I have a 629 and srh, both 6.5" barrel. Just purchased both a couple months ago.

Anywho, when I bought the 629, I bought 3 boxes of pmc 180gr ammo, says 1710fps. I bought it to shoot and have brass to reload. After suffering through 2 boxes of that stuff, I had some brass.

I loaded 2 cylinder fulls for each gun, 22gr 2400, 210gr Speer gdhp, Winchester lrp. The pmc's could hit a soda bottle at 50 yards in each gun easily with open sights. The load I made hits golf balls in either gun easily, recoil is far less with the hand load vs factory. Still kicks pretty stout, but nothing like the pmc's.

I have plenty of 2400, couple pounds of blue dot, h110,and unique. 210gr,180gr, and 240gr jhp, plenty of all 3 bullet weights.

I've seen people write using 44 special loads in magnum brass, but I'm leery of that much open case space. I've never tried this, any pointers?

7 to 8 grains of Unique is a standard plinking load. It is accurate, economical and doesn't beat you or the gun up.

That's ok with copper jackets? Just want to be sure.

I load 9.5 grains of Unique with 240g cast bullets. Very comfortable load with just enough kick to let you know you’re shooting a magnum. I loaded some using H110, ...I think(don’t recall exactly) it called for 23 grains using magnum primers. Fairly snappy, but definitely not economical. I haven’t tried 2400 yet, but just found some this week.

I like 8-10 gr of unique with 240 gr cast bullets. I’ve never used jacketed in anything less than full magnum loads w/2400.
Buy a few hundred and give it a try

While I am a fan of Unique in magnum cases with 240 grain lead, I've also found that Bullseye makes a quite accurate, soft shooting, and economical load. Look it up.

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Some collect art; I shoot it!

A 44 mag load that doesn't "gobble powder" is like discussing the "fuel efficient 426 CI Hemi" gasoline engine. Just what are you supposed to put in that big case -- corn flakes? Switch to 380 ACP for powder economy.

Lyman's reloading manual list several loads with lower powder charges, none are loaded for my guns.

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S&WHF 366

Another vote for Unique. N340 is about the same. They pretty much fill the case. You can download 2400 also.

As others have posted above, a 240 grain cast bullet over 9 or 10 grains of Unique is about as good as it gets for plinking with a magnum case. Accurate, reasonable recoil and no massive muzzle blast.

If you run across 44 Special cases, just drop the load down to 8 grains and you'll be good to go.

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Keep your powder dry.

Like arjay I use 8.5 to 10 grains of Unique with a 240 cast SWC.

Not to be picky but I don't believe the Super Red Hawk ever came in a 61/2"??? If you prove me wrong I will have to start looking for 1 to go along with my others.

I shoot 5 different Redhawks and my standard load is 10gr of Unique with a 240gr coated SWC.

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"Tastes just like chicken"

I'm confused by the desired outcome by the OP. Are you trying to save money by economizing on powder consumption? (Hence the title of the thread?). If so, using jacketed bullets will eclipse any savings.
Besides this, jacketed bullets and fast powders are generally not the best combo. Light charges of powder risk a stuck bullet in the barrel. For hotter loads, heavier charges of fast powders risk rapid escalation of pressure the closer you get to max. Additionally, jacketed bullets raise pressure compared to lead bullets, all other things being equal.
If jacketed bullets are your projectile of choice, driving them with slow powders will do so in the safest way, and usually best accuracy.
For reduced loads, target use, and/or economy, lead bullets and light charges of fast powder are time proven, accurate and safe.

All this advice is just a guideline, not a hard rule.

The Unique loads previously mentioned are great with cast lead bullets in the 180-250 gr weight range. Bullseye is also superb.
It might be worth your while to get a copy of the Lyman reloading manual. They are known and respected for their wide range of tested loads with an emphasis on utlity loads on the lighter side.

Enjoy!

You know Ruger will build whatever a distributor desires.

Looks to be an RSR offering.

Ruger # 05519 is a 6.5" SRH.

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GOA
USA Shooting Supporter

For cheap .44 mag cast/plated plinking loads I'm
also a fan of unique, bullseye, titegroup and WST.

