|
|
02-06-2020, 08:23 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 484
Likes: 15
Liked 328 Times in 158 Posts
|
|
Light 44 loads
What is your favorite light .44 Mag lead loads. I'm shooting a Ruger Super Black Hawk with 10" barrel that just shoots awesome with 23.5 gr of 296 and 240 jacketed bullets, but I found a great deal on 1000 Hard Cast 240's I'm going to try.
|
02-06-2020, 09:00 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: for now ,Texas
Posts: 2,741
Likes: 186
Liked 3,300 Times in 1,525 Posts
|
|
Try 5.0 grs of Bullseye ,Red Dot , titegroup or 700x with your 240 gr bullets . For light fun shooting . Regards Paul
Last edited by cowboy4evr; 02-06-2020 at 11:25 PM.
|
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
|
|
02-06-2020, 09:04 PM
|
Banned
|
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Bolivar, MO
Posts: 6,360
Likes: 3,558
Liked 3,242 Times in 1,100 Posts
|
|
7gr 700x
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk
|
02-06-2020, 09:09 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Moscow, Idaho USA
Posts: 2,656
Likes: 9,623
Liked 1,696 Times in 679 Posts
|
|
8-8.5 Power Pistol or 8.0 Unique
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
02-06-2020, 09:20 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Colorado
Posts: 15,134
Likes: 91,857
Liked 26,392 Times in 8,412 Posts
|
|
I like ten grains of unique,but I’ve gone as low as 7 grains using data intended for swaged lead rather than cast. If you go that low watch out for bullets sticking in that long barrel
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
02-06-2020, 09:32 PM
|
SWCA Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Indiana
Posts: 11,950
Likes: 10,131
Liked 10,121 Times in 4,796 Posts
|
|
Lately I’ve been using a 250-gr LFN and 7.0-grs of W231 or HP38. Its a real cream puff - about like a .45 Auto, but with a 20-grs heavier bullet. It clocks 840 FPS from my 4-inch M29. A firm crimp helps keep the velocities to less than 50 FPS extreme spread for six rounds, according to my initial tests. I’ve only tested accuracy to 25-yards. It shoots better than I can hold. FWIW...
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
02-06-2020, 11:08 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: East TN
Posts: 940
Likes: 173
Liked 343 Times in 85 Posts
|
|
Consider Trail Boss - designed to fill the cases of older cartridges and shoots accurately and burns clean. It is a bit more expensive but great for 700 fps loads with 240 gr hard cast lead.
|
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
|
|
02-06-2020, 11:28 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 375
Likes: 87
Liked 210 Times in 112 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by cowboy4evr
Try 5.0 grs of Bullseye ,Red Dot , titegroup or 700x with your 240 gr bullets . For light fun shooting . Regards Paul
|
One of my most accurate really light loads is 5 grains of Bullseye under a Campro 240 grain plated bullet. Though with that ten inch barrel I’d probably go a bit higher as I’m shooting it out of a 5-1/2” SBH.
Last edited by Carrier; 02-06-2020 at 11:30 PM.
|
02-06-2020, 11:42 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Southeastern Illinois
Posts: 190
Likes: 0
Liked 86 Times in 39 Posts
|
|
For a .44 mag target load, I use 7.5 gr Winchester Super Target (WST) with a 240 gr LSWC. Easy to shoot, all day long.
In fact, I use WST (different grain weights of course) for all my target loads of .38 spl, .357 mag, and .41 mag. One powder does it all and is not a dirty powder.
|
02-06-2020, 11:55 PM
|
Banned
|
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: TX
Posts: 1,480
Likes: 10
Liked 2,152 Times in 854 Posts
|
|
Depends what you mean by "light."
The 5 grain Bullseye load pushing a 240 grain hardcast is 44 special territory
Or you can do what I did. Make a load of about 1000 or 1050 fps. Stronger than a special, fun to shoot. But not a magnum.
