Loading Lead in a 44 Mag ???

[Big joe]

I have a Ruger Redhawk in 44 Mag and have reloaded a lot for it with jacketed bullets. I would like to start reloading lead bullets and I purchased 500 lead alloy 300 gr. bullets for it. These bullets have no gas checks but I was told the alloy was VERY hard and that I could use regular jacket bullet data when reloading. Several questions here... Can I use jacketed bullet data?.... Can I use jacketed bullet data to max levels?... Will increased velocity cause a leading problem? ... Does it help leading to fire a few jacketed rounds beteween lead rounds ?

I have never shot lead out of anything but my 38 special, but I would love to shoot my 44 Mag more without the increased cost of jacketed bullets. So, the answer to the above questions and any other information you think might be helpful for me would be greatly appreciated.

[Gil Martin]

Yes, you can shoot lead bullets through your .44 Magnum revolver. The appropriate loading data may for lead bullets may be different than that for jacketed bullets. My recommendation would be to refer to the Lyman (or other) reloading manual that lists the lead bullet you intend to use.

The leading question depends on the hardness of the lead and the velocity of the loads. Shooting jacketed bullets may or may not help remove a leading problem. I shoot my own cast bullets made from wheelweights and linotype and they are hard and do not lead the bore. I do not use maximum loads with cast bullets. All the best...
Gil

[Rocky Raab]

The only problem with store-bought bullets is that there may not be a perfect fit between those bullets and your gun's cylinder and bore. Both are critical with lead bullets.

Other than that, you may even prefer lead to jacketed. For the best info and load data, check out my friend John Taffin's web page HERE

[PJgunner]

Rocky's coments are spot on. In fact, it can be critical towards getting good accuracy. What you need to do is get some soft lead sinkers.The eggshaoed ones work just fine. Run about three though the bore of your gun and measure carefully. Run a couple through each of the cylinder's chambers and measure those.
Let's look at the numbers. Assuming your bore has a groove diameter of .429", the throats of your cylinder should be at least .429" to .431" with probably .430" being about perfect. If the cylinder throats are smaller, say ,428", the bullet will be swaged down to that size and will be a sloppy fit in the bore and will probably lead the barrel quite badly.
FWIW though, all I shoot in my .44 Magnums are cast lead bullets that I cast myself. yes, I do load them to full power.
Paul B.

[Adam Helmer]

Big Joe,

You got good advice from prior posters.

I cast my .44 Magnum bullets out of wheelweights with some tin added and quench them by dropping them from the mould into a bucket of water. Quenching doubles the Brinell hardness of bullets just dropped from the mould, according to the Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook. I lube with Aalox and shoot hot loads and get no leading.

Adam

[pistolchamp]

I didn't know you could use jacketed bullets for the first 30 years I owned 44 maggies. S&W or Ruger. Size them the same as the groove or .001" larger, use a fairly hard alloy and you won't have any trouble. I shoot 'em from 800 fps to full power and have hunted with them extensively in 41 Mag, 44 Mag and 45 Colt... great success with all. Gas checks are a good way to control leading at higher velocity, but, they add a bit of cost.

Favorite powders are PB, Green Dot, Unique and 2400 for the 41 & 44 and Green Dot, Unique and 296 for the 45 Colt.

Good luck

[PJgunner]

I did not mention this in my earlier comments, but your 300 gr. bullets may shoot quite high. Depending on which .44 mag. revolver I'm shooting, at 25 yards, 300 gr. bullets shoot anywhere from 6 to 8 inches high. If this is the case, you will have to replace the front sight with a higher one. That is with a full power load. Slowing the velocity down makes them shoot even higher.
Paul B.