44 mag Cast bullets

[sk330lc]

Hey all,   What cast Bullets are you all having the best luck with, Out of your Contender or Encore Barrels? I'd like to start casting for My 12" Encore Barrel. But not sure what Bullet to go with. I'm Thinking something in the 240 to 250gr and the 300 to 310gr weight classes .  I'll be using them for Deer , Hogs, and steel plates.  Thanks   

[Graybeard]

The single best most accurate I've ever used was the Lyman 429244. My shooting partner and I used it in metallic silhouette competions all over the place and brought home way more than our fair share of trophies shooting it in both TC Contenders and S&W Model 29s with 10-5/8" barrels. It's a gas check bullet that's supposed to drop at about 255 grains from Lyman #2 alloy. From our alloy it dropped at 242 grains. Yeah ours was a tad hard.

[HL]

The two most accurate bullets I have used and this included most jacketed bullets made for the 44mag. is the NEI 280gr. Keith style that casts WW metal at 294gr. and the LBT 300gr LFN that casts WW at 315gr. Both are gas check styles and when loaded with 296, I will bore out one big hole approx. 1" diameter at 50yds.

NOw, I heat treat to get the hardest projectile I can which generally ends up between 30-35BHN. These bullets used with LBT Blue LUbe attain velocities far in excess of jacketed bullets of the same weight.

Have fun,

HL

[swampthing]

280g, .432", LBT, WFNGC. Loaded with AA#5 I get 1275fps and one ragged hole groups at 50 yds all day long. Shot clean through 2 180lb hogs, first one dropped instantly the second one was running when I shot him, he only made it 20yds and he was down.   

[sk330lc]

Thanks everybody!

Graybeard, I really like the looks of the Lyman 429244 Bullet. Can I ask what Kind of Lube and Powder you used in your loads. This bullet would cover My Light bullet needs well.

Now to do more research on heavier Ones.  Swampthing and HL's sound interesting.

[Graybeard]

I've used a variety of lubes over the years and as long as you avoid the hard ones I've not really seen that much difference really. I guess I've used more of the RCBS lube than any other with Lyman's alox lube in second place. To me the RCBS is a bit cleaner to deal with but I can't say it works any better or worse. I've now got what is likely a life time supply of LBT Blue that I'll use next time I size/lube bullets but I've also got others still on hand. I'll never use up all the lube I have as I don't do much casting anymore.

I have or maybe only had as I can't seem to locate it anymore a now discontinued Lyman bullet #429640 which looks much like an LBT design and drops bullets at about 275-280 grains and it too is one of my favorite heavier bullets. I seldom use heavier but I've also got Lyman's bullet moulds for their 300 and 325 grain bullets. They work fine but are heavier than I have any real need for. I also have some LBT moulds for the .44 mag as best as I can recall but as I said I'm not doing much casting these days.

[sk330lc]

Thanks Graybeard.   You wouldn't have Any molds, You would want to Part with would you?  I've never Cast any bullets Besides, 50Cal Maxi Balls for my T/C Hawk ens rifle . I've been doing alot of shopping around. I just need to make My mind up where to order from. All I need are Molds and A sizer, luber. The Lyman one Looks Nice.
Again Thanks for the great info!

[Graybeard]

No at this time I don't have any moulds I'm wanting to sale. I have an old four cavity 429244 that got rusted up a bit way back when so I bought me a brand spanking new four cavity one to use but the old one is the one my best friend and I used back in our competition days so I'll never part with it for nostalgia reasons. Mine came from Midsouth Shooters Supply a GBO Sponsor. Check them out for some good prices on moulds. I've been buying from them for perhaps 25 years.

www.midsouthshooterssupply.com

[sk330lc]

Graybeard,   I can understand not wanting to part with your molds..      Thanks for the advice on Midsouth!