got casts at .429+ and I needed something more like .431+ for both the guns. Lee makes a 200 gr I haven't tried yet and I think RCBS makes a 44 Cowboy design that is worth looking at.

The 429421 really shoots good over Unique, but as the velocity increases the twisting of the gun in my hand caused the boolits to strike further and further to my left. The M-24 being so much heavier doesn't have this problem.

[Ricochet]

I've mostly shot 240-255 grain SWCs in my .44 Specials, but have come to think the 200-215 grain boolits are a good idea in the short barreled Bulldog, to get the velocity up a bit without excessive pressures and keep the recoil down. Still can't call a 200 grain boolit "light." That's what I wanted the GB 200 grain double ended wadcutter for. I've shot the old Lee 429-215-1R in it, too.

I like Lee 6-hole moulds and I like tumble lubing, so if I were just buying a first .44 mould I might think about the TL429-240-SWC given your specifications.

For a heavier boolit, Lee used to have a 429-255-SWC with conventional grease grooves, and I got one of those off Lee's clearance page a few years ago. That's what I shoot the most of in the Magnum. (Mine come out at 273 grains.) It would work OK in the Bulldog or M-24. I saw one of those moulds for sale the other day at: http://10ring.com/ I haven't gotten into the 300+ grain boolits many seem to like nowadays.

[Drilling Man]

My favorite 44 bullet is, RCBS 44-250KT.... It's worked well in every 44 spl. or mag. i've ever used them in.

DM

[Glen]

My favorite .44 Special bullet is the Lyman/Ideal 429421, hands down. For lighter bullets, I have also gotten very good results with the Saeco 200 grain TC bullet and the Cramer RNFP (which Saeco now makes). For details, see:

http://www.lasc.us/Fryxell44SpecialRevisited.htm

[MtGun44]

Glen,

Great article, as usual. I have my dealer trying to find a 396 Nite Guard
at a reasonable price. Your info will be very useful if I can find one.

Bill

[Nazgul]

I use the Lee 200gr FN and the Lyman Cowboy at 240gr FN. They are both very accurate in a S&W 696.

[9.3X62AL]

I have the SAECO #446 for the 44-40, and it falls out ~.431". Maybe I should try it in the Special or the Magnum, just for grins. Another project to place on the in-pile.

[badgeredd]

I have the SAECO #446 for the 44-40, and it falls out ~.431". Maybe I should try it in the Special or the Magnum, just for grins. Another project to place on the in-pile.

Considering what a couple fellows have said I may want to consider something closer to 200 grains. AND I might have to reconsider my mold vendor options too. Darn you guys do make a fellow think!

What is the weight on this boolit as droped and what alloy? I really want a good slug for the Bulldog first and I'll shoot it in the Model 24 too. Fact is the Model 24 is an old blue box model 24 and to my knowledge hasn't been fired. This is the 44 Special version that was manufactured in 1983 only, 6 1/2" barrel one of 4,875 made. I've decided it is time to play with it. Since cast is easier on the gun, I just can't resist the temptation any more!!!!!!

Thanks guys for your responses.

[9.3X62AL]

BR--

In 92/6/2 alloy, it scales at 204 grains dry/unsized. The castings run .4310"-.4315", and they do VERY well in my old cranky '73 Winchester. They are by some margin its best boolit to date. I chose it over the Lyman #427098 because it has a crimp groove that the Lyman design lacks.

Having zero experience with the Charter 44s, I can't say with any authority.......but it seems like a boolit this weight at 850-900 FPS might be just what the doctor ordered in that smaller/lighter platform.

I greatly enjoy my Model 624 and the #429421s at 900 FPS.

[Dale53]

If the .44 Special is a full size revolver, then I TOO vote for Skeeter's' load. I have used this load exclusively for many, many years in my Model 24 S&W (6.5"), & 624's (6.5" and 4"). It is a wonderfully accurate load (Lyman 429421 OR H&G 503) and plenty powerful enough for most any revolver target (other than REALLY big game).

Last year I was fortunate enough to get in on a group buy for the 200 gr wadcutter and am now using it for some target use. The 240 is NOT umpleasant but is more powerful than needed on paper and the 200 gr WC with target loads is super pleasant to shoot.
The 200 gr WC should also make a fine self defense load in a light weight revolver with the proper powder charge. However, THAT bullet was a custom design. I believe that NEI may have a similar bullet mould available.

Dale53

[Ricochet]

Lee used to have a nice .44 wadcutter of something like 218 grains IIRC, but it got dropped before I got one for myself.

[JudgeBAC]

I just acquired a 624 3" Lew Horton .44 special. It really handles well but I measured the throats and they are a whopping .4335. Any thoughts on a bullet big enough to shoot in this gun?

[2 dogs]

I like the 429215 gas check bullet in the 44 special best. Very accurate and nicely balanced. The 250 Keith is my next best choice..

[Ghugly]

I'm going to start loading some CAST 44 Specials for my Bulldog and my S&W Model 24. I'm thinking I'd like a good plain base boolit. What are your opinions of the different ones available from Lee, Lyman and RCBS? I want a good inheritly accurate boolit around 240 grains or slightly less. Don't want to use GCs and want to enjoy shooting both guns. IF I want a hotrod I'll shoot the 44 Mag. Also I wouldn't mind a load that would make a nice carry load in the Bulldog. :Fire: So what say you? :Fire::Fire:

What I say is, I don't have a clue :confused:. I thought I had sort of a handle on things.............I don't.

I took a bunch of partial boxes of handloads out to the range, just to blast them out and empty the brass. I shot the 3 best groups the Bulldog has ever produced. At 15 yards, 3 five shot groups, 3 jagged holes. All from a box of handloads that can't (as far as I can see) possibly shoot.

The Bulldog's bore slugs at .430, chamber's at .434, and forcing cone is almost non-existant. The loads I shot were 6gr of Unique under some commercial cast crap that I got a couple of years ago at a show. They are 215gr bevel- base, semi-wadcutters that measure .4285 and are cast hard as hell. [smilie=b:

[Bret4207]

I just acquired a 624 3" Lew Horton .44 special. It really handles well but I measured the throats and they are a whopping .4335. Any thoughts on a bullet big enough to shoot in this gun?

Have the same gun. 429421 works fine sized to .431.

[HeavyMetal]

The 429421 is the go to bullet for me in the M-29 and contender, at least until the 44pswc groub buy goes through!

However for my Bulldog I bought a 429348 DC years ago and can't say enough good things about it!

This Boolit is 180 to 195 grains depending on alloy, falls out of the mold like shucking pea's, and provides a good balance between recoil and velocity. I also have one of the Lee full wadcutter molds and expect the same results from it as well.

[Bass Ackward]

All from a box of handloads that can't (as far as I can see) possibly shoot. [smilie=b:


Those are the hardest type to reproduce too. :grin: