Accurate AND Cheap? 44 Magnum Budget Loads! Tests & Considerations for Berry's 240gr Target HP

[@four4bman979]

Started reloading 44 Mag about 1978. My first press was a RCBS JR3 and still run it. It is still very tight and solid. The date stamp of "78" is on top where the die is screwed in. Sill run the original RCBS dies except I upgraded to carbide sizing die. I run SuperVel 180 JHP for home protection.

[@JimHartline0306]

I really enjoyed the video, very informative. I have used Titegroup for years for all of my target loads for 38/357. 9mm, and 44mag. It's been forever since I loaded magnum loads for 357 & 44, but currently my magnum powder is the Alliant 300-MP. When I have used it up, I might switch to the H110, so I am using all my powder from the same manufacturer. For my bullets, I have used Berry, and I also also used the X-Treme plated bullets.

[@Dennisthemenace40]

While perusing the aisles at Sportsman’s Warehouse today, I happened upon the last bottle of H110. And, lo and behold, there was a box of Berry’s 240 grain flat point bullets near by. Having watched this video yesterday, I just couldn’t shake the feeling that they were left just for me. Guy, your video was timely! I’m looking forward to cooking up my own batch of Magnums 🎯

[@45-70Guy]

Berry’s bullets and home cast bullets both RN and SWC make for a lot of shooting for not a lot of money. Plus the benefits of straight wall cases lasting a long time

[@mountainmanmilitia3806]

200gr hard cast RNFP over 25 grains of IMR 4227. Gives me 1276fps out of a 4.25in combat magnum. 1400ish out of the longer barrels. Cheap to shoot, mild recoil, but a pretty decent hunting load for deer sized game.

[@hardball107]

I have used Plated bullets in the past, never the thick plate though. I cast, water quench, powder coat and resize my own 200 and 240gr 44 bullets. I have a 20" stainless Rossi lever action and I have had my cast bullets over 1750 without any leading. Between the quench to harden the bullet and the powder coating a barrel cleaning consists of a few passes with a brass brush and a swab with some mineral spirits. I like the Candy Red, with the silver bullet under the red it looks like red chrome. Accuracy is very, very good and it makes for very cheap shooting.

[@guyminer3168]

Casting your own bullets is economical and must be quite satisfying. I haven't gotten into that. Always found a source for cast bullets.

[@billythekidd623]

i love that you reload and i love you but from an blade smith quenching in water only works with carbon and iron not lead or tin

[@AlfredMarkowitz]

I have the same gun. Love it. I use same h110 and 240xtp. Also shoot hard cast home made 240gr with lee mold.

[@guyminer3168]

It's a great revolver! Glad I found a good used example.

[@guardianminifarm8005]

We have used Berry's & Ranier plated bullets over the years is all handgun calibers. But in 44 we bought 240 cast bullets bulk 1,000 a few times a year and loaded various charges for target and plinking. I had 4 different 44s at one time and my father and brother had one so we shot a lot of rounds when we got together. Unique, 2400, 231, 296, 4227 & H110 were the powders we used and still use. Magnum powders get jacket bullets and magnum primers. Thank you.

[@guyminer3168]

Thanks for the input! Much appreciated.

[@FMDad-dm5qo]

Great stuff; calmly walking us through a relatable but interesting reloading project.

[@brandonhupp464]

Ya buddy love loading the 44magnum! 🎉

[@manskull101-Clint]

Hi guy Good video. I was wondering what u think about using those same bullets in my 1965 Ruger .44 mag carbine ? (Gas operated)

[@tele1311]

Absolutely love this series of big bore videos….. maby cover some Keith stiles cast bullets….❤

[@NormanPOlt]

Buffalo Bore lists a "low recoil" 240gr load with a JHP @ 1350fps developing over 900 ft/lbs at the muzzle: your H110/WIN 296 load with a more suitable hunting bullet (and there are many that meet this definition, easily, i.e. an XTP, SPEER, Nosler, etc. ) would probably be sufficient for almost all hunting needs on the North American continent... And OVERKILL for any two-legged predators!

[@andreisharma]

Barnes xpb for actual hunting all the way

[@bradleyboots687]

Recently I've been playing with a semi-old school load and I like it. Missouri Bullet Co "Elmer K - Hi-Tek" 240 gr over either 18.5 or 20.5 grains of Aliant 2400. I like it a lot and just as I grow a fondness for it Aliant tells us no more 2400 for the foreseable future. Recoil seems comfortable, it doesn't smoke up the indore range and I'm not getting the blinding fireball on my 4" Super Blackhawk that 110 gave me.

