I just acquired a 396 Mountain Lite and with the current ammo situation, I will have to roll my own. I have a supply of Hornady 180 gr XTPs and powers that should be suitable. In the 3" barrel it seems that the faster powders would be best. The powders that I have available in that range are Bullseye, RedDot (Promo), American Select, and Universal. I'm not trying to set speed records, after all this thing is LIGHT, just looking for a load that would be close to a factory 180 gr SD load. Anyone out there have suggestions for such a load?
Best powder for short barrel 44 Special
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ronnie gore
Member
44
i also have one of these guns, i cast a 215 grain flat nose, and a 200 grain semi wadcutter, i use w-231, and unique, use the books for the amount of powder.
as the gun says on the barrel 200 grain bullets only because of the light weight of the gun could pull the bullets of heavy load and heavy bullets.
but i just had to find out myself, so i loaded my 250 grain semiwadcutter
with a heavy crimp and had no issues with bullet pull.
i also use accurate number 2. i like the lead bullets since you most likely won't get enough speed to open up a hollow point anyway.
i also have one of these guns, i cast a 215 grain flat nose, and a 200 grain semi wadcutter, i use w-231, and unique, use the books for the amount of powder.
as the gun says on the barrel 200 grain bullets only because of the light weight of the gun could pull the bullets of heavy load and heavy bullets.
but i just had to find out myself, so i loaded my 250 grain semiwadcutter
with a heavy crimp and had no issues with bullet pull.
i also use accurate number 2. i like the lead bullets since you most likely won't get enough speed to open up a hollow point anyway.
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I recently acquired a little Taurus 2" in .44 Special. I ran 10 rounds of the CCI/Blazer 200 gr GDHP over my chronograph and the load average 776 fps. My first attempt to duplicate this load consisted of a 200 gr LRNFP over 7.1 gr of Accurate #5 which didn't come close, averaging just 643 fps. The 7.1 gr load of Accurate #5 was almost max so I didn't try anything further with it. During an email exchange with Accurate's ballistician, I was given Accurate's new load data that is due to be released very soon. It has a max load of #5 with the 200 gr lead bullet of 8.3 grs which is supposed to deliver 875-950 fps depending on barrel length. I imagine I should be able to get the 776 fps velocity of the Gold Dot Hollow Point somewhere in that range.
I know you don't list any Accurate powders, and all powders are tough to find right now, but if you ever get the chance I recommend giving them a try. Especially #5. It goes through my RCBS Uni-Flow powder measure like water and burns extremely clean. I'm in the process of working up a Skeeter Load with #5 (240 gr SWC at 950-1000 fps) for use in my Ruger Blackhawk and Smith 24-3. That Smith just happens to be my favorite handgun of all time. When powder becomes more readily available again I think I will replace all my current powder choices (HP38, Unique, 2400 and Bullseye) with Accurate #2, #5, #7 and #9.
Regards,
Jon
I know you don't list any Accurate powders, and all powders are tough to find right now, but if you ever get the chance I recommend giving them a try. Especially #5. It goes through my RCBS Uni-Flow powder measure like water and burns extremely clean. I'm in the process of working up a Skeeter Load with #5 (240 gr SWC at 950-1000 fps) for use in my Ruger Blackhawk and Smith 24-3. That Smith just happens to be my favorite handgun of all time. When powder becomes more readily available again I think I will replace all my current powder choices (HP38, Unique, 2400 and Bullseye) with Accurate #2, #5, #7 and #9.
Regards,
Jon
No, slower powders will develop more velocity out of shorter barrels.
You did not mention if you have any medium or slow powders.
Unique is the the powder used in the Skeeter loads.
Plus I hate all you guys with those light weight 44 Specials.
You did not mention if you have any medium or slow powders.
Unique is the the powder used in the Skeeter loads.
Plus I hate all you guys with those light weight 44 Specials.
I've loaded some 44 Spcl. using Unique & Power Pistol for moderate speed rounds. Original/factory 44 Spcl. are pretty weak some I'd think you'd want to improve on that to get the most from your 180 JHPs? Never tried the powders you mentioned for it though.
