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Joined: Mar 2010
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OP
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When I was a new reloader my main goal was to make better ammo than what I could buy from the factory. One of my mistakes, as is probably with most younger reloaders, was thinking that barn burning speeds and more power was "better".
As I matured over the years, past the "make my gun into something more powerful than it really is phase", I noticed that I acually shoot alot better now, and hitting a target with something, is better than missing it with a frieght train load that is an un-necessary overkill for the intended game.
Being new to handgun hunting, I havent yet killed a deer with my 44, but I think I have settled on a load to try out.
Its a 240 gr. plain base cast LBT bullet made from WW lead, w/ 10gr of Herco its going almost 1150fps. Its shoots great, and not much leading at all.
Anyone kill deer with this bullet, or something similar? I know deer arent super tuff to kill, just wondering if this load sounds weak, or about right to get the job done out to 50-60yrds?
Last edited by flinch444; 03/07/11.
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Joined: Jul 2005
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
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It sounds fine to me, unless your deer wear Kevlar. I haven't seen any Kevlar-coated deer yet..............
Elmer Keith always thought factory .44 Mags were too much, anyway, and like his bullets running about 1200fps. Yours aren't far off that mark.
You can roll a turd in peanuts, dip it in chocolate, and it still ain't no damn Baby Ruth.
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 563
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jan 2011
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When I was a new reloader my main goal was to make better ammo than what I could buy from the factory. One of my mistakes, as is probably with most younger reloaders, was thinking that barn burning speeds and more power was "better".
As I matured over the years, past the "make my gun into something more powerful than it really is phase", I noticed that I acually shoot alot better now, and hitting a target with something, is better than missing it with a frieght train load that is an un-necessary overkill for the intended game.
Being new to handgun hunting, I havent yet killed a deer with my 44, but I think I have settled on a load to try out.
Its a 240 gr. plain base cast LBT bullet made from WW lead, w/ 10gr of Herco its going almost 1150fps. Its shoots great, and not much leading at all.
Anyone kill deer with this bullet, or something similar? I know deer arent super tuff to kill, just wondering if this load sounds weak, or about right to get the job done out to 50-60yrds? I've killed whitetail with hard cast 240-grain SWCs (cast from Magma's bevel base molds) at between 1100-1200 fps muzzle velocity, at about 75 yards, complete penetration almost end to end, dead right there. -R44
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 342
Campfire Member
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OP
Campfire Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 342 |
When I was a new reloader my main goal was to make better ammo than what I could buy from the factory. One of my mistakes, as is probably with most younger reloaders, was thinking that barn burning speeds and more power was "better".
As I matured over the years, past the "make my gun into something more powerful than it really is phase", I noticed that I acually shoot alot better now, and hitting a target with something, is better than missing it with a frieght train load that is an un-necessary overkill for the intended game.
Being new to handgun hunting, I havent yet killed a deer with my 44, but I think I have settled on a load to try out.
Its a 240 gr. plain base cast LBT bullet made from WW lead, w/ 10gr of Herco its going almost 1150fps. Its shoots great, and not much leading at all.
Anyone kill deer with this bullet, or something similar? I know deer arent super tuff to kill, just wondering if this load sounds weak, or about right to get the job done out to 50-60yrds? I've killed whitetail with hard cast 240-grain SWCs (cast from Magma's bevel base molds) at between 1100-1200 fps muzzle velocity, at about 75 yards, complete penetration almost end to end, dead right there. -R44 Thats good to hear, sounds like this load will work just fine provided I can do my part. Thanks.
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Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 44,911 Likes: 13
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Jun 2004
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Its a 240 gr. plain base cast LBT bullet Which version? Break bones and it will fold them faster.
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 563
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jan 2011
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Its a 240 gr. plain base cast LBT bullet Which version? Break bones and it will fold them faster. Yep. The example I gave broke nearside front shoulder, trashed lung area, broke offside rear upper leg, and exited. -R44
Last edited by Ranger4444; 03/10/11.
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Joined: Mar 2010
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OP
Campfire Member
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Its a 240 gr. plain base cast LBT bullet Which version? Break bones and it will fold them faster. Im not sure which version of mold I have. I got it from a friend who doesnt shoot 44s anymore. Its an aluminum mold that makes one 240gr plain base and one 280 gr gas checked bullet. Havent messed w/ the 280s yet. The 240s shoot so good I might just shoot the 280s out of my 444 rifle. I like that front shoulder shot too. They tend to not go very far when the front end quits workin.
Last edited by flinch444; 03/10/11.
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Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 44,911 Likes: 13 |
Does the mold have something like LFN or WFN on the side?
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 342
Campfire Member
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I will have to check, I know for sure it says LBT, but that doesnt say what kind of bullets they are.
Seems like a wide flat nose.
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Joined: Jun 2004
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Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Jun 2004
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If the meplat measures about 0.3" across it's the LFN, close to 0.34" is the WFN.
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Oct 2004
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I don�t think the LBT�s are the best tool for every job, but they�re almost never a bad choice. Deer are not hard to kill, and you really don�t need through and through penetration. I consider most any .44 mag more than capable to kill a deer with the exception of highly frangible loads. Hit �em square with a .44 and they just die, bullet selection really isn�t critical with the .44 and deer.
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Joined: Jun 2004
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Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Jun 2004
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One of the nice things about the wide nose LBT designs is how well they do with mild, easy shooting loads.
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Joined: Mar 2010
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Campfire Member
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OP
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Does the mold have something like LFN or WFN on the side? Checked my mold and its a WFN. This 240 gr shoots better than any other cast bullets I have tried. The Lee 310 isnt bad, but its not as accurate for me. Im also not real fond of bevel base designs, just havent had good luck with them.
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Joined: Jun 2004
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Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Jun 2004
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Your load with that WFN will be more than enough to drill a deer from any halfway reasonable angle. Just keep in mind they don't "splash" lungs like an easy opening JHP, so go for bones even on a broadside.
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