.44 target load

[Qc Pistolero]

Those over .40 revolver calibers are such that I now came to a conclusion that if you have a good quality bullet,you have to work hard to find a target load that doesn't group well.
In your .44 a WC,SWC or RNF of between 180 to 225 gr topping a small charge of any quick burning powder will give sub 2'' @25 yds without difficulty.

 

[phonejack]

Google "John Taffins Book of the .44 " go to chapter 43

 

[SLT223]

Five to six grains of Clays under a 200gr bullet in a 44 mag case will be very difficult to beat. The only issue you may have is running out of rear sight adjustment to zero elevation with the long tube and slow bullet. In other words, the rear sight not go low enough.

 

[cmj8591]

I've been using 5.0g of Bullseye with a 240 grain SWC. I had a lot of Bullseye around during the big shortage so it became my go-to for light loads. I just switched out the lead swc's for plated. They both shoot into the same hole all day long.

 

[TSQUARED]

Many years ago when the NRA used to publish load data which was not a rehash of manufacturers data the mild target load in 44 Special was a 185 gr. lead wadcutter cast bullet, 4.5 gr. Bullseye for 850 fps.

 

[TAROMAN]

Many years ago when the NRA used to publish load data which was not a rehash of manufacturers data the mild target load in 44 Special was a 185 gr. lead wadcutter cast bullet, 4.5 gr. Bullseye for 850 fps.

Exactly. My go-to target load for my 696 is the Lyman 429348 over 4.5 grains Bullseye.

Not my image, but they all look the same.
Mine goes 720 FPS in the 696.
Amazingly accurate in a 3" revolver.
Use this for my club's "short barrel" defender pistol matches.
Various targets from 10 to 25 yards, occasionally out to 50.

 

[derek45auto]

6.5gr Win231/HP38 over a cast 240gr SWC

 

[TAROMAN]

Here's another one for 44 magnum.
Missouri coated RNFP over 6.5 grains of Red Dot.
Sounds crazy, but it just works in my new Model 69.

 

[Forrest r]

Can't have enough wc's for the 44cal's. These are the main 5 that I cast/use. The 220gr bullet pictured below is actually a hbwc, the rest are wc's.

A couple of years back I took a beater (truck gun) 629 classic with a 6 1/2" bbl and did testing with 5 different bullets with several different powders. I was looking for plinking loads that would do mogb (minute of golf ball) @ 25yds, or hold the 10-ring, 1 1/2" groups. Didn't take long with the 44mag brass/629 combo to come up with a couple "plinking" loads, 13 to be exact.

The 44cal's are extremely accurate, I consider these 25yd/44spl loads junk. Those wc bullets can do better.

 

[cowboy4evr]

If you want more of a " true " wadcutter load ? In a magnum case load 3.5 grs of Bullseye powder and load those 240 gr swc's " backwards " with the base of the bullet showing . Seat the bullets full depth till the base is even with the case mouth . I have shot these @ 20 yds with real accuracy . Makes a great target load . I suggest a bench rest or sand bags to really enjoy the accuracy . Regards, Paul

 

[Engieman]

CMJ851:
"I've been using 5.0g of Bullseye with a 240 grain SWC. I had a lot of Bullseye around during the big shortage so it became my go-to for light loads. I just switched out the lead swc's for plated. They both shoot into the same hole all day long."

This was the load given to me by a good friend over 35 years ago. This is one of only two loads I have never looked back from in over 40 years of reloading. No need or even desire to try anything else. For me in this case, can't mess with perfection. Very, very accurate in my 6.5" 629 Classic. 240 grain Lead or coated bullets (Bayou, SNS or Missouri), purchased and/or cast by myself. I use .44 Special cases.

 

[Drm50]

I was hoping someone would post some 200gr WC loads for
44sp for use in M24s. I got ahold of a Lyman 185g WC mold
and have been looking for a 200g +- WC. I am on a list to
get a 200 HBWC but might be months before I get it.

Have been using Unique in all WC loads 38sp, thru 45colt with
good results.

 

[oysterer]

My pet load for my modern smith 29-6s:

Sierra 210 gr JHC 0.4295, Starline 44 special case, 8.4 gr. HS-6, CCI 350 primer

Picture 1: 4 shot group at 25 yards with a 29-6 6'' with a Leupold scope set at 5x into 1 hole.

Picture 2: 29-6 5'' off hand at 25 yards with the above load.

My pet load for older 29-2s with larger throats:
Dardas 200 gr RN 0.433 diameter, Starline 44 special case, 5.1 gr. Bullseye, CCI 300 primer. Very very accurate too.

 

[TAROMAN]

I was hoping someone would post some 200gr WC loads for
44sp for use in M24s. .

Ask and you shall receive:
LWC 200 Bullseye GR 3.8 LO 721 HI 755 AVG 742 ES 34 SD 10.86 PF 148

 

[cowboy4evr]

Turning a swc around backwards and shooting them like a wad cutter really impressed me . I had read about it before but never tried it . It saved me having to buy or cast different bullets . If using a bullet with a bevel base , then only seat the bullet to where the bevel begins . Regards, Paul