1st post with question.

gwhunran · February 16, 2013, 03:55 PM

I have been reading a bit on this forum lately and would appreciate some recommendations.
I have been handloading and bullet casting for about 20 years now. I have accumulated quite a bit of stuff over the years too. With the component and ammo shortages of late I have been inventorying my stuff and find that I probably have enough for the rest of my life

I load for 9mm Markarov, 9mm Lugar, 38/357, 44mag, 45acp, 22 Hornet, 222, 223, 243, 270, 308, and 3006. I also cast bullets for 38/357, 44 mag, and 45acp. I have recently backordered some 380 and 9mm molds so I haven't cast these yet.
One of the bullets I cast is a double cavity 44mag WFN bullet that weighs out at 320 grains with my alloy. I use it in my 50cal muzzleloader with a sabot. I have also loaded up some 44mag ammo with this and shot them through my Ruger Redhawk.
I am thinking of loading up some more and would like forum input on recommended powders. I have Blue Dot, AA9, W296, and H4227.

oldpapps · February 16, 2013, 05:10 PM

Interesting....
"320 grains with my alloy.... Ruger Redhawk... I have Blue Dot, AA9, W296, and H4227."

The only listings I have are the following:
B Weight/type - powder - type - COAL - primer - listed velocity
320 lead - 21.5G - 296 -1.71 - WLP - 1200
320 lead - 22.2G - H110 -1.704 -CCILPM - 1355
320 lead - 21.0G - LtGun - 1.70 -SLP - 1400

I consider these very suspect and would NOT use without further research.

I have a question for you. Why do you want to load 320 grain bullets in a .44 Mag? Yes, I see you have a mold. I have lots of molds that I no longer use.
Compare them with 240 grain loads. Book load listed velocities for both give very little if any added energies on target and the trajectory becomes horrid with the heavy bullets and lower velocities.
At one time I thought of loading 300 and 310 grain 44s for a 20 inch lever rifle. After running paper comparisons, I dropped that idea. The only plus would be in potential penetration. I hunt paper targets. No gain for me. If I were to be wandering about in bear country, maybe but most likely not.

Load with care and enjoy,

OSOK

gwhunran · February 16, 2013, 05:41 PM

I currently have some 320grainers loaded up with 20gr W296 that are pretty potent.
It's not easy to answer "why I want to use a 320 grainer" . It's almost like why I want/need another gun or why I have a motorcycle that can go 180mph.
I have another mold for the 44 that drops bullets out at 270gr using the same alloy semi wadcutter Keith type. I have loaded many variations with the lighter bullet and just enjoy something new i guess. In case I didn't mention both these bullets are gas check style.
We do have black bear but I'm not to worried about needing the 44 for them

oldpapps · February 16, 2013, 05:48 PM

Or as I say to my daughter,
"Cause I wanna!"

That good'nuf for me.

Enjoy and be safe,

OSOK

February 16, 2013, 03:55 PM	#1
gwhunran Member Join Date: January 31, 2013 Location: Southwest Virginia Posts: 30	1st post with question. I have been reading a bit on this forum lately and would appreciate some recommendations. I have been handloading and bullet casting for about 20 years now. I have accumulated quite a bit of stuff over the years too. With the component and ammo shortages of late I have been inventorying my stuff and find that I probably have enough for the rest of my life I load for 9mm Markarov, 9mm Lugar, 38/357, 44mag, 45acp, 22 Hornet, 222, 223, 243, 270, 308, and 3006. I also cast bullets for 38/357, 44 mag, and 45acp. I have recently backordered some 380 and 9mm molds so I haven't cast these yet. One of the bullets I cast is a double cavity 44mag WFN bullet that weighs out at 320 grains with my alloy. I use it in my 50cal muzzleloader with a sabot. I have also loaded up some 44mag ammo with this and shot them through my Ruger Redhawk. I am thinking of loading up some more and would like forum input on recommended powders. I have Blue Dot, AA9, W296, and H4227. Last edited by gwhunran; February 16, 2013 at 04:01 PM.

February 16, 2013, 05:10 PM	#2
oldpapps Senior Member Join Date: September 22, 2011 Location: Middle America Posts: 518	Interesting.... "320 grains with my alloy.... Ruger Redhawk... I have Blue Dot, AA9, W296, and H4227." The only listings I have are the following: B Weight/type - powder - type - COAL - primer - listed velocity 320 lead - 21.5G - 296 -1.71 - WLP - 1200 320 lead - 22.2G - H110 -1.704 -CCILPM - 1355 320 lead - 21.0G - LtGun - 1.70 -SLP - 1400 I consider these very suspect and would NOT use without further research. I have a question for you. Why do you want to load 320 grain bullets in a .44 Mag? Yes, I see you have a mold. I have lots of molds that I no longer use. Compare them with 240 grain loads. Book load listed velocities for both give very little if any added energies on target and the trajectory becomes horrid with the heavy bullets and lower velocities. At one time I thought of loading 300 and 310 grain 44s for a 20 inch lever rifle. After running paper comparisons, I dropped that idea. The only plus would be in potential penetration. I hunt paper targets. No gain for me. If I were to be wandering about in bear country, maybe but most likely not. Load with care and enjoy, OSOK

February 16, 2013, 05:41 PM	#3
gwhunran Member Join Date: January 31, 2013 Location: Southwest Virginia Posts: 30	I currently have some 320grainers loaded up with 20gr W296 that are pretty potent. It's not easy to answer "why I want to use a 320 grainer" . It's almost like why I want/need another gun or why I have a motorcycle that can go 180mph. I have another mold for the 44 that drops bullets out at 270gr using the same alloy semi wadcutter Keith type. I have loaded many variations with the lighter bullet and just enjoy something new i guess. In case I didn't mention both these bullets are gas check style. We do have black bear but I'm not to worried about needing the 44 for them

February 16, 2013, 05:48 PM	#4
oldpapps Senior Member Join Date: September 22, 2011 Location: Middle America Posts: 518	Or as I say to my daughter, "Cause I wanna!" That good'nuf for me. Enjoy and be safe, OSOK