Favorite .44 Special load

[butchkent]

Tried several powder/bullet combinations. Found that 7.0 gr of W231 and a 250 gr Missouri bullet K-LSWCS will consistently produce 1" groups at 25 yards. Essentially a strung out hole. Old eyes and poor light.

Let's have those favorite loads.

 

[Snapping Twig]

I like a 250g SWC over 6.5g W231.

Kind of a Cadillac feel. Hard hitting and accurate.

 

[Vulcan Bob]

My standard .44 Special load is, 250gr Lyman #429421 sized at .430" over 8.0 gr Power Pistol lit by a standard LP primer. Good for 925-975 fps depending on gun and barrel length. Good accuracy in all six of my Specials .

 

[ironhead7544]

I favor the Skeeter Load. 840 fps from a 3 inch, 880 fps from a 4 inch, and 920 from a 6.5 inch, as chronoed by me.

 

[rockquarry]

Lyman #429421 HP (wheelweight alloy, 235 grs.) and 5.5 grs. Bullseye; muzzle velocity about 830 fps from 6 1/2" Model 24-3.

 

[STCM(SW)]

From all 4 .44 S&W target revolvers(1923, 1955, 1983 & 2001) my 204
Gr. WC I mold with 5.0 gr. Of BE do great.

 

[DWalt]

Back in my Cowboy Action Shooting days, I used 6 grains of Bullseye and 240 grain SWCs in .44 Special cases for both revolver and carbine. I used a pair of Ruger Super Blackhawks and a Winchester Model 94, all in .44 Mag.

 

[Sclays]

220 Berry's plated bullet over 5.2g of 231.
Nice lightweight paper puncher.

 

[MDMarauder]

I like 250gr SWC with the correct amount of 2400.

 

[roundgunner]

My go to 44 spl is 240 SWC cast over 5 gr of Titegroup. Not max power but max fun.

 

[lebomm]

I have a converted M28 that really likes a 200 gr. cowboy bullet (std .44-40 bullet, but .429") over 8.0 gr Power Pistol. Will shoot into 2.5" @ 25 yds. Impacts 1.5" above POA at that range.

Larry

 

[TysonW]

240 swc over 6.0 grains of unique is my best tested load in my charter arms bulldog and it shoots well in my 629 4" too, but then again I think the smith can shoot anything well.

 

[SLT223]

I'm having a hard time finding something more accurate than 200gr over 5.0gr of Clays.

Very pleasant all day shooting load.

 

[6GUNSONLY]

My go to 44 spl is 240 SWC cast over 5 gr of Titegroup. Not max power but max fun.

I've been shooting that lately too. Seems to be a good load although I haven't shot it for group yet, just enough to see that it shot to point of aim at 20 yards.

 

[TripleLock]

Since 1963 the go-to load around here has been 5.0 grains of Bullseye under Lyman's No.429421. Played around with other bullets and other powders, but this load consistently performs best in my .44 Specials.

 

[M1A]

For my 4" 629, I only load mag cases. For specials I use Tightgroup for Missouri Bullet 240gr RNFP.

 

[GBertolet]

4.5 gr of Bullseye, using Lyman 429348 WC @ 180 gr.

 

[amazingflapjack]

240 grain LSWCBB over 6.5-7.0 grains of Unique.

 

[DFrame]

Since I have no need to magnumize the 44, my favorite shoot all day load is a 200 grain RNFP over a medium charge of Trail Boss.
This is a shoot all day load that is easy on nerves, equipment, brass, and ears.

 

[6GUNSONLY]

Since 1963 the go-to load around here has been 5.0 grains of Bullseye under Lyman's No.429421. Played around with other bullets and other powders, but this load consistently performs best in my .44 Specials.

I've loaded a couple of boxes recently with 5.0 of titegroup but haven't had a chance to shoot them for accuracy yet. FWIW, I picked up another. 44 special yesterday; had gunsmith john Gallagher build me a 4 5/8" Ruger on an old model flattop. 357 frame. I like it much as a single-action partner to my S&W M-24-3 4".