.44 Special Loads

[smousefam5]

I have been working on loads for my newly acquired 696. This is my first time with a .44 Special (though I have been loading .44 Mags for quite some time).

I have about 4 lbs of 700-x I inherited from my dad and got excellent accuracy from it but it meters VERY inconsistently so I have been looking for a new powder. Powder is still pretty scarce around my parts but came across some Power Pistol the other day. In researching loads using PP it seems that 8 grains works well with 180-200 gr jacketed bullets as well as 240-250 LSWC's. I loaded up some 200 gr. XTP's and some 240 LSWC's and will see how well they shoot. I am not intending on hot-rodding any loads as I have a 629 for anything close to heavy. PP also meters very well in my Lil Dandy measure and one of my rotors throws 8.1 on the button every time.

Anyone else using Power Pistol in their .44 Specials?

 

[Coastie762]

I use Power Pistol with 240 cast LSWCs in my 696-1 and 24-3's. It works very well for me. 7.5 grains of PP clocked at 850-870 FPS from my 696 and 3" 24-3. My 6" 24-3 averaged 942 FPS with excellent accuracy.

As you noted Power Pistol meters very well. I find myself using it more often for cast loads in .357 Mag as well.

 

[smousefam5]

I just loaded some 150 gr. LSWC's with 6.5 grs. of PP in my .357 as well.

 

[M29since14]

Not to throw water on the PP parade but really your 700X, if it has been properly stored, should be fine for light loads in .44 Special. I don't use a Little Dandy so wouldn't know about that but in my Dillon powder measure I have never noticed any metering issues - certainly not like 800X, which can be a bear. Unique is another one of those powders that doesn't seem to meter all that well but usually produces good accuracy and reasonable extreme spreads on the chronograph.

My experience with 700X is mainly in .38 Special and .45 Automatic loads. I used it for years until I found 452AA would do the same job and was buying it for a little bit of nothing compared to 700X. If you are getting good accuracy, I'm not sure what more you could want.

 

[max]

I agree, try the 700-X. It seem to meter fine in my Dillon. I am loading light, so if I am off a tenth of a grain, it is not a problem.

 

[smousefam5]

When I say 700x didnt throw well I mean close to half charge in the lil dandy. It just didnt drop into the rotor consistently without bridging. With Lee scoops it is fine. If that is all I can get I will use it but would prefer something that meters in my equipment better. I don't think it is user error as 5 other powders I have used throw perfectly.

 

[lebomm]

8.0gr PP under a 200gr RNFP shoots into less than 2" @ 25yds from my 4" 28-2 altered to .44 Spl.

Larry

 

[perrazi]

I used 700x for years in bullseye competition and most other calibers as well because I couldn't afford to have a bunch of powders around. now at last count there was something like 40 or so.

 

[Reddog]

When I say 700x didnt throw well I mean close to half charge in the lil dandy. It just didnt drop into the rotor consistently without bridging. With Lee scoops it is fine. If that is all I can get I will use it but would prefer something that meters in my equipment better. I don't think it is user error as 5 other powders I have used throw perfectly.

Are you tapping the rotor with a pencil or screwdriver handle each charge before you drop it in the case? That should settle the powder and make it more uniform. 700X has been one of my most accurate powders in 38 Special.
Dick

 

[BLUEDOT37]

44 Spcl. & P-P

I have been working on loads for my newly acquired 696... Anyone else using Power Pistol in their .44 Specials?

I use P-P in my 396NG with 200gr XTPs. Speer #13 has data from 7.7 to 8.9grs. I've loaded mine a little higher for +P velocity. Since the NG is only 24oz. I like the lighter bullets (working up some 180 loads too) in it for felt recoil, plus they hit closer to POA. I'm a big fan of P-P & use it whenever I can.
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