Laser cast info for NEF 44 mag please

[Jeffery8mm]

I have an NEF 44 mag that I wish to load some Laser Cast 240gr SWC in.  If I push this with 8 grs of Unique powder, about how fast will the bullet be traveling?? I have no chrony. Also what would be a max load for this setup with Unique. Speer 13 doesnt list a 240gr hard cast bullet.  Oregon trail has a manual, but I haven't purchased it yet.  The data they sent with the bullets is a bit confusing!  I also want to use the same load in a 44 SAA with a 6' barrel.
Will 8grs of Unique and the 240gr SWC effectively kill a deer at under 100 yards??
Thanks for the help!!!!!

Jeff

[Catfish]

I have an old Layman Manual that list a load with a 250 gn. gas checked bullet and 7.9 gn. of Unique and it`s giving a velocity of 975 fps. from a Colt SAA with a 5 1/2 in barrel. From that I would guess you will get 1,100 and 1,250 fps. Laser Cast are good bullets but you will be pushing them to the max. as far as leading goes. I would recommend you try Lead Head Hard cast gas checked bullets and Win. 296 powder. I have pushed the Lead Head bullets to 2,700 fps. with no leading, and great accuracy.

[LaOtto222]

I would guess your velocity at around 1100 fps, maybe a little more. I would hold the distance to 50 yards or so. The 44 mag is a 100 yard gun, maybe a little more, but that is with full power loads. For that you want use 22 grains or a little more of WW 296 or H 110. I am not sure of the alloy of the bullets you want to try, but they may lead at these type of velocities. As suggested a cast bullet with a gas check will not lead a barrel. Since you have a Handi 44, I would slug the barrel to find out exactly the size bullet you will need. Read through the FAQ section in Handi rifles and do some research in the forum. If you have an older gun, you will need some over size bullets. After slugging your gun, purchase bullets that are .001" - .0015" over size for best results.

[Jeffery8mm]

Thanks to both of you for the replies!!!  Got alot to learn about shooting non jacketed bullets!!!

Jeff

[Graybeard]

A few comments relative to your post and your questions.

1. No one can tell you the velocity you will get from your gun unless they run it over a chrono when fired from YOUR GUN. Sorry but that's just the way it is. Every gun is different and the ONLY way to know how fast a given round was in your gun is to fire that round thru a chrono from your gun. All else is pure guess work and has little real world value.

2. For MAX with any powder look to the reputable loading manuals and most powder and bullet makers have data online if you happen not to have their manuals or if you ask them via phone or e-mail they will respond to you regarding a specific load. Generally speaking loads for jacketed bullets can safely be substituted for cast bullets unless one or the other has a drastically different seating depth.

3. How is their data confusing? Explain and perhaps someone here can help to remove the mud from the water.

4. Six feet is one long barrel. Sorry just couldn't help myself. Folks commonly use ' when the mean " and I always get a chuckle from the faux pax.

5. SAA means Single Action Army ie., a Colt or Colt Clone. I'm not aware of ANY such chambered to the .44 magnum. It would not be safe to fire ANY .44 magnum from any such Colt or Colt clone. You need to clarify what handgun you are referring to before anyone can even begin to discuss the load data for it with you.

6. If you put that 240 SWC over 8 grains of Unique where it belongs it's dead deer.

[Jeffery8mm]

 Here is where the water gets muddy for me and the data that I recieved from Laser Cast.

This is what they faxed me.....
44 Mag pistol 240gr SWC Unique powder
Start 10.8gr  1302fps    Max 11.7  1349fps

44mag rifle 240gr SWC Unique powder
Start 6.0gr  940fps    Max 10.0  1371fps

SO..  Am I reading that 8grs would be safe in the Handi but not in the Single Action [not SAA, my typo!] Virginian Dragoon??
Or that 11 grains is fine in the Dragoon but not the Handi??
The handi has a 22 inch barrel and the Dragoon has a 6 foot barrel!!!!!  Just kidding Graybeard!!! I too had to laugh at that!!

I was pleased to see that the 8grs and that bullets will do what I want!!  8grs in a Handi is a real mild load as far as recoil.
Thanks for the help so far

Jeff

[Graybeard]

I think what the are telling you is that if you push that bullet to 1400 fps you're gonna get massive leading and since they claim their bullets won't lead that would be embarassing to them. So they give you data that keeps the velocity below 1400 fps in both handgun and rifle to avoid embarassing themselves when you get leading. Just a guess on my part of course.

[Jeffery8mm]

I agree with the leading issue.  If I were loading for one or the other, it would be easy.  But trying to develop a load to be used in both, the data does seems a little misleading, to me anyway.
Jeff

[Ranger J]

Yep, I believe you hit the nail on the head on the leading issue.

RJ

[bigshooz]

Hi Jeffery I've found that Laser cast are to small for the bores of Handi's,and they are also to hard to obturate enough to seal the bore. You need something about .431-.433,and maybe about as hard as wheelweights.I think no matter what you try with the Lasercast you will get leading, my 2 cents.  Mike

[cowboyup453]

Hi Jeffery I've found that Laser cast are to small for the bores of Handi's,and they are also to hard to obturate enough to seal the bore. You need something about .431-.433,and maybe about as hard as wheelweights.I think no matter what you try with the Lasercast you will get leading, my 2 cents.  Mike

The laser cast are sized .431 and a few of us have got good accuracy out of the older oversized handi barrels. The last batch I loaded was 10g of unique with win lp primers. I have had no signs of leading with my handi or my Taurus 44SS6. I use this for a plinking load.