[@guyminer3168]

2400 is a wonderful powder and I've used it many times dating back to the 1980's. I hope that Alliant will resume sales to us handloaders sometime soon.

[@FMDad-dm5qo]

@@guyminer3168 2400 is the saddest casualty of Alliant’s (hopefully temporary) retreat, followed closely by Unique.

[@guyminer3168]

@@FMDad-dm5qo - agree. Fortunately I've got quite a stash of Unique. For years that was the only handgun powder I used. Or that and Bullseye and 2400. Those three were just what I needed for any handgun loading.

[@TheRoanfourie]

Hi there, Roan here from South Africa. I am using Frontier CMJ plated bullets. It is 245 gn and NOT a hollow point. Works really well for me with 16 gn of Lovex D037.1 propellant at around 1250 fps.

[@gunman11]

Excellent job 👏, one of the best reloading videos I've seen. No b.s. just hard facts.

[@davidwade4825]

That Ruger was a wise purchase Guy. Nice to see it in your videos.

[@guyminer3168]

I really like it. :)

[@chuckkulick8635]

Hi guy luv me the 44mag my new powder is enforcer great velocity for 240 jacket but use 4227 with berry 240 plated with 20 grains for blinker I like 1200fps for that but 23.2g of 4227 is my most accurate load out of super redhawk great video keep 44mag coming

[@andrewcleveland]

My working man load in the 44 magnum has been 10 grains of unique in 240-250 gr Keith style hardcast. Used a lot of Viht 3N37 also in 255 gr wfn hardcast. I have not used H110 in quite awhile though, and I always really like 2400 powder too but have not seen any of that powder in a good while.

[@guyminer3168]

Ah, Unique and 2400 are classics for the 44 mag. I think a lot of us have used 9 - 10 grains of Unique and a 240-250 gr bullet. I've still got a lot of Unique on hand.

[@andrewcleveland]

@@guyminer3168 it’s a great combo Guy.

[@lanecoffey1310]

Love my ss super blackhawk hunter(non bisleygrip) i use hornady bullets and have found 200 gr loads have same point of impack as 265 gr flat points @ 100 yds...... loading wheel weight bullets from Lee molds with goodaccuracy!

[@Dayattherange]

Titegroup is to fast of powder for me in 44 magnum I think the faster burning powder impulse causes barrel snap. I love medium burning powder in 44Mag like HS-6.

[@troy9477]

Always nice to see Guy. Great loads. I will remember them when i start reloading again (no space now). 1100 fps sounds just right. I have a 7.5" SBH, and i would like to get a 4" or so DA, most likely a 69 or 629, but i would certainly consider a Redhawk as well. I imagine i will be shooting a lot of Berry's products. I hope to start casting someday if i have the space. But it may be hard to get lead here in Kalifornia. Range scrap may be it, but it is easy enough to use. I just watched the 10mm video as well. I imagine the 180's would be great in 40. I am sure my XD and my long serving P229 will like them. Thank you, and keep up the great content.

[@guyminer3168]

Thanks! Yes, those 1,100 fps loads were nice to shoot, and powerful enough for many purposes.

[@AllFouRoux]

I am a simple man. I see Guy Miner, I click the video.

[@guyminer3168]

Ha! Thanks.

[@randyeliason6471]

I run 240gr Hornady XTP, and 240gr Bayou LCSWC over 20.1 gr of Western Powders Enforcer in Starline cases. Those fly about 1325 fps. I found Enforcer right when China bug dropped and there was not a lot items to be found. I also cast my own 240 LCSWC ( Lyman 429421 Keith style) powder coated with Eastwood Ford Blue. All shot the same, very good accuracy. Since November 2020 when bought my SW model 629 with 6.5 in barrel, my load log shows I am past 5000 that have been sent down the pipe. Thank you for the great video Guy! Keep em coming! I am hoping to get my first white tail this year with the aforementioned tool.

[@guyminer3168]

Best of luck to you on your deer hunt!

[@randyeliason6471]

Thank you Guy! Think I will give the Tite group a try as well for practice. I have been running light loads with Unique in both magnum and special. 7.0 grains and 6.3 grain, respectively. Both are the 240 LCSWC flying about 950 fps. Trying conserve my Unique, expensive, and hard to find.

