Reloading for 44mag lever action

[Accipere]

Help! I have just bought myself a 20" barelled s/s Rossi Puma to do some competitive lever action range shooting (budget wouldn't stretch much further)
I want to reload and was wondering what would be the optimum (jacketed) bullet weight over 100 yards.
Also , in a fit of probably misplaced enthusiasm, I bought a stack of Hornady 180g "cowboy" LSWCs for reduced loads - but I have searched in vain for reloading data for cast lead out of 44 mag rifles (I have the tables for jacketed bullets), Anyone out there have ideas or experience in loading down for cast lead ? and what propels it?- H110, HS-6? Lil gun? Or am I wasting my time trying to shoot lightweight cast lead with any degree of accuracy?
Any advice gratefully anticipated and received

 

[Brillo]

Regarding jacketed (not plated) bullets out to 100 yards, I've had good experience with a variety of brands (Remington, Speer, Harnady, Sierra ) and weights. 180 grain JHP (mostly Sierra and Hornady) and 200 gr. JHP (Speer and Hornady) with fast powder like H110 shoots flat and accurate and 240 gr JSP (Remington) with HS6 also give very respectable performance. Some folks likely have successfully used bullets heavier than 240 gr. but I have not had the need or inclination. I've used Unique successfully but it isn't a great rifle powder - burns too fast. I have used plated bullets, mostly Berry's 240 gr., but down load which means never use H110. I don't shoot my 44 mag rifle enough to bother with lead loads so I can't help you there. Just don't use H110 with them.

 

[loadedround]

You may want to check Hodgdon Powder site at www.hodgdon.com They list several loads for both the 44 Spl and the 44 Mag using 185 gr lead bullets. You probably could use their starting loads for your 180 gr bullets. With that weight bullet a difference of 5 gr should not make a difference.

 

[MikeS.]

Also check out the cast boolits and leverguns web sites for more info.

 

[counterclockwise]

Rem. R-P brass, trimmed to 1.265. Speer GDSP 240 gr, copper jacketed flatbase, CC350mag primer, IMR 4227, 22.5 gr, rolled crimp: 1600 FPS avg. no pressure signs, some residual granular material in bbl after firing.

20" Oct. bbl, 44 mag Puma Legacy 1892 Lever action

 

[Accipere]

Many thanks, everyone, for your excellent advice. Your help has been invaluable. I'm on my way.