Looking for lighter 44 cal bullets

[emp1953]

I have been loading Nosler 240 grain .44 cal JSP bullets over 19.5 grains of 2400 for a long time. Shooting a S&W 629 with a 6 1/2' bbl.

I don't know if I'm getting soft in my old age or what, but that recoil seems extra nasty lately. Has the formulation of 2400 changed recently?

Local laws here frown on hollow points. I can find several JHP's in the 195 to 230 range but no JSP Can anyone identify these JSP's. I want to load up some thing lighter but still useful for deer.

I do not like cast bullets. I have the mold for the Keith style SWC tried alot of loads never finding one load that would work well in both the 629 and a rifle.

I also like to use the same loads in my Henry rifle.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

How about coated cast?...A 240 cast over about 10 grs of Unique is has reasonable recoil and is very accurate out of my Anacondas. At about 1100 fps out of a 6", they will work just fine on a deer.

 

[Dudedog]

Welcome tho THR emp1953

I don't shoot .44 but a quick check at Midway USA and I found these

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/89...meter-225-grain-flex-tip-expanding-box-of-100

Hornady 225gr flex tip. Not much lighter than 240 but a bit and is not an HP per say.
I might or not be considered an HP depending on the law.

 

[bluetopper]

Nosler, Hornady, Sierra and some others make 180, 200, 210, and 220 gr bullets. They are not hard to find. I personally have loaded and chrono'd some 180gr 44 Mag loads at over 1900 fps.

19.5gr of 2400 is nowhere near the many decades old data of 22gr of 2400 with a 240gr bullet. I have seen published data at 22.5gr of 2400.

 

[Dframe]

I've used cast 200 grain bullets for years. I've variously tried bullseye, unique, trail boss, 2400, and clays. I finally settled on a medium charge of trail boss. Very easy on the equipment, and old eyes and hands

 

[buck460XVR]

Nosler, Hornady, Sierra and some others make 180, 200, 210, and 220 gr bullets. They are not hard to find.

I believe the OP noted this, but the problem is he does not want a HP bullet. While Nosler makes a 200 gr .44 caliber bullet, they only make a JHP. Hornadys lioghter weight .44 caliber bullets are the same, all HPs. Even their Flex-tip can be considered a HP. Sierra makes one FMJ in .44 caliber under 240 gr. I suggest, since the OP is looking to reduce loads below true magnum performance that he consider copper plate bullets like those from X-Treme.

 

[double bogey]

As Coltpythonelite posted. Try the coated cast. Most of my 240 gr. 44 mag shooting is done with these.

 

[buck460XVR]

As Coltpythonelite posted. Try the coated cast. Most of my 240 gr. 44 mag shooting is done with these.

The OP is looking for one bullet that will work well in both his 629 and a Henry carbine. My experience is that is hard to do with cast bullets, easy with jacketed.

 

[bluetopper]

Sierra makes a Tournament Master bullet 220gr fully jacketed, no soft point. That's all I found on a rather quick search.
Browse gunbroker from time to time. Individuals sell old stock discontinued bullets there all the time. I have bought a lot from there.

 

[ku4hx]

No hollow point? How about thick plated? I've pushed them right to the velocity limits with good results.

Maybe these: http://www.shop.rmrbullets.com/44-240-Gr-RMR-Hardcore-Match-RNFP-1000-Ct-44-240-RMR-HC-RNFP-1000.htm

If recoil is getting to you now, you may just need to shoot a more reduced load. I've found about 1,100fps to be a fine deer killer at reasonable ranges. Back in my youth when I was immortal and indestructible, if it was a "magnum" gun it had to have "magnum" ammunition. 22 grains of Hercules 2400 and a 240 grain Keith style cast bullet was my standard for decades.

 

[CraigC]

How about coated cast?...A 240 cast over about 10 grs of Unique is has reasonable recoil and is very accurate out of my Anacondas. At about 1100 fps out of a 6", they will work just fine on a deer.

Got your answer in the first response.