44HE Target loads

[larryofcc]

I have a 1921 vintage 44HE Target Revolver I would like to reload a few rds. for. Don't want to damage this very expensive gun. 240 gr. Keith bullets and what reccomendations have we for a semi-light powder load that will not hurt the old gun? It is in great condition. Thanks, Big Larry

 

[Timb1]

Larry,

I shoot a 200gr Lee bullet with 6.0 grains of Unique out of my second model target. It is a light and very accurate load out of my gun, which makes for a lot of fun.

Tim

 

[moosedog]

Your gun was designed to shoot a 246gr lead bullet at about 750 fps. That's what I would strive for using a slower burning powder to keep the pressure down.

 

[Nightowl]

A starting load of Trail Boss will make a nice light Special load, with a 200 grain bullet.

 

[Qc Pistolero]

BTW,to answer your question,while hard to beat 2.7 Bullseye,2.6 700X is also very good.But as for softness and accuracy I found that 2.3gr Nitro 100 is as accurate and a little softer.

 

[Green Frog]

BTW,to answer your question,while hard to beat 2.7 Bullseye,2.6 700X is also very good.But as for softness and accuracy I found that 2.3gr Nitro 100 is as accurate and a little softer.

Are these loads for a 44 Special or a 38 Special? They sound very Ishtar to me for use in a 44.

Froggie

 

[Biggfoot44]

The Classic handload to duplicate original factory loads was/ is 6.0gr Unique with 240-ish gr cast bullet . ( The original factory load was very moderate pressures .)

 

[larryofcc]

Thanks all. I have decided not to shoot the old relic. Big Larry

 

[HKSmith]

Thanks all. I have decided not to shoot the old relic. Big Larry

Not arguing with your decision, but I shoot lots of revolvers of this vintage or older. In my 1913 Triple Lock .44 Special I use a variety of soft cast or swaged bullets in the 240-250 grain range over 4.8 grains of HP-38 powder. Accurate, shoots to point of aim, similar in recoil to Remington factory ammo. I estimate pressure at 11,000 psi, well below SAAMI maximum and similar to black powder.