i've decided to give handloading a try and i have read through abc's of reloading and nosler's guide and planning to get another or so. i plan to load for 2-3 handguns at first just to get the feel for it, a model 29-2 .44 magnum and a colt anaconda .45colt and maybe a colt 1911 gov't series 80. does anyone know offhand the twist rates for these barrels? from what i understand the slower the twist the lighter the bullet must be to stabilize and a faster twist can stabilize a lighter round but not vice versa.
another question is what powders, and heads are you guys (and girls) using for these calibers? for .44 i kinda want to do a slightly reduced magnum load and for the anaconda and 1911 i want to find some normal factory spec. loads. i would also like to use jacketed ammo in all calibers because when i got the m29 used it took hours to remove the leading from the previous owner and i wouldn't want it to happen again. i plan to get a few load guides eventually as well. thanks everyone!

i've decided to give handloading a try and i have read through abc's of reloading and nosler's guide and planning to get another or so. i plan to load for 2-3 handguns at first just to get the feel for it, a model 29-2 .44 magnum and a colt anaconda .45colt and maybe a colt 1911 gov't series 80. does anyone know offhand the twist rates for these barrels? from what i understand the slower the twist the lighter the bullet must be to stabilize and a faster twist can stabilize a lighter round but not vice versa.
another question is what powders, and heads are you guys (and girls) using for these calibers? for .44 i kinda want to do a slightly reduced magnum load and for the anaconda and 1911 i want to find some normal factory spec. loads. i would also like to use jacketed ammo in all calibers because when i got the m29 used it took hours to remove the leading from the previous owner and i wouldn't want it to happen again. i plan to get a few load guides eventually as well. thanks everyone!

Others with more knowledge will contribute I'm sure, but . . . twist rate on handguns is pretty much a non issue. Unstable bullets in handguns are usually the result of out of spec bullets or guns.

I feel very uncomfortable giving load data to anybody I don't know. Get a good loading manual or two. Get them first. Don't wait. Do it today. My favorites are Speer and Lyman. I also have the freebies from the powder companys and use their websites too.

Anybody else?

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It's around here somewhere!

Sir, as has been noted, twist rate isn't something to worry much about in handguns. Just stick with the "normal" bullet weights for the cartridges in question and you'll be fine.

You can run into problems in rifles when bullets and twist rates are mismatched, but even this is relatively uncommon. It happens most often with ARs and heavy-bullet loads.

Unfortunately, I can't help with jacketed-bullet handgun loads--all my handgun loading is with cast lead bullets.

Hope this helps, and Semper Fi.

Ron H.

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Wishin' don't make it so.

Yes by all means get the best loading manuals available. My start would be Lyman's as they have no connection with bullet/ powder mfg. Some good info also on the internet.

In a hand gun twist rate is not much of an issue.

Bob