Big Boy Cast .44 bullets?

[Kaumheimer]

I'm sure this topic has been covered to death. I did a search for .44 bullets and found almost 3000 matches.

A bit overwhelming.

I'm trying to determine what kind of cast bullets this rifle "likes".

I've got both 200 gr and 240 Missouri bullets for my new Big Boy (16") chambered in .44. All are RNFPs except for one of the 240s is TCFP.

Is there one in particular that would be really accurate with this rifle? My main focus is hitting my 12" gong offhand at 100 yards.

I can work up a load once I figure out what bullet to concentrate on. I have a bunch of Starline Brass and different powders to try out. I've got a Dillon 550 to work with. Plenty of manuals to consult.

Any recommendations?

Thanks much.

[fortyshooter]

First thing to do especially with the Henry 44 mag rifle is to slug the barrel and find out what bore size you have. Then find a bullet diameter about .001 over that size. The .44 Mag BBS carbine I used to have had an oversized bore for typical .429/.430 bullet diameters measuring out at .4315.
I only got decent accuracy by using FMJ type bullets and loading to higher end load data. At low and mid range loads using the cast MB bullets they would key hole or give a scattered pattern since they would not engage the rifling properly.
With my other .44 Mag rifle the Uberti 1873 carbine it like the Xtreme plated 200 gr. bullet better than the MB 200 gr. cast coated bullet at my lower end 44 Mag load. That Xtreme 200 gr. bullet matched with 9 gr. Unique was the sweet spot for tighter groups and 6.0 gr. Red Dot was right with it also.

Oh and a big welcome to the Henry forum with lots of great folks here to help you out!

[Kaumheimer]

Thanks much fortyshooter I had no idea there was variation in the bore. Interesting that yo only got decent accuracy by using FMJ type bullets. One would think cast bullets would work as well. I'm not second guessing you but it's not what I expected to hear. Appreciate your comments.

[Vaquero]

I mostly use those 240 gr Smashers of MBC, over 9.0 grs. of Unique for the backyard plinkers.
Only 50 yds. but they reach the 100 yd gongs easy enough also.
What forty said about slugging the barrel, I do it to all my rifles when I use cast.
Marlin, Winchester, Rossi or Henry.

RP

[Kaumheimer]

Mahalo Vaquero....I'll give the slugging a shot. And I'll try the smashers.