Any loads for .44M, 180gr Cast TRCBB? (Jessie?)

[musicmanbass]

Hey guys, I just got a good batch of Jessie's 180gr cast truncated cone slugs that mic about .431-.432. There's very little (basically none!) data that I could find for these bullets. I'm no looking for hot loads, and I'm probably not good enough of a shooter to wring the last bit of accuracy out of a gun either, I just want a nice plinking (not powderpuff, but not super hot either) load to shoot in my 629 6".

I really like HP38/W231 in general so I loaded up 50 rounds with something like 6.6gr or so last night. (I'm not at home to check) I'd like to see if any of you guys have some loads you like for this type of bullet. I've especially got the itch to burn through some Unique, if you know of a good place to start with that powder.

This is the gun they'll be shot in.

 

[musicmanbass]

Hey guys, I just got a good batch of Jessie's 180gr cast truncated cone slugs that mic about .431-.432. There's very little (basically none!) data that I could find for these bullets. I'm no looking for hot loads, and I'm probably not good enough of a shooter to wring the last bit of accuracy out of a gun either, I just want a nice plinking (not powderpuff, but not super hot either) load to shoot in my 629 6".

I really like HP38/W231 in general so I loaded up 50 rounds with something like 6.6gr or so last night. (I'm not at home to check) I'd like to see if any of you guys have some loads you like for this type of bullet. I've especially got the itch to burn through some Unique, if you know of a good place to start with that powder.

This is the gun they'll be shot in.

 

[Wyatt Earp]

What you just loaded will be perfect. 6.5 to 7.0 grains of W231 will be fun.

 

[musicmanbass]

Thanky Wyatt!

Anybody else have ideas? I've got unique, titegroup, Blue Dot, 800x, clays, bullseye, and a half a dozen others. I know there's gotta be more than two people on this board shooting 180s in their 44!

 

[NKJ nut]

That is one of the few bullets I make that I don't have a pet load for. My instinct tells me that you have already found a good place to start

Please keep us posted

 

[musicmanbass]

Well dangit!!

This is the first time I've loaded "outside of the box" before. It's kind of exciting, but I'm a little nervous of course. I'm about out of bullseye right now, but when I get more I think I may give that a try too.

It looks like I won't be able to get to the range this weekend, but I'll try it sometime soon I hope.

Oh, and I went and looked last night... those first 50 I loaded were actually at 5.7gr. I loaded up another batch at 6.6gr... we'll see how it goes!

 

[dg101win]

You might want to try Unique at about 8.0 grains. SHould give you about 900fps if I recall.

 

[xrmattaz]

Read this thread with interest, as I've recently obtained a few boxes of 180gr. lead.

Hmmmm....6.5-7.0 grains of 231, that sounds nice. Loaded up 50 rounds (6.6gr), and then it dawned on me....

DUMMY, you're using .44 Special brass, these here fellas are talking .44 Magnum!

Shall I go ahead and pull these bullets? (.44 Magnum revolver would be used)

 

[NKJ nut]

Originally posted by xrmattaz:


Shall I go ahead and pull these bullets? (.44 Magnum revolver would be used)

Yep that 44 magnum revolver would be a great way to pull those bullets.

 

[xrmattaz]

I did exactly that.

6.6 gr, of 231 behind a 180 gr. cast bullet is akin to a light target load in .38 Special, in my new experience. Primers look lovely. WHY did I think this was going to be a really hot load??

Shot in my 329PD, I could do this all day long. Time to work up some warmer .44 Special loads.

 

[musicmanbass]

Awesome! Glad you've shot some of these! Now that 6.6gr was in a special case, right? I wonder how the batch I did at 5.7gr will turn out! I think they'll clear the barrel OK (don't worry, I'll shoot slow!) but I wonder how much drop they'll have.

How did that 6.6gr load group for you, Matt?

I loaded up some more ammo in other calibers over the weekend, but all I could think about was this load! If I shoot these and they go well, I think I may just work my way on up until I get leading or pressure signs just to find my range, then work on accuracy. I think we may end up with a winner here, something tells me.

For paper punching or shooting golf balls, I really see no reason to load up heavy bullets. 300 rounds at 180gr ea is a lot lighter in my range bag than 300 rounds at 240gr or 300gr ea, and the lighter bullet weights are usually cheaper to boot!

Jesse... you gunna make some 90gr .44 mags?!

 

[xrmattaz]

I'm using Starline and PMC brass....44 Special.

The 6.6gr load shot to point of aim, and was a pussycat.

7.2gr was a touch hotter, but no pressure signs whatsoever, and VERY accurate. Feels like a mild .44 magnum, rather than a .44 Special.

7.6gr exhibited just the faintest of primer flattening (and a fair bit more recoil), and the groups opened up a bit....so I backed off to my new favorite...7.2gr of 231 and a hardcast 180gr flatpoint bullet.

I think, using 231, I'll start with 7.2gr and go up from there, whilst using .44 mag brass.

There are certainly better powders out there for the .44 maggie, but I sure do like 231, and I've got a bunch of it.

 

[musicmanbass]

Good info Matt!

I agree, thre are better powders for .44, especially the hotter stuff, but charges in the 6-7gr range are pretty economical for paper punching!

Plus 231 is pretty clean for me, and I like the way it meters.