Help - .44 spl. and Hornady 240 gr. XTP loads?

[Realzebub45]

Seems to be difficult to find loads for this combo, 240 gr. XTP in the .44 spl.

I am thinking about the following loads:

Unique - 6.5 gr.
2400 - 13.5 gr.
Power Pistol - 7.2 gr.

Of these 3, Hornady only lists loads for the Unique, with a 5.7 gr. max @ 700 fps. But, Speer has their 240 gr. JHP #4453 listed with a 7.6 gr. max @ 836 fps. Lyman has a max of 6.5 gr. of Unique @ 799 fps. for the #4453 JHP.

Lyman shows 13.5 gr. of 2400 as a Max load @ 723 fps. for the #4453 240 gr. Speer bullet.

I have tried these amounts or more in 240 gr. SWC lead and cast bullets with no issues.

Do you see a problem with these 3 possible loads for the 240 XTP? Should I not be able to use similar data to the Speer 240 gr. JHP?

Thanks.

 

[TAROMAN]

You did not specify in which model model revolver these loads would be fired.
Most (maybe all) manuals hold the 44 Special to a low power level commensurate with the strength of these old guns.
HANDLOADER magazine issue 236 (August 2005) has a detailed discussion on the three strength levels of 44 revolvers and lists loads appropriate for each.
Back issues are available from Wolfe Publishing.
Bottom line is to always work up to a maximum load.

 

[Realzebub45]

I would be loading for either S&W 24-6 or 624-0 (No Dash).

 

[TAROMAN]

2400 load looks to be safe.
While your combinations aren't specifically listed, its apparent 2400 is likely the best powder with which to develop a load.

 

[J-FRAME]

I think the best load would be 7.5 grs Unique -150 Federal primer -240 gr XTP It would be a great load in the two guns mentioned and the HP should open up at anything north of 900 fps ??

 

[alde]

Your probably not going to get much if any expansion at those velocities with that bullet. There are some good "short barrel" loads for Speer Gold Dots in 44 Special that do very well.

 

[Realzebub45]

2400 load looks to be safe.
While your combinations aren't specifically listed, its apparent 2400 is likely the best powder with which to develop a load.

I was thinking the Unique or 2400 would turn out to be best, but the 2400 loads I see vary wildly between manuals.

I am not sure what you mean by my combinations not being listed? I was talking just these 3 specific weights with the 240 XTP, all with COAL of 1.480". Is that what you meant?

I was a little concerned to go over 7 gr. with the unique, considering the recoil I felt with the 240 gr. Berry's SWC. It's looking like I might have to try another powder where I can find loads for, since I don't have a Chrono. If the recoil I will feel is too stout, AND I don't get expansion with this bullet at those pads, I will have try something else.

Has anyone tried these powders personally with this specific bullet? Thanks again gents.

Thanks.

 

[125JHP]

Out of a 696,with the 240 XTP I have shot 12.0 of 2400 (776 fps 1 1/2" group), 7.0 gr Unique (817 fps + 3/4" group) and 8.0 of N-330 (929 fps + 1" group). I would think that if the 3" L-frame handles these your N-frame should without problem.

 

[bronco45]

Use the 2400 load and I like Power Pistol starting at 7.0grains and going up. It sounds like you're serious about shooting 44Spl. If that's the case get the Handloader magazine mentioned above it is a treasure trove of 44 Spl loads.

Some of the best money you'll ever spend on 44 info.

 

[tappedandtagged]

Your probably not going to get much if any expansion at those velocities with that bullet. There are some good "short barrel" loads for Speer Gold Dots in 44 Special that do very well.

For what it is worth, I got OK expansion from my 3" 629 with 7.5 grains of Unique, good expansion with 10 grains and haven't recovered a bullet with my full house AA9 load, but I'm sure the expansion is excellent.

With the lower velocities of the 44 special, the Gold Dot would be a better bullet to try.

Also, I find Hornady seems to hae neutered data.

 

[Realzebub45]

Thanks gents. I guess I was looking for confirmation and a consensus that I would be coming back home with all my fingers.

I am not looking for too hot here. Don't want to have issues if something ends up in the 396/696. I can load the .45 Colt hot if I want. I will have to pick up a copy of that Handgunner mag though, thanks for the heads up.