The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - Cast bullet handloads for the .44 rem mag

NuJudge · October 2, 2008, 08:57 PM

Swaged bullets are softer than cast bullets, and are likely to lead your bore with anything but .44 Special loads.

The most accurate bullets in my S&W Model 29-2 are hard cast bullets with a gas check on them, ones such as the Lyman 429244. Hard cast plain based Lead bullets such as the Lyman 429421 shoot decently in the Magnum and Special.

I have not shot a lot of swaged bullets in my Model 29. They leave lead deposits in the bore easily. I would rather not deal with that.

Availability of bullets north of the border is rather different than here in the US. You would do well to be asking this question on a website such as:

http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/index.php

Here is data on .44 Special loads, for which swaged bullets would be more acceptable:
http://www.handloads.org/loaddata/de...Powder&Source=
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=30785

Here is data on .44 Mag loads:
http://shootersforum.com/showthread.htm?t=46325
http://smith-wessonforum.com/eve/for...4/m/3641058903
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=30284

Lately I have been shooting the 429244 with about 19.5gr Alliant 2400, with a Winchester primer in a .44 Magnum Starline case. I use the same with the 429421, which gives me slightly larger groups. This is not a mild load, but it is accurate.

October 2, 2008, 08:57 PM	#2
NuJudge Member Join Date: October 17, 2005 Location: SE Michigan Posts: 86	Some thoughts Swaged bullets are softer than cast bullets, and are likely to lead your bore with anything but .44 Special loads. The most accurate bullets in my S&W Model 29-2 are hard cast bullets with a gas check on them, ones such as the Lyman 429244. Hard cast plain based Lead bullets such as the Lyman 429421 shoot decently in the Magnum and Special. I have not shot a lot of swaged bullets in my Model 29. They leave lead deposits in the bore easily. I would rather not deal with that. Availability of bullets north of the border is rather different than here in the US. You would do well to be asking this question on a website such as: http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/index.php Here is data on .44 Special loads, for which swaged bullets would be more acceptable: http://www.handloads.org/loaddata/de...Powder&Source= http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=30785 Here is data on .44 Mag loads: http://shootersforum.com/showthread.htm?t=46325 http://smith-wessonforum.com/eve/for...4/m/3641058903 http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=30284 Lately I have been shooting the 429244 with about 19.5gr Alliant 2400, with a Winchester primer in a .44 Magnum Starline case. I use the same with the 429421, which gives me slightly larger groups. This is not a mild load, but it is accurate.