cmh
.401 Bobcat
Posts: 3,745
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Post by cmh on Sept 18, 2016 16:55:09 GMT -5
Looking to start acquiring molds for both of my FAs... in 44 magnum and 475 linebaugh. Whats your favorites especially gor the FAs? Thanks, Craig
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Post by sixshot on Sept 18, 2016 19:39:51 GMT -5
Craig, you will get a lot of replies on this one & none of them will be bad. I've used the Keith slug for so many years it would be hard for me to put any bullet ahead of it although some of the newer LBT styles might have an edge. I've taken an awful lot of big game with that bullet, some close & some not so close & its never failed me so I'll go with it. An LBT in the 280-300 gr. range might be a better bullet & some will swear by it for long range & they could be right. I have one that runs about 310 grs & its a dandy, just haven't seen it do anything my 50 yr. old Keith bullet won't do.
For the 480/475 I don't have a lot of experience, I bought a 2 cavity that cast a 350 on one side & a 370 on the other & killed my moose with it & my buddy killed his moose with it, one shot each. That's a small sample but maybe twice as big as some folks as far as big game. A friend borrowed my 480 & took a large Bison with it with one shot using the 370 gr. slug, so, 3 for 3. The new Miha 385 gr, either HP or solid is racking up some impressive kills but not sure if it will fit your cylinder. If it will I don't know how you could improve on it but again some guys have used the 475 a lot more than I have. Hope you enjoy your 2 new Freedom Arms, they are great handguns.
Dick
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Post by xtratoy on Sept 19, 2016 7:22:03 GMT -5
I only have one mold for my 480 Ruger. The 400 gr Lee two cavity. I haven't shot any animals with it. On sale now for $19.79 @ MidwayUSA.com.
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Post by xtratoy on Sept 19, 2016 7:22:37 GMT -5
I only have one mold for my 480 Ruger. The 400 gr Lee two cavity. I haven't shot any animals with it. On sale now for $19.79 @ MidwayUSA.com.
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Post by zeus on Sept 19, 2016 8:56:56 GMT -5
Craig, you will get a lot of replies on this one & none of them will be bad. I've used the Keith slug for so many years it would be hard for me to put any bullet ahead of it although some of the newer LBT styles might have an edge. I've taken an awful lot of big game with that bullet, some close & some not so close & its never failed me so I'll go with it. An LBT in the 280-300 gr. range might be a better bullet & some will swear by it for long range & they could be right. I have one that runs about 310 grs & its a dandy, just haven't seen it do anything my 50 yr. old Keith bullet won't do. For the 480/475 I don't have a lot of experience, I bought a 2 cavity that cast a 350 on one side & a 370 on the other & killed my moose with it & my buddy killed his moose with it, one shot each. That's a small sample but maybe twice as big as some folks as far as big game. A friend borrowed my 480 & took a large Bison with it with one shot using the 370 gr. slug, so, 3 for 3. The new Miha 385 gr, either HP or solid is racking up some impressive kills but not sure if it will fit your cylinder. If it will I don't know how you could improve on it but again some guys have used the 475 a lot more than I have. Hope you enjoy your 2 new Freedom Arms, they are great handguns. Dick The 385 will fit the FA. When we drew that one up several years ago, we ended up with two crimp grooves, one allowing the longer cylinder customs to stretch it out a little more and another that would fit it in a FA cylinder. I've only seated them to the FA length as the ones I mainly use are the PB version and are cast soft. With 14.5 grains HS 6, that bullet with the big HP has been extremely accurate from all of my guns and very effective on critters. I've shot deer, pigs and a bison with it. |
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wdr2
.30 Stingray
Posts: 147
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Post by wdr2 on Sept 19, 2016 9:59:19 GMT -5
I have three molds for my 480 including the Miha 385gr HP and two from Mountain Molds at 300 and 370gr. Happy with all. Miha's molds are a work of art, I have about 14. I am also very impressed with Mountain Molds who will make just about any design you can dream up. Delivery on my last mold was about 2 weeks. Both of mine are 2-cav on his large aluminum blocks. A photo of my 370gr bullet from Mountain Molds is here: singleactions.proboards.com/thread/16169/fine-new-480-ruger-idahoBill Idaho |
