Lead bullets in a .44 Automag

[AndyC]

For fun (and cost/availability), I've been playing with a few different cast bullets to see what works - some are too long for the magazine (eg. RN style), but I found a 240gr RNFP bullet recently that seems to work well. It's roughly the same OAL as my usual XTP bullet:



Tests showed that it fed reliably and (surprisingly) didn't lead, but I wanted to powdercoat/size the bullet anyway so I melted the lube off, PC'd and sized:


Loaded ammo with powdercoated bullets:


Slo-mo:



A full mag of 7 rounds:




The last case seems to have ejected then jumped back into the port - I may up the load a little to enhance ejection. I also, apparently, need to work on my recoil-control - Holy Wobbles, Batman...

These are commercial bullets, but my intent is to find the right bullet and then have a mold made so I can experiment with my own alloys and sizing - I think this design will do nicely with a few small changes. Also, my thanks and deep appreciation for the help of one of our fine members, dondiego.

[358429]

I wonder if these might work for you.

He has many different designs to choose from.

What different designs have you tested that fit the magazines?

https://www.mp-molds.com/product/mp-...d-multichoice/

Awesome pistol and shooting, a cannon, really bangs that steel plate!

Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk

[dale2242]

It is recommended not to shoot cast in an Auto Mag.
Good luck in your venture.
What load are you putting behind that bullet?

[dondiego]

Andy - Glad to see that you found something that will work in the Automag!

[AndyC]

I wonder if these might work for you.

Thank you, but I think I'm pretty close now to what I wanted - the one I found just needs a small couple of tweaks.

It is recommended not to shoot cast in an Auto Mag.

You know, folks keep saying that but there's no such thing listed in the manual or anywhere else. There was a highly-regarded Automag experimentalist back in the day, Kent Lomont, who said otherwise:

Good luck in your venture.
What load are you putting behind that bullet?

Thanks! This is 22.5gr H110 - about 50 fps slower than SBR's commercial ammo.

Andy - Glad to see that you found something that will work in the Automag!

I'm very grateful for the bullets, Don - they sure opened my eyes to factors I hadn't considered, so thank you!

[pbcaster45]

As AndyC knows, I posted this on another site. But rather than start another thread here are my results with cast bullets in the 44 AMP.

Bullet: Matt’s Bullets Saeco #431 (.430 255 Gr. Flat Nose Gas Check)
Powder: Hodgdon H-110 23.5 grs.
Primer: Federal 155
Case: Starline
OAL: 1.600
Average Velocity: 1466 fps
ES: 52
SD: 16

Good accuracy and no leading at all.

[abunaitoo]

Always wanted one of those.
Original one, not the newer one.
Also always wanted a Dardick, Gyro jet, Webley Fosbery, Baby Nambu, and a Mateba.
I like strange things.

[405grain]

The recommendations about not shooting cast loads in the Automag are from back in the days before powder coating bullets were invented. I've never even seen a Automag in the flesh, but reading about them back in the day, gun writers would say not to shoot cast bullets because the lube and powder residue would gum up the gas system. Knowing what I do now, I'm 100% sure that none of those gun writers ever tried cast loads in this firearm, they just repeated what they were told (kinda like a parrot). With powder coated bullets I don't think there would be an issue. The only thing I'd give some thought to would be choosing a flat based design bullet, or one that takes gas checks. For the Automag to cycle you're going to need to shoot some heavier loads than you can get away with in a revolver. In a 44 Mag you can load all the way down to 44 Special ballistics, but that's not an option with this pistol. So, asking from the guys on this forum that have shot cast through an Automag, which works best: gas checked bullets or plain based ones?

[gwpercle]

My Son-In-Law has one ...they are awesome to look at and awesomer to shoot !

Coated cast boolits shouldn't be a problem ...

I would get a custom mould made with a boolit designed for the 44 Automag specific and not look back . J-Word's get expensive .

When shooting one ... you can't help but feel like Dirty Harry " The 44 Automag ... if properly used ... can remove the finger prints ! " Heck Yeah Baby...is fun !
Gary

[pbcaster45]

I haven't tried a plain base bullet, but at these velocities I would go with a gascheck design!

[kreuzlover]

Why?? We always shot cast in ours! Maybe you are thinking of
the Desert Eagle pistol