I am thinking of buying a shooter grade Mod 29-5, but I would mostly shoot 44Spcl target loads in it. If I use 2400 powder, can I load 44 Spcl loads (at, but not below, the low end of published data) in the 44 Mag brass? I figure a bulkier powder like 2400 would be ok at the low end in the 44 Mag case. Would these loads use large pistol or the magnum primers? Thanks for your input.

240 gr bullet?


Lee manual doesn't have a load for a lead 240 gr bullet in 44 special using 2400, but states 11.3 gr in a 246 gr bullet with large pistol primers.

I would be more concerned about loading magnum charges in a special case than the other way around.

Unless you just have to use 2400, there are much better powders for your intended purpose.

Unique, and 231 are two that I regularly use for that same purpose. I don't find Unique to be any dirtier than 231, and I use a lot of both. I think Unique is a more versatile powder though. You can go from mild to almost full on magnum laods with it. I prefer 2400 296/H-110 for that purpose. Some here like AAC #9 the two 4227's etc., but I have gotten the best accuracy any velocity combination with the ones I use.

Two of our favorite loads are 5.5grs Unique for a powder puff close range Cowboy shoot load and 7.5 grs Unique for a mid range super accurate load in most of our revolvers. I also have two model 92 lever guns I use in the Cowboy shoots, one is a Winchester in 44 mag that feeds anything Mag or special but the other is a Browning 92 that will only feed Mag cases reliably.We use these two loadings above in Mag brass for the Browning levers.

Thanks. I currently load 38Spcl with HP38 (aka W231) but thought a load with more volume in the case with 2400 might be better for soft loads in the large 44mag case. I certainly could try the HP38 and see how it works.

Lane Pearce in Nov 2009 SHOOTING TIMES lists his favorite loads
for the .44 Special. You should check that out. Of course, using .44 Mag brass with .44 Special loading specs, you will get a reduced velocity from what it says, due to same powder in greater case volume. Somebody can check me on this, but I suspect you would see 50 fps difference.
Lane shows about eight common powders using 240 gr SWC, so would be good reference for you. He says that the loads go from plinking to personal protection.
Sonny

+1 for the Win 231 powder. If you want 44 special loads, why not invest in a bag of 44 special brass? You can shoot them in a 44 mag and still have good time.

Shoot bells, if ur down here in south Texas, stop by and I will even give you a fist full.

__________________
Slim, U.S. Army, Ret.

If you have HP-38/231, a load of 7-7.5 grains makes a fine and pleasent load with a 240-250 grain bullet, and an standard primer in a special case. If you use magnum cases, go to 8-8.5 grains for roughly the same velocities as in the special case. You don't need magnum primers for that light a load even though that is a ball powder. I use standards for that load all the time with complete satisfaction year round.

Thank you all for the information.
Willyboy

My plinking load is 15.5 gr 2400 with cast 240gr swc in a 44mag case with Winchester Large Pistol primers. Very accurate in my 6" & 8 3/8" 629/29. Never had any issues.

I don't like alternating mag cases & special cases.

A guy here tried reducing and reducing loads with 2400 until he got an erratic mess. If you want a mild load that nearly fills the case, look at Trail Boss.