Good, light 44 spl load

Ceapea · #1 11-03-2010, 11:51 AM

I am in need of a light load for PPC shooting in 44 spl. I have a ton of 160gr LSWC bullets and a good variety of powders. I know that 44 is not the preferred caliber for PPC, but my 4" 629 has a better trigger than my GP100 in 357.
Thanks.

Marksman · #2 11-05-2010, 06:46 AM

I have shot .44 Special since the 1970's, I don't have any experience with the 160gr. SWC bullet that you mention. My light load for .44 Special consists of 200gr. RNFP bullet over 3.5gr. Bullseye. Doesn't the manufacturer of your bullet list any loading information?

GFU · #3 11-05-2010, 09:24 AM

For light loads I don't think you can beet Trail Boss.

From their website:

Bullet: 165 GR. LRNFP Dia. .430" COL: 1.365"
Trail Boss 4.8 865 10,700 CUP 7.0 1005 12,100 CUP

GFU · #4 11-05-2010, 09:29 AM

This link gives you a procedure to calculate reduced loads with trail boss.

have fun

http://www.imrpowder.com/PDF/Trail-Boss-data.pdf

Hammerdown77 · #5 11-05-2010, 10:46 AM

+1 to Trail Boss for light loads.

vico512 · #6 11-05-2010, 11:05 AM

Yep, another + vote. I use Trail Boss for the light loads in my .44 Mag -- impossible to double-charge the case. You can shoot those suckers all day, sans glove!

VAdoublegunner · #7 11-05-2010, 02:54 PM

Trail Boss would be my choice as well.

Another option is a light charge of Red Dot. While the risk of a double charge is there, with a light charge 44SP in a 629 it is probably somewhat less of a risk. But you could get a whole lot of loads out of a pound of Red Dot!

Ceapea · #8 11-06-2010, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marksman

I have shot .44 Special since the 1970's, I don't have any experience with the 160gr. SWC bullet that you mention. My light load for .44 Special consists of 200gr. RNFP bullet over 3.5gr. Bullseye. Doesn't the manufacturer of your bullet list any loading information?

They are Huntrers brand bullets, round nosed flat points actually. They were on clearance from Midway USA...they still have some too.
I have emailed Hunters before on load data for some of their other bullets, no answer. I'll try to call them during the upcoming week.
I did pick up 5 lbs of Trail Boss and will try some loads with it soon.

Thanks.

Jellybean · #9 11-06-2010, 10:37 AM

I vote for Bullseye too. I'd start with 3 or 4 grains and adjust as needed. In PPC a lot of shooters prefer larger diameter bullets for scoring purposes. Also the .44 spl. used to be highly preferred for accuracy shooting.

Marksman · #10 11-06-2010, 11:22 AM

With the 3.5gr. Bullseye charge you get 2K loads out of a pound of powder, with powder at or near $24.00 a pound that's a penny a load for powder. Guys who buy the 8# keg reduce their cost even more.

TSQUARED · #11 11-06-2010, 05:10 PM

I use 4.2 gr. Trail Boss with the 245 gr. LSWC - it's a mild and accurate load in my Model 624. The Hodgdon manual lists the following for 160-165gr LRNFP:
4.8 gr. Tail Boss = 865 fps = 10700 cup
7.0 gr. Tasril Boss = 1005 fps = 121000 cup

Skip Sackett · #12 11-06-2010, 07:32 PM

I've used my M629 Classic with a 5" barrel in PPC. I've used 200gr LRNFP cowboy bullets in it though, never any lighter. I pushed them with Bullseye, seems like 4.5gr. Not sure where I got the recipe, but they were tack drivers from the heavy barreled handgun. I used mine too because it had a better trigger.

Best to you in your endeavors.