[@guyminer3168]

@@randyeliason6471 - I'm fortunate to have purchased 8 lbs of Unique prior to the shortage. That stuff lasts a long time at 8 grains per cartridge!

[@bixby9797]

BTW I've used Berry's in 327 to 10mm. They are a quality product

[@vomitingwithungodlyaccurac3218]

You guys keep making content (great content) with Berry's bullets. Do they send them to you? Are you sponsored by them? Or are they really that good?

[@johnhammer2982]

I definitely like Berry's bullets for 44 mag target loads. I'm also a big fan of Missouri Bullet Companies HCL bullets.

[@bullgiraffe]

I hate H110/W296. It is so fine grained it leaks out of my powder measures. I use Alliant 300MP. Still fairly small grained but it doesn't leak. I get pretty similar performance with it to 110 in .357 or .44 mag. Then I use CFE pistol for lighter loads and I can use that in 9mm or .40SW.

[@keithalbrecht4785]

Nicely done Guy!!! I'm going to have to try those in my Super Blackhawk!! I use Berry's 150gr. in my 30/30, they work great for plinkin'!

[@876mpr]

What an amazing range. I’d probably be too distracted by the scenery to do much shooting. That’s a really comfortable power level in a big SBH. The Berry’s are fairly economical, but I can home cast a 240 for about $.12 each.

[@guyminer3168]

Casting your own bullets is terrific! :)

[@876mpr]

@@guyminer3168 Yeah, relaxing and productive!

[@magnuskjellsson3524]

N330 7,3 grains TL 240 SWC Target lite sot på hylsan - Lite för myket sot på hylsan , men bra till fält tävlan .

[@magnuskjellsson3524]

N110 ,19,2 sierra 250 FPJ Silutet

[@cheezwizambullard]

I love Missouri Bullet Company's 240gr SWC with hi-tek coating with 9.5gr Titegroup. They sure shoot dirty though!

[@angelcapote1218]

Keep them coming. Thank you.

[@dhooter]

I could listen to that shot echo all day lol. Gods country

[@toons5233]

i do like the kind of videos like to see set up loads with the progress reloaders as well has some of the coated bullets

[@johnnymccann5607]

most people think reloading is for cheeper ammunition which thats partly true. I'm reloading 20 calibers and with over 45years experience and knowledge of many, many firearms. i look at my firearms as for self defense and hunting .the lives of my family and neighbors demands i have the best ammunition in the world for each firearm with no exceptions or excuses because i can make it happen. most factory ammunition just don't do it. a lot of factory ammunition are failures out of the box lacking what they advertise. papa wishing you well 😊

[@FunkyPertwee]

Awesome Ruger! I wish they had not discontinued the Hunter model. I don't think they offer any scope ready single action revolvers now.

[@guyminer3168]

I didn't know that it had been discontinued. Good grief!

[@wgacowboy6233]

Guy, I have the same gun. I'm young and dumb, and don't have as much time as I'd like for reloading. So to get going, I bought a thousand loaded rounds of HSM 310gr. hard cast bear load. They are loaded SAAMI specs, and use new Starline brass, which I consider a bonus. I'm not much of a lead shooter, but this hardcast leaves my bore relatively clean. I'm looking at the Burris 2-7 BDC scope. A little curious why you didn't go with a scope with magnification?

[@Funsuff724]

Thanks Guy for another great video . I like the revolver videos. Keep them coming.

[@anthonyrstrawbridge]

Looks like a good load charge and bullet. If your new to these Ruger 44's. The classic Blackhawk is smaller, lighter built, less expensive single action as opposed to the dual double/ single action heavier more expensive to build Redhawk. Adding Super to either has many variables as you'd expect. We had a Super Redhawk built in stainless with a 10.5" barrel for a family friend. It really performs well on everything. I watched drop three antelope in three seconds flat; it was easily over 100 yards.

[@paulmartin6152]

Have you tried loading Speer 240 gr SWC lead swaged bullets. Great job. Live your show.

[@guyminer3168]

Yes, I've loaded those, rather a long time ago. I think I still have a box or two of them. Found them to be accurate. Speer only shows loads for them below 1,000 fps which seems prudent as they're a soft lead.

[@billhatcher2984]

I have always been told that in a tub magazine you had to use a bullet with a canalure how are you crimping these without one

[@H.R.6688]

Thanks for another informative video,

[@MorrisOutdoors98]

Awesome video as always!! Have to try some berrys in my 44mags

[@WillardGrant]

I use 300mp powder my alliance with speer 270gr deep cruel out of my 5and half inch 44mag ruger I'm getting 1350fp

[@nathenfarmer5625]

I use lead with gas check, h 110

[@somebrains5431]

My vote is a Lee Loader and a hammer. Use the dipper to measure out powder puff loads. Go full caveman with no scale or chrono.

