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Mark_Mark
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I’ve never tried .45 Long Colt. Do people load these hot?Can't go wrong with the .44. As I said, I like them both ... and the .45 Colt.
.357 or .44
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Armored farmer
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I like .45colt for my big-bore needs. It loads easy, shoits easy, hits hard, makes BIG holes, and not too high pressure unless you really want to make something cook.
My intention is to spend a summer camping and fishing in Alaska when I retire in 8yrs.
I intend to have Rugers 50/50 with 4.2"barrel with me on that trip.
My intention is to spend a summer camping and fishing in Alaska when I retire in 8yrs.
I intend to have Rugers 50/50 with 4.2"barrel with me on that trip.
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Mark_Mark
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you should go classic and get a Lee loader! load in the field as you’re camping and fishing!
that’s what you call Vacation! in Seattle, we call it being homeless! lol
I found a mold for my Wrist Rocket that drops .432" balls weighing 123 gr cast from my "Mystery Metal" alloy, yep, round balls
. Light loads of Bullseye in Magnum brass gives me between 500-600 fps from my Ruger SBH. I have a Rossi Puma in 44 Magnum that I like a lot. The Barrel slugs out at .432" (still i SAAMI spec. of .431". FWIW SAAMI spec for 44 Mag. rifle grove diameter is .431" and handgun barrels is .429". Dunno why, but when I started shooting cast in it I was hard pressed finding .433"+ bullets). 240 gr jacketed bullets shoot fine but my Puma has a bit of trouble feeding SWC. I only played with fitting/feeding SWC in it for a short time as I discovered Ranch Dog design 240 RNFP and 265 gr RNFP, excellent bullet designs.
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Mark_Mark
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That Puma is so light, too lightI found a mold for my Wrist Rocket that drops .432" balls weighing 123 gr cast from my "Mystery Metal" alloy, yep, round balls
Anchorite
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I’m intrigued. Looked, but maybe they don’t make that bullet anymore?
WrongHanded
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https://oregontrailbullets.com/xcart/?target=product&product_id=106
I think that would be it. Maybe not. 300gr, or 310gr. Seems like the actual weight is somewhere between the two for gas checked cast with lube. At least in my experience.
Arkansas Paul
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I've been doing that a lot lately.
I've had to swallow my pride lately and realize that the .44 magnum with full throttle magnum loads with H110/296 and 2400 are too heavy for me to be accurate with.
I've been loading 245 SWC bullets with 10-11 grains of Unique lately and it is much more fun to shoot an entire box at the range with.
I'm thinking that this particular load will work well on whitetails as well, which is the largest animals I chase.
For the OP, even though I realize my limitation with the heavier recoil, I still prefer the .44 magnum for carrying in the woods. I have a .357 and enjoy the milder recoil at the range, but for serious work, I like big holes. I would prefer a Skeeter .44 special load to a .357 magnum personally.
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
Yep, I've probably taken more critters with a 240gr SWC over 10.0gr Unique than any other centerfire load. It runs 1100-1200fps out of sixguns and 1450fps out of rifles. Works with boring regularity.
Anchorite
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Answered my question. Thanks Craig! I will have to look into that bullet!
crestoncowboy
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I love skeeters old stories. Haven't enjoyed an article since him personally.
Yep. The only powder I buy in jugs bigger than 1lb are universal and varget. Neither is the best for anything ive found but so versatile for midrange and plinking loads. The 240 over 9 or 10 gr unique in 44 mag is even tolerable for longer sessions in the 329pd.
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Mark_Mark
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People underestimate the power of Hard Cast bullets!
crestoncowboy
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I averaged 1930 out of 48 grains (under max and yes I worked up....) with the 240gr xtp in my 8 inch at 60ish degrees. So id have to agree with you.
ETA. 240 grain XTP-mag
WrongHanded
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I think what people underestimate is what a wide flat meplat can do. Which is understandable, because it's not obvious.
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Mark_Mark
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Ok... what does a wide flat meplat DO? I’m missing out, I just like the straight line penetration of a HC for dangerous game, crazy animals
CraigC
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Totally true. Lots of folks think hardball and a flat nosed solid do the same thing. Not even close!
Varminterror
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It tells everything in front of it to get the heck out of the way... and means it... While a round nose might politely needle its way through a crowd, flat nose bullets aren’t much for manners.
earplug
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Weight and cost of ammunition plus wear and tear on your body.
I'm a ex N frame hauler. Consider a Glock in 10 MM or a high cap 9MM. Practice makes perfect
I'm a ex N frame hauler. Consider a Glock in 10 MM or a high cap 9MM. Practice makes perfect
Ohen Cepel
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I know you asked about 357 vs 44 but I would think about the 45LC as others have mentioned also.
If you want something lighter weight you could look at 41 mag or 44SPC as those are often on a smaller frame than a .44 (more like a 357 frame).
Really, they all are great options and have their place. If you're already doing 460 then the 45LC (with a 45ACP cylinder) is a great option as you don't need another box of bullets around.
Tough call, all can be loaded hot to nip at the tail of the larger round or loaded milder to be more user friendly.
I'm a big .357mag fan but if you have larger critters out there bigger is likely the better way to go.
If you want something lighter weight you could look at 41 mag or 44SPC as those are often on a smaller frame than a .44 (more like a 357 frame).
Really, they all are great options and have their place. If you're already doing 460 then the 45LC (with a 45ACP cylinder) is a great option as you don't need another box of bullets around.
Tough call, all can be loaded hot to nip at the tail of the larger round or loaded milder to be more user friendly.
I'm a big .357mag fan but if you have larger critters out there bigger is likely the better way to go.
WrongHanded
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The soft tissue in front of it, basically gets compressed and sprays out to the sides. Liquidized tissues damaging tissue directly adjacent to the wound channel. The faster the bullet, the more powerful the sprays. I think Veral Smith took some measurements of wound channels and how they corresponded with velocity of his LBT mould cast bullets such as the Wide Flat Nose.
JeffG
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That should be my new signature line.
Obturation
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357 vs 44.
Easy, 45...
Sorry, had to.
Heavier bullet is better in my book . I shoot more 357 than all other cartridges combined but that has more to do with economy , less lead & powder . if I had to pick one or the other the bigger bore wins every time.
Easy, 45...
Sorry, had to.
Heavier bullet is better in my book . I shoot more 357 than all other cartridges combined but that has more to do with economy , less lead & powder . if I had to pick one or the other the bigger bore wins every time.
Targa
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If I had my choice I guess it would be .44mag. If someone else chose for me and they chose .357mag I would be fine with that. How’s that for luke warm help?
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Mark_Mark
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if a Bear or Moose charges you, you pretty much have 1 shot. a 9mm in bear county will just piss it off more
Obturation
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If this is going to mutate into a bear thread, you've gotta announce it. Like this :
BEAR THREAD!!!
That is all
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