trying to decide what style and weight bullet for my 1st .44mag, a short-barrelled Bisely.Would like to choose a style that will be good for lower-powered (.44 special +P) or can also be loaded heavier once I settle in with the gun. Not sure what weight the fixed-sight Rugers like best. Probably use either Lil' Gun or #2400 for powder as they're what I have at hand. Suggestions ??

255 gr cast. 17gr of 2400

8.0 grains Unique with a 240/250 grain cast makes a nice light load. 10.0 with that same bullet range also works well.

8.0 grains Unique with a 240/250 grain cast makes a nice light load. 10.0 with that same bullet range also works well.


Right on the money.

I use 8.5 grains and 10 grains Unique and a 240 grain cast SWC as my most common loads for the 44m. The 8.5 grain load is like a warm 44 special.

I dropped a nice large wild boar with the 10 grain Unique load a couple weeks back and it punched right through the shoulder. If I could figure out how to post a pic I wouls post some photos.

My plinker loads for the 44mag consist of, a 215grn semi wad cutter, 6.0grn of TrailBoss, CCI 300 primer, in Winchester 44Special brass.

My plinkin' load for my Rugers (I just finished converting one of my 4 5/8" stainless to Bisley) is also my cowboy action shooting load.

National Bullet copper washed 205 grain RNFP in front of 6.0 grains of Hodgdon Clays and a Winchester WLP primer.

It rolls armadillos and should take any four legged critter I encounter on the farm here.
Regards,
Rich

True plinking, to me, is very light loading. I used to shoot swaged semi-wadcutters from .44 Special with just 4.0 grains of Bullseye. In the .44 mag it should be about the same.

I like to run a lead 240 gr. SWC bullet ahead of 8 gr. of WW231 for a mild, accurate .44 mag load. Runs around 950 - 980 fps (depending on bullet) out of my 8 3/8 Smith 629.