Light target load needed for 44 mag and special

HappyHunter · Jan 2, 2015

Need a light target load for a friends 6inch 629.

Also need same for 5 inch model of 1950, 44 special.

I use a 44 mag load in a 7-1/2 inch super redhawk of 240 gr SWC over 7.0 gr of unique and really like accuracy. I hope to use this bullet and .430 flat nose round point 200 gr cowboy bullet.

Any thoughts?

Thanks,

Fred

Fishinfool · Jan 2, 2015

I have used 5.5 to 6.0 grains of Red Dot in a 44 spl. case, and 6.0 to 6.5 grains in a 44 mag case with a 240 cast lead bullet for years with complete satisfaction. All chrono under 1000 fps, and are clean and accurate. I usually don't shoot 200 grain bullets in my .44's, but see no reason similar Red Dot loads would not work well.

Larry

ironhead7544 · Jan 2, 2015

Start loads of Unique will work as a light load. Might have to vary it a bit for best accuracy.

Trail Boss works well also. A max load with the 200 gr cast rnfp will go 950 fps from a 5.5 inch barrel in 44 Magnum. No leading.

HappyHunter · Jan 2, 2015

Thanks for suggestions.

I will be trying loads of red dot. Ben meaning to try this in a few other loads as well, be a good time to bust it out.

Fred

MikeyB · Jan 2, 2015

6.0gr of Unique works very for me using 240gr LSWC in my 4" 1950 and 3" 24-3's.

max · Jan 2, 2015

7.0 of Unique in the mag case and 5.0 to 6.0 in the special case.

2152hq · Jan 3, 2015

I use 5gr Bullseye w/a 200gr cast lead FNRP bullet in 44Spec.
Same load w/a 240gr LSW also.
That's right off the Alliant loading site.

The first is in their Cowboy load section and is listed as a max of 6.4gr,,but I stop at 5gr.
The 240gr load is in the regular handgun section and
is listed up to 5.2 gr. Max.
They go thru a couple of TL's, a Colt SAA and a Colt '72 OpenTop repro.
Nice accurate loads that don't rattle the guns or the shooter.
I use more of the 200 gr FN bullets as I also load them for a couple of 44-40 cal '73 Winchesters and a 92 carbine. I use Red Dot loads in them,,go figure. I think my twisted figuring at some point was that RedDot was the better (smokeless) powder for the 1873's which are both built in the 1880's. So far they've held together just fine.

Red dot is another good choice for the 44Sp. I use a lot of it in other calibers like that 44-40, and 38sp plus just about any centerfire rifle w/reduced loads..
For some reason I tried & stuck with BE with the 44SP and have had nice results with it in these loads. I don't like to change much if it works OK.

Don't have a 44mag.

alwslate · Jan 3, 2015

An accurate load in my 4" 29-2 is 6.2 grs Bullseye under a 250 gr cast
SWC in magnum brass. Velocity out of the 4" barrel is 830 fps.

AveragEd · Jan 3, 2015

My target load for my .44s is a 240-grain cast semi-wadcutter from either Missouri Bullets or Precision Delta over 10.0 grains of IMR SR4756, which has been discontinued. But my former load was the same bullet over 5.5 grains of Hodgdon's Clays which unfortunately is in short supply right now, a condition that is supposed to improve during this quarter of 2015. Both are very accurate, mild recoiling and super-clean.

Ed

mikld · Jan 3, 2015

For your "light" Magnum loads, use Special data in Magnum brass, right outta your manual. Nope you won't get any bullets stuck in your barrel, but some light easy shooting loads, even with higher .44 Special velocities. I have reloaded my .44 Magnums with .22 Short "equivalent", 123 gr. round balls (light Bullseye charges) up to 265 gr. barn burners (with hefty 2400 and WC820 loads). The .44 Special loads in Magnum brass will be slower than the listed .44 Special velocities because of the larger case capacity and resulting lower velocity...

The Norseman · Jan 3, 2015

44Mag slow and fast

2 favorite reloads currently:
Lead Boolit: 240gr SWC or LRNFP/ American Select (Alliant),
CCI Large Pistol #300, / Remington or Winchester case / FPS 850 / firm crimp at crimp groove.
Tumble Lubed with Ben's L.L. (easy to make).

240 gr XTP Hornady w/cannelure (.430 dia) / Winchester 296 /
CCI Large Pistol #300 / R-P (Remington case) / FPS 1290 / crimped firm at cannelure.

I also like Unique recipes. Sometime I use Bullseye.
Check reloading references for use of these.

Shooter6br · Jan 3, 2015

For me Unique 8 g with 250 g Keith for target . 2400 for hunting (Contender 14 in 44 mag)

arjay · Jan 3, 2015

7-10 grs of unique in a mag case with a 240 gr lswc gives you a nice selection of power and 21 gr of 2400 will magnumize it.

jimbo728 · Jan 3, 2015

5gr of 231 to 5.5 gr always was light and fun for me in .44 mag cases.
But good luck finding 231. Same charge with HP 38 is nice too. I was using 240gr cast bullets.
Jim

Smith&WessonM629C · Jan 3, 2015

I use 7.5gr of Hogdon Clays with 240gr plated lead berry's bullets for my plinking loads. Very accurate and still hard hitting. Unless my Buddy's Chronograph is broken they hover around 1027fps + or - 50FPS for difference between my S&W 629C 5" and my Super Redhawk Ruger 7.5".

Snapping Twig · Jan 3, 2015

In a magnum case I use 7g W231/HP38 under a 250g SWC.

In a Special case I use 6.5g W231/HP38 with the same bullet.

Either way, it's A-OK!

HappyHunter · Jan 3, 2015

I USE HP-38/Win 238 whenever I can...I have a lot on hand. Just loaded red dot and 238 loads up in 200 and 240 gr bullets. Hope to,get to range next week.

Thanks for all the advice,

Fred

Light target load needed for 44 mag and special

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