I use 7.5 grains of Unique with a 240 grain SWC. This gives me 990 fps from my 4" 629; accurate and easy to handle.

I also have tried 5.4 grains of 231 with the same bullet and got 734 fps, but not as accurate; I think I might have been better off with a softer bullet in that load.

The Unique load is as low as I have any interest in going with .44 Special for use in a Magnum. If I want to drop back below that I prefer to go with .38 Special.