Author Topic: One good .44 heavyweight mold?  (Read 774 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline BillinOregon

  • GBO Supporter
  • Trade Count: (4)
  • Avid Poster
  • *****
  • Posts: 222
One good .44 heavyweight mold?
« on: September 14, 2004, 08:39:25 PM »
Guys, I am hoping to get back into handgun hunting and long-range plinking with a .44 SBH. What mold would you recommend to have excellent weight and nose profile for deer, elk and hog hunting, but that would also be a good, accurate bullet for plinking or silhouette out to 200 yards or more? I have heard the Lee 310 gets sketchy past 100 yards, even though it sure is affordable.

Offline BCB

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • A Real Regular
  • ****
  • Posts: 928
One good .44 heavyweight mold?
« Reply #1 on: September 14, 2004, 11:47:24 PM »
BillinOregon,
I shoot the Lyman 429650 from a SRH.  I can hit a 5.5"x11" steel pendulem at 200 yards most of the time from a good sandbag rest.  It shoots right around 2"-2.5" at 100 yards.  Velocity is 1258 fps with a weight of 315-320 grains.  A good shooter.  Good-luck...BCB

Offline Thomas Krupinski

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • A Real Regular
  • ****
  • Posts: 823
One good .44 heavyweight mold?
« Reply #2 on: September 15, 2004, 02:52:07 AM »
Bill,

I am not having trouble hitting steel plates about 280 with that Lee 310 out of a 10" Contender.  Also a nice looking bullet.

Offline Graybeard

  • Administrator
  • Trade Count: (69)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 26945
  • Gender: Male
One good .44 heavyweight mold?
« Reply #3 on: September 15, 2004, 03:46:01 AM »
The now discontinued Lyman 429640 was one of the best mass produced bullet designs around. From my mould and my alloy they generally drop at about 280 grains. The Lee is a pretty good reasonably priced mould.

You can get LBT moulds directly from Veral Smith again. He is an advertiser on GBO now and he makes several designs and weights that are excellent.

If you want a bit lighter bullet try the Lyman 429244 GC mould. This is one super bullet and will do fine to really long range. Drops from my mould at 242 grains with Linotype.


Bill aka the Graybeard
President, Graybeard Outdoor Enterprises
256-435-1125

I am not a lawyer and do not give legal advice.

Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life anyone who believes in Him will have everlasting life!

Offline BillinOregon

  • GBO Supporter
  • Trade Count: (4)
  • Avid Poster
  • *****
  • Posts: 222
One good .44 heavyweight mold?
« Reply #4 on: September 15, 2004, 05:25:14 AM »
Thanks for the advice, fellas. I noted in another thread somewhere that Lloyd Smale was not impressed with the Lee 310 beyond 100 yards or so. Lloyd, if you're there, can you clarify?

Offline Dusty Miller

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2271
  • Gender: Male
One good .44 heavyweight mold?
« Reply #5 on: September 16, 2004, 01:29:37 AM »
I'm really happy with the three LBT molds I own for my .44 mag. (2) and 454 Casull.
When seconds mean life or death, the police are only minutes away!

Offline Lloyd Smale

  • Moderators
  • Trade Count: (32)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 18269
One good .44 heavyweight mold?
« Reply #6 on: September 16, 2004, 11:24:55 AM »
weve shot it at alot of differnt velocites in alot of different guns and its a good bullet when pushed fast out to 100 yards or so. So in all reality it would be a fine hunting bullet but when we shoot it out to 500 its all over the place sometimes up to 30 feet off target. I would guess that it looses stablization out there somewhere. Youll have alot better luck with a good keith or lfn out long distance. Ive noticed accuarcy falling apart even at 2oo with a couple of my guns. But then its a rare wide metplat bullet that will fly well at long range.
Quote from: BillinOregon
Thanks for the advice, fellas. I noted in another thread somewhere that Lloyd Smale was not impressed with the Lee 310 beyond 100 yards or so. Lloyd, if you're there, can you clarify?
blue lives matter

Offline Lloyd Smale

  • Moderators
  • Trade Count: (32)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 18269
One good .44 heavyweight mold?
« Reply #7 on: September 16, 2004, 11:27:19 AM »
a couple that do work are the 300swc lyman the 300 lfn ballistic cast gas check (my favorite long range .44 bullet!!)
blue lives matter

Offline BillinOregon

  • GBO Supporter
  • Trade Count: (4)
  • Avid Poster
  • *****
  • Posts: 222
One good .44 heavyweight mold?
« Reply #8 on: September 17, 2004, 10:57:45 AM »
Lloyd: Thanks for clearing that up. Sounds like the Lee 310 would be fine for elk hunting in timber under 100 yards, but a Keith or an LFN would get the nod for long-range target/plinking work.