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cmh
.401 Bobcat
Posts: 3,745
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Post by cmh on Sept 20, 2016 8:37:38 GMT -5
Thank you gentlemen
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Post by boatswainsmate on Sept 20, 2016 10:20:19 GMT -5
I don't know what weight your looking for in the 44 Magnum but these have performed well for me with 12.0 grains of HS6. Miha's Keith copy with Penta HP which average 244 grains with my alloy and powdercoat.  |
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Post by seancass on Sept 20, 2016 17:38:06 GMT -5
I don't have much experience here, but I'll throw out a couple ideas. .429: Dirty cheap plinking: Whatever the cheapest thing is!  Affordable plinking/general shooting: Gardner's Cache 265gr SWC/GC. Really impressive bullet at an unbelievable price. No questions asked, does what it says, jacketed: Hornady XTP 240. I suppose the 300 works, but I prefer the 240. Very versatile. Needle Threading Sledgehammer: Cast Performance 300gr or Laser Cast 310gr WFN bullets. Put either of these over a max charge of H110/296. My Ruger loves these! |
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jgt
.327 Meteor
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Posts: 782
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Post by jgt on Sept 21, 2016 10:25:15 GMT -5
For the 44, A Lyman 429215 and RCBS 429421KT, For heavier I would go with LBT molds up to and including 300grn. Over 300grn custom whatevers. I would also look at the Lee 310 in the over 300grn category. The person starting their casting in this day and age has a wide field of choices for the 44. Many mold makers, many designs and the opportunity to design your own if you so desire. Be sure to slug your barrel so you can order the right bullet diameter mold and size die.
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dmize
.401 Bobcat
Posts: 2,825
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Post by dmize on Sept 21, 2016 11:32:26 GMT -5
Wasn't going to say anything until Zeus said the Miha would fit. Has worked wonderfully on deer from both my 480SRH and 475 BFR.
I am Keith fan but from personal experience the Lee 430-300GC is pretty damn impressive out of my Rugers using H110. It also has dual crimp grooves.
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Post by zeus on Sept 21, 2016 16:49:12 GMT -5
 Here is one I recovered from the 475 FA and a big hog. She was a fat one and the offside hide stretched like crazy so it allowed a recovery. Always cool to find! Basically a shade under 1" in diameter and retained all its weight. I'd have to go get the details for specifics but they were something like 384 grains of an original 388 and diameter of about .96" or something close to that. Been a while and my memory sucks |
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Post by singleaction on Sept 21, 2016 18:02:04 GMT -5
I used to have a FA 97 in 44 special. Overall, shot best with Lyman 429244 Keith-Thompson 250 SWCGC. Mine come out about 255-260 grains with WW alloy. I've had the best luck with it in a couple NM Ruger Flattop 44 spl's with .431" throats, as well. That bullet just shoots. I really hate messing with gas checks, so I mostly shoot 429421 Keith's, but the Keith Thompson is tops, in my experience.
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cmh
.401 Bobcat
Posts: 3,745
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Post by cmh on Sept 21, 2016 21:07:01 GMT -5
Think Im definitely going to try and find a Miha 385gr mold.... I plan to have one go to load for that one. Now my 44... I might just have to see what happens. I planned on a 240gr load and a 300gr load to mix things up.... but you fellas went and threw several good bullets into the mix..... Hmmmmmm
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Post by zeus on Sept 21, 2016 21:51:30 GMT -5
For an all around accurate bullet in the 44, the 300SWC from the RCBS mold is an all time favorite. That bullet over 21.5 grains of 296 is scary accurate in every gun I've ever shoved it into. That load does about 1430 from my 10" guns both rugers and FAs. And the groups you can get at 100 will make you smile.
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