I'm looking at a .44 mag lever gun. To get more rifle-like performance, and better trajectory, I'm interested in a load for the lightest bullet possible for the .44mag, so I can get highest reasonable velocity. Not necessarily looking to "push the envelope", just want to know how "light & fast" is reasonable on .44 mag.
Light, fast .44mag?
- Thread starter Dave R
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Zorro
Member
Light Bullets bleed velocity faster.
Heavy is better in the .44 Magnum.
Heavy is better in the .44 Magnum.
Big_R
Member
Speer makes 200 grain soft point bullets which have given me good accuracy in my revolvers. I haven't run any of them across a chornograph, but I have heard of people taking white tail deer with them and got good results (handgun). If you're really serious about using them, it may be worth contacting Speer and asking about velocity limitations. Wouldn't want a bullet coming apart. I used a medium burning powder when loading mine (AA#5).
Ryan
Ryan
Thoughts:
1- I've found the highest velocities tend to come from Remington and CorBon products, in standard weights.
2-I've had great results with factory and re-loads using Remington's Semi-Jacketed Hollow Point bullets in 180gr and 240gr. My boomer reloads mostly used WW296, in loading-manual-approved strength.
3- If you go with a 180gr JHP or SJHP, you'll get up over 2000fps from a rifle barrel, with violent expansion and probable fragmentation. This is great, but for short-distance self-defense, only. And, in the house it'll be LOUD.
4- IF you step up to a 240gr JHP or SJHP, you'll still be getting velocities way up aroung 1800fps! (rifle), great expansion and possible fragmentation, but with much less blast, and recoil is still negligible. Seems to me that, for most uses, this weight makes the best use of a rifle's advantages.
Now you've got a load that hits harder (except at arm's length), and hits farther.
5- If you go for full-on light sabers (MagSafe or, better, Glaser Silver Safety Slugs) make sure you test a bunch of them at the range, despite the cost. Some people have had problems with accuracy and even vaporization on the way to the target due to excessive rotational speed.
Sure would be a shame to see your projectile turn into a puff of dust halfway to saving your life.
Gosh, I hate when that happens.
1- I've found the highest velocities tend to come from Remington and CorBon products, in standard weights.
2-I've had great results with factory and re-loads using Remington's Semi-Jacketed Hollow Point bullets in 180gr and 240gr. My boomer reloads mostly used WW296, in loading-manual-approved strength.
3- If you go with a 180gr JHP or SJHP, you'll get up over 2000fps from a rifle barrel, with violent expansion and probable fragmentation. This is great, but for short-distance self-defense, only. And, in the house it'll be LOUD.
4- IF you step up to a 240gr JHP or SJHP, you'll still be getting velocities way up aroung 1800fps! (rifle), great expansion and possible fragmentation, but with much less blast, and recoil is still negligible. Seems to me that, for most uses, this weight makes the best use of a rifle's advantages.
Now you've got a load that hits harder (except at arm's length), and hits farther.
5- If you go for full-on light sabers (MagSafe or, better, Glaser Silver Safety Slugs) make sure you test a bunch of them at the range, despite the cost. Some people have had problems with accuracy and even vaporization on the way to the target due to excessive rotational speed.
Sure would be a shame to see your projectile turn into a puff of dust halfway to saving your life.
Gosh, I hate when that happens.- Status
