heavy hard cast .44 mag for model 92 lever guns?

338weatherby · Monday at 10:48 AM

I've been searching but not finding anything for heavy (280+ grain) hard casts suitable for a model '92 due to COAL. I've loaded up some 255gr Keiths that measure 1.702" and the work great in my M629 but are too long for my Chiappa 92. I see Montana Bullet makes a 260gr with a tip to crimp that is .340". That would put the COAL around 1.62-1.63" in a .44mag. Thinking of doing a dummy round with the Keith style seated to 1.63" but the profile of the projectile is different so it might not tell me anything. Does anyone have any experience shooting hardcast 44 mag in a model '92?

Greatgrandad · Monday at 11:35 AM

Not in an 1892, but in my 1894's, I have used 255's and 265's in a couple of RNFP and a long shank Lee Tumble Lube SWC non Keith type. Both have shorter noses and feed well in mine. I have some 300 grain Truncated Cone types that seat very deep and can be made to work in the 94's, but I have never really found a reason to use them. A hard cast 240-255 grain, especially in a rifle, can drive extremely deep in game. Even in my handguns, those bullets can drive 4-5+ feet deep in ballistics gel, and I have never recovered one from a deer nor cow elk.

Tiny Tim · 2024-12-10T04:50:52-0600

Have you looked att the LBT Bullet types? Montana Bullet Co sells some of their products. LBT's shop burned to the ground awhile back and the owner had a stroke, so not sure how long molds will be available.

ridgewalker · 2024-12-10T07:04:48-0600

I have some 300 gr cast bullets, but never loaded them in my '94 thinking they would not stabilize due to the twist.

338weatherby · 2024-12-10T07:18:16-0600

ridgewalker said:
I have some 300 gr cast bullets, but never loaded them in my '94 thinking they would not stabilize due to the twist.

My Chiappa has a 1-20 twist. My '92 won't cycle rounds that I use in revolvers due to length. I'm crimping at the crimp groove but am thinking maybe seat deeper and crimp above the groove? The one pic is a 240XTP COAL 1.608" and a Lyman 429215 crimped at groove COAL 1.702". The other is a dummy where I seated the 429215 as deep as I could and still crimp. This gives a COAL of 1.635". I can get this to cycle but only if I work the lever back and bump forward a bit and back again. It still hangs up.

I emailed Montana Bullet works to see if I could get a sample of this.

44 Mag, LBT, 260gr, WFN-GC - Montana Bullet Works

Pistol bullets are sold in quantities of 100 & 500/box

www.montanabulletworks.com

Sergeant Stadanko · 2024-12-10T09:09:28-0600

338weatherby said:
I've been searching but not finding anything for heavy (280+ grain) hard casts suitable for a model '92 due to COAL. I've loaded up some 255gr Keiths that measure 1.702" and the work great in my M629 but are too long for my Chiappa 92. I see Montana Bullet makes a 260gr with a tip to crimp that is .340". That would put the COAL around 1.62-1.63" in a .44mag. Thinking of doing a dummy round with the Keith style seated to 1.63" but the profile of the projectile is different so it might not tell me anything. Does anyone have any experience shooting hardcast 44 mag in a model '92?

Garrett makes exactly what you are looking for. Awesome bullets!

wvbearhunter · 2024-12-10T15:52:59-0600

I will often use 44 special brass when loading long for caliber 44 mags

338weatherby · 2024-12-10T17:09:19-0600

wvbearhunter said:
I will often use 44 special brass when loading long for caliber 44 mags

Was wanting to run them at max, hunting loads. The special will limit it.

Critter Picker · 2024-12-10T17:58:44-0600

Not familiar with your 44 rifle, but in my old 66 Smith,I would seat the long Kieth 358429 on the front driving band.

cohunt · 2024-12-10T19:22:26-0600

Turn them around backwards

heavy hard cast .44 mag for model 92 lever guns?

338weatherby

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Greatgrandad

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Tiny Tim

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ridgewalker

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338weatherby

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44 Mag, LBT, 260gr, WFN-GC - Montana Bullet Works

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Sergeant Stadanko

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