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213th FBINA

Best bang for the buck will be lead, coated, plated over fast powder. I very much enjoy 200gr slugs over 5 to 6gr of Hodgdon Clays. Very economical and this powder doesn’t leave much to clean up. I would go so far as to say cleaning the gun after 50 to 100 rounds is waste of time.

Well you got me, it’s a 7.5” barrel, model 05501, my bad.

Here’s all three of my .44’s. The eagle takes a full blast 240gr to operate the slide. Any lighter bullet and it jams, but it’s a dream to shoot. The 629 wasn’t horrible at all with the load I done, even with wood grips.

All I’m after is maximizing a can of powder while still having fun. Less recoil would be nice, but I wasn’t flinching at all with the 2400 load.

I’ve never shot any lead other than .22, have zero experience with it, but looks like I’ll have to try lead to make lighter loads, any brands in particular.


Oh, I know firsthand any big block and fuel economy aren’t even acquainted, I have a skylark with a 496, never met a gas station she didn’t love.

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Like others, I've had good luck with Unique. You might also want to take a look at Trail Boss with lead bullets.

A 240-260 gr cast bullet and 6.5 gr of Red Dot or Promo is economical, accurate, and with a 6.5" bll will be just under 1000 fps. It may leave a little sooting at the end of the case but it cleans up easily. I have found it to be accurate in a RH, BH, 29, 69, TC and a Rossi 92. Find a shotgun club and get in on a powder order and you're set for a long time.
It also is accurate in a 45 Colt.

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Front sight and squeeze

I've been loading what would be considered .44 Special loads in .44 Magnum brass for a few decades, along with .38 Special loads in .357 Magnum brass. Never had any issues. With the faster powders there's a ton of empty space in the Special cases anyway, so the small amount of additional space in the Magnum cases really doesn't make any difference.

I've had good luck with 5.0 gr of Clays behind a 200 gr plated flat nose bullet. That's a "Cowboy" load measured at 685 fps out of a 6" barrel. (I use this at the indoor range my gun club has that doesn't allow jacketed bullets or velocities over 1000 fps.)

Hodgdon has Clays load data for lead bullets between 165 gr and 240 gr.

I loaded 4.2 grains of Clays with a 200 gr coated HBWC. I would probably use slightly more next go round.

I have also loaded the same head with 5.1 grains of Winchester 231. HP 38 would work as well. It’s the same powder.

I am glad to hear you say that,, My nephew has a 44 MAG Desert Eagle,
it operates with most any factory ammo, but, we had a hard time getting it to run regularly on any powder/bullet that I could dream up.

THEN we tried 2400,, that, and a bullet over 240 grains (265 grains IIRC) that was perfect!!

It was so perfect, that my nephew gave me a 8 pound container of 2400,,
DOES ANYONE REALIZE HOW MANY DESERT EAGLE BULLETS THAT IS!!??

Anyways,, to this day,, I have plenty of 2400,,

I think the "factory" uses a powder that is capable of a harder "impact" or initial pulse, than most reloads..
I believe that is why factory ammo runs the DE so much better,,

OR, maybe the "factory" glues the bullets to the cases??

I never liked shooting the stuff we loaded for the DE in my 629,,
my 629 likes the <10 grains of Unique loads,,, (so do I!! )

Absolutely scandalous to post that magnificent collection on the S&W Forum!

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S&WHF 366

Loading lighter loads in magnum brass is fine. That's what I do.

About 9 or 10 grains of a medium fast powder makes for a good load, Unique, AA#5 etc.

I have the Lyman book on the way, only book I have is a hornady book from the early 90's, so time to update I believe.

From what I've read, lead can do fine with reduced loads and are really only for reduced loads to a certain extent, but jacketed bullets need more oomph.

I don't want a squib to knock out. Anytime I don't see the target get hit or dirt fly around, cylinder comes open, and I check the barrel.


Yup, the eagle needs the bigger oomph to operate.

