.44 Special, 240-grain FP, 231/HP38 powder

LWG · Apr 2, 2016

First of all, I'm very sorry if folks have already answered this question, but I haven't found an answer on the Forum, in Lee's Modern Reloading, in Lyman's 9th Edition or on the Hodgdon website -- or anywhere else, for that matter.

Seeking load data (starting and max). Specifics:

Caliber: .44 Special
Bullet: 240-grain full jacket FP
Powder: Winchester 231 or Hodgdon HP-38
Firearm: Smith 29-2 (8 3/8")
Purpose: General target shooting

Many thanks in advance, gents!

UPDATE: I received the following reply from Hodgdon's Customer Service Representative:

Lead and plated bullets develop similar pressures so you can use the data for both. 4.2-5.2 grains of HP 38 for a 240 grain lead.

Mike Van Dyke
Customer Service Representative
Hodgdon Powder Company
6430 Vista Drive
Shawnee, KS 66218
913-362-9455 Ext. 109

505Gibbs · Apr 2, 2016

While I don't have a specific answer to your question your choice of powder seems awfully fast for the case capacity and choice of bullet - IMO.
Since its not on the Hogdon web site is a good indication of the incapatibilty of the combination.

rockquarry · Apr 2, 2016

Whose bullet is that? Sierra, Speer, and the Lyman Pistol & Revolver Handbook all have 240 gr. jacketed bullet data using 231/ HP-38 data, though the bullet configuration may be different.

Maybe not the optimum powder for velocity, but your choice should be a suitable one.

scattershot · Apr 2, 2016

According to Lyman's 49th edition Reloading Handbook, 240 grain JSP And 231, starting load is listed as 5.0 grains for 654 fps, and max is 5.6 grains for 759. Pressure for the max load is listed as 13,900 CUP.

Hope that helps.

MyDads38 · Apr 2, 2016

My SPEER #14 reloading manual shows 6.3 grs. W231 for either their 240 gr. #4453 JHP or 240 gr. #4457 JSP bullets. It is notated "Do Not Reduce", so this is listed as a max load. I hope this helps. Muzzle Velocity is listed as 717 FPS.

It may make a difference if it is a "Jacketed" bullet or a "Plated" bullet, do you know for sure which it is?

Ivan the Butcher · Apr 2, 2016

Also look under "Cowboy Loads" from Hodgdon, for lead bullets and W 231/HP 38.

MichiganScott · Apr 2, 2016

Are you actually using .44 Special brass and 240gr FMJ bullets for target shooting in a .44 mag revolver? I can't think of a more inappropriate combination. The manufacturers are concerned that the loads will be reduced to the point that the bullet will stick in the barrel. That's why they post "Do not reduce" warnings.

Switch to 240gr LSWC and there is a wealth of data for either Special or Magnum brass. If you are concerned about leading, use coated bullets.

alwslate · Apr 3, 2016

I'll make a couple of assumptions here, by Lyman's 9th you meant
49th and by 240 gr full jacket FP you actually have plated lead bullets.
There's nothing really wrong with your combination of components but
you could do better and you're not likely to find data on the exact load
you can put together. I think you would be better off with ordinary
lubed cast bullets with a crimping groove but your 231/HP38 powder
is fine. Assuming you are using .44 Special brass for loads to be fired
in a .44 magnum revolver just take the top load of 231 listed by
Speer of 6.3 grs, as mentioned above as a DNR load, and bump it up
a little, at least 7.0 grs or 7.5 grs, load and shoot. With a .44 mag
revolver you have a large safety margin for pressure over the listed
.44 Special data and your real risk is sticking a bullet in that long
barrel if you load too light. For the future, if asking questions about
reloading, specific details are important. One more thing, by general
target shooting I'll assume you meant plinking loads, not actual
competitive target shooting? Details, details.

LWG · Apr 3, 2016

MyDads38 said:
My SPEER #14 reloading manual shows 6.3 grs. W231 for either their 240 gr. #4453 JHP or 240 gr. #4457 JSP bullets. It is notated "Do Not Reduce", so this is listed as a max load. I hope this helps. Muzzle Velocity is listed as 717 FPS.

It may make a difference if it is a "Jacketed" bullet or a "Plated" bullet, do you know for sure which it is?

Thank you! In fact, these are Rainier copper-plated flat points. According to Rainier's website, we can treat these as we would treat typical jacketed bullets.

I turned to the Forum because I've heard/seen load data varying from 5.0 grains of 231 to 6.3 grains of 231 for this configuration. I had a guy who did the reloads for .44 Special, 240-grain, flat-point, full metal jacket, and these have worked great for years (in addition to the .44 Magnum, 240-grain, flat-point, full metal jacket rounds). Now that I'm doing the reloading, I obviously don't want to make any assumptions. (These rounds are for mere plinking at my outdoor range from 15, 20 and 25 yards.)

LWG · Apr 3, 2016

alwslate said:
I'll make a couple of assumptions here, by Lyman's 9th you meant
49th and by 240 gr full jacket FP you actually have plated lead bullets.
There's nothing really wrong with your combination of components but
you could do better and you're not likely to find data on the exact load
you can put together. I think you would be better off with ordinary
lubed cast bullets with a crimping groove but your 231/HP38 powder
is fine. Assuming you are using .44 Special brass for loads to be fired
in a .44 magnum revolver just take the top load of 231 listed by
Speer of 6.3 grs, as mentioned above as a DNR load, and bump it up
a little, at least 7.0 grs or 7.5 grs, load and shoot. With a .44 mag
revolver you have a large safety margin for pressure over the listed
.44 Special data and your real risk is sticking a bullet in that long
barrel if you load too light. For the future, if asking questions about
reloading, specific details are important. One more thing, by general
target shooting I'll assume you meant plinking loads, not actual
competitive target shooting? Details, details.

Thank you for taking the time to read and respond to my question. Much appreciated.

LWG · Apr 3, 2016

scattershot said:
According to Lyman's 49th edition Reloading Handbook, 240 grain JSP And 231, starting load is listed as 5.0 grains for 654 fps, and max is 5.6 grains for 759. Pressure for the max load is listed as 13,900 CUP.

Hope that helps.

Yes. Thank you very much for taking the time to read and respond to my question.

Snapping Twig · Apr 3, 2016

All depends on what you're shooting them in.

Unless you have a modern 44Spl like an S&W 624, 24, 696, or a Freedom Arms, stick with the published data.

Mine are S&W's, so I like a 250g hard cast SWC over 6.5g W231 for @ 850fps.

Very comfortable to shoot and accurate.

.44 Special, 240-grain FP, 231/HP38 powder

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