44Mag projectiles

08 April 2008, 05:56

Matt Graham

44Mag projectiles

Can anyone recommend jacketted projectiles for the 44Mag for maximum penetration on big critters (like buffalo). Many thanks
Matt

08 April 2008, 06:42

Whitworth

Matt, I know you asked for jacketed bullet recommendations, but if penetration on big critters is needed and expected, you would be much better served with heavy, flat-nosed hardcast bullets. This is a factory load (from Double Tap Ammo) that I use in my .44 magnums. It features a 320 grain WFN and I think it runs about 1,300 fps out of my 6.5-inch Model 29 Smith. I don't find expanding bullets to be reliable pentrators on big and heavy game, especially heavy-boned animals. Just a suggestion.

"Ignorance you can correct, you can't fix stupid." JWP

If stupidity hurt, a lot of people would be walking around screaming.

Semper Fidelis

"Building Carpal Tunnel one round at a time"

08 April 2008, 07:12

Lamar

the cast will definately give the best
penetration, however if thats just not an option
and i don't know why it wouldn't be
i would look at barnes, or the 300 gr hornady
they make two different ones,
one for expansion and one for penetration
one is called xtp mag.
you could call hornady direct and they will
clear up any questions you have

08 April 2008, 07:23

MS Hitman

You may also want to look at the 300 grain Speer JSP.

08 April 2008, 08:33

Redhawk1

I have to agree with Whitworth, cast bullets are your best option for great penetration, but if you want something other than cast bullets go with a Barnes bullet.

If you're going to make a hole, make it a big one.
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08 April 2008, 09:22

jwp475

I also agree with the above posters Hard Cast Is Hard To Beat

_____________________________________________________

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08 April 2008, 19:21

Matt Graham

Hi guys

I did consider heavy hard casts but we will need to switch to lighter jacketed stuff on a regular basis with multiple users (guides & clients) and I was worried about the guns not being cleaned properly between changes.

What do you think would be the optimum cast bullet weight to use?

What would the Barnes' be like compared to hard cast? Havent used Barnes handgun projjies before...

THX
Matt

08 April 2008, 19:34

Whitworth

Matt, modern hardcast bullets don't lead excessively. I wouldn't worry about the cleaning issue. I personally like the 320 grain weight. Some folks load 330s and 340s in their .44 mags. I have to dig up my notes, but the 320s were going right around 1,300 fps from a 6.5-inch barrel.

"Ignorance you can correct, you can't fix stupid." JWP

If stupidity hurt, a lot of people would be walking around screaming.

Semper Fidelis

"Building Carpal Tunnel one round at a time"

08 April 2008, 19:43

Matt Graham

sounds great - thanks for all your help guys!!

08 April 2008, 19:47

Matt Graham

Looks like Barnes only go up to 225 grain!!

How do you think they would compare to the heavier casts?? You could get them smoking fast I bet!!

08 April 2008, 19:51

bfrshooter

It is just as easy to buy cast boolits as it is jacketed and they are cheaper. If you do not reload, I have to ask "WHY NOT."
It sounds like you do reload so what is the problem? Look for LBT WFN or WLN boolits. Dead is dead and these make things dead!

08 April 2008, 20:16

Redhawk1

quote:
Originally posted by Matt Graham:
Hi guys

I did consider heavy hard casts but we will need to switch to lighter jacketed stuff on a regular basis with multiple users (guides & clients) and I was worried about the guns not being cleaned properly between changes.

What do you think would be the optimum cast bullet weight to use?

What would the Barnes' be like compared to hard cast? Havent used Barnes handgun projjies before...

THX
Matt

As far as leading in the barrel, get cast bullets with gas checks, leading is almost nonexistent. I would go with 300 to 320 gr. hard cast bullets. As for the Barnes, the work great also. I have taken quit a few deer using Barnes bullets, but like BFRshooter said, dead is dead and the hard cast bullets are a lot less expensive then the Barnes bullets. My choice of handgun bullets is cast for everything.

If you're going to make a hole, make it a big one.
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08 April 2008, 20:21

Whitworth

Matt, the speed won't help you if the bullet is light and of a design not prone to good penetration like a hollow-point for example. Heavy flat-noses penetrate like there is no tomorrow. Have to make sure the bullet can reach the vitals and I think a 225 grain expanding bullet would be a VERY poor choice for buffalo or any large game.

"Ignorance you can correct, you can't fix stupid." JWP

If stupidity hurt, a lot of people would be walking around screaming.

Semper Fidelis

"Building Carpal Tunnel one round at a time"

08 April 2008, 22:02

Me_Plat

Everyone seems to forget that Cor-Bon makes a 305 gr Flat Point FMJ with a hardened core. This is only offered in factory Cor-Bon ammo.
Cor-Bon ammo has been used by many to take the largest of big game.
Whether you can get it where you live is something one will have to determine by e-mailing Cor-Bon and asking.

