44 Special and Magnum Mould.
- Thread starter Bazoo
- Start date
JonB
Halcyon member
While I don't cast/load/shoot 44 mag anymore, when I did, I preferred the MP 432-640 (copy of the Lyman 430640).
I got rid of the molds a long time ago, but found this photo in my files.
Notice what size that Lee mold dropped, it was an older style block design, from the 1990s or prior?
I got rid of the molds a long time ago, but found this photo in my files.
Notice what size that Lee mold dropped, it was an older style block design, from the 1990s or prior?
Like the rest of the guys.... I have a metric ton of 44/444 moulds... and most are repeats.
For 44mag carbine, I used to buy a bunch of 240gr swc, which was a shorter nose tham my rcbs or 429421... fed fantastic in the 1894... probably a magma design, and may still have a few to see if I can pull some dims off of it.
Also, the Lee 310gr worked, but needed some polishing to size up to .433.
For 44mag carbine, I used to buy a bunch of 240gr swc, which was a shorter nose tham my rcbs or 429421... fed fantastic in the 1894... probably a magma design, and may still have a few to see if I can pull some dims off of it.
Also, the Lee 310gr worked, but needed some polishing to size up to .433.
Thumbcocker
Active Member
That boolit is SCARY accurate in my hunter model over 296.
CZ93X62
Official forum enigma
The Lyman/Thompson #429244 has been a great mould for me for close to 40 years. Yes, it requires a gas check--but I use them in Magnum loads anyway when they are being run "full value". 244 feeds in every levergun I've tried them in. My copy of the mould--made in the mid 1980s--casts 92/6/2 at almost .433" and unalloyed lead at almost .432".
Another great mould I have for the Mags is an Accurate Molds RFN/GC of 255 grains in 92/6/2. It has become my go-to in the Win 92; Lyman 244 is mostly revolver these days. That 255 grainer leaving the muzzle at almost 1800 FPS lets you know that the primers functioned. It is accurate and powerful.
In less intense 44 Mag loadings Lyman #429421 is hard to beat. In my 44/40 WCF loads SAECO $446 gets the call. This is a listing of my currently-active 44 caliber moulds; hope it helps.
Another great mould I have for the Mags is an Accurate Molds RFN/GC of 255 grains in 92/6/2. It has become my go-to in the Win 92; Lyman 244 is mostly revolver these days. That 255 grainer leaving the muzzle at almost 1800 FPS lets you know that the primers functioned. It is accurate and powerful.
In less intense 44 Mag loadings Lyman #429421 is hard to beat. In my 44/40 WCF loads SAECO $446 gets the call. This is a listing of my currently-active 44 caliber moulds; hope it helps.
fiver
Well-Known Member
when you swage you swage UP, by using pressure.
the dies internal diameter is what dictates the final diameter of the bullet coming out of it.
what i do is take a sized and lubed 44-40 bullet i run through a 428 size die, then squeeze it in a 430 diameter swage die with the flat point punch installed.
for the 240gr. bullets i use the same die and punch but install the hollow point top punch.
it's the same principle as having a 308 point form die and a 311 point form die.
you use the same jacket and core, you just use the diameter die, and base punch you want the bullet to be.
the dies internal diameter is what dictates the final diameter of the bullet coming out of it.
what i do is take a sized and lubed 44-40 bullet i run through a 428 size die, then squeeze it in a 430 diameter swage die with the flat point punch installed.
for the 240gr. bullets i use the same die and punch but install the hollow point top punch.
it's the same principle as having a 308 point form die and a 311 point form die.
you use the same jacket and core, you just use the diameter die, and base punch you want the bullet to be.
Thank you fiver. I was once given a bunch of .429 240 gr. hard bullets. I ran them at low pressures through my SBH cylinder (.430-31) throats.
Got a ton of leading and did know why at the time. Several mistakes there. Often wondered if I could have grown those bullets.
Newt44
Got a ton of leading and did know why at the time. Several mistakes there. Often wondered if I could have grown those bullets.
Newt44
No better way to learn to clean lead from a barrel than firing a bunch of hard, undersized bullets.
I have the T shirt for that. After 50 rounds of a supposed .358 bullet in my GP 100 they started hitting sideways. They actually measured .356.
I have the T shirt for that. After 50 rounds of a supposed .358 bullet in my GP 100 they started hitting sideways. They actually measured .356.
fiver
Well-Known Member
good way to learn how a proper fitting bullet works is to use a couple to clean out a slightly leaded barrel.
i was doing that test a few years back with those uber hard lazercast bullets, then shining things up again with a couple of dead soft but proper diameter G/C bullets without a G/C.
finally decided those L-C bullets were better alloy helpers than they were at hitting things.
i was doing that test a few years back with those uber hard lazercast bullets, then shining things up again with a couple of dead soft but proper diameter G/C bullets without a G/C.
finally decided those L-C bullets were better alloy helpers than they were at hitting things.
Elpatoloco
Active Member
My first Mould was an RCBS Keith variant. It shoots really well, But it must be driven hard.
I got each of my sons a Blackhawk in 44 mag when they were 8 years old and taught them hunt with them. The RCBS 44-240-swc is likely the most accurate across the board in all the 44s Ive used it in. It worked in the early mouse fart loads for my boys to full house runaway freight train loads.
I got each of my sons a Blackhawk in 44 mag when they were 8 years old and taught them hunt with them. The RCBS 44-240-swc is likely the most accurate across the board in all the 44s Ive used it in. It worked in the early mouse fart loads for my boys to full house runaway freight train loads.
fiver
Well-Known Member
i think Brad has one of the newer Win made 92's.
i Know my Browning B-92 is stupid touchy about over all length and anything a half a smidge over saami is an absolute not gonna happen.
just sayin that's something your gonna have to be aware of.
and many of the Lyman designs [although correct in shape] are not gonna be correct in length...
you can work around that by trimming cases back .020 or thereabouts, but if your like me and have 4-5K 44 mag cases that could be it's own hobby.
i Know my Browning B-92 is stupid touchy about over all length and anything a half a smidge over saami is an absolute not gonna happen.
just sayin that's something your gonna have to be aware of.
and many of the Lyman designs [although correct in shape] are not gonna be correct in length...
you can work around that by trimming cases back .020 or thereabouts, but if your like me and have 4-5K 44 mag cases that could be it's own hobby.
MY Win 92 is a 357 Magnum. I do have an older Rossi in 44 mag.
For the 44 mag I use a 240 gr plain base RD style mould from NOE. No need for a gas check in my opinion. It feeds well, shoots well, and recoils plenty.
I like an SWC as much as the next guy but am hardly wed to them for every situation. For a lever action a rnfp just makes more sense.
My rifle never has fed nostalgia very well
For the 44 mag I use a 240 gr plain base RD style mould from NOE. No need for a gas check in my opinion. It feeds well, shoots well, and recoils plenty.
I like an SWC as much as the next guy but am hardly wed to them for every situation. For a lever action a rnfp just makes more sense.
My rifle never has fed nostalgia very well