New Rossi 44 mag.. what bullet weight?

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NorthBorder

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I haven't loaded for 44 mag before. My Rossi has a 20" barrel w/ a 1:30 twist rate. I plan to load hot for it pretty much exclusively. Looking at Missouri Bullet Company website I ain't sure what to order. I am sure those 44 Hammers are way to long for the Rossi, so would a 240 gr SWC or Keith style work? I don't see any 180 or 200 gr hard cast in the MBC lineup.
 
I have a Rossi M92 16-inch and I have feed it everything from 180 to 300 gr. It seems to like the 180 - 265 best. I am currently mostly using 240gr XTPs. That said I really like 265gr lead RNFP bullets too.
 
I like their coated 240 LSWC and that is mostly what I load for in 44m now. However, if your rifle is a bit picky about feeding a flat point round nose may feed better in it.

I like MBC since they state the hardness of all of their bullets. Many others don't and that can be frustrating with some loads.
 
I have shot a metric butt load of their 240 grain LSWC bullets in all my 44's, the longest with a 10 inch barrel and after testing weights these were the most accurate along with the XTP's. Nothing in a longer barrel though.
 
I loaded some 44mag for my SA 7.5" revolver. Light loads of 240gr berrys FP over promo. Full power loads of 180gr XTP over H110 and 240gr XTP over H110. They all shot well in the Rossi. I do have plans to cast some 240gr SWC and RN in the future.
 
I have some 180 gr XTP's. I am looking specifically at hard cast and probably MBC Hi-Tec coated bullets. Or some other company maybe?
I just recently bought a stainless steel Rossi with a 20 inch barrel. I have yet to shoot it. Tried some of my handloads I use in my Ruger SuperBlackhawk. The are Hensley and Gibbs #45 a 240 grain sec bullet. Wouldn't feed...too long. Bought a box of Hornady 180 xtp just like you and they will feed. Probably go with 2400 or 296 powder. I might be able to get the cast bullet to work if I shorten it up some. Will see.
Would love to find some kind of peep sight for it. My 68 year old eyes aren't the best with a blade sight anymore.
Really like the gun. Wanted a 357 with 24 inch octagon barrel. Have only seen one in a year so when I saw the 44 with a great price couldn't pass it up.
 
In cast I would probably opt for 240 grain RNFP for a lever gun. Certain to feed well and the right weight. If you are hunting with it, the bigger the meplat, the better.
 
The MBC Hammer will feed. Disregard the crimp groove and keep going deeper in the case until it cycles then crimp with a taper or collet crimp. I prefer bullets with long noses like that so I can jam a few thousandths into the lands and have the flexibility to fine tune OAL. I had to do it to the bullets in the photo. They are set at Marlin Cycle length but shoot great in everything else. These are in mixed brass so you should be able to find a few crimped way past the crimp groove. On shorter brass I’m smashing the full diameter beyond the crimp groove. Bullet below is the MP Molds 44 Hammer. 275 dressed weight.

D25A9389-2A16-4D31-8FA4-290CBDAF1EC2.png
 
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To your point, if you load a 240-250 grain plain base bullet Hot as you stated in your post it is going to lead and or skid and throw a shot every now and then. Heavier bullets are less prone to doing that because they are moving slower. 23.5 grains of H110 will push a 240ish grain cast bullet 2000 FPS from a 20 inch tube. Too fast for most alloys or lubes. Now if it’s a GC bullet it will work better.
 

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I haven't loaded for 44 mag before. My Rossi has a 20" barrel w/ a 1:30 twist rate. I plan to load hot for it pretty much exclusively. Looking at Missouri Bullet Company website I ain't sure what to order. I am sure those 44 Hammers are way to long for the Rossi, so would a 240 gr SWC or Keith style work? I don't see any 180 or 200 gr hard cast in the MBC lineup.
Watcha gonna shoot with it?
 
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