The 44 Magnum is a big case with lots of volume, it takes a fair bit of powder to propel a bullet down the barrel. I'm not a fan of fast burning powders like AA#2, Bullseye, or HP38/W231 in the magnum length cases, too easy to double charge and not notice before it's too late. I prefer medium burning rate powders and 8.5 to 10 grains of Unique under a 240 grain cast lead bullet and standard large pistol primers makes for pleasant shooting and, unless you invest in 44 Special brass, a most economical load in 44 Magnum.

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VCDL, GOA, NRA

I’ve loaded quite a few 240 grain lead Loads with Bullseye over the last 30 years,Have also used Unique,For Jacketed Bullet Loads I use 2400 powder


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I loaded 12 last night. 12gr unique, 210gr gdhp. My hornady book called for 12.4gr minimum unique with 200gr xtp bullet. The book showed 1400 fps in a 7.5" sbh.

I only loaded 12 so I could try one cylinder full in each pistol, if the accuracy is close to the 2400 load, I'll be happy. If I happen to get a squib, I don't have a bunch of bullets to pull

Downloading isn't something I feel too comfy doing. But I felt the hair heavier bullet and the large gap between the magnum minimum and special maximum charge weights, I'll be ok from a squib.

I've been using Power Pistol to make 44 SPL powered loads in 44 Magnum cases and haven't had any issues. Can't remember offhand how many grains of powder but all have fired just fine.

Case volume to powder volume ratio is very important! Large case volume and small powder volume = squib load! BAD NEWS! Because the small volume of powder is allow to lay out in the bottom of the horizontal case when in the gun providing a larger surface area of powder to be ignited by the primer flash. The instantaneous pressure is greater than that of the instantaneous pressure of the same powder stacked against the base of the case when held vertical, because of surface area! I blew up a Ruger #1 experimenting with brass and low volume loads of powder! !
jcelect

BUT, was the powder that you were using Unique?,,

Some powders are specifically designed for very low volume loading.

There is a rifle equivalent to Unique, my neighbor used to reload rounds with that for his pre-teen children to shoot in a .308.
They shot LOTS, and never had a squib.

The cartridge hardly had any powder in it,, IIRC,,

To me a Magnum gets the full treatment.That's what they are meant for.But I agree that some people might want to use a somewhat reduced load...kind of a +p+ special load.
For them,here are a few recipes I've found which I load for guys and gals who want to try the big boy without going full throttle,
215gr cast with 10 gr of either Unique,Power Pistol or 800X.They all will go bang loud enough so as to bring a smile to the first time pistolero who wanted to try the beast.
Then,if he or she wants more,I'll let him or her unleash my 275gr load of H110.They generally want to go back to the 10gr recipe.

I like doing the same only with gradually changing over to a shorter and shorter barrel.

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"Tastes just like chicken"

The Skeeter load of 7.5 grains of Unique and a Lyman 429421 or clone is a great target and plinking load in .44 special cases. In a magnum case, I use the same load.

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Heavily armed old man.

My standard load for my collectable 44s.

The wrist wrenching stuff I use in a Ruger Redhawk.

But mostly I shoot 7 to 8 grains Unique with all different bullet weights.

For your first try with the 200gr plus copper bullets.........
you might try 10.5 grs of Unique to see what the load feels like and how the accuracy is.

Lots of manuals out there but you just have to pick one and see if you can find data that you feel will work for you.

Glad to see that you have lots of bullets and powder..........
Enjoy.

I put 8gr unique in a magnum case, way too much open space for my liking.

I ordered 250 starline 44 special cases, too cheap a price for me to be cheap and worry. They should be here in a few days.

My 12gr unique load was not as accurate as the 2400 load. Only thing better is unique isn't as dirty it seemed.

Thank you all for the replies.

The current formulation of Unique does burn cleaner than the original formula, but you still have to load it to mid to full power charges in order to get complete combustion of the powder.

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VCDL, GOA, NRA

I play around with 44 mag a lot...more than I do any other round. I've used 180, 200, 240, and 300g XTPs, my typical go-to is Zero 240g SJSP, and I've loaded many Missouri Hi Tek 240g projectiles as well.

Take in mind that everything I list is in MAGNUM cases.

My every day, mid magnum round is a 240g Zero SJSP over 7.5-10g of Unique (move it around for your taste). Many here have already mentioned this. On the high end of the charge, you can still get pushing 700 rounds out of a lb, that's pretty economical in my book.

