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  #1  
Old 11-21-2010, 07:24 PM
bnewc75 bnewc75 is offline
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Default 44mag pistol & rifle (remington)

In my Nosler book the loads for pistol and rifle are very close but in my Hornady book there is quite a spread

I am hoping to load some 240g HP/XTP that I can use in my 29-2 and my 44mag rifle

any help out there?
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  #2  
Old 11-21-2010, 07:37 PM
Skip Sackett Skip Sackett is offline
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Lightbulb Not too sure about the 29 -2

Quote:
Originally Posted by bnewc75 View Post
In my Nosler book the loads for pistol and rifle are very close but in my Hornady book there is quite a spread

I am hoping to load some 240g HP/XTP that I can use in my 29-2 and my 44mag rifle

any help out there?
There were quite a few performance enhancements that have come out since the -2. Limiting your load so you don't wear it out may not give you the best results in a rifle.

I have two loads with the bullet you mention. Cranking it up to rifle velocity makes it perform much better.

All of that being said, I have two loads too. I have a lead bullet load that I use exclusively in my M629 Classic with a 5" barrel, maximum load of H110/W296 under an H&G #503 copy sized to .432". For the rifle, I have been using the 240gr XTP with a maximum charge of Lil' Gun and getting 1850fps from the longer tube.

The only reason I keep the Lil' Gun out of the revolver is because of the findings of both some on this forum and the folks at Freedom Arms.

I have shot the 240gr XTP from the handgun too, only with a maximum load of H110/W296. All of the data I am quoting is from the Hodgdon data site.

One thing to be sure to do, use a firm crimp. The bullet will jump if there isn't enough case tension or you use Remington brass and the tubular magazine of most lever guns mandate using one too.

I have shot a lot of bullets from the rifle. Winchester, Remington, bulk 240gr JSPHP, the FTX and the XTP. None have been as accurate as the XTP from my rifle. 2" groups at 100 yards is the best I have ever done though. 1" @ 50.

Hope this helps. This is a fun combination to play with, that's for sure. I am working up some 45Colt loads of the same type. High velocity rifle loads with corresponding revolver loads.

I just may have to buy the wife another hunting trip this year!
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Old 11-22-2010, 01:35 PM
bnewc75 bnewc75 is offline
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thanks for the feed back Skip!
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Old 11-22-2010, 02:22 PM
kenjen kenjen is offline
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i use 20gr. 2400 with the 240 xtp with very good results, also try the new hornady flex tip bullet, it is really accrute in my ruger red hawk and my winchester 94 44mag.
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Old 11-27-2010, 05:44 AM
Chief RID Chief RID is offline
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Anything you use in your 29-2, you can use in your rifle. Stick with the published data when handloading.
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Old 11-27-2010, 10:24 PM
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Groo here
If this is the classic pistol / rifle combo.
Pick a bullet that will feed and is safe in a lever gun
no pointed bullets[ for the tube] and rnfp's for feed [ exception Leverevolution]
Then load to work in the pistol,[the rifle will shoot them too]
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Old 11-28-2010, 12:23 PM
buck460XVR buck460XVR is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bnewc75 View Post
In my Nosler book the loads for pistol and rifle are very close but in my Hornady book there is quite a spread

I am hoping to load some 240g HP/XTP that I can use in my 29-2 and my 44mag rifle

any help out there?

23-24 gr of H110/W296, WLP primer and a FIRM crimp. The secret to accuracy with H110/W296 is a consistent crimp. I trim my brass to make sure the crimp is consistent. My 629s, 77/44 and Marlin lever all prefer the load just under 1/2 between min and max using either the 240 gr XTPs or 240 gr Nosler bullets. What shoots well in one, shoots well in all.
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Old 11-28-2010, 05:08 PM
Skip Sackett Skip Sackett is offline
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Buck,
I would really like to know how that Ruger 77/44 shoots, friend. I have two Marlins. Both 1894s but one is a CS version (octagon barrel) the other is not (round barrel). While both have Ballard type rifling, the twist rate is better suited for much heavier bullets than 240gr, at 1:38". The Ruger has a much faster twist, 1:20" and I am curious as to how the two group with the same ammo.

Everyone knows how big the Marlins tend to run in barrel size. I have a mould that casts an H&G #503 (copy) to .433" but they still won't group too well. I also have a 200gr RNFP mould from Lee that has much more bearing surface and shoots much better from the octagon barreled job.

Now, the XTP will group in at about 2" @ 100 yards from either rifle driven with the loads listed above. Run the lead to the same velocity, not the same powder charge and accuracy goes out the window, groups grow to 6" @ 100 yards.

Thanks for your help!
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crimp, hornady, m629, nosler, primer, remington, ruger, winchester

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