Hotloading .44 Mag: About Different Bullets

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dubious

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Hi folks... I realize this is a serious subject, so I'd just like to say I'm going to take whatever I hear with a grain of salt... and slowly build up my loads. I want to know if you can load equal weight but different types bullets hotter than others. For example, can I load a non hardcast, FMJ, or Hollowpoint 240gr bullet to the same level as a hardcast? Does anyone have any good info on this subjkect?

I've got a Redhawk .44 mag and I've been reloading 900-1100 fps loads for a while now with unjacketed wadcutters. I'm ready to start experimenting with some slower burning powders and some other bullets now.
 
Yes & No.

Generally, lead bullets, whether hard-cast, or gas-check design can take a little more powder & give a little higher velocity then a jacketed bullet of the same weight.

However, if you are pushing the envelop that hard, you are looking for trouble to rear it's ugly head at the slightest change in loads.

I wouldn't.

Your best bet is to buy some different reloading manuals, and closely follow the recipes for each brand & design of bullet when you get into the high-end loads.

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rcmodel
 
dubious. rcmodel gives good advise here. You will never know the 100 FPS or so difference between a good safe .44 Mag load and a hot .44 Mag load when you fire it and the receiving end won't either. Stay safe.
 
Safety is the number one priority here, and when I said "I'll take whatever I hear here with a grain of salt" what I meant was I'm going to be looking at reputable reloading tables. Which is exactly what RC says I should do.... so we're in agreement.
 
Greetings,

I am quite new in reloading, but I read everything I can put my hands on about reloading and what I am not sure, I ask in different forums and I ALWAYS got the right answer.

That beeing said, RTuger is built like a tank (I have a Ruger SUper Redhawk 44mag) but you may hit a wall too.

My adevice (In fact, it is the advice many very experienced reloaders wrote and what I was beeing told at the club by 30+ year experienced reloaders):

When you build a hot load do:
- Do it by little increment and check for standard overpressure signs.
- Write down everything.
- Don't mix. Do one thing at a time (one bullet, one brand of powder, one brand of primer)
- Measure and weight twice when you are near max (You know, measure twice cut once, I could say weight twice and crimp once...hehehe)

I have pretty hot loads with 357 magnums and I am not even at the max of the different books. Friday, I was talking with an old timer at the range club and he said to us he saw 2 guns blowout in his life. It makes you think twice when you hear about the consequences. Modern Medecine can't grow fingers yet.

Thank you
 
The only thing I hot rod is my Bench Gun and I work a load up with SPECIFIC components. When I am out of that lot of powder, or bullets, or use up a set of prepped cases, I start over.
 
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