44 Rem Mag 300 gr JHP

[JD338]

I tested the Nosler 300 gr JHP with my S&W 629 Classic 44 Rem Mag.
With 20.0 grs H110, accuracy was impressive at 50 yds. I even lobed one at 100 yds and was 3" low making it doable for WT deer hunting.
At 20 yds the big 300 gr JHP went through 6 jugs of water and I recovered in in damp sand. I would say this one will go through 7 jugs!
Expansion was less than I would have expected, opening up to .676" and weighed 276.5 grs.
I also recovered one in the backstop at 75 yds. Expansion was .730" and retained a weight of 296.0 grs.
I am going to do some additional load work and also run them through the chronograph.

JD338

 

[nvbroncrider]

Pretty impressive especially the retention. Is that similar in construction to a Partition?

 

[Guy Miner]

Big, tough bullet. Very cool.

 

[CatskillCrawler]

I'd think you're in the 1300fps range with that load. Probably a bit faster. Pretty good performance for that velocity and 6 jugs is great! You don't need expansion above 1/2" for anything in the Michigan woods.

H110 is definitely the go-to powder for your heavier bullets. Very impressive.

 

[SJB358]

Jim, those look really impressive buddy. Thinking about grabbing a few 100 of them for my SBH. They look like they would do the deed on heavy game as well. Man, great recovery!

 

[FOTIS]

Yup that is what they look like from mine also Jim. I am thinking 1100 fps or so.

 

[JD338]

I agree Fotis, big and slow. I need to clock them but I think they are going in the 1100 speed bracket.

JD338

 

[SJB358]

They look pretty good Jim. Might give them a run in the 444. I would love to run them into jugs to see how tough they really are! :twisted:

I think if anything will make them expand, 2000FPS might?

 

[JD338]

Scotty

I agree with you, the 444 should be interesting with the 300 gr JHP.

JD338

 

[Scott Spencer]

Jim -

Which dies are you using to reload your .44 mag? I just became the proud owner of a 5.5" Ruger SBH (stainless) and think I might want to reload for it.

 

[JD338]

Jim -

Which dies are you using to reload your .44 mag? I just became the proud owner of a 5.5" Ruger SBH (stainless) and think I might want to reload for it.

Scott,

RCBS
Congratulations on the SBH buddy. H110 is an excellent powder in the 44 Mag.

JD338

 

[Scott Spencer]

Thanks, Jim! Are you using the carbide die set? I'll be sure to try to get some H110 tomorrow.

In the meantime I think I'll shoot some of these low cost white box Winchester bullets. I at least can start my brass collection.

 

[SJB358]

You'll love the 44! I have the 7.5" SBH Scott and it is a fun pistol for sure! Jim is right, W296 or H110 are about as good as it gets for hammering the big bullets downrange in a hurry.

 

[Scott Spencer]

Good deal, Scotty. I picked up a lb of the H110 yesterday and now need to find some bullets. I'm thinking about some lead SWC but don't really know a source for good/reputable, but cheap, lead bullets. I probably need to wander around to some cowboy action shooting sights.

 

[SJB358]

Check out the Oreegon Trail Cast bullets on Midway and other sights. They make some nice bullets. For good premium cast, Beartooth makes some nice ones too.

 

[JD338]

I clocked the 300 gr JHP load at 1196 fps @ 15'.

FWIW, the 240 gr JHP went 1339 fps and 200 gr JHP went 1512 fps.

JD338

 

[SJB358]

Man, that is some hitting power Jim.. Can't wait to try it in my SBH..

 

[JD338]

No doubt Scotty, they are going to hit hard.
My MV was better than I thought by 100 fps!

JD338

 

[SJB358]

Yeah, they are boomers Jim. I can't wait to give them a try in my SBH after I get the new front sight put on it.

 

[orchemo]

JD - Your Classic S&W a 5 inch barrel?

I have the same revolver and just picked up 400 of these bullets as I drove through Bend last week.

I have a NIB Ruger Alaskan in 454, but am thinking that these 300 gr in a 44 mag with a 5 inch barrel are pretty comparable to the 454 in a short barrel.

I can shoot the 629 pretty well. Might actually hit a deer at a distance should I ever need "survival" food. Not sure I would be able to say the same for the Alaskan.

Thoughts?