44spl and WST

[Collo Rosso]

Looking to load 44 special to 700fps or so for a reproduction Colt open top. I have lots of WST and thought it would work well (great in 45acp) but I'm finding no load data. A google search didn't turn up much. At castboolits lots of guys are using it for 44 special, but nobody gave away recipes. Anybody here try it?
Trail boss seems to be the powder to use. Noticed though that it and WST follow each other in the burn chart.

[cowboy4evr]

I use WST a lot in different calibers . If it was up to me , I would use 4.0 and work up . I have used 6.0 grs with a 245 gr swc ( Keith bullet , HG 503) for about 900 fps . Sounds like a chronograph is necessary to achieve that exact velocity . You didn't mention bullet weight ? Regards, Paul

[Nevada Ed]

Some powders are not listed since they do not work well or have
high pressures when tested.

With a top break, I would use data that is listed and proven safe.

I have a lot of Alliant e3......
but I don't use it in my pistols or revolvers.

[Collo Rosso]

Originally Posted by cowboy4evr

You didn't mention bullet weight ? Regards, Paul

240gr. coated SWC.

[cowboy4evr]

Just because a powder doesn't have load data , doesn't mean it is unsafe to use in an application . Winchester has always been pretty vague on load data for some of their powders , it's very expensive and time consuming process . For your 240 gr swc , I feel the loads I posted will give you the velocity you are looking for . Like I said , start @ 4.0 and work up . I use 6.0 grs w/ a 245 gr cast bullet in a 44 spl case and get velocity in the lower 900 fps , depending on barrel length and the particular firearm . I like WST , use it in 38spl , target loads in 41 mag and it's my go to powder for 45 acp / 230 gr ball as well . Regards, Paul

[Eddie Southgate]

Originally Posted by Nevada Ed

Some powders are not listed since they do not work well or have
high pressures when tested.

With a top break, I would use data that is listed and proven safe.

I have a lot of Alliant e3......
but I don't use it in my pistols or revolvers.

He said " Open Top Colt Reproduction " not break top .

[TAROMAN]

I put a lot of load development and testing to work up a suitable load for my open top.
Tried a number of different bullets/weights and powders.
Finally arrived at the magic combination, for my gun at least:
LSWC 240 VV N320 Gr. 5.8 LO: 737 HI: 766 AVG: 755 ES: 29 SD:8.00 PF: 181 RM Colt:

Shoots exactly to the sights at 25 yards and accurate enough to shoot the rope holding Tuco's head at 50 yards:

Not sure which model the OP has, but the Richards-Mason has the rear sight notch in the hammer.
1872 is different. Don't know if this makes any difference.

[Forrest r]

4.0gr to 5.0gr of wst with the 245gr coated swc (keith/503 clone/mihec) in the 44spl.

Winchester turned a blind eye to the 44spl and would only list ww231 for any of their 44spl loads in the older ww reloading manuals (70's until hogdon bought them out). Starting loads of ww231 are extremely low pressure for auntie M's 1914 top break.

FWIW:
I set the powder measure to 5.0gr of wst and load
9mm/124gr
357mag/158gr
44spl/160gr to 245gr (swc/wc's)
45acp/200gr

[Collo Rosso]

Originally Posted by Forrest r

4.0gr to 5.0gr of wst with the 245gr coated swc (keith/503 clone/mihec) in the 44spl.

Winchester turned a blind eye to the 44spl and would only list ww231 for any of their 44spl loads in the older ww reloading manuals (70's until hogdon bought them out). Starting loads of ww231 are extremely low pressure for auntie M's 1914 top break.

FWIW:
I set the powder measure to 5.0gr of wst and load
9mm/124gr
357mag/158gr
44spl/160gr to 245gr (swc/wc's)
45acp/200gr

Sounds like the WST in 9mm story. I've got a bunch of it cause it's my favorite powder for plinking loads in 9mm, 45acp and 38spl. Now I can add 44 special to that list.

[Nevada Ed]

Oh, that kind of weapon........
I miss understood, with the info posted.

I have one of those but it is a 36 cal. Original.
It killed a deer from a porch in Calif. the same year that my father acquired it.

That 44 has to be a hoot.
Have fun.

[Stopsign32v]

Originally Posted by Collo Rosso

Looking to load 44 special to 700fps or so for a reproduction Colt open top. I have lots of WST and thought it would work well (great in 45acp) but I'm finding no load data. A google search didn't turn up much. At castboolits lots of guys are using it for 44 special, but nobody gave away recipes. Anybody here try it?
Trail boss seems to be the powder to use. Noticed though that it and WST follow each other in the burn chart.

I found tons of info and load data within 20 seconds of searching... Here are just a few of the many out there.

.44 mag WST or 231/HP38 target loads for rifle

WST for 44 Special


Wst for .44 special ? - 1911Forum

[Forrest r]

Originally Posted by Collo Rosso

Sounds like the WST in 9mm story. I've got a bunch of it cause it's my favorite powder for plinking loads in 9mm, 45acp and 38spl. Now I can add 44 special to that list.

Home cast 124gr bullets for the 9mm that are pc'd.


10-shot group with that combo pictured above @ 50ft.


500+ round range session with that combo pictured above.


WST punches bugholes in the 357/45acp/44spl also

[fredj338]

In an open top repro I would probably stick to slower powders @ really modest pressures. It may burn a bit dirty but you won't worry about pressure issues. I am a huge WST fan in service caliber loads. For bigger cases with low vel I tend to go to RedDot, but the repro, I would probably stick to Unique or maybe BE86?