180g XTPs love 25g of 2400 and are very accurate. Take in mind, this load is a thumper, but from my 7.5" super redhawk, is very manageable. That's 280 rounds to a lb. I do not like reducing 2400 as where it can be done, it is dirty that way.

For a super light load, a 240g cast bullet over 7.3 grains of Trail Boss is a serious winner, that's just under 540 loads in a 9oz jar. When I could get Missouri Cowboy #3 Hi-Tek, 500 of those and a jar of TB would only set me back $70 or so. Add in half a case of primers for a max of $30 and you're $100 in for 500 rounds, 44 mag doesn't get much cheaper than that unless you cast your own.

H110 is not to be messed with when it comes to min-max charge, it likes to fill the space so there is no economical load. 240g SJSP over 23.1g of H110 is superb from my Henry carbine...accurate but a thumper in my SRH. 303 loads/lb.

Finally, and it's not one you listed, but I've had superb luck with modern IMR 4227 and those Zero 240g SJSP. 23g of that is a very accurate round in both my Henry and SRH...but it does have a kick.

JUST BECAUSE IT WAS MENTIONED a few times, it makes sense to say it since I didn’t see anyone say it...

Never use any cast lead bullet load in your Desert Eagle. The lead will shave an enter the gas port and eventually it will wreck things that are not easy to fix.

I don't have a Desert Eagle, but I'll admit that I've had some very frustrating leading issues for some time and eventually pretty much gave up on lead. As mentioned, those softer cowboy #3 do not lead...much, but they still lead.

This is the primary reason why I just switched to those zero projectiles from Roze. They're $137 shipped for 1000. If I ordered 1000 of the CB#3 from Missouri, even with a THR discount it was $106.40+ 14 S&H...so $120.40 for 1000. The extra $17/1000 for jacketed projectiles that I can literally push however and how hard I like with zero leading is well worth that.

I know some people have lead projectiles down to a science, but I don't have the time or the drive to do that right now. I've had back luck with lead 44 and 9mm projectiles, even hi-tek coated. The only loads I've had any luck with are 38 special.

Currently my 2 favorite 44Mag Reloads:
(I only use 44Rem Mag Cartridges in 44Mag Revolvers
and 44S&W Special in 44Spl Revolvers).

240gr Lead Round Nose Flat Point
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.

I really like this 44Rem Mag Reload and taking
this Hunting:
44cal 240gr .431dia SWC
8.5grs Alliant Unique/CCI #300 LP
Brass is Starline brass.
Crimp is what I call medium roll crimp.
FPS approximately 1000.
Bullets tumbled lube with Ben's Liquid Lube,
for Lead free barrel performance.
Primers are getting flat.
No black soot any where on the Cartridge (sealing in the
chamber).

Cost to reload 50 rounds is about $8.50.

The Best to you and your Endeavors.

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SD social distanc'n since 1889

I have been a 44mag shooter for almost 45y. I have never understood buying a magnum to shoot powder puff loads. I have an older rbh I have actually shot loose, it has had that 10s of 1000s of full power loads thru it. I used to run my N frames hard but after retiming one, they no longer get full power load.
So today I run 3/4 max loads in my my mags. Mostly to extend their life but also because at 64, its starting to wear on me a bit. For 1000fps loads, you really need nothing more than Unique & 240-250gr bullets. For hunting, not much in NA will stop a 250-270gr solid @ 1250fps. Adding another 150fps is just adding recoil. For that reason I pretty much moved off h110/296 & back to 2400. Though I do want to try some aa#9.

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NRA Cert. Inst. IDPA CSO

100% My Super Redhawk is a sturdy magnum...and my loads reflect that. I've made some boomers for it, and they definitely tell me what time it is, but I don't often do that. I'll admit that I really do not enjoy puffer loads in the thing, it's almost boring. Like you said, a 240 projectile pushed at 1000 fps is perfect. 10 grains of Unique under those Zero 240g SJSP got me 1095 fps average from a 7.5" barrel. That's a solid, mid-magnum load in my book.

