44 Magnum Bullets

Sweet! I like it.

The next scratch for my itch will be nearly identical...just a little bigger hole. 45 Colt

Seedtick

Hondo 60 said:

Just bought a "new to me" Ruger Redhawk in 44 Magnum.

Now I need bullets.
I can use Berry's for 44 Spl, but obviously (to me anyway) that won't work for 44 Magnum.

So far I'm looking at Hornady 240 gr XTPs.
Is there a cheaper jacketed alternative?

Sorry, I can't use lead, as I've posted not to long ago, my lead level was too high & I promised my Dr I wouldn't use lead bullets any more.

I tried several other places I know of for bullets like tjconevera & rmrbullets, but didn't find what I want.

Your help in other brands/bullet sites would be appreciated.

Thanks!

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Why can't/won't you shoot plated bullets from your .44? You don't have to load real hot loads (especially from that short barrel) I plink with either plated or lead bullets and use XTPs or Gold Dots when I need a premium bullet for hunting.

Berry website FAQ says this about that:

Velocities depend on the caliber, but as a rule of thumb, we recommend you don't shoot our plated bullets over 1200 feet-per-second. Our 44's actually shoot best around 1150 fps.

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For cheap shooting at a cost of a couple hundred FPS, I can think of no reason not to shoot Berry Plated bullets in your .44 Mag.

Nobody says you have to set the weeds on fire every time you shoot a .44 Mag!

rc

your not sposed to eat the lead bullets! 240 hard cast

I like the Nosler 240gr soft points in the bulk 250 pack in my SBH.

I went through a very similar thinking process and decided to load 240 XTP's and 240 lead. I shoot a SBH and a Marlin 1894. The Marlin is only fed the XTP's.

If you're anything like me, you want to shoot full power loads frequently enough so that you're accomplished with full-house loads. Using a plated bullet at 1100-1200 as my main round was not an option. To each his own, though.

I've not found a better jacketed bullet than the XTP's, for the money, though I too have been tempted by the Noslers.

Hondo 60 said:

Sorry, I can't use lead, as I've posted not to long ago, my lead level was too high & I promised my Dr I wouldn't use lead bullets any more.

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Just curious. Do you think your high lead levels are from casting, shooting indoors or something else?

Congratulations on your new Ruger! I gotz me a 5 1/2" SBH.

I like the XTP for having a deep penetrating hunting load that expands, and keep to have a 2 legged threat stopper.

I think you will find Missouri Cast Bullet Co. 240 grain Lead SWC a good alternative for your Ruger. I shoot that LSWC with 7.3 grains of Trail Boss, and I get groups like below offhand @ 25 yards. The XTPs I load with 20.5 grains of 2400, and it is a blazing fireball load.
I can also take that LSWC from MCB Co., and load it up with 22 grains of IMR 4227, and it shoot like the dickens also.

Here is my latest group shooting Trail Boss and MCB Co. 240 grain LSWC, Win Brass, and CCI Primers. This is 3 cylinders full, and for some reason I have a tendency to push one every cylinder to the left a little. I am shooting right handed. My SBH has a Hogue Monogrip on it. Couldn't shoot heavy loads with the cowboy grip.

I'd like to second the XTP from my experience, but I also want to test the Nosler Soft Points @ 240 grains. For the record. I have also loaded, and shoot a 255 grain Beartooth bullet full of Unique. It is loaded pretty hot, and not I will not post the weight on that.

I have not tried shooting lead yet in the SBH. I use a load of 9.3 grains of Unique and the Noslers as a practice round at about 1020fps and use the XTP's for hunting under a stout load of H110 for around 1400fps. The system works for me and I don't have to deal with any of the issues that lead can bring.

One item of note is that the Noslers are out of stock everywhere, and I've been looking for about a month. I emailed Nosler recently and they stated that a resupply will not be happening until spring, so I'll be stocking up then!

Sorry, but why is lead an issue? I have zero problems with a leaded barrel. Maybe you are in a lead free area. I did just skim over it. In the middle of packing, and saw the new post in hand loading... Don't have to yell at me.


I see. I remember you post on your lead levels. Can you use latex gloves to keep the lead levels down. I don't remember the complete thread, but could it be that shooting indoors is the reason for high lead levels?

Nevertheless congrats on a super awesome firearm. I hope you enjoy the .44 Magnum as much as I have. If this is your first .44 Magnum, I think you'll find it to be a very enjoyable, versatile caliber.
I have been told that the jacketed bullet will probably work best in the Ruger because of the throat angle or something like that, but I have found that lead works well also. My gun hasn't ever had a factory round through it. I wish you could shoot lead. I also don't want to partake in getting someone sick either.

If your lead levels come down, and you can work out what the issue is be it handling or shooting in an indoor range (I'll have to review your thread) MCB Co. makes a good bullet for our guns, but I think you will be hard pressed to find a better performing bullet than the 240 grain XTP for you .44 Magnum using any of the powders that will push it over 1300 fps. I hear Remington makes a good .44 Magnum bulk jacketed bullet.

@ Walkalong

You find the Taper Crimp to be better than a Roll Crimp? Do you find the taper to be more consistent regardless of case length?

I just ordered 400 240 gain XTP's from Cabelas....they had them on sale for $18.99 per hundred. That's a pretty good price so I jumped on it. They might still be listed in the "Bargain Cave" section.

Thanks, guys.

Good luck with that .44 Magnum. It'll eat up XTPs, but I have read good things about the Remmy bullets also in .44 Magnum. You might be able to locate a good source. I need to find one because the factory is about 15 miles from my house.

I need to find one because the factory is about 15 miles from my house.

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Eb1, the one in Lonoke?

Seedtick

For Lead http://www.twoalphabullets.com/Products.htm

For Jacketed https://www.montanagoldbullet.com/pricelist.html

The MG's flat points are devastating on bowling pins

I know your not wanting to use lead but the hard cast lead with gas checks doesn't put off fumes like regular cast lead bullets do and they shoot great in my rugers.

Rainier bullets WILL work for full house loads no matter what you may read on the internet. If they'll perform great out of a rifle they'll work in your little Redhawk.