44 cal 265 gr plain base

[x101airborne]

So.... just won a used Redding 4 hole 44 cal 265 gr plain base mold from that auction site. Anyone have any suggestions on what this boolit usually likes? it is a round nose flat point that will primarily be used for braggin rights shooting, like 5 gallon buckets at 300 yards. It may on the rare occasion take a hog or coyote, but thats about it. My question is... this is my erster zeite with a plain base booit in anything but a 38. What alloy should I try first? What powders seem to work universally with plain base boolits? how fast is practical for a plain base boolit? I know that every weapon is different, and so are everyones loading practices, so ANY suggestions are appreciated. Gas checks are such a PITA.

[HammerMTB]

I have a .44 265 PB from a recent group buy. I also have the same boolit in a TLGC design.
PB boos will go 1400-1500 FPS, more or less. I don't think you need worry about overdriving them in a pistol. If yer spittin' em out a rifle bbl, you might.
As far as powders, as always, the slower the better, and there's lots of loading data for this boolit (or one very similar) out there.
Without going to my load book, seems like I used some 2400 and maybe some IMR 4227. You could try H110, WW 296, or L'il Gun for top loads.
As a plinking load, the ol' 10 gr of Unique has always been a go-to of mine. I use it in Rugers, so never took time to see how stout it might be, tho. As ever, check load data first! :bigsmyl2:

[mike in co]

accurate number 9 or wc820 has worked well for me in a 44.

mike in co

[Echo]

22 grains of OLD 2400 was our Go To load with the -421 PB boolit. I would drop back to 20 and check for pressure as you move up incrementally.

[EDK]

I've been using the plain base group buy boolit with low end loads of HP38 in 5.5 inch 44 VAQUEROS for cowboy action shooting/target. Also have the RANCH DOG GC version in a 2 and a 6 cavity. Did I say I like this boolit. The tumble lubed GC sized at .432 cleans lead from my pistol barrels.

Go over to RD's site and look at his data; drop back probably 20% because of the plain base and work on up. You could d*** near drive to talk to him; he's at Cuero. Michael has extensive data posted that saves a lot of wasted time and effort....plus being a member and all around good guy. His wife had some exotic health problems awhile back that would have broken most people's spirit, but he and she struggled through.

[x101airborne]

OK, so if I could possibly run these at 1400 fps, *** is the point of the gas check? I wouldnt see leading being a problem at this pressure with boolits around 20 - 22 bhn. What bhn would be wise to try? I can run anywhere from 15 - 30 bhn and have time to temper boolits if necessary. i am probably going to load within the top 1/3 of the 44 mags velocity range. I will also try 2400 and 296 for powders.

[Blammer]

I shoot a pleathora of 44 cal boolits, wts and styles, I use just regular old WW alloy air cooled.

Getting them to 1350 fps with no leading on a plain base 250gr is no problem.

I've pushed heavier boolits pretty fast too, no leading. I think fit may be more of an issue if you get leading.

[bbailey7821]

Ditto on 22g of 2400. This one works well in my SBH

[fredj338]

I shoot a pleathora of 44 cal boolits, wts and styles, I use just regular old WW alloy air cooled.

Getting them to 1350 fps with no leading on a plain base 250gr is no problem.

I've pushed heavier boolits pretty fast too, no leading. I think fit may be more of an issue if you get leading.

I have to agree. I have no issues to 1400fps or so w/ straight acww & plainbase bullets. I have always wondered why mostmanuf put a gc on a 300gr-310gr bullet in the 44mag. You aren't making much nore than 1200fps or so, maybe so you can push a softer bullet for hunting? My 270gr cup point @ 1250fps just put a 1/2$$ size hole in & out of a recent deer taken @ 80yds. It was cast 25-1 & gc.