I use Accurate Arms powder. They don't list such a load, but they do for .45 Colt. The case capacity and bullet weight are close enough, so I extrapolated. These are fun accurate loads.
|
02-07-2020, 01:44 AM
|
|
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: the ready line, N. Idaho
Posts: 1,410
Likes: 926
Liked 1,764 Times in 734 Posts
|
|
800X
Some years ago I got two 5$ cans of 800X, I'm cheap. I've been running 8.2 - 8.4 g under 240g LSWC for 800 to 850 fps using WLP primer. It does not meter well so I won't get anymore. I don't want to go lower in mag cases but a IMR Handloader's Guide listed 6.9g MAX in 44 SPCL case for 695 fps. Also Max in magnum cases was 13.4g at 1395 fps. Expect leading at that pressure. Once I'm out of 800x I'll go back to 6g Red Dot taken from Speer #10 for similar performance.
__________________
"Don't Give Up the Ship"
|
02-07-2020, 02:35 AM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Northern Nevada
Posts: 1,186
Likes: 957
Liked 949 Times in 419 Posts
|
|
8.5 grs of Unique under hard cast 240 gr SWC.
|
02-07-2020, 05:44 AM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Harlem, Ohio
Posts: 14,434
Likes: 23,449
Liked 26,334 Times in 9,128 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by 38SPL HV
8.5 grs of Unique under hard cast 240 gr SWC.
|
I use 44mag brass!
I have a 629 2" snubby! This load is a great load for my 64 year old thumbs! Off a sandbag rest, this load holds 2" to 2.5" at 25 yards for 6 shots! Snapping off a fast 6 at 10 yards is about 6" I smile at the thought of SIX 240 grain SWC's and what a 6" cluster would do to the center mass of a breathing target!
Ivan
|
02-07-2020, 06:33 AM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
Liked 28 Times in 13 Posts
|
|
Try 7.0 grains Titegroup under any 240-250 grain bullet.
|
02-07-2020, 08:09 AM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Virginia
Posts: 8,768
Likes: 19,517
Liked 11,868 Times in 5,390 Posts
|
|
If you have some Unique on hand, work up some loads of 8.0 to 10.0 grains in 44 Magnum brass. Odds are, somewhere in that range you are going to find a mild shooting, very accurate cast 240 grain load.
__________________
VCDL, GOA, NRA
|
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
|
|
02-07-2020, 09:10 AM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Black Hills South Dakota
Posts: 1,765
Likes: 9,060
Liked 2,988 Times in 1,128 Posts
|
|
Lights Out
My current, go to, plinking 44 Magnum reload is;
240gr .431dia Lead Semi Wad Cutter Laser Cast bullet
5.6grs Alliant Red Dot, CCI LP #300 primer
Brass is Winchester, Remington, Federal, Starline.
Crimp is what I call medium roll crimp.
FPS approximately 825.
Bullets tumbled lube with Ben's Liquid Lube,
for Lead free barrel performance.
Primers no where near flat.
44 S&W Special reload; .431dia. 240gr Lead
SWC Semi Wad Cutter or RNFP round nose flat
point works also..
5.0grs Alliant Red Dot, S&B LP primer or CCI LP
Brass is Winchester, Star Line, or R-P.
Crimp is what I call medium roll crimp.
FPS approximately just under 800?
Bullets tumble lubed with Ben's Liquid Lube,
for Lead free barrel performance.
Primers no where near flat.
The thing about Red Dot is it has enough bulk, that it is easy
to visually see a double charge. Also if you were to over charge
it fills the case. I'm a single stage, small batch reloader anyway.
Other powders I've used and like are; Bullseye,
Unique, American Select, and Long Shot (not much
info out there on this one), and Trail Boss.
Be safe, the Best to you and your Endeavors.
__________________
SD social distanc'n since 1889
|
02-07-2020, 10:02 AM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 492
Likes: 64
Liked 572 Times in 256 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by stansdds
If you have some Unique on hand, work up some loads of 8.0 to 10.0 grains in 44 Magnum brass. Odds are, somewhere in that range you are going to find a mild shooting, very accurate cast 240 grain load.
|
I loaded up some 8 and 8.5g Unique under 240g Missouri "44 Keith" hi-tek projectiles (in 44 magnum brass), took them out last weekend. They shot very well at 25 yds and were very comfortable to shoot.
