200 gr lswc for 44 special

[farm23]

I am starting to load for a Charter Arms Bulldog. To keep cost down I would like to use cast bullets but do not find much in the 200 gr lswc range. I find wc and lots of rnfp style bullets but no lswc. I thought is the lswc would be more accurate and very effective on game, but maybe I am wrong and there is a reason for the lack of availability. I welcome the input along with ideas on loading data.

 

[Dog Soldier]

I have no idea what a "Iswc" bullet design is ? I would look at one of the time proven "Kieth" style Semi-Wad Cutters.

http://www.bayoubullets.net/44-caliber-215-gr-swc-500-ct/

 

[earplug]

Load your Bulldog with 240 grain LSWC. A heavy bullet is a better penetrator at the low velocity your hand will tolerate. 44 SPL and 240 grain SWC are classics and will shoot very closely with your fixed sights.

 

[farm23]

I am new to proper abbreviations and thought lswc was lead semi wad cutter in the Kieth style. The Bulldog is very light weight and I thought I could trade some weight for increased velocity.

 

[cfullgraf]

You might have to consider casting your own. Saeco makes a 200 grain truncated cone and Lyman makes a 210 grain semi-wadcutter in 44 caliber. They may make other style bullets in that weight range and other mold manufacturers may have other options.

I cast and load 200 grain wadcutters for my 44 Special and they are nice plinking loads. I'd still load 240 grain semi-wadcutters for more serious work even if I loaded them down a little.

 

[Sunray]

If you're searching for .44 Special cast bullets? Search for .429" bullets.
Midway lists 200 grain .429" hard cast. Montana Bullets lists a 210 grain SWC at $26.35 per 100 or $126.75 per 500. Best to buy components locally though.
"...thought lswc was..." It is.
The bullet shape doesn't matter much for hunting. How accurately you can shoot 'em out of a wee thing like a Bulldog. My boss that the shop I worked in long ago had a Bulldog. Cracked the factory wood grips with a 265 grain blaster load.
"...trade some weight for increased velocity..." A cast 200 grain load doesn't go very fast out of an 8" test barrel. Max loads with some powders run a tick over 1,000 fps. You won't get that out of a stock BD barrel. Even if your's is one of the 4.2" "Target" models.
Work up the load for accuracy, not velocity. Oh and the boss fixed his grips with Acraglas. That was before civilised people could get Pachmayr grips for a BD. snicker.

 

[Englishmn]

240grn about 600fps still goes through a 2x4 and deep enough in the ground I couldn't find the slug.
Or about 10 layers of sheet rock stacked.

 

[Maj Dad]

My wife had a 44 Bulldog back in the 80's, but hadn't shot it more than a couple of times until I loaded some different bullet weights for her. She really didn't like the 240s (and she has never been recoil sensitive), but the 200s were just fine. I figure it's what you're comfortable with and can shoot well.

 

[Walkalong]

Magnus 215 Gr SWC.

It shoots great in .44 Spl and will cut nice holes in things. I have shot many of them in my CA Bulldog and taken a couple of small animals with them.

 

[farm23]

Thanks walkalong. I hope the rain stops this weekend and I can get to my range. I hope to decide on a bullet I can use for practice and woods carry. I have been told for the same power level a heavy bullet will have less perceived recoil than a lighter one. If that is the case, it would increase my options.

 

[Legionnaire]

I've been playing with Rim Rock's 200 grain DEWC in my Bulldog. Haven't settled on a load yet, but several powders look promising, including Trail Boss, Titegroup, and Unique.

https://rimrockbullets.com/xcart/-44-200-gr-dewc-fb-per-500-anti-personel-.html?category_id=11

 

[Walkalong]

My other favorite .44 Spl bullet was the Lee 208 Gr WC. I cast those myself.

 

[Englishmn]

I've been playing with Rim Rock's 200 grain DEWC in my Bulldog. Haven't settled on a load yet, but several powders look promising, including Trail Boss, Titegroup, and Unique.

https://rimrockbullets.com/xcart/-44-200-gr-dewc-fb-per-500-anti-personel-.html?category_id=11

I like trail boss for cowboy style loads in .44 and .45colt, low recoil and low muzzle blast.

 

[Legionnaire]

Those Lee WCs look like Matt's 215 grain button-nosed wad cutters ... for any who don't cast themselves.

http://www.mattsbullets.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=70&products_id=304