With the prices of some factory hard cast bullets going up $10.00 a box i was thinking about reloading my own I was using the 300 grain WFNGC bullets in the .44 Mag. I plan to use it on Deer and Large Black Bear(400+) in NY
My question is why have i not seen any one using the 255 WFNGC I would think this would be a great deer load but how about for Bear. Should i stick with the 300WFNGC Later Tanoose

255 gr would be good for deer at any angle. Broadside shots would be good for the 255gr, but, I like the extra oomph for those quartering away shots.

John

What is a WFNGC?

I would guess: W (?), Flat Nose, Gas Check.

Thanks for an answer to an ignorant question.

The 255grainers will do the job, but most of the commercially cast offerings are way undersized for optimal accuracy. You could look into casting your own, or you could check out www.bullshop.gunloads.com
Their cast boolits are accurate and priced reasonably, and you have an incredible selection of weights, styles, and profiles. If you're going to do something, you might as well do it right the first time.
Swede44mag, W? Winchester? Flat nose (FN) and Gas check (GC) are standard abbreviations.

Seems most LBT users are the heavy for caliber sort. I fancy a .429 LBT in the 300-320 grain range myself but www.castperformance.com will sell you a 225 WFNPB and www.beartoothbullets.com a 250 or 260 WFNGC bullet so there must be some way to get a mould for such slugs.

quote:

Originally posted by Swede44mag:
What is a WFNGC?

I would guess: W (?), Flat Nose, Gas Check.

Thanks for an answer to an ignorant question.

Ok Guys what does the W in WFNGC stand for?

Too many Anagrams for me.

I would stick with the heavy boolit. Although the lighter boolit works good, the heavy one will plow through even after a heavy bone is hit. There is no reason to change boolits for deer or bear.

quote:

Ok Guys what does the W in WFNGC stand for?

Okay, you guessed it, it stands for "Wide", but don't expect us to show you the secret handshake...

About 28 years ago I switched to cast bullets only, I have shot / currently shoot 44 Mag, 45 Colt, 480 Ruger and 500 SW. I have taken boar, elk, American Bison, sheep and whitetail, and several of each.

I do not want to brag on what I have killed but want to lay the ground work for my next statement.

In my experience once you go above 1300 fps with a good cast bullet it is just wasted powder. The optimal speed for a cast hunting bullet is 1200 to 1250 fps. If you hunt a larger animal use a heavier bullet, but keep the speed the same. I have found a 300 gn 44 Keith @ 1231 fps will run diagonial thru a 2100 lbs buff and stop on the rear ham, or will break both shoulders and sail into next week. I see no need for more added speed or wear and tear on your revolver................JJ

Yes Tanoose ,hard cast bullets DO penetrate .The 255 will do well for NY deer and bear. ...BTW on another part of the forum a website was mentioned www.catskillarchive.com which has lots of interesting Catskill history including some hunting stuff !!

Use the 300gr now use to mess around with another weight. The 300's will shoot and kill anything you want them to.

I cast and load a 310WFNGC and haven't looked back.

The only time I would load a lighter bullet is for 2 legged varmits then a a fast expanding 180 or 200 gr seems to work better. But I have better pistols then my heavy 44's for that.

I have been using bullets from these folks. Note that prices include shipping. I have had very good results with the 328 LFN 45 bullet, in particular.

http://www.hunters-supply.com/

Thanks for all the replys and Mete thanks for the catskills website