44 mag w/ heavy bullet recommendations

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rabid wombat

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To all,

Please provide your recommendations for the 44 mag. I would prefer heavy bullets (anything over 240 grain, why - because I want heavy bullets - 500 gr wadcutters :rofl:). It does not have to be a screamer, but it is a magnum. I will use it in a Redhawk (primarily), but also a Super Blackhawk, and a Contender. The Redhawk has a dot, the SBH are open sights, and the Contender has a scope. The thought is around a mid distance (short of 100 yards) deer and hog gun. The sights will be the limit on shot distance (ok, really my eyes will be the limit... :cuss:). I will buy Starline brass. Please provide your thoughts on:
  • Bullet - brand, type, and weight
  • Powder - type and charge
  • Primer - brand and type
  • OAL
  • did I miss anything?
Cost is not really a concern (I will not be shooting 300 a week, but they cannot be diamond studded depleted uranium either). Jacketed, plated, coated, or lead is fine. Accuracy is important, but these are not target guns. Terminal performance is important.

Before loading, I will run the suggestion by a reputable loading manual. Obvious, the internet rules of sharing a load will apply - no liability or warranty....

Your suggestions are appreciated.

Thanks
 
I've worked up a few 300gr .44 Magnum loads. All using 300-MP powder.

Swift A-Frame doing 1,269fps from a 5.5" Redhawk.

LBT WFN-GC running 1,204fps from the 5.5" Redhawk, or 1,190fps from a 4.62" SBH.

Hornady XTP-HP at 1,192fps from the 4.62" SBH.

300-MP likes longer barrels, and will get more impressive numbers with a longer pipe.

I also liked the LBT WFN-GC with 2400. A more sedate 1,112fps from the 5.5" Redhawk. Shoots well though.

If any of those interest you, I'll copy and paste the obligatory warning and post the charge weights (none of which were found in any load books).
 
I've got some of the 300gr "Hammers" from MBC loaded with 19gr of H110 if I remember correctly. I chronographed them a year or two back and out of an 8" S&W 629 I was getting around 1350fps. I think that is enough umph for anything in North America including most cars. It would be handful out of a short barrel gun, but potent. I also load the same bullet with 8.0gr of Universal as a SD load out of my 3" Model 696. They run around 800fps. Very Controllable and would make a mess of someone hit center mass. For SD, I'm more concerned about penetration and making a big hole using a flat pointed bullet. This would be the one.
 
Re: MBCs 300gr "Hammer" bullets.

I've tried them, mostly with 2400. There's a lot of space under that bullet, and figuring out how much powder to put in there to get a clean burn and consistent velocities was not easy for me. But I've not yet found them nearly as accurate as my loads with the other bullets.

I still have a bunch of them sitting around, but always find myself disappointed with the loads I've worked up when I shoot them.
 
The only rounds north of 240g that I've played with are the Hornady 300g XTPs. I've loaded them to the mid 1200 fps range with both H110 and 2400, neither were very fun to shoot through my 7.5" SRH. I followed Hornady's load data for both, cut them both just shy of max charge.
 
WrongHanded said:
300-MP likes longer barrels, and will get more impressive numbers with a longer pipe.
Click to expand...
^^^^^ This!

I would say 8" barrels or longer, you will see more velocity with less pressure than H-110.

I can't help with the bullets, I primarily load 240gn JSP bullets, just for target shooting.
 
These are pretty effective on the game you're mentioning as your primary targets.

iDXuSgz.jpg

Since you're looking for basic data I've included the manufacturers here .

iEeoaOX.jpg

These are the heaviest .44 mag bullets I have in my inventory. In my mind going beyond this weight in the .44 mag doesn't make much sense. At this point if I needed more lead I'd move up to the next magnum caliber (.454 Casull or .460 Ruger). That's a personal opinion only that will probably receive some scrutiny on this site

pSLKmVG.jpg
 
If you go with the Deep Curl or XTP make sure you get the correct bullet for your velocity/use.

I would likely stick with Missouri as I like their stuff. I usually stay with their 240gr Keith but their 300gr WFN does look interesting. I have cooled on heavy for caliber loads myself, no solid reasoning, just more standardizing at the typical weights for a caliber to keep from sighting in all the time.
 
I've used the 300 WFN from Missouri with great results. It's an accurate thumper. I use H110 and it groups well but about an inch high at 7 yards versus their 240gn Keith. I use max loads of H110 woth both bullets.
 
Ohen Cepel said:
Sequins,
Thanks, good info to know as I have been tempted to try their 300's but have been sticking to Missouri's 240's.
Click to expand...

I like both and those are the only two 44 bullets I load anymore these days since I've been so satisfied at both weights. I think the 44 is really an exceptional cartridge at both 240 and 300, probably the best bullet thrower for those bullet weights imo. My Rugers off a rest typically deliver 4" - 6" groups out to 25 yards with the 300 or 240 grain MBC bullets, results I'm certainly pleased with and as good as any results I've gotten out of my Redhawk or Super Blackhawk (I suspect the guns or ammo are capable of better accuracy than I, as I get 4-6" groups with either firearm :))

I actually just loaded 100 of the 240gn today while wishing the range was open, I nearly loaded the 300gn though as I have a few of the 500 count MBC boxes of each. H110 Powder, Starline Brass, CCI 350 Primers, and either 240gn or 300gn MBC bullets... the perfect recipe for 44 in my opinion.
 
My story is very similar to sequins'. I load the same 300gr MBC Hammers at near max charge of H110. My load shoots 3" high at 15 yds vs. my standard 240 grainers at near max H110 load, but groups are around 2" offhanded. Very decent.
sequins said:
I've used the 300 WFN from Missouri with great results. It's an accurate thumper. I use H110 and it groups well but about an inch high at 7 yards versus their 240gn Keith. I use max loads of H110 woth both bullets.
Click to expand...
 
CAUTION: The following post includes loading data beyond currently published maximums for this cartridge. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. Neither the writer, The High Road, nor the staff of THR assume any liability for any damage or injury resulting from use of this information.

Okay. I don't know that any of my loads are over pressure, but I also don't know that they aren't. Hence the warning.

CCI 300 primers and Starline brass for all loads.

300gr Hornady XTP + 21.0gr 300-MP

300gr Swift A-Frame + 21.0gr 300-MP

300gr LBT WFN-GC + 22.0gr 300-MP

300gr LBT WFN-GC + 16.8gr 2400

300gr MBC 'Hammer' + 17.5gr 2400

I've worked that MBC 'Hammer' up slowly from around 15.0gr of 2400. It's never been very good. I can't be sure, but I don't think I've ever got a 3" group from it at 25 yards. All the other loads have got 2" or less from bags at the same distance.

If anyone had a good load for it (one that gets 2" groups or less at 25 yards), please do let me know.
 
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