...then I broke out my thunder-crackin' 180g XTP over 25g of 2400...boy, what a difference.
|
02-07-2020, 01:01 PM
|
|
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Black Hills of SD
Posts: 2,797
Likes: 2,180
Liked 4,219 Times in 1,810 Posts
|
|
Your load works great with hard cast SWC's. That is the favorite load with most of the Magnum Match shooters at My Club. Leading is minimum.
|
02-07-2020, 01:28 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: May 2012
Location: S. Orygun
Posts: 2,461
Likes: 1,963
Liked 1,827 Times in 987 Posts
|
|
Whatever load you choose, make sure your bargain bullets fit your gun."Normally" commercial cast bullets are way too hard and many too small in diameter. Measure your cylinder throats and size/purchase bullets the same diameter...
I started reloading 44 Magnums in '88 and have reloaded everything from 123 gr balls to 310 grain ingots. For light loads I often use 44 Special data, right out of my reloading manual(s). The listed velocity in the 44 Special section will be higher than the same load in Magnum brass, No big deal, and I have never stuck a bullet in any of my 5, 44 Magnum's barrels...
|
02-07-2020, 02:32 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 484
Likes: 15
Liked 328 Times in 158 Posts
|
|
.44 loads
All the throat's on my cylinders measure out at .430, and I always use Lee's tumble lube on all my cast bullets. I've found that bullets end up a .001 bigger after a tumble and I've never had leading problems. If I keep them in the 900-1000 fps range. Ive shot A Lot of cast out of .38/.357 , .41 even 9/45's but never out of a .44 Mag.
|
02-08-2020, 08:51 AM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 88
Likes: 0
Liked 46 Times in 31 Posts
|
|
I like Green Dot for my .44 target loads
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
02-25-2020, 02:03 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2001
Posts: 383
Likes: 178
Liked 110 Times in 66 Posts
|
|
I like 8.6g of Green Dot behind a 429421hp. Rem2-1/2 primers.Oal 1.710 Velocity is around 1050fps depending on bbl length.
|
02-25-2020, 03:46 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Upstate NY
Posts: 1,125
Likes: 23
Liked 2,126 Times in 588 Posts
|
|
When you say "light .44 Magnum", do you mean light .44 special, or loads that are in the realm of the .44 Magnum, just on the lighter side?
My light special is 3.5 Bullseye and a 200 grain LFN cowboy bullet. Accurate, and shoot them all day. My light .44 Magnum load is 17.5 2400 and a 250 grain Keith. Actually ,that's my ONLY .44 Magnum load, as it will do anything I need it to do, and I don't like to beat up either my gun or myself!
Last edited by Patrick L; 02-25-2020 at 03:47 PM.
|
02-26-2020, 10:04 AM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 492
Likes: 64
Liked 572 Times in 256 Posts
|
|
I've been goofing around (again) with those 240g Missouri 12 hardness projectiles that have been causing me some leading.
Last weekend, I ran them over 7-7.2g of unique in magnum cases (it was the best my Dillon thrower would do with Unique, so I allowed a range). They were extremely mild loads in my 7.5" S.Redhawk, but shot perfectly fine at 25 yds. After running a few hot FMJ loads down the barrel afterwards, there was no notable leading.
Last edited by typetwelve; 02-26-2020 at 10:05 AM.
|
02-26-2020, 09:24 PM
|
Banned
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Winchester, Wyoming
Posts: 369
Likes: 379
Liked 750 Times in 327 Posts
|
|
220 grain SWC, pushed by 9.0 grains of Unique. A very comfortable, accurate load! memtb
|
02-26-2020, 09:33 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Central VA
Posts: 2,535
Likes: 3,774
Liked 4,332 Times in 1,548 Posts
|
|
7.3 grains of Trail Boss in magnum cases with magnum primers. Assure that it isn't compressed.
__________________
Foster Positivity.
|
02-26-2020, 09:44 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Baton Rouge, La.
Posts: 6,874
Likes: 7,481
Liked 8,135 Times in 3,678 Posts
|
|
You might want to try 7.5 grains of Unique under that cast 240 grain bullet , this seems to be just about the right combination .
Load them in 44 magnum cases .
Gary
__________________
Certified Cajun
NRA Member
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
|
Posting Rules
|
|
|
|
|