44mag hunting loads

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Dragonwing

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I was lucky to score 300 rounds of Hornady 240gr XTP JSP bullets. I've been reloading target loads for years but never any rounds for hunting. This year I decided to hunt with my 629 Classic DX. The lack of powder available is limiting me to use what I have on hand. I've got 11lbs of W231 and 4lbs of Unique. Checking my manuals, it looks like the Unique may give me a small edge over the 231. I know there are better powders out there for a good performing hunting load but I don't have that option at this point. The only other powder I have for my handguns is WSF, which I use when loading my 165gr JFP's for my 40 S&W. Any suggestions you can pass on to me will be greatly appreciated.
 
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I have taken several deer with the .44 magnum in revolvers and a rifle. I strongly suggest that for hunting loads you forget Unique and 231 and find a can of 296/H110 and use 24-25.5 grns with your bullets. I know this isn’t what you want to hear but powders are out there and one pound of powder is going to be a small investment in your quest for a deer compared to your other expenses. You owe it to the game animals to use enough gun.
 
240gr JHP, Unique @ 10.7gr is max in Hornady #8, for 1200mv/766me.

Should work within reasonable range.

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I appreciate that 296/H110 are much better suited for a game stopping load, but I check regularly and there's just none of those powders available in the Spokane area. A couple of the LGS that really catered to the hand loader have closed and gone out of business. I was looking over my supplies and seeing $14.99 for 1000 primers and $18.99 for a pound of powder. Sure glad I stocked up when I did. Too bad I didn't anticipate loading for hunting rounds back then.
 
BLUEDOT37 said:
240gr JHP, Unique @ 10.7gr is max in Hornady #8, for 1200mv/766me.

Should work within reasonable range.


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Great shooting. My 629 Classic DX with 6.5" barrel included a test target shot at 25yards and had a grouping of 1". The shots on my property will be between 25-65 yards. That's why I put my scoped rifle away and decided to hunt with my 629. Unfortunately the 5 point Bull elk and 6 point(160 class) whitetail buck disappeared 2 weeks before opening weekend. I'm still trying to draw a moose permit as I've got a good Bull that's been coming through, the last 3years.
 
I use 2400 for magnum jacketed bullets and unique for leadcast target loads. I get the highest mileage out of these two powders. I can load more using less powder.
 
BLUEDOT37 said:
240gr JHP, Unique @ 10.7gr is max in Hornady #8, for 1200mv/766me.

Should work within reasonable range.

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Good shooting but if you chronograph your load you will probably see that actual velocity from your revolver is about 900 FPS, not anywhere near 1200 FPS. Not a deer hunting load in my opinion. Too many handloaders read the velocities listed in manuals and ignore the fact that the data came from long test barrels and are frankly, overly optimistic. Lyman data shows a max charge of 12.2 grs of Unique with a 240 gr JHP at 1047 fps from a vented 4” test barrel and 13.0 grs Unique with a 245 gr cast bullet at about 1145 FPS. All handloaders should own a chronograph to learn what their loads actually achieve in real firearms.
 
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During the last shortage If I was out of power for a certain purpose I would write down my 4-5 top choices (some unfamiliar) so that if I saw power somewhere I already knew it could work. Sometimes V110 might sit on a shelf because it is less popular for a 44mag even though it is one of the best.
.02
 
I don't think "normal" hunting rounds need to push the upper limit of charges. A whole lot of game has been taken with 44 Specials. I would use Unique to give a velocity high enough for the HXP's velocity threshold at the distance you will be shooting at (50 yds?).

Not an answer to your question, but I have been reloading 44 Magnums for a long while and for my hunting ammo I normally go with a 250-265 gr cast bullet (I like Ranch Dog design RNFP, accurate and efficient in my 5, 44 Magnums).
 
I would suggest loading just a few rounds of Unique starting with 9.5 , 10.0 and 10.5 . Then do the same with WSF and see which one is the most accurate . I am a real fan of WSF , but still keep Unique too . Every gun is different . Let it tell you which load it likes the best . Any of those loads will serve you well , given the right shot placement . People have " supposedly " taken deer with a 45 acp , 230 gr @ 850 fps out to about 30 yds . Regards Paul
 
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mikld said:
I don't think "normal" hunting rounds need to push the upper limit of charges. A whole lot of game has been taken with 44 Specials. I would use Unique to give a velocity high enough for the HXP's velocity threshold at the distance you will be shooting at (50 yds?).

Not an answer to your question, but I have been reloading 44 Magnums for a long while and for my hunting ammo I normally go with a 250-265 gr cast bullet (I like Ranch Dog design RNFP, accurate and efficient in my 5, 44 Magnums).
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My wife picked up one box of 250 gr of Hornady XTP's so I'll check out some of the data for that bullet as well. My longest distance would be 65 yards. I just installed a Vortex Venom on my 629 after this past hunting season. We will be snowed in for a couple of more months before I can get out for some serious test shooting.
 
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cowboy4evr said:
I would suggest loading just a few rounds of Unique starting with 9.5 , 10.0 and 10.5 . Then do the same with WSF and see which one is the most accurate . I am a real fan of WSF , but still keep Unique too . Every gun is different . Let it tell you which load it likes the best . Any of those loads will serve you well , given the right shot placement . People have " supposedly " taken deer with a 45 acp , 230 gr @ 850 fps out to about 30 yds . Regards Paul
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I always start a new load charge of powder a little below the midway charge and just below the maximum safe range. I usually end up somewhere in between for the most accurate loads. I haven't noticed much loading info on the WSF I have. I'll do a little more searching for using it in heavier bullets and larger calibers.
 
Hornady's Performance chart for that specific bullet shows effective velocities from 900 fps on up... And up, and UP...!

If you don't want to go with UNIQUE, the WIN 231 load in Hodgdons shows well in excess of 1200 fps for the very similar Nosler 240gr JHP. Both bullets have cannelures and are described as hunting bullets.

Within 100 yds that surely ought to work as designed?

Cheers!
 
Benchrest1 said:
Unique is one of the best all around powders you can use with a 44 mag.
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I agree. That said, not the best choice for your application, but it will work. The XTP operates well between 800 and 1500fps. 9 to 10 grains of Unique will get you 900-1000fps in most 6" revolvers. No need to go any higher. You don't have the right powders to safely get 1200+fps. Stay within your limitations and you'll be fine.
 
In normal length barrels, Unique will surprise a lot of folks. It does a very good job of giving about 90% of max velocity compared to Magnum powders. I have fired more Unique loads than any other powder. I use a lot of other powders and some do a better job in different applications. Meanwhile I keep a coupla xtra pounds put aside because it is so versatile and can be used for so many different things. I will stop preaching to the choir now..........
 
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To give you some real numbers, I ran some Zero 240 grain JSP bullets across my chrono loaded with 9.0 grains of Unique with CCI-300 primers a few years ago. These were shot out of my 6 1/2" barrel 629-3 Classic. The data is as follows:

Average velocity - 866 ft/sec
ES - 46 ft/sec
SD - 18 ft/sec
Temperature - 78* F

If I were loading up for hunting with those XTP bullets, I would load closer to 10 grains of Unique and maybe even a little higher.
 
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