44spl vs 44mag

[GARYH]

Hello to all, I'm a new member.
I'm getting back into reloading. Used to reload 38spl in a 686, good accuracy with 148HBWC ahead of HP38. Also loaded 45ACP, .243, 30-06 and 309JDJ. I will buy a 629, and intend on buying 44mag brass and starting with plinking loads. You all seem to be partial to 7.5 of Unique w/44spl brass. Is there any downside in using the same recipe w/44 mag brass instead of 44spl. Also looking for the cleanest burning powder. In my 45acp I used 200gr SWC by Lane bullets. Could not find anything on the net on Lane bullets. Can someone recommend a good SWC?
Thanks,
GaryH

 

[A10]

When I'm reloading lighter loads where the case is not full I use some filler to hold the powder against the base of the case to ensure consistent ignition. Dacron fiber works well and seems to just disappear when you fire it. And try Oregon Trail bullets, they have good consistent cast bullets and they are fairly hard cast. They don't seem to lead as badly in my loads.

 

[GARYH]

I'm not familar with using Dacron fiber. Is this something that is bought as a relading supply? Makes sense. Thanks for the recommendation on SWCs.
GaryH

 

[Snowbandit]

You can make about the same load with 8 grains Unique in a magnum case as 7.5 grains in a special case. Keep in mind that the case will easily contain a double charge and check your work before seating bullets. Unless I'm using my progressive press I like to do them in batches of 50 in a loading block. Then eye-ball the charge level before seating bullets.

I've had good luck with the cast lead bullets from Georgia Arms.
Georgia Arms

 

[wantmoresmiths]

Welcome to the forum.

You should have no problems using 7.5 grains of Unique under a 240 grain SWC in .44 mag brass. You might want to take a look at "Better Bullets.com" (just outside Phila. PA.) for a 240 grain SWC. If I recall correctly, Roger casts his bullets at an 18 Brinell which all but eliminates leading. I use this bullet on top of 10 grains of AA#5, for 975 fps. out of a 6" Colt Anaconda. Accurate #5 has a burn rate very close to Unique, but fills the case a little better.

 

[sjmjax]

If you're planning to load light .44 special loads in 44 magnum brass, you might want to consider using Trail Boss.

Clean burning, high volume, case filling propellant well suited for lead bullets and modest velocities.

 

[A10]

I just use some pillow batting my honey has in her crafty stuff. You can get it at any fabric store, and you don't need a whole bunch. I have a good handful I stole from her in about 1989 and I'm still using it! Just a little pinch tamped down on top of the load will work. Kind of like a shotgun wad.

 

[GARYH]

I like the idea of filling the case. I had a bad experience with a double charge of Bulleye in my 45acp. Cost me a new barstow barrel.

 

[GARYH]

I appreciate the replies.
Regards,
GaryH

 

[Snapping Twig]

I've been loading magnum cases with 7g W231 under a cast 250g Keith for years. I figured this load from EK's writings and when I compared it directly to 7.5g Unique under the same 250g bullet in a special case, it was indistinguishable.

I loaded every other round mag case, special, mag case, special, mag case, special and then I fired them.

Same recoil, same POA/POI. No difference.

Want to directly duplicate the 250g over 7.5g Unique? Load a magnum case with 7g W231.

 

[Marksman]

When I first started shooting the .44 Magnum some of the guys were going to shoot on an indoor range. The range did not allow the use of full power .44 Magnum loads, one of the guys suggested I load 3.5gr. Bullseye under a 240 SWC. Due to the small volume of powder they also recommended that I add some Dacron filler, when I asked how much someone suggested one grain. Try weighing 1 grain of Dacron sometime, it is a fair amount. I dutifully crafted my loads including the sugggested one grrain of filler. I was being set-up and was too inexperienced a relaoder to know it at the time. When the rangemaster gave the command to commence firing the area in front of my firing point looked as though there was a pillow fight, the air was filled with huge amounts of unburned filler material. That's my initiation into adding filler to light loads, I now add just an amount about the size of a pencil eraser and no more pillow fights.

 

[Marksman]

I load both .44 Special and .44 Magnum, when I first started reloading for them I shot 240-250gr. SWC's. Lately I have been shooting 200gr. RNFP almost exclusively in both calibers, mostly for cost saving but the recoil is also less than with 240-250gr. bullets. In the .44 Special I shoot two loads under the 200gr. bullet, 5.0gr. Bullseye and 7.5gr. Unique. Unique is my powder of choice in the .44 Magnum, under the 200gr. RNFP I shoot 7.5gr. and 9.0gr. Unique. The lighter loads in both calibers are very accurate plinking loads that you can shoot all day. Easy on you, your revolver and your wallet too.

 

[max]

7.0 of Unique and a cast swc is pleasant and accurate.

 

[Nemo288]

As far as filler or buffer goes in target loads, I have used
old tumbler compound, both walnut and corncob, and the
shotgun buffer Grex. The tumbler media has the added benefit
of cleaning and polishing the bore. Burned walnut shells also smell a little like
a certain funny cigarette making for some strange looks at the
indoor range. I got spooked that I might be over polishing the
bores and moved away from using the old tumbler media but
if that's what you have, it does work. Grex is designed for this
purpose and meters beautifully.

4.5g of PB was my old very accurate indoor load in both magnum
and special cases. This is with a commercial cast 240 SWC.
Very clean powder if they still make it.

 

[Hammerdown77]

Light load that fills most of the case, no messing with pillow stuffing?

Sounds like Trailboss to me...

 

[GARYH]

I ordered my 629 classic this morning. Should arrive in a few day. Let the load developement begin.

 

[jaco 62]

I just started doing the same thing in my 629 classic and it has worked very well. I also have a 29 mountain gun that I am loading for. Learned alot on this site, started with 240 gr. swc with 6.5 gr. unique went to 7.5 gr. then 8.5 gr. see no reason to go higher for plinking. Am using 44 mag brass in case there is any carbon build up. And am being careful of double charging. I have to thank you guys for your input and wisdom.

 

[TAROMAN]

If you're planning to load light .44 special loads in 44 magnum brass, you might want to consider using Trail Boss.

Clean burning, high volume, case filling propellant well suited for lead bullets and modest velocities.

What he said. Forget the fluff and give T.B. a go. I have had a great amount of fun trying it in various calibers with good results. And-it was available even after the herd paniced a couple years ago.

 

[valkyriekl]

I've been messing with lighter, target/plinking loads in .44 Special recently. One that I think is working is 5.8gr AA#2 under a 200gr RNFP bullet. Accurate Arms No. 2 is a pretty fast powder, maybe a touch slower than Bullseye, and meters like water out of my powder measures.

I've played with full-power loads - a good, accurate one is 6.3gr AA#5 under a 240gr LSWC. Recoil is rather like a ball .45ACP.