44 spl loads?

[Cicero]

Any thoughts on loads for S&W model 21 4" barrel?
Ive been pretty happy with some loads I shoot out of my Ruger with a 45/8" barrell but it tends to do best with 240 to 255 gr lead cast bullets with loads like 7 to 7.5 Gr unique.

 

[Snapping Twig]

The Skeeter load is great, but here's my new favorite - the snapper.

Same bullet over 6.5g W231/HP38.

Try a few, you'll like 'em!

Maybe 50fps less than a skeeter, but still well beyond anemic factory fodder.

 

[scattershot]

I don't know if you can do much better than 7 - 7.5 unique with a 240 grain bullet. I tried the Skeeter load (7.5 Unique) but found better accuracy with 7.0 grains. Admittedly, when I started shooting that load, I quit looking.

 

[Cicero]

Thanks snapping twig and scattershot. I found even the skeeter load in My Ruger Bisley still comfortable. I haven't shot it in my Smiths yet. The "snapper" sounds interesting. I like to use Win 231 whenever I can

 

[Calaveras Slim]

The Skeeter load is great, but here's my new favorite - the snapper.

Same bullet over 6.5g W231/HP38.

Try a few, you'll like 'em!

Maybe 50fps less than a skeeter, but still well beyond anemic factory fodder.

Yes sir, that is snappy. For plinking, I like 231 over about 5.4 grains of 231. Thats good enuf for me

 

[sunday bill]

* best combo of power and accuracy for woods carry in my 4" converted Model 28--Skeeter load

* Far and away the most accurate target/plinker load I've found for the converted Model 28--240 grain cast SWC, 4.5 grains Trail Boss. Also very accurate in my 6.5" 24 and 624. Decent, but not THE most accurate load in my 3" 24, 6.5" TL, and chopped 4.25" 2nd Model Hand Ejector.

I have NOT tried this load in my 4" 44 Mag Mountain Gun.

Good policy to verify ALL loads in a couple manuals before loading.

 

[brick]

I like 5.4 grains of 231 behind a 200 grain lead bullet. Shoots fine for me.

 

[MMA10mm]

I shoot 5.6grs W231 behind a 225gr RNFP in 44Spl. Feels like a 38, except the grip is bigger...

If you're worried about factory/SAAMI pressure levels, my load is close to the max, probably around 12,500 cup. If you are using a heavier bullet, and want to abide by SAAMI specs, you'll have to cut back on the powder, but keep in mind those pressure limits are set with old and low-quality foriegn-produced copies in mind. Your M21 can handle hotter loads.

 

[txbirdman]

I had a Colt SAA that did best with 8.1 gr of SR4756

 

[keith44spl]

I've been rollin' my own for 45 years...I shoot my favorites from the 22 Jet to the 45 Long Colt.

Being kinda ol salt here, I only keep two pistol powders on my bench. Unique and 2400.

I also load the 7.0 - 7.5 grains of Unique under a 240 gr. cast or swaged bullet.
If I want more performance, I turn to 2400 and the Lyman 429421 cast hard and open up the throttle on 'er.

Everyone wants to quote that Skelton feller...I remember when he was a Sheriffin' and feedin
out a few head of yearlings out-there in west Texas.

One of the things he wrote that I agreed with, was a comparison of the 44 Special to the .357 Magnum.

And I'm paraphasin' here, "It's like a good big man, beatin' hell out of a good little man."
Wells, that's the way I remember it anyways.

Su Amigo,
Dave

 

[Marksman]

I have been reloading and shooting the .44 Special for more than 40yrs., long ago I settled on 200gr. RNFP as my bullet of choice. I have tried many powders over the years and have chosen 5.0gr. Bullseye and 7.5gr. Unique as loads I shoot the most. When introducing the .44 Special to a junior or lady shooter, I find 3.5gr. Bullseye a very agreeable load for that task.

 

[cerberus65]

Important disclaimer: I load my ".44 Spl" load in .44 Mag. cases.

But having said that, I like 7.6 gr. of Power Pistol under a 240 gr. plated bullet.

 

[cochise]

As been said already, more than one time, my .44 spcl load is 5.4 grns of 231.
Sometimes 6.4 grns of Unique. I fiqure I get close to 900 fps and feels mild in my guns.

 

[CCV]

I like a 200 grain Oregon Trail RNFP over 7.5 grains of Power Pistol.