I have some 205 grain semi wadcutters, and plenty of 44 mag brass. Suggestions on light loads for family friendly shooting? Will be shooting a new model 69, 4.25”. Also, is any “filler” used or recommended in mag cases? Blessings, Rick
44 mag cases loading light
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joe44va
Member
Try Trail Boss. Fill to about 90% of the volume available after the bullet is seated. Works for me. Magnum primers work best.
A long time ago when I did not own any centerfires smaller bored than .44 Mag I loaded 180 grain cast to 700 to 750 fps. That gave give girl friends and a sister a head start with low recoil. For clean burning My favorite powders were Dupont 700x and Dupont PB which are very similar in burning rate and their small doughnut shaped flat grains. They were very accurate just not very macho.
I did not use any filler. There's no need for it and there is the risk that some of the powder will wind up in front of the filler protected from the primer. If the thought of a lot of empty space bothers you then you could substitute Red Dot which was designed to fill up space in 12 gauge trap loads. It has a similar burning rate. Its draw back is that its large round flakes do not meter consistently in many powder measures.
My theory is that new shooters become more accurate shooters in the long run if the slowly progress up through harder recoiling guns. Giving a person who has never fired a gun standard .44 Magnum cartridges is just mean. They'll tell you when they want more recoil.
I did not use any filler. There's no need for it and there is the risk that some of the powder will wind up in front of the filler protected from the primer. If the thought of a lot of empty space bothers you then you could substitute Red Dot which was designed to fill up space in 12 gauge trap loads. It has a similar burning rate. Its draw back is that its large round flakes do not meter consistently in many powder measures.
My theory is that new shooters become more accurate shooters in the long run if the slowly progress up through harder recoiling guns. Giving a person who has never fired a gun standard .44 Magnum cartridges is just mean. They'll tell you when they want more recoil.
ICTwadcutter
SWCA Member
My 44 mag plinker load using 200 grain swc is 7.7 gr universal or 8.2 gr unique. I really like these "friendly" loads out of my 4 inch M69. Accuracy is great out to 15 meters. Have not run through a chronograph but they definitely have more of a 44 special feel to them. Happy shooting. 
DWalt
Member
Back in the days when I was shooting CAS, my .44 Mag loads were usually 200 grain lead bullets over 7 grains of a fast pistol or shotgun powder (Bullseye, AA#2, 700-X, Red Dot, Clays, etc. - it doesn't make much difference which). Mild, but capable of knocking over the steel targets. Pretty much the same loading was used for .44 Special cases, but I usually dropped down to 6 grains of propellant for those. I used .44 Mags in my Rugers, .44 Specials in my carbine.
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ArchAngelCD
Moderator, SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
Nothing fancy needed here, just use 44 Special load data in the 44 Magnum case and you will have what you're looking for.
Use powders like Bullseye, W231, Zip, Red Dot, AA#2, Unique and the like.
Have fun.
Use powders like Bullseye, W231, Zip, Red Dot, AA#2, Unique and the like.
Have fun.
cowboy4evr
Member
When my sister fell and broke her wrist the Dr. told her no more shooting for several months . She didn't like the idea of that as she dearly loves shooting her Smith model 57 , 4" barrel (41 magnum) . So I loaded up some rounds using Trailboss powder . I used almost the minimum load . These worked well for her as the recoil was almost non existent .
My recommendation would be to use Trail Boss powder . Regards, Paul
My recommendation would be to use Trail Boss powder . Regards, Paul
gwpercle
Member
Little warning here , light loads in strong 44 magnum cases usually will not expand the case walls to totally seal and leave black smudges on the outside of the case wall . If it happens , it's normal .
Thinner softer 44 special will usually not do this .
Don't use fillers and do try Trailboss powder as it is designed to do exactly what you want to do .
Trailboss may reduce the case blackening because it fills or nearly fill the case .
Gary
Thinner softer 44 special will usually not do this .
Don't use fillers and do try Trailboss powder as it is designed to do exactly what you want to do .
Trailboss may reduce the case blackening because it fills or nearly fill the case .
Gary
I think you should be fine with 7 or 8 grains of Unique.
Davwingman
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200 gr. lswc or round nose & 6.0 Red dot work for me. Nice light, accurate load!
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No filler.
Use a fast pistol/shotgun powder. I use 6.5gr of Hodgdon Clays behind a 240 lswc for a 4" 903fps. WLP primer.
6 grains gets me 840fps from a 4" tube. Same load weight works with Titegroup (I like the bulk&color of Clays better - Titegroup is the color of soot and hides in the case).
DWalt
Member
Trail Boss may be OK performance-wise, but it is on the pricey side (cost per round loaded).
I load unique halfway between special and magnum. Great plinking round.
