.44 Mag IMR800x

[dnonac]

Hey guys...been on the site for a while but brand new to reloading. I'm using a Lee Deluxe 4 hole turret loader and just loaded my first .45 ACP rounds. I did have a few FTF's because the primers didn't fire. The primers were flush with good deep firing pin strikes. A couple of them required several strikes to ignite. I'm still investigating but the primers were 30 yrs old and I suspect that may be the problem. I'll let you know when my new primers come in and I can test some more. Either way, I think I'm hooked.

I'm about to order dies for the .44 Mag and would like to load some light to mid loads (say around 100-1050 fps) for target shooting. At this point, I only have IMR 800X powder and intend to use that assuming I can find the lighter loads I am wanting.

Question....
1- Any thoughts on IMR powder. By looking at the burn rate charts, it appears to be about mid-way and it seems to work fine in my .45 loads.
2 - Anyone have a preference for something other than the IMR 800X for .44 magnum loads? (when I got ready to load my .45's, it was one of the only ones the shop had that I could find load data for in my Lee manual). Maybe that also says I need a few more manuals.

In a few weeks, I'll also be ordering some .38 dies if all goes well. But like I said, I think I'm hooked.
Thanks,
Craig

 

[TAROMAN]

IMR is now Hodgdon's. Looking at their site I see:

Cartridge: 44 Remington Magnum
Load Type: Pistol
Starting Loads

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Maximum Loads

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Bullet Weight (Gr.) Manufacturer Powder Bullet Diam. C.O.L. Grs. Vel. (ft/s) Pressure Grs. Vel. (ft/s) Pressure

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200 GR. LRNFP CAST IMR 800-X .430" 1.570" 5.9 813 10,500 CUP

200 GR. NOS JHP IMR 800-X .429" 1.600" 15.5 1600 39,800 CUP

225 GR. SPR JHP IMR 800-X .429" 1.575" 15.4 1525 39,800 CUP

240 GR. LSWC CAST IMR 800-X .430" 1.620" 13.4 1395 39,600 CUP

240 GR. NOS JHP IMR 800-X .429" 1.600" 14.2 1415 39,600 CUP

I have loaded a lot of 44 mag but never used 800X, but it is certainly usable in a .44 Magnum.
I am always a bit queasy when only MAX loads are given. As always, proceed with caution. Some powders do not respond well with reduced charges.

Just back from the local shop. He's suposed to be getting TrailBoss powder in. Going to give that a shot (pun intended) in 44 special and 44 mag loads.

 

[dnonac]

Yes I saw that too and the Max Loads made me uncomfortable as well. I thought their lightest load (813 fps) sounded too mild but their next one jumps to 1395. I don't feel comfortable enough yet to start experimenting with reduced loads that aren't published.

Maybe I'll spring for another powder and try some loads that I have in my manual that publish Starting Loads.

Thanks for the info....

 

[M29since14]

800X works well in big cases like the .41, 44 and .45 Colt for medium loads. The only objections I have to it are (1) it is expensive and (2) it is a bit coarse, so it meters with less accuracy and smoothness than I like.

As for other powders for the purpose, there are a slug of them. You don't mention a bullet, but typically, powders anywhere from Bullseye to HS-6 are common for moderate loads in the 44. I have used Unique for so long it is depressing to recall, but I think 231/HP-38 is probably a little better choice, and Win. Superfield seems to have a loyal following too.

 

[PDL]

LIke was said above, even if you don't have manuals, a number of powder manufacturers have web sites with load recommendadions. Also I think there have been a few threads here in the reloading forum about .44s. Try a search to see what you come up with.

 

[bluetopper]

Bullseye (7.5gr., 240grLSWC), Universal, Power Pistol as well as many other powders work most excellent for 1,000fps 44 Mag loads.
Experimenting is really half the fun.

 

[SWBigBang]

Not a fan of the 800x but the 700x i like.

 

[Paul5388]

There isn't anything wrong with 800X that weighing each charge won't fix.

The loads listed from the website are the same as what they have listed since 2004. Sometimes you have to consider the bullet that is being used, like the Hornady 240 gr LSWC that is swaged, not cast.

Swaged bullets are pretty bad about leading, if the velocity is too high, but a cast bullet that fits right can be driven faster without leading.

Looking at the 200 gr loads, the cast bullet is held to 5.9 gr, whereas the jacketed bullet is loaded at 15.5 gr. That's 9.6 gr of "playing" room that should allow that 1000 fps load to be achieved fairly easily. I would suggest starting at 7.0 gr with a 200 gr bullet and check the velocity. Then adjust as necessary, but don't go over the max load they published.

 

[Cyrano]

Some years ago I played around with various powders in the 45 ACP. 800-X was always the most accurate, regardless of the bullet. I've never tried it in 45 Colt or anything else so far.

 

[dnonac]

Thanks....

Thanks for all the great tips. I've already printed out this section for my reloading notes.

 

[Three44s]

I have loaded 800X in my .44s.

It looked like a good medium powder but I found it works better at the top end and at that end of the spectrum it delivered more recoil for the power delivered than it needed to.

Very sharp in my Mountain Gun.

Further to say it's a pain to meter ..... is giving it too much credit.

And for a beginner ....... I would not rate it for that.

Don't discard it. It will come around in a while.

BUT here's what I'd do:

Get Unique! That's the quintesential medium powder. When you get itchy for more power ...........

Next ....... get HS-6 ..... load that one with magnum primers and use it in the 20 to 25K pressure range with lead or jacketed.

You will find that in order of power range usefulness ..... it's Unique then HS-6 ....... HS-7 by a nose and then 800X

Right after 800X sits 2400 ..... and so on.

After I got my wings with the .44 mag ....... I found that day in and day out my drop dead favorite medium field load is the following:

The RCBS 250K bullet with 11.8 gr. of HS-6 ..... the Federal 155 (mag) primer. The recoil is not abusive for the power delivered.

My next step up is 20.0 to 20.6 gr. of 2400 with a standard primer (RCBS 250K)

And the next step down is 8.5 gr. of Unique (your choice of primer) and again the RCBS 250K slug.


If I could only get those above loads made for my .44s .... I'd still be a happy duffer!

They are that good!!! ........ REALLY!


Three 44s

 

[Paul5388]

I haven't tried 800X in a .44 Mag, but I do use it with a 250 gr cast bullet in .357. I don't know what happened to that target, but here's one with a 180 gr XTP at 100 yards.

I used a 22" Handi rifle for this and I believe the velocity was 1650 fps. The .360 DW will hold about 1.0 gr more than a .357, but the groups are the same with either load.

I've never had any complaints about accuracy with 800X, but you aren't going to get accuracy unless you weigh each charge.

 

[Cary]

I haven't tried 800X in a .44 Mag, but I do use it with a 250 gr cast bullet in .357. I don't know what happened to that target, but here's one with a 180 gr XTP at 100 yards.

I used a 22" Handi rifle for this and I believe the velocity was 1650 fps. The .360 DW will hold about 1.0 gr more than a .357, but the groups are the same with either load.

I've never had any complaints about accuracy with 800X, but you aren't going to get accuracy unless you weigh each charge.

I agree with Paul 100% concerning the 800X. I also use it in 357 mag with good results. With such large flakes it will bridge in a powder measure causing inconsistent drops. When loading with 800X each drop goes on the scale to check and adjust if needed using a powder trickle. I only load for myself so I don't mind taking the extra time on this. That's a great 100 yard target for 357 mag Paul. I wouldn't want you sneaking up on me with that gun/load.
Cary