44 mag all around bullet

[DoubleA]

THE FOLLOWING WILL HARDLY EVER BE USED PRIMARILY, UNLESS CLOSE DISTANCES UP TO 100 YARDS.  I WILL MAINTAIN A RIFLE AT ALL TIMES UNTIL I FEEL COMFORTABLE.

I just ordered a RSRH 7 1/2 inch barrel for 506 out the door.  When I start reloading for this, I would like to use an (all around) load.  I don't want to have to resight everytime I decide to switch rounds.  I will be using open sights for a while (2-3 months) untill I can save the money to get a good scope (my wife only gives me about 250 a month of which I have about 175 total to use towards hunting, shooting, reloading.  

I am looking for an all around round for Elk, Deer (white tail and Mulies) and some plinking/practice.
I hope to NOT run into or hunt bear/big cats/boars in the near future, but if one decides to eat me I will just use this round to fill it full of holes.

I plan on Winchester Brass, Probably 296 powder and Cast bullet (was thinking of 240 area, but is not set in stone.

1.  What type/manufacture/weight of bullet???
2.  What pet load???

Just one more thing, I have some gift certificates for Cabelas.  Anyone used any of there casters???

Thanks in advance for you advice.

[John Traveler]

Congratulations on your fine new revolver!

My favorite full-house load is a near-maximum charge of either H110 or WW296 touched off with CCI LP Magnum or Winchester large pistol primers and most ANY 240 grain Keith-type SWC cast lead bullet.  The gas-checked ones give better accuracy under sustained fire (hundreds of rounds at one time), but the hard-cast plain-based ones are good too.  If leading becomes a problem, use harder bullets, slug your bore and chamber throats, and adjust bullet size accordingly.

The 240 grain jacketed softpoints are good too, and would be my choice for maximum loads for bear protection.

However, the load I shoot most often in .44 magnum is 8 grains of Unique over 240 grain SWC lead bullets.  This gives .45 Colt level power and recoil.  It's also a very accurate plinking load and easier on the gun (and the shooter).

[Gregory]

21.0 gr of 2400 powder under a 250 gr. Lyman 429421 cast SWC bullet was my do everything load out of a Ruger Redhawk 5.5" barrel.

[Joe Kool]

I like the Lyman #429244, a gas check bullet. Cast of wheel weights + 2% tin and water dropped. They weigh about 250 gr..  22 gr. of old Hercules 2400. or 21 gr. of the new Alliant 2400. Primer is CCI- 300. The velocity in a 7 1/2" barreled Ruger Blackhawk is around 1500 fps., if I'm not mistaken. Accuracy is excellent in just about every gun I've tried this load in. In two Ruger Super Blackhawks with Pro-Points on them, accuracy at 100yds., ran from 3-4" for six shots. I've got better accuracy with this gas check bullet then the plain base Lyman #429421. The gas check will stop or hold down the leading in new or rough barrels. The meplat on the #429244 is a little larger then on the #429421, which will increase the shock value. If you are going to hunt large critters like elk or bear, a heavy bullet, like the Lee 310 gr would be a better bullet. But for an all round use I like the #429244.  

[DoubleA]

Thanks for the reply Joe Kool, Greensburg is nice are, My grandmother lives there..

[Nobade]

Win LP mag primer, 24gr. H110 or 296, and a Keith #428421 crimped in the groove. It just don't get any better than this in the .44 mag!

[DoubleA]

Thanks all for the info.  I really enjoy reading and researching on Graybeards pages.  Just picked up the SRH 44 yesterday, out the door for 505.  Next step is to look for a RCBS reloader (maybe used), something simple and fairly inexpensive like a Rock Chucker press, and start buying some components and accessories.

[boneguru]

really love the winchester silvertips, trouble is you really need to work up a load for your particular weapon, Raymond