FYI: Handloader #236, Handloading the 44 Spcl. - Brian Pierce had some good data in it.
FYI: Handloader #236, Handloading the 44 Spcl. - Brian Pierce had some good data in it.
Ivan the Butcher
Member
I've always used factory Silver-Tips in my older Tarus. They use a verity of ww231. I used ww231. In my 1873 carbine loads, sorry I can't help more than that
Nframecollector
Member
I have a 44 mag. snubbie that I shoot 44 spl in. I use the 250 Keith bullet over 6 grs. of Bullseye.
Win brass, Fed 150 primer, firm LFC, 3 in 696,
200 gn gold dot
8.8 grains V V - N350 = 885 fps, very good accuracy
9.0 gns V V - N350 = 926 fps, very good to ex accuracy
7.5 grains Unique = 868 fps very good accuracy
185 Hdy xtp (Rem 180 sjhp is good also)
9.0 grains unique = 1020 fps very good to ex accuracy, 8.5 grains milder practice load
9.6 grains N350 = 986 fps, decent accuracy
200 grain lead rnfp to replicate poi of 200 grain gold dot loads
6.4 grains hp 38 = 821 fps, very good accuracy
7.0 grains unique = 805 fps, good potential
5.4 grains Red Dot = 830 fps, decent
6.2 grains Green Dot = 870 fps, good potential
Older factory rounds
Blazer aluminum case factory load = 890 fps
Win silvertip factory load = 730 fps, lousy accuracy
hdy 180 xtp = couldn't find the vhrono results, but remember they were pretty light
200 gn gold dot
8.8 grains V V - N350 = 885 fps, very good accuracy
9.0 gns V V - N350 = 926 fps, very good to ex accuracy
7.5 grains Unique = 868 fps very good accuracy
185 Hdy xtp (Rem 180 sjhp is good also)
9.0 grains unique = 1020 fps very good to ex accuracy, 8.5 grains milder practice load
9.6 grains N350 = 986 fps, decent accuracy
200 grain lead rnfp to replicate poi of 200 grain gold dot loads
6.4 grains hp 38 = 821 fps, very good accuracy
7.0 grains unique = 805 fps, good potential
5.4 grains Red Dot = 830 fps, decent
6.2 grains Green Dot = 870 fps, good potential
Older factory rounds
Blazer aluminum case factory load = 890 fps
Win silvertip factory load = 730 fps, lousy accuracy
hdy 180 xtp = couldn't find the vhrono results, but remember they were pretty light
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Tex1001
Member
Rule 3:
I have 3 44 spls. 2 charters (3" & 4") and a 3" Rossi 431. I have Pachmyer/Uncle Mikes grips on all and they still hurt my hands, even shooting 200gr. LRNFPs. My S&W 1917 4" with Crimson Trace stocks isn't nearly as painful/whippy to shoot. I don't think that you are missing much not having a short 44.
_______________________
Boxers or briefs? At my age, Depends.
I have 3 44 spls. 2 charters (3" & 4") and a 3" Rossi 431. I have Pachmyer/Uncle Mikes grips on all and they still hurt my hands, even shooting 200gr. LRNFPs. My S&W 1917 4" with Crimson Trace stocks isn't nearly as painful/whippy to shoot. I don't think that you are missing much not having a short 44.
_______________________
Boxers or briefs? At my age, Depends.
Nemo288
Member
6-7 grains of Universal (a good substitute for Unique) and bullets
from the 200 gr Gold Dot HP to a 240 cast Keith work well in my Bulldog and 624's.
Hornady lists 6-8 gr Universal for both their jacketed and lead
180 gr. bullets. Start with 6 and work up in .5 gr increments.
I have a Crimson Trace grip on the Bulldog and it seems to tame
the recoil and is more accurate & faster than the fixed sights it comes with.
I also shoot a lot of 44 Magnum so that probably helps me control the light Special.
