Hi all, new here. going to try shooting my 629-1 4" in local range match that is trying a "revolver night"(i have been shooting my semi-autos)couple questions; I'm using a 200 gr .429 cooper plated bullet with 231 powder (what i have on hand that i use in 9mm & 45acp) I have some(not a lot) spl. and (plenty)mag. brass. I have seen 4.7 as min. in spl. and i loaded some at 5.0 in spl. brass to test and found them very mild and pleasant to shoot. I was told that if I use that small amount of powder in the mag brass I'd get a higher pressure spike ? I don't understand that ? I don't have a lot of spl. brass. but at the same time will I have more problems ejecting the longer mag. brass if it is safe to use at that powder level ?
thank you for any info. you can offer, MR.B

Take the max 44 Special load for your powder and bullet, and load it in 44 mag cases. I've done it for 12 years to get a soft shooting 44 mag load for new shooters. Ok, it's a mouse gasp load but you shot a 44 magnum -- go ahead and smile.

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S&WHF 366

Any time you move a load to a bigger case, all else being equal except the overall cartridge length, you will go down in pressure.

If you seat the bullet deeper, or put the same load in a smaller case, the pressure goes up, sometimes dramatically.

On a low pressure target load like that, you are fine to load it in the magnum case. Seat the bullet to the same depth from the case mouth as on the Special cases.

I've never used 231 in my entire reloading career but do shoot a lot of target loads in 44 Magnum cases.

I load the light and medium target load recipes recommended by Elmer Kieth.Both a very accurate in a 3" 629-4 Backpacker and a 4" 629-4 Mountain Gun

240gr Hard Cast LSWC bullet over 5.0gr of Bullseye 1.600 OAL
240gr Hard Cast LSWC bullet over 8.5gr of Unique 1.600 OAL

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NEVER GIVE UP YOUR GUN

thank you ,toolguy, that's what i was thinking about the pressures. didn't sound right to me. wanted to get more opinion's before exploring into the unknown !
Engineer1911, my goal is NOT anywhere near any max. load ! just the opposite,I'm thinking min. load ! I'll be punching holes in paper and want a soft recoil/easily controlled load, indoor range max.40-50' max ! no squibs though ! and concerned about longer brass ejecting cleanly during "speed loading"? thank you,

stakeout, for lightest recoil I got the 200 gr cooper bullets (couldn't find any lighter !) and no lead or even coated lead as they smoke to much for indoor use.
please keep in mind I'm going after fast shooting,fast follow up shots, indoors at short ranges and "speed reloads". thank you all.

Powder coated bullets would be better for lighter loads and shouldn't smoke anymore than your average bullet. I shoot 15 round strings in 15 seconds out of a 1911 and don't notice any smoke. Lead has less friction than copper and will be less likely to get stuck in the barrel.

thank you reddog, while getting back into match shooting I experimented with the coated bullets in my semi's and found they do smoke less but were still causing issues indoors. I tried most brands,colors of bullets. finally decided just go with copper coated/jacketed and be done with it ! I didn't have any squibs and good accuracy with my trial load of 5.0 0f 231. my main concern is spl. brass or mag. brass as far as pressures go(at one point was told 44 Russian was right to use for light loads ?) and ejecting the longer brass. what oal do u use for 44 spl. ?

The smoke keeps the scorpions and other large crawlers away from my aged flesh.

I have some 200gr copper plated ordered and some Hytek coated also.These are pricey compared to the 240gr LSWC from Summer's.

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NEVER GIVE UP YOUR GUN

Well, since you have three types of bullets coming for you to shoot.........
take a load of w231 and test the lead, coated and plated bullets
and see if they smoke and how each groups and does with POA.

You should be able to find a load that will make you happy after
three or four outings.
Have fun.

What is a "cooper bullet"? Have to know.

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Gunsmithing since 1961

I believe he's referring to copper-plated. Although you could argue about the difference between a true copper jacket, and a steel-jacket clad in copper.

And of course, there are exotic "solids" used in African dangerous game rifle cartridges, which are machined from rods of various materials, like brass.

The reloading data center says 5.8 gr W231 minimum in a 44 mag case. I load 185 gr bullets with 6 gr and not had an issue. There's not much recoil in my L-frame and your N-frame should hardly twitch, LOL.

thank you all, after many trips to the range I have settled on 5.0 of 231 over the 200gr RNFP Xtereme copper jacketed bullet in the 44 spl. cases. the shorter cases seem to be more reliable ejecting when trying to reload fast.
VERY soft recoil, good point of impact (only shooting 30-40'!)
Occasionally I sneek in a cylinder of full power 44 mag and wake everybody up that's not paying attention and expecting the "lil pop"!

You might try several load manuals. Safer than Internet load data and those who put these publications together have often pressure tested the data and know what a safe and efficient minimum or mild load is.