08 April 2008, 22:17

Whitworth

I believe that jwp.475 used a flat point Corbon .45 Colt load on a broadside shot on a hog last year, and it didn't penetrate well at all and he lost the animal. Not sure it is the bullet you are talking about Me_Plat, but I think it is. Is this a completely jacketed bullet, or is there some lead exposed? I used Corbon Penetrators a number of years ago and they worked really well. I'll head over to their site and see what they have.......

"Ignorance you can correct, you can't fix stupid." JWP

If stupidity hurt, a lot of people would be walking around screaming.

Semper Fidelis

"Building Carpal Tunnel one round at a time"

08 April 2008, 22:33

Whitworth

I just spoke with jwp and I was wrong as it was a soft point that failed (big surprise). Me_plat, that load you are talking about indeed uses a penetrator bullet which in my experience is pretty damn good. If I can recall, though, they are pretty expensive.

"Ignorance you can correct, you can't fix stupid." JWP

If stupidity hurt, a lot of people would be walking around screaming.

Semper Fidelis

"Building Carpal Tunnel one round at a time"

08 April 2008, 23:03

Me_Plat

I may be wrong on my thinking here but as I have read and also heard is that if one can afford these big game hunts then the cost of the ammo shouldn't be a problem.

Maybe I am wrong here.

08 April 2008, 23:22

Whitworth

I couldn't agree with you more, but at handgun speeds, you are hard pressed to destroy/distort a hardcast bullet. Now, if you are forking out 15K on a cape buffalo hunt, I too would go the extra mile and extra cost to use punch bullets at $2.00 + a pop.

"Ignorance you can correct, you can't fix stupid." JWP

If stupidity hurt, a lot of people would be walking around screaming.

Semper Fidelis

"Building Carpal Tunnel one round at a time"

09 April 2008, 15:47

Lloyd Smale

another vote for hardcast. Buffalo are just to big to get reliale performance out of jacketed bullets in a 44.

09 April 2008, 19:57

Matt Graham

Hi Guys

I wasnt considering the 225 Barnes for the job - I was just lamenting the fact that they dont make them heavier.

I am going to take your advice on the 300-320gr hard casts - I do handload but I have never handloaded cast ammo before. Any tips you can give will be appreciated - is there anything different to jacketed in method?

We have practically no chance of buying Cor-Bon ammo in Australia. The best I could hope is that clients could bring a box or two with them but airline weight limitations make that difficult (ie clients will want to bring other ammo for themselves).

Cheers
Matt

09 April 2008, 20:35

Martin Godio

Matt,
I do not know if Speer is still making .44 300gn bullets.
They work OK for me thou I preffer lead bullets.
Speer bullets have a good meplat and do not expand at .44 Mag velocities.
I used Barnes for finishing lot of axis deer, very good penetration but never get an exit hole.
Martin

09 April 2008, 21:59

Redhawk1

quote:
Originally posted by Matt Graham:
Hi Guys

I wasnt considering the 225 Barnes for the job - I was just lamenting the fact that they dont make them heavier.

I am going to take your advice on the 300-320gr hard casts - I do handload but I have never handloaded cast ammo before. Any tips you can give will be appreciated - is there anything different to jacketed in method?

We have practically no chance of buying Cor-Bon ammo in Australia. The best I could hope is that clients could bring a box or two with them but airline weight limitations make that difficult (ie clients will want to bring other ammo for themselves).

Cheers
Matt

No real difference than loading Jacketed bullets.

If you're going to make a hole, make it a big one.
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09 April 2008, 22:11

Whitworth

quote:
Originally posted by Martin Godio:
Matt,
I do not know if Speer is still making .44 300gn bullets.
They work OK for me thou I preffer lead bullets.
Speer bullets have a good meplat and do not expand at .44 Mag velocities.
I used Barnes for finishing lot of axis deer, very good penetration but never get an exit hole.
Martin

If the bullet won't exit on an axis deer, then it's safe to say that the penetration is inadequate for a truly large-bodied animal like water buffalo. I thinkk the only viable option in .44 magnum for the reloader is a good heavy hardcast flat-nose.

"Ignorance you can correct, you can't fix stupid." JWP

If stupidity hurt, a lot of people would be walking around screaming.

Semper Fidelis

"Building Carpal Tunnel one round at a time"

10 April 2008, 04:06

Matt Graham

Hi again guys

Can you offer me any loads for 300-320gr lead and Win296 with magnum primers... or other loads. I have selected 296 because of advice given to me elsewhere and its availability in Australia.

Also loads for 296 for 240 jacketed as I want to load some of those too.

Appreciate all your help guys!!
Cheers
Matt