Need source for .44 mag bullets

[68lemans462]

Can someone refer me to a company or individual selling a good .44 mag bullet for a good price? These loads will be for plinking and target shooting - nothing crazy here. I'd like the bullet to be something I can shoot at high velocity - so it'll need to be jacketed/plated. Pulled bullets OK.. Looking to buy 500 or so. Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[loose noose]

You might try Xtreme out of Carson City Nevada for plinking bullets, they are pretty consistent, call 1-800-248-3941 or try xtremebullet.com. They are a somewhat small customer oriented company.

 

[jack44]

I ordered mine 240gr. from Mo. bullet co. you can also check out laser cast or beartooth.

 

[mdi]

You'll need to do a little research to decide what bullet fits your shooting needs, and budget. Too many to list here, but if you google "plated bullets" you'll get a bunch of vendors and info. Most plated bullets cannot be shot much over 1200 fps., but I keep my magnums down below that anyway. It's been a long time since I purchased any jacketed bullets as I cast my own, but when I did I bought some Remington bulk bullets...

BTW; I shoot a cast lead 255 gr. bullet in my .44 Magnums (3 revolvers, one Contender) without leading and with fine accuracy, at over 1100 fps.

 

[68lemans462]

Should I stay away from plated bullets all together? What kind of velocities could I achieve with a plated bullet? I've heard mixed reviews about them.

I have a butt-load of cast 240g SWC 44 mag bullets from the hunting shack, but I'm looking for something I can shoot at higher velocities. I try to stay below 1000fps with cast bullets, although I understand that they can be pushed hardder and as mdi says - he is pushing his at 1100fps.




Thanks for the suggestions guys.....

 

[hogrdr]

i like berrys plated bullets

 

[FROGO207]

Berries has a thicker plating than what Rainer Ballistics provides so you can crimp them more and drive them a little faster. That is what I found in my 2 44 MAG revolvers. I use regular jacketed bullets with my DE and the Gold Dots are the most accurate for use in mine. I use Missouri Bullets lead bullets of various types for the revolvers now as that is all our range will allow indoors due to range backstop limitations. I mostly run these at 44 SPL pressures.

 

[Super.45]

You can try http://pennbullets.com For a good selection of target and premium grade .44 bullets

 

[edfardos]

I'l. 2nd the motion for xtreme bullets. I push their 240 grainers at 1430fps out of a super redhawk. $63 for 500 at local store.

edfardos

 

[CraigC]

I try to stay below 1000fps with cast bullets...

Hell man, that's swaged bullet territory. You can run most plain-based commercial cast bullets to 1400-1600fps without leading. Depending on fitment and hardness.

 

[zxcvbob]

1200 to 1300 fps should be no problem with cast bullets. In one gun I can push them to 1700 without leading -- I can't figure that one out (it's a revolver!) but I don't argue with it

 

[RalphS]

I shoot the 240 grain hardcast plain base bullets from Friendswood Bullet and Missouri Bullet at 1200 to 1400 fps. Hardcast bullets don't lead the barrel if they fit right. Make sure they are hardcast => BHN=18.

 

[zxcvbob]

I have a butt-load of cast 240g SWC 44 mag bullets from the hunting shack, but I'm looking for something I can shoot at higher velocities. I try to stay below 1000fps with cast bullets, although I understand that they can be pushed hardder and as mdi says - he is pushing his at 1100fps.

What powders do you have already? Try those 240's with 10 grains of Universal or 11 grains of Unique or 12 grains of Herco, and I think you'll be happy. (these are not max loads but they are close)

 

[bfoosh006]

http://www.wideners.com/itemview.cfm?dir=278|281|1082|1167

 

[mdi]

Measure your cast bullets and slug (or use a pin gauge) the cylinder throats of your gun. Easiest way to determine bullet size is bullets should be same size as clylinder throats (My Ruger and S&W have throats of .431", I shoot bullets of .431" and get no leading, even with magnum loads).

 

[ssyoumans]

Since you are just plinking/target shooting, I'd stick with 8-10gr of Unique. The mid-speed powder works well with lead or plated.

I'd stay away from real slow powders such as 296/110 and 2400 if going the plated route. Tricky to get a firm crimp necessary for them to burn properly, not to say impossible, just takes a lot more effort with a plated bullet.

I don't think anyone mentioned PowerBond plated bullets. Even thicker plating than Berry's, $68/500 shipped! If you want plated, they are my first choice. In lead, I like the MBC 240gr Smashers.

 

[336A]

You will be fine shooting those cast bullets at magnum levels. There are a lot of myths out there regarding how hard a cast bullet needs to be. Many of todays commercial cast bullets are harder than they need to be, generally 18BHN or harder. Elmer Keith cast his bullets of 16-1 for a BHN of around 11 for his .44 magnum loads.

The key to cast bullets is proper fit first and foremost then hardness. As I stated above though today this is not that big of a deal unless your running a hard cast bullet to slow which will lead as well.

Here is some good info for you to read concerning cast bullets, scroll down to "Why are we so worried about hadness" on this one.
http://www.lasc.us/Fryxell_Book_Chapter_3_alloySelectionMetallurgy.htm

http://www.lasc.us/Fryxell_Book_Chapter_7_Leading.htm

http://www.lasc.us/Fryxell_Book_Contents.htm

 

[Hunt480]

This is what works for me; I do all my practicing with Missouri bullets and Raniers and load all my Hunting rounds with BearTooths and Cast Performance bullets with gas checks...something around 250grains over 12 grains of Unique...Its a easy shooting round and very accurate in revolver or rifle...its my deer hunting round...

 

[Damon555]

Since you are just plinking/target shooting, I'd stick with 8-10gr of Unique. The mid-speed powder works well with lead or plated.

I'd stay away from real slow powders such as 296/110 and 2400 if going the plated route. Tricky to get a firm crimp necessary for them to burn properly, not to say impossible, just takes a lot more effort with a plated bullet.

I don't think anyone mentioned PowerBond plated bullets. Even thicker plating than Berry's, $68/500 shipped! If you want plated, they are my first choice. In lead, I like the MBC 240gr Smashers.

Thanks for the heads up....Just ordered 500 240 grain FP 44 and 500 158 grain FP 38 bullets. Great deal!

 

[gamestalker]

I have never been one to load non jacketed bullets so my advice will only refer to that particular option. Loading lead has so many more variables to be considered, or one can have a less than favorable experience. The hardness of the lead, lube, and bullet diameter's, are just the tip of the ice berg for variables to be considered. I do know however that a lot of hand loaders have refrenced the Kieth as being an absolute winner for big bore magnum wheel guns. I've read reloading pages by some of those individuals attesting to velocities that surpass most jacketed data too. So this is going to be something you'll have to research, and ultimately have to test the waters to determine what you prefer. But that's often one of the most rewarding aspects of reloading too, the whole work up process.

I load only higher end veloities using H110 or 296 with the 44 mag., so jacketed is how I roll. Nosler makes a 250 count bulk pack of JHP's that isn't to terribly expensive. I think they were around $35 or so last time I bought a pack. I also really like XTP's for an all around bullet, they perform extremely well at super high velocity in terms of both, accuracy and expansion. They aren't all that expensive in my opinion, especially considering what you get for your money.