Just a dumb question on .44 cast bullets. The target bullet of choice for the .38/.357 is the wadcutter. When you step up to the .44's (special and magnum), all I see offered are semi-wadcutters. Why is that?
Thanks,
Mark
Thanks,
Mark
.44 Wadcutters?
- Thread starter mmattockx
- Start date
They used to make a 180gr. Wadcutter(LYMAN), but was discontinued, I guess US shooters use the .44 special and Mag. more for personnel defense or hunting and wadcutters are slower to get into the cylinder without hanging up even with speed loaders, and forget about feeding in a semi or levergun....Ben
That would be my question regarding full wadcutter vs. SWC. If the 245gr. Keith bullet works that well, then that answers my question. I do have 500 of the Keith bullet to use up, courtesy of Ben Hunchak, so it is good to hear that it works very well. I should find out in a week or so, after I find some time to load some ammo for testing.
Thanks,
Mark
I have a Lee mold # 90334 that will put out a 44 cal wadcutter that averages 211 grains. I am not sure how old the mold is as I got it used. I found it to be a good and accurate bullet for the Contender, I have not tried it in anything else as the Contender is the only thing I have (at the moment) that shoots 44 Magnum. I also have a couple of Keith style semi wadcutters and they are accurate bullets as well. I guess the wadcutter style of bullet just isn't that popular or it just wasn't heavy enough for what most shooters wanted.
Just looked in the Redding 2008 catalog I have and they list a 200 grain wadcutter in their mold selection, so if you are looking for one you might be able to get one from Redding.
Just looked in the Redding 2008 catalog I have and they list a 200 grain wadcutter in their mold selection, so if you are looking for one you might be able to get one from Redding.
That was the bullet I used for silhouette shooting and I do have a decal for getting ten consecutive rams at 200 metres in a competition, with my Ruger Super Blackhawk.
I guess there are lots of powders suitable for lighter target loads. I think I mentioned this to you before, but in spite of how so many recommending Unique, I have never found it very accurate in the cartridges I have used it in.
That includes 357, 44 mag, 45-70 and cast bullets in 30 calibre centre fire. Far better for me has been W231. Around 8 to 8½ grains was a beautiful load in a 44 mag revolver. I think the maximum pressure load for 231 is around 11 or 12 grains, but just going by memory.
Among my testing with the 44 mag, was with a scope on a Marlin rifle. Unique just didn't do it.
Same applies with the scope sighted 45-70 with 405 to 420 grain bullets. Several powders had better accuracy than Unique.
However, as they say, your mileage may vary.
I guess there are lots of powders suitable for lighter target loads. I think I mentioned this to you before, but in spite of how so many recommending Unique, I have never found it very accurate in the cartridges I have used it in.
That includes 357, 44 mag, 45-70 and cast bullets in 30 calibre centre fire. Far better for me has been W231. Around 8 to 8½ grains was a beautiful load in a 44 mag revolver. I think the maximum pressure load for 231 is around 11 or 12 grains, but just going by memory.
Among my testing with the 44 mag, was with a scope on a Marlin rifle. Unique just didn't do it.
Same applies with the scope sighted 45-70 with 405 to 420 grain bullets. Several powders had better accuracy than Unique.
However, as they say, your mileage may vary.
I have a Lee 44 wadcutter mould and like any of their moulds I have tried it is crap, like others I have tried it is almost impossible to get a round bullet out of it as the mould blocks almost never seem to line up properly. I have never had a problem with any of my Lyman, RCBS, Mountain Molds, Saeco or LBT moulds casting improperly so I guess you get what you pay for.
- Location
- Niagara Region, Ontario. For now
Hey Mark tell me you still havent recieved those grips yet?
