Gas Checked vs Jacketed in 44 Mag

[bluetopper]

I am new to 44 Magnums and I'm trying to gather reloading components.

Are gas check bullets as good as jacketed in full house loads for not leading in 44 Magnums?

Opinions please.

 

[zxcvbob]

I shoot super-duper .45 Colt loads that are equivalent to heavy .44 Magnums. I just use hard cast bullets, and while I do get some leading it scrubs out pretty easily.

I also shoot plain-based cast bullets in a .30 Carbine revolver up to about 1700 fps (you'll never get that high in a .44) and oddly enough it doesn't lead at all. Zilch. I can't figure that one out, but it's not good to question some things too much...

(I'm a cheapskate and I just can't see paying an extra 3¢ minimum per round to use a gas check in a handgun)

 

[bluetopper]

Like you, I want to get by with using just cast lead bullets but I didn't think it was possible without making a mess out of my barrel at maximum loads.

Like a stated before I'm new to 44 Mag.

 

[MMCSRET]

AS a general rule I don't use gas checks once the bore becomes nice and polished, usually about 500 rounds of jacketed in a big bore like 44. My 44's don't lead in less than 300 hi-perf rounds. I do have some 10" contender barrels that will start to lead in the last 2" when it gets hot and I am shooting fast. My 41's lead faster than my 44's.

 

[zxcvbob]

AS a general rule I don't use gas checks once the bore becomes nice and polished, usually about 500 rounds of jacketed in a big bore like 44. My 44's don't lead in less than 300 hi-perf rounds. I do have some 10" contender barrels that will start to lead in the last 2" when it gets hot and I am shooting fast. My 41's lead faster than my 44's.

I have a .357 with a rough bore. Will it ever get smooth if I shoot 99% cast bullets and only an occasional cylinder of jacketed bullets? (it's probably a good candidate for "fire lapping") I just keep scrubbing the lead out with a Chore Boy followed by a bronze brush.

 

[Galil5.56]

I like using gas checks because I can use an expansive alloy, still have a nearly spotless bore, and achieve higher velocities at the same weight than jacketed with less pressure. I know you can fiddle around and achieve pretty much the same thing with other methods; just the same I like gas checks and bought enough when they were $7.99/1000 that the current "raping" they charge is not affecting me.

I have been casting and loading the Lee 240 SWC w/GC for a lot of years under stout charges of WW296/H110 to a touch over 1400 fps with very good accuracy and no leading. Bullet drops north of 250 grains for me using WW's, and I even shoot'em plain just fine with target type loads. Another aspect I like about gas checks in 44 mag is nostalgia. One of the earliest factory loads was the Remington 240 LSWC w/GC, and I like to replicate this loading 50 years F FWD.

 

[Floppy_D]

I found out about shooter's choice lead remover, and quit worrying about it. I run almost exsclusively lead in my 44 mag SBHH, and I run it pretty hot. Leading isn't too bad, comes out pretty easy, and jacketed/checked isn't worth the expense.

Try 50 hot lead rounds and then try cleaning the barrel, if it's tolerable, you know.

 

[MMCSRET]

I found that short of using a bore lapping procedure, the only way to polish a bore was to use jacketed bullets and do not intermingle them with lead. I never shoot one without completely removing the residue from the first. I never put copper over lead or vice versa. But then, I don't shoot jacketed in anything but my concealed carry revolver.

 

[MAGNUM44]

does anyone use dacron filler in their 44 mag & spcl cases when reloading

 

[bluetopper]

I think it was on THR where there was a long discussion about using "Cream of Wheat" mixed in w/ powder for cleaning out the bore.

Some tried it and swore by it.

 

[zxcvbob]

You don't mix COW with the powder. You add it on top of the powder before seating the bullet, and you use enough that it's slightly compressed which keeps it from mixing.

I tried it and I wasn't sure if it helped or not, but that was in a gun with a rough bore.

 

[jr45]

I use gas checks when shooting my 44 mag with 305 grain flat nose cast bullets. I tried before with out the checks and got leading but with the checks no leading. My .357/38 bullets are not disgned to take gas checks and I do get a bit of leading. I have tried the Cream of Wheat on top of the powder charge and still get the same leading problem.

 

[Lazuris]

If you buying lead bullets, not casting your own, check out Laser Cast bullets www.laser-cast.com. These are very hard lead bullets that i push @ 100% every time with no leading at all. Granted they are a bit more expensive then softer lead but whats your time worth?

 

[MMCSRET]

A cast bullet that is designed to have a check will be prone to lead if used without a check due to the area unsupported in the bore subject to the heatt of the burning powder. It is not sealed for that 16th that is not bore riding.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

You will get higher velocities with less pressure from the Hard Cast bullets. For hunting, there's nothing like a good Hard Cast bullet with a large meplat like those made by Cast Performance. Those bullets are used in Grizzly Cartridges. (same company) Of course Cast Performance bullets are way too expensive for plinking or killing paper but for hunting there's none better. (IMO of course)

For something a little less expensive and without gas checks give Black River Bullets a look. They have a real "Keith" profile instead of the lesser bullets that are called Keith style these days.

 

[huntershooter]

Depends on the intended use........
I use jacketed for "goofing around" or small game hunting.
I use gas check/lead (WFNGC) by "Cast Performance" or "Beartooth Bullets" when I'm hunting larger game and need penetration (ie large hogs).