44 mag 180gr lead cowboy bullet

Redneck48834 · Mar 24, 2017

I picked up a box of Hornady 180gr lead cowboy bullets to load in my 44 mags but can't seem to find much load data on them. I am currently loading with IMR 4227 and Hodgdon H110 aNY ideas on what loads would work with this set up or am I better off switching to a new powder? If a new powder what do you suggest? I got these to be a cheaper range plinker.

Wise_A · Mar 24, 2017

By the time you reach a charge that would be suitable for those powders, you'd likely exceed the velocity limitations of the bullet. Not to mention using a slower powder like H110 isn't economical unless you need it.

Virtually any powder in the slow to medium range will work well. I've loaded 180-grain RNFPs with Bullseye, Titegroup, HP-38, 700-X, and Unique with good results. Choose based on your desired velocity and recoil--faster for lighter loads.

daniel lawecki · Mar 24, 2017

Those are a soft lead and shouldn't be loaded over 900 fps. The above powders should work fine.

Ivan the Butcher · Mar 24, 2017

On any of the 45 Colt, pure soft lead Cowboy bullets, I use HP38/WW231 (5.7 grains) or Clays 9 (4.4 grains), both loads around 800fps. For Cowboy shooting on knock down targets, a hit anywhere on the plate will make them fall over with a snap!

For 44-40 I use 200 gr RNFP with 4.4 gr Clays for about 850 fps.

for 44 S&W Special I use the same 200 RNFP with 4.4gr of Clays for about 800- fps

For 44 S&W Russian I use the same 200 RNFP with 4.4 Clays for about 800+ fps

I never used 44 Mag for Cowboy Action shooting.

Ivan

gwpercle · Mar 24, 2017

Look at 44 Special data to get ideas on which powders to use with lead bullets. Stay under 1000 fps ! The soft cowboy bullets need to be around 800 fps , the powders you have are not suitable, Unique would be a better fit.
Gary

DWalt · Mar 24, 2017

With a 180 grain lead bullet in a .44 Mag case, you might try about 7 grains of Bullseye or a similar faster-burning propellant (AA#2, Clays, Red Dot, 700-X, etc.).

Qc Pistolero · Mar 24, 2017

Give 6.0gr 700X a try.I like it better than same load of Trail Boss.Besides,it doesn't have the ''funny''smell of TB.Just watch out for double loading a case.
Qc

TAROMAN · Mar 24, 2017

6.5 grains of Green Dot shot well in my 4" 29-3.

Forrest r · Mar 25, 2017

A link to hodgdon cowboy action book/published data
http://castpics.net/LoadData/Freebies/RM/Hodgdon/Hogdgon Cowboy 03.pdf

The last of what I consider the great alliant reloading manuals alliant put out.
http://castpics.net/LoadData/Freebies/RM/Alliant/Alliant_2005.pdf

There's tons of different bullets/load data in that manual including cowboy action data.

BLUEDOT37 · Mar 25, 2017

Redneck48834 said:
I picked up a box of Hornady 180gr lead cowboy bullets to load in my 44 mags but can't seem to find much load data on them.

Hornady's Reloading manual has load data using (11) different powders, all fast to medium, not the slow magnum powders you mentioned.

.

Nemo288 · Mar 25, 2017

5.5 - 6 grains Universal will give you a nice load in the magnum brass.
That's about the slowest powder I would use with your combination.
Take a look at Hodgdon's online reloading data for the 44 Special as suggested.
You can add about .5 grain to these recipes for use in the magnum brass to make up for the bigger boiler room.
There are 11 powders listed for a 185 cast bullet.
Hodgdon Pistol Reloading Data
Any of the faster to "medium" shotgun and pistol powders can be made to work in revolver target loads.
All of the powders you mentioned are at the slowest end and work better in magnum loads.
None are going to burn well with light bullets below 900 fps.

44 mag 180gr lead cowboy bullet

Redneck48834

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Wise_A

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gwpercle

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DWalt

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Qc Pistolero

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TAROMAN

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Forrest r

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