Why you need this bullet mold.
There are a whole slew of reasons I asked BobK to draw this bullet. We discussed both a 640 version and scaling down the 429215 that I hold dear to my heart as it is one of my very favorite 44 caliber cast slugs. This is what BobK came up with and I couldn't be happier. Some applications off the top of my head are as follows.
I hope you guys would chime in and let us know how you intend to fit this particular cast slug into your sixgunning.First, there are a whole bunch of 44's both Special and Magnum that have a "too short" front sight. This one will bring those sixguns home. Bob did mention that there was a possibility that the other side of that coin was that some 44's might not sight in with this one for the front sight being too tall.
Second,
How many of you guys have a Charter Arms Bulldog? Or a Smith and Wesson 329? Standard weight (240s) slugs have a pretty good bite in those guns don't they? Here is a "low recoiling" option. Or, if you do like I do and use your 329 as a 44 Special, this slug gives me the opportunity to go back to the 44 Magnum case so as not to build up a carbon ring forward of my 44 Special cases in my 44 Magnum Chambers. This will also work for the all steel lightweight custom sixguns we have seen as well.
Third, SPEED! One day, just to see what it would do, using 2400, I worked my FA97 44 Special running a 180 grain JHP up to 1400 fps with no apparent signs of pressure. Now, Bob Baker did ask me to back off that load a bit and I did, but the Flattop Ruger 44 Special is a pretty stout little sixgun. I have one with a 7 1/2" barrel and I bet it will make 1400 pretty handily. I'm pretty sure you would exercise good judgement when loading this little rocket for your own FA97 44 Special.
Fourth, FLAT! This is no long range bullet. Pushed hard however, to practical sixgun ranges, I bet it will get there and right now and go splat. Jackrabbits, Skunks, Coyotes beware. Not a big game bullet this. Whole nother application.
Fifth, Easy Shooting. Do you have a older more sedate 44? Are you getting to where you don't want to put up with mega recoil? This one should get your short range paper puncher out of retirement and back in the saddle without excess wear and tear when loaded for the Gallery.
Sixth, Anti-Personnel. Skeeter decided his 44 Special was easier for repeat shots on felons than his 44 Magnum. This one should close the gap a bit in the big Magnum case.
I do have a Charter Arms Bulldog, the original 3" blued one. My dad really liked it after we went and shot it some so I gave it to him. From that day on, if it wasn't on his person it was in his truck. Dad just died so I got the gun back and it is my new truck gun. I probably won't carry it as a CCW much but if I'm in the truck so will be the Bulldog. Dad kept it stoked with the CCI Gold dot loads or an equivalent handloaded Gold Dot over 7.5 grains of Unique. These are fine IME for occasional use in the Bulldog but I have always thought it would benefit from a lighter cast bullet. This one seams to meet the criteria.
