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Old December 9, 2006, 10:46 PM   #1
H&R12
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44 mag. cast loads

Looking for reloading data on 44 mag. cast loads. I have Cast Performance LBT 300 Gr. WFN GC and 255 Gr. WFN PB. Powder I have on hand is H-110, Longshot, Green Dot, and Herco. I'm shooting a SRH with 7.5 in. bbl. I have loaded lots of 240 Gr. XTP's, but want to try the cast bullets. I would be using these for white tail deer here in Michigan. Not looking for a huge boomer load, just something accurate. Any help would be appreciated. Also, what do you think of these bullets. Good or bad on leading??
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Old December 9, 2006, 11:15 PM   #2
Hotdog1911
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H&r 44

Can't advise on the powders with 300 grain bullets.

But if you switch to those 300 monsters I'd check your zeros. No, not Japanese planes. When the flight of the bullet crosses your line of sight. Remember, it crosses your line on sight in two places.

A bunch of years ago a few jackrabbitts lived another day because the shooter switched to 180s from 240s. The 180s hit about a foot low at enemy dessert jackrabbit distances. It was a real learning experience for me and the rabbits.
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Old December 10, 2006, 01:33 AM   #3
H&R12
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I get alot of flack about my caliber of choice. I use an H&R 12 Ga. in the lower part of Michigan. I even used it last year in the rifle zone. But now when I go up north I use a Marlin 1895M 450 . The Marlin is much lighter to carry. My thoughs are: a deer is never too dead. My Marlin has done me well the past few years, now I want to try taking a deer with my 44. I have had good accuracy results with the 240 gr. XTP's , but I want to make sure I have a hole going in and a hole going out. Tracking a deer in Northern Michigan forest is no fun. Probably going to use the 255 gr for hunting. Just looking for a good load. I learned about the zero when I switched from 240 to 300 gr. XTP's/
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Old December 10, 2006, 11:02 AM   #4
WESHOOT2
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those are GREAT bullets

That 255g is flat awsome.

This load went to Africa: 255g CP, 12.2g HS6, (new sized) Starline, Fed 155, OAL to groove, av = 1074fps (5.5" Redhawk).
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Old December 11, 2006, 02:17 AM   #5
Hotdog1911
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H&r

So you already found out about exterior ballistics. Isn't it amazing. I wonder if the change is as dramatic in a 44 rifle as it is in a 44 pistol? I sense a field experiment coming soon. I envy you hunting deer in thick woods.

'Jump_Shoot', now there's a new handle!

I've 'herd', speaking of deer, that Lazer Cast bullets have excellent QC. Someone said that it has to do with the way the bullets cool immediately after they have been molded. Apparently their brew has the bullets cooling from the inside-out, instead of the normal way of cooling from the outside-in.
Leaving less chance for air pockets. But hey, don't take my word for any of this; it's only what the salesman told me.
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Old December 11, 2006, 10:22 AM   #6
Ben Shepherd
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Use a similar powder and charge weight with the 255 as you do with the 240 XTP. Back down a full 2 grains to start. Right around 20 grains of 2400 works good for me. I go as high as 22.5 if I want a stomper. But: Over 20 grains is above current published maximums. Approach with caution and use at your own risk! Niether TFL or it's staff is responsible for your actions.

As for the 300 grainer, I use around 20 grains of 296. Start lower by a couple grains and work up to it slowly. This load is right at current published maximums.
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Old December 11, 2006, 10:48 AM   #7
Edward429451
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I've used H110 with the 300 gr XTP's with fairly good success and even better success with 2400 and a 300 gr GC lead boolit.
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Old December 11, 2006, 10:51 AM   #8
cheygriz
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I use mostly 310 grain cast GC bullets in my Redhawk. But I use H110 in ALL loads in .44 Magnum.
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Old December 12, 2006, 06:52 PM   #9
H&R12
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Thanks

Thanks for the help. I'll keep you updated on my progress/success.
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Old January 2, 2007, 01:17 AM   #10
lawboy
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Hi. I shoot a custom Ruger Bisley 44 with 4-5/8 barrel. I shoot the LEE 310gr. WFNGC and the 250gr. Lyman 429421. I shoot both bullets over 20.0grains of W296 and WW large pistol primers in WW brass.
I do a lot of offhand shooting on 100-yard steel swingers -- 12-inch circles and 9-inch squares.
With the gun zeroed at 100 yards to strike midway up the 12-inch circle with a six o'clock hold using the 310gr. load, the gun shoots to point of aim at 100 yards with the 250gr. bullets. Out of my gun, the 310gr. load goes 1150fps. I do not have chrono. data on the 250 load but the difference in point of impact is largely due to the different recoil cycle of the gun.

On deer, you will not need the 300 grain bullets. The 250 grain bullets will shoot through a broadside deer without any difficulty, even if they strike heavy bone. I'd go with the 250 grain bullet for the flatter trajectory and lighter recoil in this application.
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