H4227 in 44 Special

[shootnduck]

Has anyone got a good accurate hunting load for the Ruger Blackhawk Flattop 44 Special with 5.5 barrel using H4227? Intended target will be 100 - 150 lbs whitetail deer @ 50 yds max and feral hogs at same range. Bullet will be the Lyman 429421 cast between 8 to 12 bhn. I am using currently the Skeeter load as well as a moderate load with 2400. Some say the 4227 burns cleaner and to some felt recoil is reduced. It's not that I'm unhappy with either of the loads listed as both are extremely accurate out of my revolver, but if I could get same results with less recoil, I would jump on it.

 

[Titegroups]

Keep in mine those are built on the smaller frame with smaller diameter cylinders than the new models and too keep the pressure reasonable in youf loads, brian pearce of handloader mag did a article a few years aho on then and IIRC he said to keep them under 26,000psi. I own one and keep the loads moderate in mine.

 

[shootnduck]

Thanks Titegroup. You are correct, I keep my loads reasonable for the very reason you gave. I don't hot rod mine, but do load to get alittle more velocity. No way would I load and shoot some of the loads some tout, which is fine for them, I am just not too adventurous. I too realize that the cylinder is what I would consider the weak link, same size cylinder as 357mag, but with more steel removed for bigger bullets. I checked on Hodgdon's site, they show 4227 for the 200 and 240 gr bullet, but velocity is not there for my purpose.

 

[jtcarm]

I would've thought 4427 is too slow for the .44 special, but according to Brian Pierce, you can get over 1100 FPS while staying under 25,000 PSI.

Note that his load data uses the 429244 gas checked SWC. I'd be extremely cautious and workup slowly. Even if a load hits 30,000 PSI, you're not likely to see any signs of excess pressure.

2400 has been the traditional .44 special choice with the 429421 bullet for good reason. 16.5 grains is as hot as I've ever loaded, but it is wicked accurate.

http://www.goodrichfamilyassoc.org/44_Special_Articles/Brian Pearce on the 44 Special.pdf

 

[shootnduck]

Thanks jtcarm. I for the life of me can't get back to the article I was reading on the 44 special and 4227. Like I said, I like the Unique and 2400 load, was just looking for similar load that was milder recoil. I only use 14.5 grs of 2400, but it shoots fantastic and believe it or not shoots a 250gr to the same POI as 4.2 grs of Trailboss w/240 gr bbswc at 38 yds I guess I need to stay with either of these loads as they work. Haven't killed anything with either load, but I'm out there trying. Thanks for all the replies. New to the forum, but I really enjoy reading all the various topics and the manner in which answers are given. Some forums a newbie is to intimidated to ask a question.

 

[Skip Sackett]

The only problem I have with 4227 is that it is a stick powder. It doesn't meter that well through a powder measure so I never really found a use for it. It does give true magnum performance but, 2400, H110/W296 do too and run like water though any powder measure made.
I don't load for the 44Spl but if I did, I would stick with Unique or Universal Clays or something in that burn rate. If I want magnum performance, I just put it in my M629 Classic or Ruger Redhawk.......

 

[cp1969]

Thanks jtcarm. I for the life of me can't get back to the article I was reading on the 44 special and 4227. Like I said, I like the Unique and 2400 load, was just looking for similar load that was milder recoil. I only use 14.5 grs of 2400, but it shoots fantastic and believe it or not shoots a 250gr to the same POI as 4.2 grs of Trailboss w/240 gr bbswc at 38 yds I guess I need to stay with either of these loads as they work. Haven't killed anything with either load, but I'm out there trying. Thanks for all the replies. New to the forum, but I really enjoy reading all the various topics and the manner in which answers are given. Some forums a newbie is to intimidated to ask a question.

I doubt if you're going to get noticeable recoil reduction. 4227 is slower than 2400 so you'll have to use more of it to get the same velocity. Most recoil calculators take into account the amount of powder used and the more that is used, the more recoil is generated, even if the velocity stays the same.

I looked up the velocity/energy figures for my .45 Colt and found that an 1100 fps load hits as hard at 100 yards as a factory load does at the muzzle and I doubt if there are many people who would argue that a point-blank properly placed hit from a .45 Colt wouldn't flatten about anything. I also figured that 100 yards was about the outside limit for my being able to place a shot in the boiler room of a game animal with an iron-sighted revolver, so I never pursued any more velocity, even though more could be had.

I would imagine the .44 Special would check out much the same.

 

[Skip Sackett]

Sorry, missed this. Recoil is a function of weight, mass and velocity. The only way to reduce recoil with the same bullet, is to reduce the amount of powder, or reduce the velocity. Case in point, a Bullseye load with 4.5gr that develops XXXfps is going to have less recoil than a load of 2400 with 13.5gr that develops the same XXXfps.

I hope that makes sense. There is a calculator located here:
Energy Calculator

FWIW

 

[shootnduck]

Thanks guys for the info. I don't hotrod my 44special, but you can not find any decent hunting data in any of the manuals. I have 4 and they all have just the generic load data. I want a 250gr cast bullet with a velocity of 950 to 100fps, which I can get with either of the two loads listed, it's just nice to have a few more options. I may move up to a 44 mag or 45 colt at a later date and my point will be mute. Again, Thanks Guys for you help and expertise.

 

[Titegroups]

Give the Ruger forum a try, plenty of guys over there hunt with them.

 

[Rule3]

You mentioned the Skeeter load.? The standard 7.5 grs of Unique will get you to around 1000 fps.