I've been using around 23 grains of H110 and a 240 Hornady xtp. I am going to try some hard gas checked bullets in it. I have had great luck with the H110 and was wondering how fast I could safely push this through my Henry Big Boy steel with the cast. I had tried 2400 with the xtp but the H110 gives way better groups. Not over max but the H100 does better the hotter it gets as far as grouping. I didn't get a chance to chronograph the xtp but I am figuring from my Loading manual around 1700 fps. That's just me guessing.
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44 Magnum and cast bullet velocity
- Thread starter Wendyj
- Start date
H110 is usually not a good cast bullet powder due to the pressures it needs to run in order to work well. This is the deterrent to good cast bullet loads using it.
I have used H4227 a lot and generally stick with 2400 for cast loads in the 44 Mag.
No one is telling you not to and to see how it works for you and your gun, you gotta try it for yourself.
With the right alloy, it could be the one for you.
I am not a fan of "hardcast".
I have used H4227 a lot and generally stick with 2400 for cast loads in the 44 Mag.
No one is telling you not to and to see how it works for you and your gun, you gotta try it for yourself.
With the right alloy, it could be the one for you.
I am not a fan of "hardcast".
ammo.crafter
New member
44 mag
What is the BHN of the hard cast lead bullets you are using?
This is a critical component not to be overlooked as regards accuracy.
What is the BHN of the hard cast lead bullets you are using?
This is a critical component not to be overlooked as regards accuracy.
Lyman's Cast Bullet Handbook is a good resource for the cast bullet loader. And it includes 44 Mag loads using H110.
The LA Silhouette Club website is also a great resource for cast bullet loaders.
One thing to keep in mind with the 44 Mag in lever actions is overall cartridge length. Many of the 44 caliber cast bullets (including many of the semi-wadcutters) end up being too long to cycle through some of the lever actions.
The LA Silhouette Club website is also a great resource for cast bullet loaders.
One thing to keep in mind with the 44 Mag in lever actions is overall cartridge length. Many of the 44 caliber cast bullets (including many of the semi-wadcutters) end up being too long to cycle through some of the lever actions.
Sorry for typo in first post. I meant 1100 not 1700. I've got a friend in Idaho that has been sending me 240-260 and 280 cast with gas checks. I used Unique on first loads and didn't get very good groups but not a lot of speed either. He's using a Ruger bolt with H110 and Lil Gun. He says he prefers the Lik Gun for accuracy but his bolt is going to be more accurate than my lever. My opinion anyway. He's sent about 100 in each grain so don't want to waste them. Bh is 22 on the bullets. Good lube bands ran through a lubrisizer. I've got about 200 xtp loaded up with h110 and have another 200 Sierra soft points to test. Was going to use the Nosler sportsmanship bullet but back ordered so far. My husband is wanting to take the lead and shoot in his 7 inch Blackhawk. May just let him have them. I use 9.2 grains of Unique in the Henry 45 colt and I have chrono graphed them at average of 1132 fps. Caldwell chronograph so who knows if it's really true for $99.00.
They are quenched and super hard. I plan only to hunt with this rifle. Can't see sights too good anymore so put a 1.5-5 Leupld vx3i on it. Looks decent enough and catching scope when throwing it up is good. My saddle maker built me a nice scabbard for the rifle and scope to go out horseback with it. Maybe I need to up the 2400 a bit. Still in midrange data with it. Had same issues with jacketed an h110. Faster it got the tighter it shot.
Elmer Keith developed the .44 Magnum to full power with bullets that were about BHN 12. It's not the velocity but the peak pressure that matters to the bullet, so a rifle will always give you more velocity at the same pressure and thus can generally shoot the same cast bullet faster than a handgun without problems. The only exception is if the bullet is unbalanced and the extra RPM cause it to wobble in flight or come apart.
10.0g of Unique under 240g SWC is my usual load.
I've load up to 20g of 2400 for 1333fps with 240g SWC as well. No leading. My goto load here is 19g of 2400 under 240g SWC for 1260fps.
Don't touch 110/296 as it is only for the 'high end' loads which isn't needed for paper targets and most all animals out there in the o' USA.
I've load up to 20g of 2400 for 1333fps with 240g SWC as well. No leading. My goto load here is 19g of 2400 under 240g SWC for 1260fps.
Don't touch 110/296 as it is only for the 'high end' loads which isn't needed for paper targets and most all animals out there in the o' USA.
A lot of the time too hard can be worse than too soft. The most important factor is bullet fit. If the bullet fits the gun, rifle or hand gun with proper lube you can push a soft (10-12 BHN) bullet really fast. With a gas check I run a bullet cast of straight tire weights in a 35 Rem to a tad over 2000 FPS with no leading and 1 1/2 accuracy out to 100 yards.They are quenched and super hard. I plan only to hunt with this rifle. Can't see sights too good anymore so put a 1.5-5 Leupld vx3i on it. Looks decent enough and catching scope when throwing it up is good. My saddle maker built me a nice scabbard for the rifle and scope to go out horseback with it. Maybe I need to up the 2400 a bit. Still in midrange data with it. Had same issues with jacketed an h110. Faster it got the tighter it shot.
I also picked up my husband a super Blackhawk with a 7inch barrel today for a Father's Day gift. He's been shooting some stout loads in his 454 Casull. Arthritis is getting best of us so I bought that one for him to hunt with. I'll use the carbine. Probably use different loads for both. Thanks Unclenick. That is what my primary purpose is. I bought 50 lbs of lead that just got here and it's too hard. Takes close to 750 degrees to get it hot enough to pour out of a roto metal ladle. Fluxed it 3 times and water quenched a few and decided against it for the rest. Too hot to melt lead today.
Geezerbiker
New member
You'd probably be better off with #2400 with those cast bullets. It's not as pressure sensitive as H110...
Tony
Tony
I've pushed 325 gr .45 cal hard cast GC Beartooth bullets to 1600 fps without any issues in my 460XVR revolver.
Buffalo Bore manufactures hard hitting +P ammo :
https://www.buffalobore.com/
Buffalo Bore manufactures hard hitting +P ammo :
https://www.buffalobore.com/
black mamba
New member
Water quenched cast lead bullets are generally around 22 BHN in hardness, and will not deform, or obturate, to fill the bore unless you have at least 30-32 K of pressure. So unless your bullets are at least bore diameter, you need full powered loads to ensure against flame/gas cutting of your bullets.
Bullets that hard also act like solids on game, so unless you are going after very thickly boned animals, softer would be better. 12-15 BHN cast bullets with gas checks are a better choice for hunting.
Bullets that hard also act like solids on game, so unless you are going after very thickly boned animals, softer would be better. 12-15 BHN cast bullets with gas checks are a better choice for hunting.
458winshooter
New member
44 mag cast
You did say gas checked bullets so I wouldn't be worried much about melting the bullets or flame cutting.Look up Hogdon's website they should be able to get you pointed in the right direction,lots of load data there.
You did say gas checked bullets so I wouldn't be worried much about melting the bullets or flame cutting.Look up Hogdon's website they should be able to get you pointed in the right direction,lots of load data there.