44 Special recommendations

[dddddmorgan]

Hello friends. I am the proud owner of a model 1955 target in .44 Special.

I'm just wondering if anyone has some recommendations from personal experience in loading? I have lots of different powders and I'd buy some more if I don't have what you recommend.

How about favorite bullets? I have moulds for 230 (RCBS calls it a "Cowboy" mould) and I have a standard 240 grain semi wadcutter.

Looking forward to your input.

 

[dddddmorgan]

Hello friends. I am the proud owner of a model 1955 target in .44 Special.

I'm just wondering if anyone has some recommendations from personal experience in loading? I have lots of different powders and I'd buy some more if I don't have what you recommend.

How about favorite bullets? I have moulds for 230 (RCBS calls it a "Cowboy" mould) and I have a standard 240 grain semi wadcutter.

Looking forward to your input.

 

[Vanman]

Welcome to the forum, 5D. This subject has been discused many times here. Just use the search feature and you should find all the info that you need.

This'll give you a start
http://smith-wessonforum.com/eve/forums?a=search&reqWor...orum_scope=570103904
Vanman

 

[dg101win]

A 1955 Target in 44 Special?
I was under the impression that Model 1955's were in 45 Caliber. Do you possibly mean a Model of 1950,or was yours rebarreled and rechambered ?
Either way congrats on getting a 44 Special.

 

[44wheelman]

a 240gr semi wadcutter with 7 grains Unique makes a single hole at 40feet with my pre-24

 

[Calaveras Slim]

My favorite load is with Winchester 231 behind a 240gr SWC or a 246gr RN. You can used the same charge in your RCBS CB mould

 

[dddddmorgan]

Thanks for the input folks.

I will peruse the forums and the link, thanks.

Yes, I did mean a model 1950 second change.

I'd be so pimp to post a photo if someone could enlighten me, I would like recommendations on proper grips.

5D

 

[Dale53]

dddddmorgan;
I have a 6.5" Model 24, and 4" 624 and a 6.5" 624. I long ago standardized my load at a Lyman 429421 home cast bullet (WW+2% tin) ahead of 7.5 grs of Unique. These will shoot under 1" at 25 yards off a rest and are great performers.

You have a FINE revolver and any of us lucky enough to possess these are truly fortunate.

Dale53

 

[Calaveras Slim]

Originally posted by Dale53:
dddddmorgan;
I have a 6.5" Model 24, and 4" 624 and a 6.5" 624. I long ago standardized my load at a Lyman 429424 home cast bullet (WW+2% tin) ahead of 7.5 grs of Unique. These will shoot under 1" at 25 yards off a rest and are great performers.

You have a FINE revolver and any of us lucky enough to possess these are truly fortunate.

Dale53

I'm curious, but what bullet is the 429424? I check my catalog and do not see that mold listed

 

[Opie]

Originally posted by Dale53:
dddddmorgan;
I have a 6.5" Model 24, and 4" 624 and a 6.5" 624. I long ago standardized my load at a Lyman 429424 home cast bullet (WW+2% tin) ahead of 7.5 grs of Unique. These will shoot under 1" at 25 yards off a rest and are great performers.

You have a FINE revolver and any of us lucky enough to possess these are truly fortunate.

Dale53

The Lyman 429244 is the Ray Thompson gas check SWC.
The Lyman 429422 is a hollow base 429421.
The Lyman 429421 is the .44 Keith while the .45 Keith is 452424.

Did you mean one of these moulds?

 

[dddddmorgan]

Did some checking last night and I have the Lyman 429421 mould.

Has anyone had experience with the new IMR powder Trail Boss? I bought a couple of cans because I liked the case filling capacity, I'm thinking this might make it very consistent with little SD.

 

[Calaveras Slim]

I jumped on the Bandwagon when Trail Boss first came out. Loaded maybe 50 rounds and quit. I just didn't like it. However, I have some friends that swear by it.

I have given most of it away to new reloaders who needed powder since then.

About that mold that Dale53 mentioned, I sure hpe it isn't a 240 or larger grain bullet. Max load with unique on these bullets is 7.0. Anything more, I would pass on

 

[Dale53]

Calaveras Slim;
You GOT me! The Lyman bullet number is 429421, of course (the original Elmer Keith design).

Slim;
The 7.5 grs of Uniques is a classic load that has been used for YEARS by thousands of .44 Special enthusiasts. It is to be used ONLY in the S&W "N" frame (the pressure is not too great for modern guns but the recoil CAN be a bit much in the smaller or lighter revolvers - such as the Charter Arms Bulldog).

Many "official" load data sites are restricted by SAAMI standards as to what they publish. Normally, I tend to follow SAAMI standards. However, the .44 Special has been underloaded for YEARS in deference to old weak revolvers (it is a VERY old cartridge).

The 7.5 grs of Unique is actually only a moderate load in a modern S&W "N" frame revolver. A LOT of much heavier loads have been safely used in the modern .44 Specials. This load will give you about 950 fps in a 6" or 6.5" revolver. I LIKE that level for my full size .44 Specials. It is suitable for the modern single action clones and original Colts and is quite suitable for extended use (that is, 7.5 grs of Unique behind the 240-250 gr Keith bullet).

Dale53

 

[TSQUARED]

Welcome to the forum.

I have used the old Lyman 185gr WC with light loads of Bullseye for exceptional accuracy. The other bulet I use in 44 Special is the Lyman 246 gr. Keith style SWC. In the past I used Bullseye and American Selct. More recently I have switched to Trail Boss for all my revolver loads using lead or plated bullets.

Originally posted by dddddmorgan:
Hello friends. I am the proud owner of a model 1955 target in .44 Special.

I'm just wondering if anyone has some recommendations from personal experience in loading? I have lots of different powders and I'd buy some more if I don't have what you recommend.

How about favorite bullets? I have moulds for 230 (RCBS calls it a "Cowboy" mould) and I have a standard 240 grain semi wadcutter.

Looking forward to your input.

 

[weemsf]

My choice of bullets is a 200 grain SWC. Light recoil and fun to shoot.

 

[dick44]

Back in the 90-95 I used a Bull X 190gr
with 7.7 Unique Old stock powder
in my 696 shot one hole 15yds at
about 1000fps.Equal to Fed 200gr ammo

dick44

 

[Vanilla Gorilla]

dddddmorgan, I've tried Trail Boss in both Magnum and Special cases with my own Keith bullets, and I've been less than impressed. From my 6 inch 29, max Magnum loads produced a less-than-impressive 850 fps. Right at 800 from a 4 inch Magnum.

 

[Calaveras Slim]

Trail Boss was originally made for the CAS group why wanted low to moderate velocties with low recoil to make a follow on shot easier.

Some use it because of the low recoil and those of us who don't care about velocity.

Me? I load my 44 abd 45 revolver rounds to around 950 if possible and love it. That's why I prefer Winchester 231

 

[dddddmorgan]

This load will certainly have no ambitions other than plinking, rabbits for stew and the occasional snake patrol. I have no interest in seeing how strong this revolver is in any way. I'm interested in accuracy and fun. The gun locks up as tight as a vault so I want to pass it on to my kids someday.

 

[Stranglehold]

Another fan of the "Skeeter load" 7.5gr of Unique behind a 250gr Keith SWC. I've substituted the Thompson gas-check bullet with this same powder charge with great results as well.

There are other powders, WW 231 being one, that will work very well also and meter better than Unique, but I like the historic aspect of this load. Keith and Skelton both used this load and if it was good enough for them.....

Roe