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Post by Encore64 on Feb 5, 2016 19:54:04 GMT -5
Have been experimenting with some full meplat bullets. I have to admit, these things have changed everything I thought I knew about bullets. Today I decided to try new bullets and a new gun. I posted a few months back that I had scored another Ruger Flattop Bisley 44 Special. This one with a 5 1/2" Barrel. This gun was super tight, so the only modification was adding a Belt Mountain base pin and Hogue grips. The bullets were Matt's wadcutters. They are 250 grn, so started with 7.5 grns of Unique. The bullet design allows plenty if powder room and should lower pressure accordingly. Much to my surprise, this load shot sub 1" at 25 yards. Probably the most accurate combination I have ever fired in a revolver. I didn't chronograph, but seemed pretty snappy. The damage they caused in my informal testing was beyond my expectations for this combination. I can honestly say that this is the most impressive bullet I have ever fired in a 44 Special. I doubt I ever load a different bullet, but will experiment with 2400 powder. I have always loved this fine old cartridge, but today I found a new respect for it. Matt's Bullets made the difference. Here's the link: www.mattsbullets.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=70&products_id=216 |
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Post by BigBore44 on Feb 5, 2016 20:57:18 GMT -5
That's great news! You're killing me here though. EVERY TIME I have my heart set on the Bisley 480, someone posts about the other Bisley that's competing for "next to buy" on my "MUST Have" list!!!   Glad you have a shooter on your hands. BigBore44 P.S. Those bullets look exactly like the ThunderHead's,, NICE... |
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Post by bulasteve on Feb 6, 2016 7:56:34 GMT -5
I've gone thru 3-4 boxes of bullets with Matts label on them, but not those. All good so far. Hey Matt ! How about some .476 stuff ? Hint,hint. "Seemed pretty snappy", would remind that FWC's are pretty much all bearing surface, and depending on seating depth, may have more case tension too.
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Post by Encore64 on Feb 6, 2016 8:17:12 GMT -5
I agree Steve. That's why I have settled on these for the 44 Special.
They seat far more shallow than any of my SWC bullets. They have a driving band forward of the crimp, but the bearing surface is about the same.
The 44 Penn Thunderhead Bullets seat considerably deeper and will be used only in 44 Magnum brass.
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Post by Alaskan454 on Feb 6, 2016 10:58:51 GMT -5
I'm happy to hear you like his WCs, I was considering some myself.
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Post by leftysixgun on Feb 6, 2016 11:08:05 GMT -5
I really enjoy my .44 spl FT! I like the lookes of that BIG MEPLAT boolit of Matts!
Im planning to load some .44 specials today once my shop warms up a bit.
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Post by sheriff on Feb 6, 2016 11:51:05 GMT -5
I shoot a lot of 240gr wadcutters in my .44's over 6.5grs Unique. Dandy load for just 'bumming around'.
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Post by Encore64 on Feb 7, 2016 8:53:01 GMT -5
Loaded 100 more of these for further testing. Also grabbed 100 of Matt's Wadcutter Bullets for the 45 Colt.
Plan on loading them later today. I think these will be near perfect for smaller guns. My FA97 and Ruger Flattop Midframe 45 Colt guns come to mind.
For woods walking, I think these are just the ticket.
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Post by magnumwheelman on Feb 8, 2016 10:53:10 GMT -5
with a full square front shoulder, does anyone think there could be an issue with shooting these in a 396, with the thin forceing cone
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klnc
.30 Stingray
Posts: 111
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Post by klnc on Feb 15, 2016 11:46:21 GMT -5
Interesting idea of using the wadcutter in the Special. What kind of seating stem did you use? On my Dillon, the stems are for RNFP and SWC--did you have to modify or replace your stems when loading the WC bullets? This may be a naive question, but I've never loaded WCs before in the larger calibers.
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Post by Encore64 on Feb 15, 2016 11:49:14 GMT -5
Interesting idea of using the wadcutter in the Special. What kind of seating stem did you use? On my Dillon, the stems are for RNFP and SWC--did you have to modify or replace your stems when loading the WC bullets? This may be a naive question, but I've never loaded WCs before in the larger calibers. I just used the SWC seater. Bullets weren't deformed or marked at all. |
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Post by bulasteve on Feb 15, 2016 11:52:21 GMT -5
With more than one set of dies in 44spec/44mag dies here, I took one seating plug and ground it flat for this kinda thing.
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Post by cherokeetracker on Feb 15, 2016 14:46:45 GMT -5
Interesting idea of using the wadcutter in the Special. What kind of seating stem did you use? On my Dillon, the stems are for RNFP and SWC--did you have to modify or replace your stems when loading the WC bullets? This may be a naive question, but I've never loaded WCs before in the larger calibers. Like encore64 said you can use the SWC stem,, You do not have to do anything special to it, or get a new one and make it flat. The outer portion of the stem hits on the bullet since it is Full face flat. Pushes it in square and loads nice. Charles |
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alamogunr
.30 Stingray
IGNORE PREVIOUS MESSAGE
Posts: 294
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Post by alamogunr on Feb 16, 2016 11:01:50 GMT -5
That looks very similar to a bullet cast from a Group Buy mold on Cast Boolits from a few years ago. I believe it was from Old West. I don't know if Old West is still in business. I got the mold for a S&W 696. Sorry, no single actions in .44 Spec. |
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Post by bulasteve on Feb 16, 2016 11:35:40 GMT -5
No single-action 44specs ? Wha..  You should be sorry, and know I've let my sense of humor out to play. Please rectify your error as soon as possible though. LOL. |
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You should be sorry, and know I've let my sense of humor out to play. Please rectify your error as soon as possible though. LOL.