Hello-

I want to work a good hot accurate 300+gr hard cast load for my 5.5" stainless Redhawk.

For no better reason than that 'I've liked their bullets in the past' I was thinking of the Oregon Trail/Laser Cast 300gr bullet.

I'm completely open to other bullet suggestions, including a mould/casting my own if that's the best route.

What kind of velocity can I expect?
What powders are best?



Cheers
Tinker

a.tinkerer wrote: " I want to work a good hot accurate 300+gr hard cast load for my 5.5" stainless Redhawk"

While my .44 Magnum loads have always been top-end, I do not load over the max and wouldn't recommend you do that, either.

In a 7.5" Redhawk, I load the Cast Performance 320 grainer to app. 1350 fps; expect perhaps 75-80 fps less in your shorter barrel. My propellant of choice is H110.

The CP bullets are consistent in weight and are heat-treated, so leading and the related loss of accuracy from such is a non-issue. Their performance on game is superb, with wide, deep wound channels and virtually always an exit.

Thanks Bobby-

I've used the CP bullets with great success too, most recently in my 500
Thanks for the tip.

~1300fpsMV with a 320gr bullet ain't bad at all.
What have you killed with it?
Do you recall bullet path and penetration?

I don't recall if they provide load data for their bullets. Is your H110 load something you came up with yourself or did you refer to existing load data?

What's the range in grains of powder charge you're using?
What cases?
Is your load sensitive to different primers?


Cheers
Tinker

Tinker-

I am using CCI Large Pistol Magnum primers and have noted no unusual sensitivities in our Texas weather, which can range from 25 degrees and sleeting to the more common 95-105 with extreme humidity during the long, hot summers here.

Start at 18 grains of H110 and work up in half-grain increments until you find the sweet spot with the 320 grainer. As to cases, I have pretty much used them all, but some of the most consistent in weight/uniformity were some IMI cases purchased a number of years ago.

Terminal performance has been nothing short of spectacular as the bullet shoots cleanly through anything and leaves a wound channel of around 1.5" in diameter in its wake. ANything hit with it quickly loses blood pressure -- not to mention any interst in worldly matters...

I've used it on everything from vermin and varmints to deer, hogs and some of Texas' plentiful exotics species. I made the switch to the CP 320 after I took a 175 pound fallow deer with the 300 grain Hornady XTP from maybe 60-70 yards. The jacket of the bullet, launched at 1330 fps from a 9.5 inch SRH, remained in the onside shoulder, and while the core continued on and made it through the lungs, I had seen enough to know that a change was in order.

The only other bullet I use in the .44 Mag anymore is the 250 grain Partition. Nonetheless, for 90+ percent of my shooting, the 320 grainer gets the nod.

I vote for the CP LBT 320 gr too. I would stay away from the laser cast. Most are under size and those I tried were not accurate.

Thanks to both of you.

I have some work among low thick oak on a coastal ranch. This load and the Redhawk will work out as a good light packing pig basher for day in/day out carry.


Cheers
Tinker

bfrshooter wrote:

quote:

I would stay away from the laser cast. Most are under size and those I tried were not accurate.

That has been my experience as well. I'm sure they may be fine for casual plinking or informal target shooting, but for serious hunting or paper-punching, I'd definitely shy away from them.

Beartooth makes a 320 grain WFN that I have had some luck with.

I too would go with the Cast Performance bullet. I dont shoot 44 mag but I do shoot the 45 LC. I've put quite a few 265 gr & 335 gr WFNGC through my 4-5/8" ss RBH & leading has never been a problem and accuracy has always been phenominal. Their bullet do work and quite well, I might add. Taken with the 335 gr WFNGC, max/20 gr charge of Lil'Gun in Starline cases and WLP; 1150 fps at 15 yds.

Alan

I use H110 with a 315 gr lee bullet I cast myself for 1250 out of my 5.5 redhawk.

Works well one the pigs and bear I have known to be shot with it.