.44 Magnum Cast load data

I spent almost 6 months on the new .44 project making my mind up on what to go with, it was a used Ruger 4 5/8's Blue SBH that got me started on it, that along with Moose expanding into my fishing territory.

Of course seeing a 900+ plus Grizz late last May was a humbling experience which made me realize that relying on a 200 gr. 10mm, even a hot hard cast load was foolish, and with that guy even a hot .44/.45 would feel inadequate.

I handled several different .44's but was partial to the Smith, I was just surprised that the Redhawk had what seems to be a better DA, I immediately thought it had been worked over, but they had a new 5.5" Redhawk in the shop which I compared it to and they were the same.

The DA trigger is probably better described as lighter and the reach to the trigger was shorter due to it having Hogue grips without the backstrap, just like the previous 629's had.

My new one, made in May of 2011, has the enclosed backstrap, it's a different grip, not sure who makes it. Which adds a bit therefore making the reach to the trigger longer. I need to compare the old model with the new model (like mine) side by side, I did once and at the time didn't think it would make any difference.

I may or may not switch out the grips on mine. In my mind the best thing is to dry fire it a lot and shoot 500 or so rounds of mild reloads in DA mode before I go tinkering with anything on it.

My first outing with it I ran 100 rounds of light loads mostly DA and it was actually pretty nice and as the loads get warmer I just may appreciate the extra rubber padding and leave it alone.

Ya, come on out, colorful Colorado, we're heading out for a shoot and some fishing tomorrow, 10,000+ elevation.

We'll shoot in the AM and fish in the afternoon. I have a new Chrono to break in and a bunch of loads to run through the Chrono.

I'm starting to notice the elevation this year, I'm just shy of 60 and running around at that altitude can be a bit tiring.

I bet that Marlin is a nice shooter, I think a good, small, lightweight lever carbine might be a good addition to the "woods arsenal" especially when goofing around up north were there are quite a few large bears and moose. If I go that route I'll probably look into a .444 or 45-70 or some such.
 
Well I got out yesterday to test two Hard cast loads in the new 4" 629.

Beartooth bullets

Elevation 8000 feet

250 grain WFNGC
New Starline brass
COL: 1.590"
CCI-300
20 grains of H2400
Average velocity 1284 fps.

280 grain WFNGC
New Starline Brass
COL: 1.590"
17.5 grains of AA9
Average velocity 1179 fps.

I fired 48 rounds with reduced loads working my way up to the final loads above, the 2400 loads started getting just slightly sticky on ejection at 19.5 and 20.0 grains, the AA9 load ejected easily, although I was a bit more vigorous. Primers looked good, I didn't see any obvious signs of overpressure.

Recoil and blast, recoil seemed a bit sharper with the 250/2400 load, although not bad. The 280/AA9 was very manageable, all things considered, blast was negligible with both loads, it was bright sunlight, but I didn't notice flash, I was pleasantly surprised.

I think Smith and Wesson is on the right track with the new grip for the 629, at first I wasn't too pleased with it due to the extra distance to the trigger, but now after firing heavier loads through the gun, I'm growing more fond of the new style grip which covers the backstrap.

The gun now has about 200+ various cast loads through it without a good cleaning and with a clean gun and more vigorous ejection the 250/2400 loads might have ejected just fine. Otherwise, I may back off the 250/2400 load a bit, overall I'm happy, now to work up some loads for accuracy and zeroing work.

I haven't cleaned up yet, but a quick look down the barrel and I didn't notice much if any leading.

I'm human and can make mistakes so if you attempt to duplicate these loads please exercise your own due diligence with your loads, these 18 year old powders and components worked in my gun but may yield different results in yours.

Thanks to all who've provided information to help me get to this point, it's been greatly appreciated!
 
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Hey Jitt, sounds like you're having fun! :)

How sticky was "slightly" sticky? My acceptable maximum of stickiness is when, with the cylinder open, the muzzle is pointed skyward, and I need to just touch the ejector rod to get the cases to fall out. If I have to push any harder, I get a rod and tap them out without using the ejector at all, and that load gets reduced or thrown out altogether.

Loading manuals often indicate AA #9 as slower than 2400, closer to 296, but my experience is otherwise. I look at AA#9 as a ball version of 2400, and load it generally lower than book maximum. Sounds like you could try creeping up to 18.0grs with that 280gr bullet. I load 18.5 with my 285gr RNFP, but your gun sounds like it has a lower powder threshold than mine (as I can go to 22.0grs of H2400 with a 250gr bullet in mine).
 
Thanks for asking about and clarifying a bit about ejection MMA10m, I haven't reloaded big bores or any revolver for 18 years and was wondering myself what exactly constitutes stiff ejection.

