Need a good target load.

[tedog]

Could someone advise a good mild target load for 44 spl. using a H&G #68 mold & wheel weights. Thanks

[Engineer1911]

I believe a H&G mold is a 0.453" dia 200 grain 45 ACP bullet, too big for a 44 with a 0.429" bore.

44 Special, Accurate Arms powder
Powder, bullet, start, velocity, max, velocity, psi pressure, OAL

Lead Bullets
No.2 200 RN FP 5.1 875 5.6 950 14,000 1.500
No.2 220 MCB RN FP 4.8 790 5.3 900 13,980 1.535
No.2 240 LC RN FP 4.2 721 4.7 819 13,975 1.480
No.5 220 MCB RN FP 7.0 844 7.8 959 14,000 1.535

No.5 240 LC RN FP 6.1 757 6.8 860 14,000 1.480

[Nemo288]

I have found that 6 grains of Unique (or Universal) and either
a 240 SWC or a 200-210 jacketed bullet is accurate and mild
in either Special or Magnum cases. You may have to play with
bracketing (.5 grain increments 5.5-7) the loads to find what works best in your gun.
The lowest I have ever gone is 4.5 grains of PB behind a 240 SWC
(and sometimes inert filler). That one barely squirts the bullet
out but is also accurate.
Half the fun is finding the load that works for YOU.

...Nemo...

[buckbeans]

I agree with Engineer1911. The H&G 68 is my bullet for the 45 ACP not the 44mag or special.

[tedog]

Originally Posted by buckbeans

I agree with Engineer1911. The H&G 68 is my bullet for the 45 ACP not the 44mag or special.

You guys are right, I picked up the wrong mold when I was typing my post.

The mold I should have said is a lyman 429215GV. Now, let me start over, would like a mild 44 spl. target load for shooting tight groups. Thanks and sorry for the confusion.

[venomballistics]

Originally Posted by tedog

You guys are right, I picked up the wrong mold when I was typing my post.

The mold I should have said is a lyman 429215GV. Now, let me start over, would like a mild 44 spl. target load for shooting tight groups. Thanks and sorry for the confusion.

As it is fairly common to burn up specials in magnum chambered arms, I have to ask if this is the case here.
Ive yet to see a 44 magnum fire specials as accurately as the nearest equivalent load in a magnum case.
Ive fired similar bullets with more powders than I can remember.
231 did ok, Bullseye a bit better, but the load search granted Unique a permanent residence in the powder cabinet

[Nemo288]

If you are reloading there is absolutely no reason to fire special
cases in a magnum revolver. Those who have been working with
44's for awhile know that loads with 6-8 grains of Unique and
a cast bullet from 200-250 grains will do the job. Finding the
exact combination for your gun and taste is a good part of the
journey.

My previous post still stands now that we have a 44 bullet involved.

The consensus of history is that a Special recipe can be duplicated
in a Magnum case by adding .5 grain of powder to make up for
the additional space. I take this with a grain of Grex and prefer
to work up each target load from minimum if that itself doesn't
produce nice groups. Quite often it does.

If that is a 215 grain bullet, I would start with 5 grains of Universal or Unique
and work up in .5 grain increments.
Faster powder? Try 4 grains of Bullseye and work up.

...Nemo...

[tedog]

I never mentioned shooting the 44 spl. load in a 44 mag. but thanks to all for the information.

[venomballistics]

Originally Posted by tedog

I never mentioned shooting the 44 spl. load in a 44 mag. but thanks to all for the information.

I stated as such because the gun was never mentioned. Probability would state that your feeding specials through a magnum in search of a bullseye destroyer.
Reality is that we have an unknown since the gun was never mentioned.

[tedog]

Sorry about not mentioning the revolver, it's a New Model Blackhawk I got for a good price, 44 spl. Just wanted to find a nail driver load. Thanks again.

[lebomm]

My Flattop Bisley Blackhawk really likes the Skelton load, 250 SWC over 7.5 gr. Unique. A mite stiffer than factory, but well below Elmer's bear-butt kicker.

Larry

[whelenshooter]

I agree with lebomm; I've never found a better .44 Special load than a 250 gr SWC with 7.5 grains of Unique. I use it in my S&W 624 and my Bowen built .44 Special on the Ruger 50th anniversary .357 Flattop. Although I dearly love my Smith & Wessons, that Bowen Flattop is rapidly becoming my favorite handgun. The darned thing is just so elegant!

Whelenshooter

[venomballistics]

Unique behind a good 240G SWC is a good one another one is bullseye behind a 200 grain wad cutter

[larbike]

I have had really good luck with 4.0 grains of IMR Trail Boss,
240 grain LSWC and CCI 300 large pistol primer.
Light recoil, great accuracy, and a little cleaner than Unique.

Shoots 1" @ 25 yards in my Ruger Bisley flattop 44 special

[Snapping Twig]

250g cast SWC over 6.5g W231.

Mmm - mmm good!

That's a Snapper!

[tjpopkin]

I use bullet 429215 in my .44's.....
8.0-8.5gr. AA5 is one of the most accurate loads I have used.
Literally 1 hole at 25yds. in all of my S&W's, or in my Colt SAA
Terry

[Forrest r]

6.0g of universal clays
5.0g of international clays