I have a friend that is wanting me to try a handload he has worked up. I normally shoot a 240 XTP out of my 7.5" Redhawk. He has a 250 gr. LBT that is sitting on top of 20 grains of WC820 with a Federal 150 primer. Now, I have never shot a cast lead bullet out of my Redhawk or the Super Blackhawk I used to own. It has always been the 240 XTP. I am wondering how the new load will perform, compared to the XTP. I do use it to deer hunt. I have tried to find some load data but I can't seem to find what I am looking for. Any comments would be welcome.

Welcome to the forum LJ. Rules are simple, be nice and join in.

I hunted with the 44 magnum for years and found hardcast always seemed to outperform jacketed for me. My loads consisted of a 255 grain Keith style cast bullet it 1250 fps from a 5.5 inch Redhawk or 6.5 inch Smith 29 and the same load at 1350 fps from a 7.5 inch Super Redhawk.

You might check in our loadswap section at the top of the page. Also take a look at Marshall's cast bullets in the Beartooth section at the top of the page. They are absolutely excellent. I've killed black bear out to 200 yards and deer in excess of 150 with my 44's.

Welcome to the forum LJ. Rules are simple, be nice and join in.

I hunted with the 44 magnum for years and found hardcast always seemed to outperform jacketed for me. My loads consisted of a 255 grain Keith style cast bullet it 1250 fps from a 5.5 inch Redhawk or 6.5 inch Smith 29 and the same load at 1350 fps from a 7.5 inch Super Redhawk.

You might check in our loadswap section at the top of the page. Also take a look at Marshall's cast bullets in the Beartooth section at the top of the page. They are absolutely excellent. I've killed black bear out to 200 yards and deer in excess of 150 with my 44's.

Thanks for the reply, Bob. I will check out the links you pointed out.

I really wish I had a place to do my own reloading. I used to just about drive nails with my 7.5" SBH. I shot the 240 XTP over 21 grains of W296 and that gun was just deadly. I shot it with open sights and it would make anyone that dared to shoot it look good. I was extremely picky about the loads. I weighed every charge and it paid off. One of these days, I plan on getting another reload kit and an extra room and having some more fun. :)

I just located the ballistics for the Hornady 240 XTP. The factory loads are at 1350 fps. I wonder how the 250 LBT over the 20 grains of WC820 will compare to that?

Here's the two Rugers I used to hunt with. Both were really accurate with cast bullets. I'm just to crippled up to climb up and down the hills to do that kind of hunting anymore. Both got sold or traded for other guns. My woods carry gun now is a Taurus 41 mag Stainless Tracker.

5.5 inch 44 mag Redhawk.

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q172/faucettb/Preditor%20masters/redhawk5.jpg

7.5 inch 44 mag Super Redhawk with Aimpoint 5000.

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q172/faucettb/Preditor%20masters/RugerSRH.jpg

4 inch Taurus stainless 41 mag. 34 ounces.

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q172/faucettb/Preditor%20masters/TaurusTracker41magnum.jpg

I spent a lot of years hunting with a handgun and being that we have a really good population of black bear here in Idaho that was my favorite game.

Big hardcast lead bullets really puts the kibosh on a black bear or deer and loaded at medium velocities in the 1200 to 1400 fps range work really well at ranges out to a couple hundred yards.

You might consider one of Lee's Anniversary kits. Their about 80 bucks at places like Midway or Cabela's and all you need is a set of dies and powder, primers, cases and bullets to be set up ready to go.

If you don't have much room Lee's little hand press does well and your whole loading outfit can fit in a medium sized tackle box.

I use the same bullet Bob described over 16 grains of 2400 at a velocity of 1150 fps outof my 7.5 inch Redhawk.
http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h191/recoil_junky/IMG_0960.jpg
Yes, I know it's dirty :rolleyes: I used to shoot 240 grain XTPs over 24.8 grains of 296. These were traveling 1580 fps, and they hurt!!!

After 11 surgeries to repair my hands and wrists from too many 1" impact wrenches at work I've had to download my 44 magnum to the 255 grain Kieth bullet (429421) using either 5.5 grain of bullseye or 16 grains of 2400. Oh, I still use the hot XTP loads but I'm only good for about 12-18 rounds before I have to call it quits.

RJ