Let the fun begin

[Midohhntr]

Hi all, just acquired a slightly used Ruger Super Blackhawk and wondering about boolits in the 230-250g range and what size you all size to. Had one of these 30 years ago and traded it off for a shotgun for my son to shoot. I don't intend on letting this one get away from me, lol..

[Stopsign32v]

See what size the chambers are

Check the bore too

[Midohhntr]

See what size the chambers are

Check the bore too
That was one of my first thoughts, but it may be regulated to factory ammo if I can't locate a mold for it.

[stubshaft]

I would think that with the hundreds of 44 cal molds you would find something in the weight range and chamber throat size that you can use. First and foremost, check the throat diameter.

[murf205]

That was one of my first thoughts, but it may be regulated to factory ammo if I can't locate a mold for it.

This is good advice. I had a couple of Rugers that had 3 different sized cylinder throats and all of them produced flyers when trying to find the right load. If your gun has issues with the throats being different or too small for the bore,(leading) have a member here by the name of DougGuy fix it since you said you are going to keep this one. Measure it first if you have a micrometer and slug the barrel and throats before you spend % for a mold. Don't worry, you'll find a mold. 44 cal molds are pretty varied in size and price.

[Bazoo]

I have a Blackhawk 44 special. I size .430. My throats vary approximately .431 to .4325. I don’t remember the exact measurements without looking. I started sizing to .431 and I got okay accuracy (2” range at 20 yards) But I tried .430 and got better accuracy (1”-1.5” at 20 yards).

Also, minor leading was reduced when going with .430.

Sizing to cylinder throats, handing throats uniformed to the same size, is not always the rule. Maybe my gun would shoot better if I did those things but on a good day, I can put 18 rounds in a ragged 1.5” hole so I’m satisfied.

I use the following moulds thus far.
RCBS 44-250-k
RCBS 44-240-swc
Lee 432-265-rf ranchdog

I have but not shot any yet
lee 429-200-RF
Lee 429-240-2r

[Iwsbull]

If they are still in stock the MP 640 mold is a tough clone of the Devastator bullet. It is very accurate in both my special and magnum loads.

[Stopsign32v]

That was one of my first thoughts, but it may be regulated to factory ammo if I can't locate a mold for it.

You will have absolutely no problem finding a mold for it. But you really need to measure first.

[murf205]

I have a Blackhawk 44 special. I size .430. My throats vary approximately .431 to .4325. I don’t remember the exact measurements without looking. I started sizing to .431 and I got okay accuracy (2” range at 20 yards) But I tried .430 and got better accuracy (1”-1.5” at 20 yards).

Also, minor leading was reduced when going with .430.

Sizing to cylinder throats, handing throats uniformed to the same size, is not always the rule. Maybe my gun would shoot better if I did those things but on a good day, I can put 18 rounds in a ragged 1.5” hole so I’m satisfied.

I use the following moulds thus far.
RCBS 44-250-k
RCBS 44-240-swc
Lee 432-265-rf ranchdog

I have but not shot any yet
lee 429-200-RF
Lee 429-240-2r

Bazoo, the old saying always applies-"if it aint broke, don't fix it".

[Mal Paso]

My favorites are the H&G 503 clone.
https://www.mp-molds.com/product/mp-432-256-pb-hp-4-cav/
And the 432-640 mentioned above.
https://www.mp-molds.com/product/432-640-hollow-point-4-cavity-plain-base-mold/

[waco]

If you can afford it, a good set of pin gauges work great for measuring cylinder throats. I have these.
https://www.amazon.com/HHIP-4101-0012-M2-Gage-0-251/dp/B01ADK0STO/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=ZGGEL43QRTIT&keywords=pin%2Bgage%2Bset%2C%2Bminus%2C%2B0.251-0.500&qid=1666227066&qu=eyJxc2MiOiIwLjAwIiwicXNhIjoiMC4wMCIsInFzcCI6IjA uMDAifQ%3D%3D&sprefix=minus%2Bpin%2B%2Caps%2C240&sr=8-1-spons&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.f5122f16-c3e8-4386-bf32-63e904010ad0&th=1

[Midohhntr]

Thanks all for the suggestions, as of now I'm in no hurry to cast for it. Possibly late winter after deer season is done I'll have more time.
waco, those pin gauges look like they would be really handy ...

[murf205]

[B]They are handy and dead nuts accurate. I ordered mine from Meyer Gage company and you probably dont need an entire set. For 44’s, I bought .427, .428, .429, ..430, .431, ..432, .433 pins. They are only around 4$ each last time I checked and you wont have to pound a slug through you cylinder. Just make sure you clean the cylinders before you test them.

[Stopsign32v]

I just take a pure round ball and mash it into the front of the cylinder. Tap it out gently from the rear and measure. Much cheaper

[Bazoo]

I slug my cylinder too, but I generally also try the gun before measuring. If it shoots fine and don’t lead, I still may slug it but it’s low on my to do list when time permits reloading.

[pworley1]

Lyman 429421 is always a good choice.

[Midohhntr]

This is good advice. I had a couple of Rugers that had 3 different sized cylinder throats and all of them produced flyers when trying to find the right load. If your gun has issues with the throats being different or too small for the bore,(leading) have a member here by the name of DougGuy fix it since you said you are going to keep this one.
Just seen this, I have a cylinder for my .45 Blackhawk at Doug's now because it had undersize throats..

[Mal Paso]

Lyman 429421 is always a good choice.

Except for those Lyman molds that are undersized and tapered. I started casting my first boolits with 2 Lyman 429421s from different production runs. Base bands were .429, front bands .4275. My Lyman Lube/Sizer would not make them .430 no matter what I tried. I found Cast Boolits and information Lyman neglected to supply. I got on a group buy for a NOE 429421 and Finally had a bullet that fit my sizer and guns.

Lyman makes a Great Casting Mold but quality control is a big problem. If you can find a good one you're golden but there are a lot of undersize Lyman molds out there. Could be a burden for a first time caster.

[Elpatoloco]

If everything is correct on the pistol, size to .430
I used RCBS 44-240- swc
And rcbs 44-250-KT

The 44-240-Swc is a gas check mould. It is dead Nuts out of all 4 of my 44s

[Midohhntr]

I miked the cylinder throats today and they're all very slightly over .431 using a set of inside and outside dial calipers. Haven't had a chance to slug the barrel yet, I have some .433 or .437 round balls around here somewhere just have to find 'em..