44 Magnum loads that don't gobble powder?


That's called a 44 Special!

There is life beyond jacketed, or plated, or coated bullets. Cast bullets are still fine for shooting purposes.

8.5 grains of Unique propels a 250 grain cast lead bullet to 949 fps from the 8 3/8-inch barrel of my Smith & Wesson Model 29 and offers great accuracy and, realistically enough power to accomplish most tasks that could be asked of a handgun.

Cast bullets are economical and if you don't like lead fouling, use the powder coated varieties. Powder coating costs a bit more, but still quite a bit less than jacketed.

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VCDL, GOA, NRA

As I mentioned before, i just started goofing around with IMR 4227 and it is making some very potent, very accurate rounds. It's pushing those Zero to 1200 fps from my SRH (1400 in the Henry), which is stout recoil, yet super accurate.[/QUOTE]

While 4227 will fall short by aprox 100 to 150fps with full charge loads compared to H110 and 296,the thing has always been very accurate and much softer recoiling in all my 44s,.357 and .45 Colt.
I always use a magnum primer to spark it up.

I drive a car that can go 160mph. I don’t always drive 160 because sometimes the road is winding or I just want to enjoy the scenery. The great thing about the 44mag is it’s versatility. You can light it up or you can plink along. My economy load is 5.0 grains of Bullseye with a 240 grain lead swc bullet. Sometimes I use a plated bullet. Sometimes I use a swaged bullet. It all depends on the availability at my lgs. I get around 750fps from my 6.5 629. It’s a great load for indoors and it will shoot into one hole all day long. I have never had a squib load and it has always penetrated the paper target and the cardboard backer. I don’t bother with the 44 special cases because I have never seen the need and it’s one less thing I have to keep track of in my workspace. Don’t be afraid to throttle back and enjoy some comfortable shooting.

Loaded 50 44 specials tonight, 7gr unique 210gr bullet, 6.2gr unique 240gr bullet. I see why these are called mouse fart loads, I don't think used four tablespoons worth of powder on the whole thing,lol.

This thread got me thinking about trying some faster powders than my usual 2400 loads (17.5 for range use and 20.5 for whitetails). Loaded the following yesterday and shot them this morning. All with my standard 240 grain SWC. They all shot very well, with 'pleasant' recoil, although I did not get to chrono them.

7.0 Bullseye
8.0 grains 231
9.0 grains Unique
10.5 grains 4756

I shoot a couple of elderly Model 29s using 240 grain JSP and 19 gr of VV N110 to shoot steel. Recoil is not unpleasant and N110 is clean burning. For paper punching I use a plated 240 pill and Trail Boss. TB flakes are large and a great powder to prevent squibs. Double charges will over flow the case.

I have a 70 Challenger with a massaged 440. I can not pass a gas station.

Finally tried both loads out, they both hit golf balls at 50 yards in the 629 with open sights.

Recoil is heavily reduced, accuracy is the same, powder economy has vastly went up.

I'll keep both loads, next I'm going to try loads with 2400 and see how they shoot.

I'll keep my magnum brass, but I doubt I'll ever use it again, well, unless the itch for wild bacon comes up,lol.

Speer has non gobble 44mgs. Plastic cases and bullets that only require a primer. No recoil at all.

The difference in case length between 44 Special vs. 44 Magnum & 38 Special vs. 357 Magnum is there primarilly to prevent the latters from being loaded in the formers...

Not really designed to make more "room" for additional powder. Plenty of room (in many instances?) for a double charge, and THAT'S even worse!

I have heard of concerns in some rifle loads with some powders in extremely low temperature environments, or even the position(?) of the powder in the case, but...

I'm confident there will be some more experienced reloaders out here with more specific knowledge on this subject.

Cheers!

Luckily, I live in SW Virginia,,
I only target shoot reduced loads,,
so, I always put the target at the top of a steep grade,,
the pistol is then pointing up, causing the powder to move to the back of the case,, at the time it is fired.

I guess if I wanted to hunt, I could only use this ammo to hunt flying squirrels?

I usually only shoot revolvers, and 80-90% of the time it is reduced loads in the 629.
I have not loaded, or handled 9MM ammo in WAY over a decade.

Well, I bought a new 9MM Glock, and went to load the magazine of the pistol.

When I opened the box of ammo that came with the Glock 19, I thought they had given me 25ACP,, or something..

NO WAY could those itty bitty bullets be what our police bet their life on.

I could not get over it,, I stopped at the LGS, and bought a box of 1250FPS 10MM, for my other pistol.

The Glock will probably go in the safe,,,,

You're a better shot than I, SweetMK!