Newbie reloader here, I just ordered some 300 grain 44 mag hardcast bullets from bullet barn, they are the Flat point Bevel base without gas check. I'm hoping to push these out of my Ruger 77/44 at around 1500ftps. I was wondering if anyone had any experience with these bullets or could suggest a good powder choice. I've been thinking of trying either Lil'Gun or maybe Accurate #9, or if someone has another suggestion I'm open to listening, thanks.
Questions about powder choice for 44mag hard cast.
- Thread starter Miles Teg
- Start date
The problem with the lead bullets is that you can't push them too hard or else you get a lot of leading in the barrel and they seem to make more of a mess (more fouling) than jacketed bullets. I use H110 for full-house loads with my Redhawk and Trail Boss or Universal Clays for reduced loads.
I've only loaded them in a S&W revolver, where you cannot load laonger than the SAAMI max, and you will bulk out with 110 or 296. AA-9 is what I used.
I haven't used Bullet Barn's bullets, so can't comment on hardness or quality, but 1500 is generally faster than a non-gas-checked bullet can go without leading
I haven't used Bullet Barn's bullets, so can't comment on hardness or quality, but 1500 is generally faster than a non-gas-checked bullet can go without leading
- Location
- Calgary, AB
1500 fps without a gas check will just give you more lead in the bore than you would like, but it really won't hurt anything; just use a specialty lead cleaning compound like Shooter's Choice more than you would otherwise clean.
In the past year I have switched to Bullet Barn casts and they are excellent quality. The bevel base is a real benefit, as I have eliminated the neck flairing step, the BB's slip right in with no issues, and this will extend case longevity as the case mouth is worked considerably less; no flare needs no crimp.
In the past year I have switched to Bullet Barn casts and they are excellent quality. The bevel base is a real benefit, as I have eliminated the neck flairing step, the BB's slip right in with no issues, and this will extend case longevity as the case mouth is worked considerably less; no flare needs no crimp.
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My concern with the 300 grain bullets is case capacity, I think I read that lil'gun does not take as much room as some other powders and still gives decent velocity, please correst me if I'm wrong, I have'nt got my reloading gear in the mail yet and don't have a reloading manual, thanks.
I've used 2400 in my Marlin 1894 with the Bullet Barn's 240 gr. OK (and with Laser Cast before that) although I've not chronographed them. I believe 2400 was what Elmer Keith used to develop the .44 mag round. The Lee manual shows 20.6gr. of 2400 as maximum for a gas-checked 240 gr., for an estimated velocity of around 1500 fps- from a 5.7" revolver barrel, so add perhaps 200 fps. for a rifle. I don't have my loads handy but I think it's a bit below max. It does lead up a little.
The Lee manual shows 13.5 gr of 2400 as max. with a 310 gr. lead bullet for an estimated (pistol) velocity of 1150 fps.
I load H110 for jacketed bullets, but as I recall when I first tried it with plain hard-cast bullets, it leaded up the barrel and produced disappointing accuracy. The problem is that you can't reduce loads with H110 more than 3% or you risk detonation.
They don't show L'il Gun in their rifle data- only for pistol loads, where they show a max. of 17.7 gr. for a velocity of 1280 fps. from an 8" barrel, but that is for the 300 gr. Hornady XTP bullet; nothing is shown for lead. The max. load of 19 gr of H110 with the same bullet predicts a velocity of 1325 fps. They predict 1473 fps. for that load in a 20" rifle barrel, so that's close to your desired 1500 fps, but you might end up with excessive leading with un-checked lead.
I'm not sure why they don't show L'il Gun for rifle loads; it might be worth an e-mail to them. (help@hodgon.com) There also be newer info on their website. If you decide to try it, make sure you start 10% below max and work up.
Whatever you end up using, it will hit plenty hard.
Stuart
The Lee manual shows 13.5 gr of 2400 as max. with a 310 gr. lead bullet for an estimated (pistol) velocity of 1150 fps.
I load H110 for jacketed bullets, but as I recall when I first tried it with plain hard-cast bullets, it leaded up the barrel and produced disappointing accuracy. The problem is that you can't reduce loads with H110 more than 3% or you risk detonation.
They don't show L'il Gun in their rifle data- only for pistol loads, where they show a max. of 17.7 gr. for a velocity of 1280 fps. from an 8" barrel, but that is for the 300 gr. Hornady XTP bullet; nothing is shown for lead. The max. load of 19 gr of H110 with the same bullet predicts a velocity of 1325 fps. They predict 1473 fps. for that load in a 20" rifle barrel, so that's close to your desired 1500 fps, but you might end up with excessive leading with un-checked lead.
I'm not sure why they don't show L'il Gun for rifle loads; it might be worth an e-mail to them. (help@hodgon.com) There also be newer info on their website. If you decide to try it, make sure you start 10% below max and work up.
Whatever you end up using, it will hit plenty hard.
Stuart
I reload gas checked cast 310 grain 44 mag ammo and have used H110, Win 296 and AA No. 9 and they have all worked very well in handguns and a Win 94 Trapper. These three powders will give you your top speeds at safe pressures. I shoot LBT 310 gr. LFN's and there is lots of room for powder under them, even when loaded deep for rifle action length and at maximum loads. As stated above, leading might be a problem with the plain base bullets but if they are made of a hard enough alloy they might be fine. The only way to find out is try them.
The bullet barn bullets are supposed to be BN hardness of 25, and I had them sized to .432 as I am told that is the throat diameter of the ruger carbine's, I'm hoping these factors will keep leading under control. When I get my reloading kit in the mail from S.I.R. I'll try to find some AA#9 and start experimenting.