I was gently pushing the ejector with the gun held muzzle towards the sky wanting to see if gravity would do it. On full ejection a couple of rounds would hang and had to removed by hand, although I didn't "feel" what I would call overly stiff ejection via the ejector rod.

I just tried ejecting the empty cases again in the still dirty gun, I ran 16, 16.5, 17, and 17.5 of AA9, ALL the cases stick a bit, I tried the same thing with the 2400 cases, these I loaded up from 18.5, 19, 19.5 and 20 grains.

Then I tried some 5 times fired mixed cases that I fired with 7.5 grains of Unique, these definitely eject more easily with most falling out from gravity.

Also, another consideration is the Beartooth bullet themselves, I'm not sure if the 250 gr. WFNGC bearing surface area is similar to a 250 Keith, these bullets are sized .429 and will not drop through the cylinder, I've pushed a couple with a pencil but they definitely would require more push to exit the cylinder.

I'm pretty satisfied with the velocities, it was a bit higher then I expected especially with the 280.

My start loads gave me.

18.5 grains of 2400 gave me 1217 fps with the 250
16.0 grains of AA9 gave me 1111 fps with the 280

According to Loaddata, they got only 1104 fps with 18.7 grains of AA9 from a 4" barrel, with a 275 gr. LBT WFNPB and 1161 fps from a 6.5" Pre-29 with 18.7 grains of AA9 and CP WFNPB.

The also show a 275 gr. CP WFNPB at 18.5 grains of AA9 going only 1098 fps from a 4 5/8" Ruger.

I was at 8000 foot elevation if that has anything to do with anything?

So I don't know, maybe I'll just back off for now until I feel more comfortable in reading pressure and stock up on some new powder, I can always use my 18 year old stuff for milder loads...it will go quickly.

Based on what loaddata is showing I'm pretty happy for now with these start loads I used.

18.5 grains of 2400 gave me 1217 fps with the 250
16.0 grains of AA9 gave me 1111 fps with the 280

For what it's worth I was using CCI-300's and they all look identical, pretty round, no sign of flattening.
 
load data

Hey amigo JB, hope the load data i sent ya was of help !


Bless ya


CanyonMan
 
Thanks for asking about and clarifying a bit about ejection MMA10m, I haven't reloaded big bores or any revolver for 18 years and was wondering myself what exactly constitutes stiff ejection.

I was gently pushing the ejector with the gun held muzzle towards the sky wanting to see if gravity would do it. On full ejection a couple of rounds would hang and had to removed by hand, although I didn't "feel" what I would call overly stiff ejection via the ejector rod.

I just tried ejecting the empty cases again in the still dirty gun, I ran 16, 16.5, 17, and 17.5 of AA9, ALL the cases stick a bit, I tried the same thing with the 2400 cases, these I loaded up from 18.5, 19, 19.5 and 20 grains.

Then I tried some 5 times fired mixed cases that I fired with 7.5 grains of Unique, these definitely eject more easily with most falling out from gravity.

Also, another consideration is the Beartooth bullet themselves, I'm not sure if the 250 gr. WFNGC bearing surface area is similar to a 250 Keith, these bullets are sized .429 and will not drop through the cylinder, I've pushed a couple with a pencil but they definitely would require more push to exit the cylinder.

I'm pretty satisfied with the velocities, it was a bit higher then I expected especially with the 280.

My start loads gave me.

18.5 grains of 2400 gave me 1217 fps with the 250
16.0 grains of AA9 gave me 1111 fps with the 280

According to Loaddata, they got only 1104 fps with 18.7 grains of AA9 from a 4" barrel, with a 275 gr. LBT WFNPB and 1161 fps from a 6.5" Pre-29 with 18.7 grains of AA9 and CP WFNPB.

The also show a 275 gr. CP WFNPB at 18.5 grains of AA9 going only 1098 fps from a 4 5/8" Ruger.

I was at 8000 foot elevation if that has anything to do with anything?

So I don't know, maybe I'll just back off for now until I feel more comfortable in reading pressure and stock up on some new powder, I can always use my 18 year old stuff for milder loads...it will go quickly.

Based on what loaddata is showing I'm pretty happy for now with these start loads I used.

18.5 grains of 2400 gave me 1217 fps with the 250
16.0 grains of AA9 gave me 1111 fps with the 280

For what it's worth I was using CCI-300's and they all look identical, pretty round, no sign of flattening.

When I'm working up a load, I watch the Extreme Spread in velocity. When the ES drops to single digits - I know I've found a sweet spot where ignition & combustion are most consistent. I show that in my load data so that folks can see what is happening with a set of components as the powder charge is varied.

I don't like to push things until extraction gets difficult - very poor method of load development in my opinion.
 
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