Lead cast Bullets for the .44 Mag Big Boy

[Pitchman1968]

I am thinking about using Oregon Trail RNFP 240 gr lead cast bullets in my .44 Mag Big Boy. Would appreciate any experiences/insights anyone can share who has reloaded .44 Mag hard cast bullets. Here is my current situation. For my Henry Big Boy and my S&W model 29 Classic, I load 240 gr Hornady XTP bullets atop 21.3 grs of Accurate #9, which is quite a 'hot' load. I believe loading the 240 gr lead bullet will produce a better hunting round. I contacted Henry's HQ online, and a technician immediately responded to my email. He indicated that using lead bullets would not nullify the lifetime warranty on the rifle. He advised me to exceed 260 grs in bullet weight. I plan on working up the loads using both IMR 4198, and separately, Accurate #9, and I will also use gas checks to prevent lead fouling in the Big Boy's barrel. I plan to work up the loads to whichever comes first, velocity of 1500 FPS, or signs of dangerous pressure appear.

[JEBar]

we've been loading Oregon Trail RNFP 240 gr lead cast bullets for paper punching in our 44's for almost 3 years .... they perform well in both our Henry and our Ruger Redhawk .... we do not choose to use them for hunting ammo .... for that we favor Nosler's 240 gr JHP bullets .... we can load them to much higher muzzle velocities than we can any lead cast bullets .... that increase provides us with a flatter trajectory that hits harder at every distance we shoot

[DAVIDF]

I think that it is possible to get better accuracy from a cast bullet that is sized at .432 vs the .431 sizing that Oregon Trial uses. That has been my experience in my limited trials. The problem is finding bullets cast at .432. Beartooth and Penn Bullets both cast bullets at that size and there are others that I don't remember at the moment. Beartooth is definitely the premium of the two, but you also pay the price for it. However, if you are only loading them for hunting and enough to develop a good load and test it, then that extra cost will probably be worth it. And, if you are going to use it for heavier game, then I would not question using one of the Beartooth bullets. They produce excellent bullets that are hard but not brittle.

SAAMI specs for the groove diameter of a .44 Mag rifle is .431. I slugged my Big Boy barrel and that is the measurement I found. One of the reps at Henry confirmed that is their spec. Cast bullets generally work better when they are .001 over groove diameter for both accuracy and lack of leading.

You might also want to consider a WFN design for hunting. Better wound channel. However, lots of game has been taken with RNFP's and they will work.

[Pitchman1968]

Thank you; that's the type of insight I value

[DAVIDF]

You are welcome and welcome to the forum. There are a lot of really nice, friendly, and helpful people on this forum.

Please keep us informed on your results both with hand loads and hunting. I and I am sure others will be very interested.