Best Ammo for 44mag lever gun

[Matthew]

I have a Winchester 1894 Trapper that I am going to use as my truck gun. It has a 16 inch barrel and 9 shot capacity.

Which ammo would be the best for all-around use? I was thinking one of the 300 grain cast lead loads, but not sure. Obviously, this rifle could be called upon to perform a variety of tasks from self defense against two legged creatures or four legged ones.

Right now I have it stoked with 240 grain JHP from Cor-Bon. Out of a four inch test barrel Cor-Bon claims 1500 fps and 1200 ft/lbs. Any suggestions?

[kawalekm]

I have a 44 mag rifle also and plan on shooting 240 grain softpoints loaded at about 1800 fps. I haven't shot a deer-sized animal yet, but what I've read is that the 240 grain hollowpoints are going too fast out of a rifle and fragment into little pieces on impact. I also make a 250 grain Lyman "Keith type" SWC which I have used to shoot a deer with my revolver. I got 100% penetration and shattered it's heart, with no bullet ever recovered. I think the bullet was still intact though, because there was only one bullet exit wound. The heavier lead bullet you mentioned should cut down on leading, but I don't think you'll need that much penetration for anything less than a grizzly.

My 44 rifle is still new, so I'm only planning on shooting jacketed bullets out of it for a while. After the barrel is "broken in", I try my cast SWC.

[DM]

The heavier lead bullet you mentioned should cut down on leading, but I don't think you'll need that much penetration for anything less than a grizzly.


The 240 grain soft points work very well on deer sized animials...

DM

[hunter63]

I have used 240 gr hollow points in both the Ruger .44 mag carbine and .44 and Ruger Bisley Blackhawk.
Worked well for me several times in each with one shot kills.

Never heard about the hollow points "fragmenting" and has not been my experience. Mine spread out to about the 1/2 dollar size.

IMO
Am I assumming that you are loading your own w/cast bullets?
Wouldn't use cast bullets regularly unless I had to.
They really lead up the barrel, and you need to watch pressures, as the lead arent hard enough for max loads.

[kawalekm]

It's good to hear that it works. Better to hear from someone that says it works instead of just reading that is doesn't.

I would disagree in regards to lead bullets. I think most people's disapproval of lead bullets comes from those made by the commercial manufacturers. The bullets are by necessity softer for production purposes, and don't really compare with quality cast bullets. I shoot lead bullets made out of Lyman #2 alloy, which is quite hard. They're lubed with Thompson's Blue Angel or home made lube consisting of 50/50% wax/vasoline. I've not chronographed them but the manual states they should be going at about 1800 fps. I do get a little leading, but nothing a wet patch doen't wipe out. I shoot thousands of cast bullets out of my rifles and pistols, and never spend more than 5 minutes cleaning out a barrel.

The best part about shooting cast though is the aspect of self-sufficency in ammunition production it gives me.

[hunter63]

That is good to hear and for that matter, the only "cast bullets" I have presonally fired were Mini's/maxies/ round balls out of my muzzleloader.

Been fooling around with a 45/70, and have picked up some loading info for "cast" bullets.
Maybe I'll give it a try, need to "run some ball" pretty soon anyway.

[DM]

I've been casting bullets since the late 60's and for low velocity revolver bullets, it as easy as finding some scrap lead and getting after it. BUT, for higher velocity loads or for rifles, it's much more involved because the bullets have to be harder, and the type of lube becomes important and even getting them the right diameter gets important...

In my revolvers i shoot all cast bullets, but in my rifles i'd rather use jacketed bullets...

DM

[kawalekm]

I have to agree with that. *I wouldn't even bother trying to make cast bullets for my 30-06 or 7mm Mag. *Cast bullets don't hold up very well when velocities get above 2000 fps. *But, I am very devoted to producing quality cast bullets, and I think the next rifle I'll purchase will be a Marlin 45-70, because that cartridge is very ameniable to shooting magnum powered loads with lead bullets. *Getting back to the 44Mag though, there aren't many cast 44 bullets that would cause any big problems with a 44mag. *Just stay away from the extra-lites like the 180grain.

[Matthew]

Thanks for the input guys. I think I'll keep the 240 grain HP until I use them up, then switch up to a 270-280 grain SP. It's a handy little carbine.

[jim]

If you do go to casting, proper lube and hardness along with either a paper-patch or gas check will hold down on leading.

I once shot a deer with a Marlin .44 Mag, 240 JHP and the deer ran close to 125 yards before he fell. The heart and part of the lungs were severely damaged. No blood trail for the first 35 yards, then it slowly began to come out, ending in a 4" wide trail. Entry/exit holes were of caliber size. I think a lower hit would have preformed much better. Range was about 25 yards.

jim