Starting .44 Mag load

[David LaPell]

I decided with my 4-inch 29-2 .44 mag load to start off with a load of 10.0 grains of Unique behind Lyman's 250 grain SWC #429421, anyone else use a similar load? According to Lyman's Cast bullet manual, this is only .2 grains above start, but with a 4-inch barrel, should between 925-950 fps.

[David LaPell]

I decided with my 4-inch 29-2 .44 mag load to start off with a load of 10.0 grains of Unique behind Lyman's 250 grain SWC #429421, anyone else use a similar load? According to Lyman's Cast bullet manual, this is only .2 grains above start, but with a 4-inch barrel, should between 925-950 fps.

[Joni_Lynn]

I think it will be a bit quicker than that.
I use a lesser amount of Unique & a 240-250 lswc for my light 44 loads.

[max]

As usual, I tend to agree with Joni. I believe you are faster than that. I would think 7 or 8 grains would get you closer to the 900 fps number.

[Gun 4 Fun]

Joni_Lynn is right in from experience. I use 8-8.5 gr. for around 900-950 FPS with a standard primer. Most of my references list 10 gr. as a 1,000 FPS or slightly higher load. This is with 240-250 gr. cast bullets. How deep the bullet intrudes into the case will have a factor in determining speed, but those are my results with a variety of different designs.

[canoe on the yukon]

David,

I've been casting the Lyman 429421 bullet for over four decades.I have used it in the 44 magnum more than all other bullets in that caliber combined.

8.5 gr of Unique behind it has been a standard practice load for me as it's easier on the gun.I most definately use full power loads but not in great quantity.I've only chronographed that load from one particular model 29 with a 6 1/2 inch barrel and it averaged a little better than 1000 fps.As you know,any load will vary from gun to gun (regardless of barrel length)but if we estimate generically,we might say that a 4" might do a bit better than 900 fps with that load.

10 grains of Unique with that bullet is a good load (I've used it)but it will be hotter than your prediction.Without actually chronographing it,I'd estimate around 1050fps or so from your 4" 29.

[Skip Sackett]

David,
What most folks do, I am one of them too, is use a 44spl load in 44mag cases for plinking. The biggest reason for that is that there won't be a carbon ring at the end of the shorter case.

That being said, your load will be a little hotter than most of those types of rounds. Many, and some of those that have posted already in this thread, use between 7gr and 8gr of Unique behind that bullet with great success.

I'm not, and I hope this doesn't get me banned from this forum, a big fan of Unique. Something that is designed to fit most usually fits none real good.

That being said, for plinking 44spl/mags it will work fine. Like has been said already, a lighter load may be what you really want.

Depends on just what you want. Be safe in what you do though!

[canoe on the yukon]

If you use 44 special data with 44 magnum brass,you will get lower pressure,lower velocity and perhaps an incomplete burn.This is due to the increased air/powder space in the longer case.

As an example....7.5 of Unique behind that bullet in 44 special brass will be roughly duplicated by 8.5 of Unique in the 44 magnum brass.Ballistics will definately not be the same with the same charge.

[okie john]

I used 10/Unique/250 SWC in 44 Magnums for years. I'd agree that 1,050 fps is about right for this load in a 4" gun. It's accurate enough for rabbits and powerful enough for deer. It's one of the all-time great sixgun loads in my book.

The sweet spot differs with each gun, but you can go as low as 7 grains.


Okie John

[FrankD45]

For what it is worth, I loaded a batch of 240 gr Oregon Trail LCSWC over 10.0 gr of Unique. I used new Remington brass and Winchester large pistol primers and loaded to a length of 1.610. These loads clocked at 1180 fps at 10 feet. Leading was minimal and accuracy was fair.

I hope that helps,

Frank

[Mustang51]

...and at the opposite end, I recently clocked 240 gr LSWC/7.0 gr of Unique @ 830 fps from a 4" 629-5 Mountain Gun.

[max]

7.0 of Unique is my standard. I don't need any more velocity than that for what I do.

[2000Z-71]

I think it's going to be quite a bit faster than that. When I first started Cowboy Shooting, I was loading a 240gr. round nose lead bullet over 7.8 grains of Unique and a Winchester large pistol primer in a .44 mag case. The book said 940fps, actual chronograph reading out of a 7-1/2" Ruger Bisley was 1,050fps. I backed off my powder charge after that.

[David LaPell]

Actually with the 10.0 grains of Unique and the 250 grain lead bullet, the velocity was right about between 1020-1050 fps, and the recoil was very moderate even with the stag grips and 4-inch barrel.