Home Forums Reloading Handgun Reloading 44mag 314gr cast bullet

Was looking for a defensive big game critter load while out on the property.We have good size bears here. Hope to never see one up close. Have a 44 cal mold for a 310gr PB bullet. Cast from my scrap WW it comes out at 314gr. BHN 10.5.. Revolver is a Ruger Redhawk 5.5" bbl. Started out with 16grs of 2400. This is shown as a max load in my loading books.The 2400 load felt a bit anemic . Seems it is only about a 1000fps load. I have some Accurate #9 powder on hand so gave it a try. The Accurate manual shows 18.5 grs of #9 with a 300gr cast bullet at 1320fps. Since my bullet is 14grs over this weight at 314 I tried 18grs of #9. Accuracy was spot on, even for me.Empty brass just fell out of the chambers. Definitely felt the improvement of power. I have powder coated this bullet, which payed off in an absolutely clean bore. Picture won't post . Will come back with picture of bullet. Had to go to POST Image , to get my picture up.

Looks like it could fly.


I'd fuel it with eight of my .44 powders up to 1100fps choices.

Wondering how each report =>] {((- would compare.

WW should cast much harder than 10.5. If you want more velocity use H-110/296. You should be able to achieve 1350 FPS or a bit more.

You can also water quench right out of the toaster oven to increase bullet hardness. It will take 7-10 days to reach full hardness, but you will want to size them as soon as they are dry because they will start to harden fast. Not a bad idea to spray them with Hornady One Shot Case lube before sizing.

Dick

That seems quite soft. With a bit harder bullet of about that weight or even a little lighter, I think the sweet spot is 1050-1100 fps. They will penetrate very well, be relatively easy to shoot.

Wheel weights cast, water dropped or not, are great on game in the 44 mag. BHN can vary by what's in the wheel weights but I have never seen a cast bullet made of WW's that is not a great bullet for NA game. I have a 310 grain Gas Check NEI mold that cast up great killing bullets. 1100 is plenty I assure you.
F01

I bought a mold similar to yours for a 444 Marlin - didn’t shoot much better than 12 MOA. Ended up selling the 444. My SBH likes the bullet though. I found that with full power loads I’d never have to go bigger than 44 Mag.

For sure this bullet has turned out to be a powerhouse. I have settled on a load at about 1205 fps over my chrono. Found this bullet to be a kick to shoot at 750 fps, just for fun. Amazing at 750 fps how it penetrates.

In my opinion, when loading heavy for caliber bullets in magnum and big bore handguns there is only one powder H-110 (though it is also sold as W-296). You can't download the powder, but for top accuracy and velocity I have yet to find a better powder. For the 44 use a CCI 350 and see what is most accurate in your revolver between 21 and 22.5 gr. I know, slightly over book max but find out what your gun prefers. H-110 likes a heavy bullet, good tension, a strong crimp, hot primer and a near full case of powder.

Yes: 296/ H110 is the power for the 44 heavies, I agree....

Alliant 300-MP wound be another good full-power powder.