---
Nemo
from the 200 gr Gold Dot HP to a 240 cast Keith work well in my Bulldog and 624's.
Hornady lists 6-8 gr Universal for both their jacketed and lead
180 gr. bullets. Start with 6 and work up in .5 gr increments.
I have a Crimson Trace grip on the Bulldog and it seems to tame
the recoil and is more accurate & faster than the fixed sights it comes with.
I also shoot a lot of 44 Magnum so that probably helps me control the light Special.
---
Nemo
That 396 is a neat little gun. Somehow I missed that one. Thanks for the pictures that followed the OP. Anyway, normally I would say Unique without hesitation for .44 Special in any barrel length but if you are limited to 200-grs in that particular gun, then 231/HP-38 might be a slightly better choice.
I use Unique.
Note that as far as I know there are no factory 180 gr. SD loads. The most common, and probably the best, SD load for the .44 Spl. is the Speer or Blazer 200 gr. Gold Dot Hollow Point. Next would be the Winchester 200 gr. Silvertip.
Also note that those particular bullets are probably not going to expand at the velocities you'll be able to get out of your gun. The bullet is meant for .44 Mag. speeds. You're better off with a 200 or 240 cast bullet in .430 dia.
Note that as far as I know there are no factory 180 gr. SD loads. The most common, and probably the best, SD load for the .44 Spl. is the Speer or Blazer 200 gr. Gold Dot Hollow Point. Next would be the Winchester 200 gr. Silvertip.
Also note that those particular bullets are probably not going to expand at the velocities you'll be able to get out of your gun. The bullet is meant for .44 Mag. speeds. You're better off with a 200 or 240 cast bullet in .430 dia.
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Can't be as bad as a 357 Mag out of a alloy J frame.
I have a stainless 640, 357 mag and it is brutal.
Hornady advertises their 180gr XTP 44 spec. ammo to develop 1000fps at the muzzle. I chronographed that ammo from my 3” ported 629 and got 795fps at 15’ from the muzzle.
Using Hornady load data I loaded the 180gr XTP on 10.4gr of AA #5. Hornady’s data indicated that they obtained 1000fps at the muzzle from this load in a 3’ Charter Arms .44 Spec. I chronographed that load from my 3” ported 629 and got 926fps at 15’ from the muzzle.
Hornady data for their 180gr HP XTP lists 5.4gr BE for 750fps, 5.6gr BE for 800fps, 6.1gr BE for 850fps and a max load of 6.5gr BE for 900fps.
I would recommend getting a copy of Hornady’s Handbook of Cartridge Reloading as too many reloading manuals is never enough. This, of course, follows my theory that too many handguns is never enough etc. etc.
Happy reloading
novalty
Member
Right now the best powder you can fire out of a 44 Special is the one you can actually get your hands on--without refinancing your home.
Mule88
Member
I use Universal clays and get excellent results, I use to use Unique for years but found this to be a better powder overall.
David Sinko
Member
Some of the loads I see here aren't even the equal of the .40 S&W with 180 gr. bullets!
Most .44 Special factory loads are downright feeble and any modern revolver (even a Taurus) should be able to do better. Most of us who handload can do MUCH better and still sleep well at night. A simple Special load that I use is 7.0 grs. of 231 with a 240 gr. SWC, for 950 FPS in my Mountain Gun. And it's still a serious load in my 629 snub as well.
Dave Sinko
Most .44 Special factory loads are downright feeble and any modern revolver (even a Taurus) should be able to do better. Most of us who handload can do MUCH better and still sleep well at night. A simple Special load that I use is 7.0 grs. of 231 with a 240 gr. SWC, for 950 FPS in my Mountain Gun. And it's still a serious load in my 629 snub as well.
Dave Sinko
Wow, thanks for all the input!. Another question popped up while I was reading all of the responses and that is "bullet diameter". Hornady bullets are .430 while everyone else's jacketed bullets are .429. The .430 will not push through the cylinder throats. Should I use .429 bullets and not even try the Hornadys since I still have 2 full boxes that I can easily sell?