When I really wan't to ring my bell, I'll shoot a 240g projectile from my 460 at 2000 fps...now that's a screamer.

I really do not like H110 loads in my SRH, but they are superb in my Henry. I haven't used accurate No9, but I have used ACC No7 and it produces a sharp, unplesant recoil in the SRH. Funny enough, they are very accurate loads to 50 yds in my Henry. Strange.

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.

The weeny loads are for people who like the gun but don't want beat to death shooting it. Or in my case trying to be cheap with powder, I don't hunt and neither of these are for home defense, just demolishing golf balls for fun. I love them both and enjoy shooting both, which means powder disappears in a hurry.

My recoil limit was found with a 329pd I had, I tried several different reloads, mid range magnums were tolerable but couldn't hit a barn door at 25 yards, full throttle 240gr jhp were tac drivers, but my hands were in agony after one cylinder, and that's with rubber grips. Wood brought blood.

Recoil is funny. I can take out harsh recoil when it is the kind that is like getting punched in the palm. When that gets to the point where it hurts your wrist (aka 500 S&W), I stop enjoying it.

Small (or super light) guns are completely different, they flat out sting and I don't like that at all. I've shot some very lightweight guns that are super unpleasant to shoot.

It's funny, I can take the whomp on my hand from my 460 x-frame, but despise the crack on my mitt from a small gun like a j-frame with hot loads. It's been some time, but I recall some of the micro semi-auto's in 9mm being miserable as well. It's just a 9mm, but it is still awful.

For a long time my CAS .44 Mag load (rifle and revolver) was a 240 grain SWC lead bullet and 7 grains of any faster powder - Bullseye, Red Dot, Clays, 700-X, AA #2. Didn't seem to make much difference which one. I'd drop one grain in .44 Special cases. At one time, my favorite "hot" .44 Mag load was the same 240 grain lead bullet and 11 grains of Red Dot.

FWIW, and just an old guys wandering mind. I've been seeing a lot of threads concerning larger caliber cartridges "loaded down" for whatever reasons lately. Just glancing at the 31st thread on this subject this week I thought of someone asking "How do I get better gas mileage, the same as my Corolla, with my 454 Chevy?"...

If I was wanting a low recoiling gun, it would be chambered for a low recoil caliber. I've been shooting 44 Magnums since 1990 and have never wanted, needed a low recoiling or "low powder charge" for any of my 5 guns. When I want a softer shooter, I'll pick up my 4" 38 Special, or my Ruger Single Six.

Not criticizing the OP, no offence intended, just thinking. If I don't want to spend a lot of money on gas, I'll leave my Chevy PU (with Big Block and a carburetor that looks like a 5 gallon bucket) in the garage and drive my Tacoma...

First off, I do not hand load anymore, but did for decades. I do not like Bullseye, as i believe it to be a dirty powder. I also do not like very small loads of powder where there is lots of room for a mistaken double charge. I loaded a lot of 44 mag cases, and used nothing but 2400. Why 2400, slower burning, less perceived recoil, and if you double charge by mistake, the powder spills and goes all over the place.

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Pete
I ain't no fortunate son

Here is a good reason for doing a bit of down loading. I know it does not look that terrible, but until you spend about 4-5 minutes with your thumb caught in a conibear trap, you will never know the feeling. At first I had thoughts of loosing the thumb. There is virtually no way to get one of these off your hand by yourself---especially when it is on your dominate hand. Thankfully wife was home and heard me screaming like a school girl on my way to the house. Between us it was all we could do to get my thumb free. This particular hand/thumb has also have numerous previous surgeries so is filled with scar tissue. This conibear incident happened in early April right when Corona stuff was just getting started. I wanted no part of an ER visit so just iced it for a couple of hours then babied it for a month or better. Still every time I bump it just right, the throbbing starts all over. Not sure if it was actually broken, but it sure hurt like the dickens for weeks. So for the summer I have not even tried a full bore 44 mag load yet.

Life Lesson learned---never play with tight springs because they can hurt you real bad or even kill you (think garage door springs).

The conibear traps have been hung up forever and replaced by Duke traps. Still a tight spring but much easier to deal with and quite effective.

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"Tastes just like chicken"