[@guyminer3168]

That works! We did a video on that a couple of years ago. :)

[@magnuskjellsson3524]

N 110 ,22,4 grams 250 gr FPJ .

[@dhbikerczar]

I do run berry's in my 500 mag and 357 mag. How bad is the smoke on your revolver with the H110? I mostly run that

[@rururu5630]

Can you use a roll crimp on these since there is a no cannelure? If so, how much crimp? I use these bullets all the time with a taper crimp for semi-autos.

[@guyminer3168]

Yes, can roll crimp, but ya gotta keep it light to avoid breaking the plating.

[@moushunter]

I usually cast my own 44 bullets (Lee tumble lube mold) but I have tried some Extreme brand plated bullets with great results. In 40S&W and 45acp I've had issues with Berry's bullets skinning on the case mouths. The case mouths are flared properly so I'm guessing there is an issue with some being out of round or oversized. Over a box of 500 .401 165 grain bullets probably 30 of them got shaved while seating and then hung up in the crimp die. In the dozen or so Extreme bullets I've used I haven't skinned one yet from .380 to 45 including a 30-30 bullet.

[@guyminer3168]

Interesting. I haven't had that problem yet, after years of loading Berry's for both revolver and semi-auto.

[@lens7859]

That was great accuracy, too hard on yourself. You probably won’t take the shot at 100 yards with a handgun, I wouldn’t either.

[@davidwade4825]

Remember my TiteGroup experience. Probably my fault, but I still don't know what happened.

[@guyminer3168]

Yes. Thanks for the reminder!

[@willbyrd3445]

Using 350gr in bfr4570

[@georgelynn2413]

Were you still using the berrys on both loads?

[@guyminer3168]

Yes. Same bullet, very different performance from the two powders.

[@georgelynn2413]

@@guyminer3168 thank you. Just received my box of 500 Berrys yesterday. I've got a nice older Ruger Black Hawk that needs to see some use..

[@guyminer3168]

@@georgelynn2413 - excellent! Please let us know how it works out for you. I shoot a lot of Berry's bullets from my handguns and my lever actino rifles.

[@Uncle_Bucks_Forge]

I was glad to see you cock that single action with your left thumb. That is faster plus you don't lose your grip with the right hand.

[@guyminer3168]

Ah, thanks for spotting that. Learned that a long time ago from a serious revolver shooter.

[@Uncle_Bucks_Forge]

@@guyminer3168 I have been shooting my revolvers that way for 35-40 years. I think I may be one of the only guys still shooting revolvers at our club in Ohio. I'm pretty sure I'm all alone shooting the .44 Mag. I've taken 2 whitetails with my Ruger Super Blackhawk.

[@guyminer3168]

@@Uncle_Bucks_Forge - outstanding! It's funny after my military and law enforcement careers, I found myself drawn back to the world of revolvers... They're good looking and shoot great. I shoot a lot of double - action revolver, 357 and 44 as well.

[@ccassidy43montana]

Did you test any thru a lever gun? I've tried berrys thru a ruger blackhawk and get great accuracy, but in a 20 inch henry my accuracy went to crap...

[@johnalling]

did you have any keyhole out of rifle ?

[@ccassidy43montana]

​@johnalling some.. and I think I figured out my velocities were a tad too high... the copper plating was coming off, specks of it on my paper targets.. I was under max velocity.. I reduced my powder charge and they grouped better.. maybe the longer barrel did something to the plating?

[@hessmedstorparn]

Very nice

[@WayStedYou]

Berry the lead.

[@mtnshooter2487]

and then you download to 44 special vol ?

[@andreisharma]

Do 5 of titegroup

[@brianbadger2234]

What are you going to do now that KZbin has banned reloading and gunsmithing?

[@Ultimatereloader]

We always monitor the ever-evolving threat to our free speech. The upcoming policy changes shouldn't affect us much. We are already demonetized fully.

[@MrAndrew2456]

Hey, first comment. Told my mom I'd add up to something

[@normrodriguez9306]

Are you crimping?

[@1hunterdale]

460 mag kills shit dead 44 mag waist time

[@timvest8141]

What kind of stupid statement is that?