Favorite 44 mag Cast Hunting loads for SS rifle / carbine

[boatbum101]

T/C Encore with a 20" 1 in 20 twist MGM barrel . Correct twist & don't have to worry if Oal will feed . Prefer to stick with the proven Keith SWC or LBT style wide meplat type . Have the usual selection of magnum pistol powders on hand along with primers . My primary game is feral hogs not deer . I also don't need super heavy as I'm not going to be after elk , moose , big bears or buffalo . Many proven designs between 240 to 280grs . Please feel free to make suggestions & give advice .

[725]

Not within your preferences, but I like the Lee 310 w/ a moderate amount of H-110. Once I find what's accurate for me, I go with it.

[AlaskaMike]

Hard to make any single recommendation. I think you're on the right track with that weight range, but 725 makes a good point too--if you had a heavier than necessary bullet that was more accurate than others, I'd go for that.

I think if I were to make any recommendation it would be to try a bunch of different designs and see what the Encore works best with.

[boatbum101]

That Lee bullet seems to shoot well for many . Might have to give it a road test .

[dkf]

Look at the MP .432 Hammer or the MP 44-250. I have both, either will work very well for hunting. The .432 hammer is a little heavier than the 44-250. Both have large metplats.

[bluejay75]

After a lot of trial and error...I can say that finding a good Plain Based 44 Magnum Full power load was challenging. I run these out of 4 x Handi rifles. 2 x Iron Sighted. and 2 scoped. These are my armageddon guns and every deer I killed last year I killed with this gun in the picture. That Bullet is the Zero Bullet CO 44 240 JFP and 25 grains of 300 MP. Dont spend a single dime on any other 44 Bullet. This is the best most accurate made. You will need to lube and size them down to .430 by running them through a Lee .429 die. After that...theres not a better more accurate 44 magnum bullet at any price. Expanded bullet is at 50 yards at 1790 FPS at the muzzle.

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I would say that the difference between molds and inherent accuracy comes down to chamber fit, sizing COAL to get touching the lands or pretty darn close.

I will list molds and links in order of the most accurate in my stable currently. This was so near and dear to me it started me Honchoing as what I felt I needed wasnt available.

1. 44 Hammer. 23.5 Grains of 300MP target is 50 yards. Holds to an inch or under at 100 yards consistently with a Plain Based 12-15 BHN

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2. NOE 432-278 Keith SWC. 13.2 HS6 is a MOA load.

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3. MP Molds HG 503 Clone. 11.5 Unique is a MOA load. Runs fast enough for HPs to expand.

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[boatbum101]

To start with I'm going to stick with GC bullets in the rifle loads . Mainly because of the increased velocity out the longer tube . Alloy I'll have to play with once I find promising loads . PB I shoot in my revolvers as most loads don't exceed 1300fps . Since I have tons of them already cast , sized & lubed I'm also going to see how PB GC's will work out . If sucessful it'll definately save me some time .

[Markopolo]

sense you have the 1 in 20 twist, be a shame not to use the lee 310, but I understand... here is wishing I had one...

[boatbum101]

Not against the Lee bullet just don't have a mould . They are cheap enough though .

[Larry Gibson]

To start with I'm going to stick with GC bullets in the rifle loads . Mainly because of the increased velocity out the longer tube . Alloy I'll have to play with once I find promising loads . PB I shoot in my revolvers as most loads don't exceed 1300fps . Since I have tons of them already cast , sized & lubed I'm also going to see how PB GC's will work out . If sucessful it'll definately save me some time .

Good idea sticking with GC'd cast bullets in the 44 magnum rifle for max/optimum performance. I have found the Lyman Devastator [429640HP] when cast of an appropriate alloy for the velocity level is the best hunting bullet for the 44 magnum in either a handgun [revolver or SS] or rifle.

[Hickory]

I'm with Larry Gibson on the 429640 hp Devastator it brings the actions of whitetail deer to an abrupt and definite hault.

[Texas by God]

Blue jay 75, will you tell us more about that rifle in the picture? What brand is it?

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[bluejay75]

That is a Handi Rifle. If you ever see a 44 Magnum, 357 unaltered or a 30-30....pick it up. It is a simple and accurate platform. Mine shoots jacketed and cast into the same ragged hole at 100 yards. It is cut to 17 inches and has a 4x 30mm scope illuminated on it.

If you have a HR or NEF shotgun...the frame will handle all three. Use the 30-30 at your own risk. I have one with 100 or so shots on an SB1 with no issues. Thats shooting remington green box corelokt 150 30-30.

[Texas by God]

The AAC logo threw me off- I saw one similar in .300 BO and it had that mark. Owning a Topper Jr. since 1972, I'm familiar with the basic action.

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[onelight]

bluejay75 nice shooting and casting !
Thanks for the data and pics.

[bluejay75]

The AAC logo threw me off- I saw one similar in .300 BO and it had that mark. Owning a Topper Jr. since 1972, I'm familiar with the basic action.

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When I got word that the company was on the verge of going under I bought 3x 300 BO handis for 209.99 each from Budsgunsshop and made the money back selling the barrels and got 3 strong frames for free.