44 mag / special bullet question

[Maccool]

I'm wanting to get into reloading and have been reading a lot on reloading the 44 mag/spec. using hard cast bullets and see most people say Keith's or semi wad cutters , but they never say what brand they use, and when looking for some there is a ton of different companies to choose from. So what brand do you guys prefer ? Also what would be a good size for a new model super blackhawk without having to slug the barrel ?

[cwlongshot]

I'm wanting to get into reloading and have been reading a lot on reloading the 44 mag/spec. using hard cast bullets and see most people say Keith's or semi wad cutters , but they never say what brand they use, and when looking for some there is a ton of different companies to choose from. So what brand do you guys prefer ? Also what would be a good size for a new model super blackhawk without having to slug the barrel ?

Kieth liked a SWC bullet, they are pretty much the same and used interchangeably.  A good driving band cuts a nice hole and the wide flat tip aides in shock on game. While being easier to load and feed in firearm chambers.
 
Slugging the bore is done to size a bullet more in a rifle. Yes you still do it in a pistol too, but In a pistol or revolver like your SBH, you need to measure the cylinder mouths. This is where you will get a good accurate bullet form a revolver. You "should" be at .430- .432 dia..
 
CW

[Ranch13]

There is a difference between a swc and a keith style bullet. The nose on a Keith bullet is a bit longer, and a Keith also has one big lube groove.
Go here http://www.montanabulletworks.com/44_Mag_U99O.html and scroll down the page to the RCBS 82080 and the Lyman 429421 those are the Keith bullets.

[Maccool]

I am really just gonna be hunting deer with these at short range and hear every one say they are cheaper then jacketed bullets so where do you guys buy yours from is I guess what I'm trying to get at, I don't know if I should buy beartooth, lbt , meister, etc....

[Swampman]

I've been shooting some cast in a Lee 240 grain mold.  They shoot great.

[Ranch13]

I am really just gonna be hunting deer with these at short range and hear every one say they are cheaper then jacketed bullets so where do you guys buy yours from is I guess what I'm trying to get at, I don't know if I should buy beartooth, lbt , meister, etc....

The folks from the link I posted cast real good bullets at a decent price and are shooters themselves.

[Graybeard]

Midsouth Shooter's Supply a GBO Sponsor sells Magnus brand Keith style bullets. I dunno what mould they use to cast them but they appear to be the Lyman 429421 mould.

I picked up a box of them on an order not long ago and have been using them in my Ruger Bisley .44 Special. They are shooting as well as I can see to shoot these days. Magnus is an Alabama outfit and I do like to support home state folks when I can. They make good bullets and are a bit less expensive I believe than many of the better known national brands.

It used to be all the local gun stores stocked Magnus bullets and reloaded ammo from Zero another Bama company that has now branched out to making bullets as well as ammo.

[Ranch13]

 Several years ago I bought some swc bullets in 430 and 452 diameter by Magnus from Natchezz shooters supply. Those were some very good bullets. I still have one box of the 45's I save back for using when I use my trapper in levergun matches.

[.22-5-40]

Hello, Maccool.  You want a bullet that is a light push fit in your cyl. throats.
    Concerning "hard-cast"  Elmer keith used some pretty stiff loads under his cast bullets..some too stiff by todays standards..but even with these..his favorite alloy was 16-1 lead-tin.  Most folks would think that far too soft now days..but the fact is, unless the bullet is ductile enough to obturate & seal gasses in throats & forcing cone..those hot gasses will blow by and carry molten lead particles into bore..to be run over by succeding bullets.  Best of luck!

[Maccool]

Thanks for the help , everyone.