Help with 44 mag load
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Lead or other?
muddocktor
Member
Looking at Alliant's online data, they show a max load of 6.0 grains BE for a 240 grain LSWC bullet. That should give you a good starting point for that 208 grain bullet of yours to experiment with. I don't think I would mess with 2400 and that unknown lead bullet as you don't know how hard the lead is and 2400 is more a high end load powder and you might end up with significant leading issues.
grice
Member
That’s a pretty light swc for the 44 mag but as far as 2400 I think you’ll be really safe with 17 grains but like the doktor said it might lead your barrel especially over 1000 FPS. That bullseye load sounds better for that application!
Trying to find Bullseye plinking load data for a "light for caliber bullet", in a 44 Magnum case, I'd suggest you look to 44 Special data & then adjust that up by +6.9% (the amount larger than a 44 Special case) as a starting point. I'm assuming you want a very light power load.
Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook 4th Edition list a 205gr cast lead SWC (non-gas checked) in the 44 Special section using Bullseye. Starting is 5.1gr @ 820fps & 10.1K cup, and a max. of 5.8gr @ 899fps & 12.7K cup. The 5.8gr scaled up to a 44 Mag case would be 6.2grs.
For the same bullet using 2400 powder, 14.5gr is max @ 905fps & 14K cup. Scaled you for a 44 Mag case that'd be 15.5gr/2400, a very light load for this powder in this case.
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Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook 4th Edition list a 205gr cast lead SWC (non-gas checked) in the 44 Special section using Bullseye. Starting is 5.1gr @ 820fps & 10.1K cup, and a max. of 5.8gr @ 899fps & 12.7K cup. The 5.8gr scaled up to a 44 Mag case would be 6.2grs.
For the same bullet using 2400 powder, 14.5gr is max @ 905fps & 14K cup. Scaled you for a 44 Mag case that'd be 15.5gr/2400, a very light load for this powder in this case.
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Buy a Lyman cast bullet manual. It will have all the information you
could possibly need. Actual tested data in published manuals is much
better than random opinions from others.
could possibly need. Actual tested data in published manuals is much
better than random opinions from others.
The "modern" era of the alliant manuals (starting in 2008) flat out suck. The 2005 alliant was the last year of what I consider worth while.
http://castpics.net/LoadData/Freebies/RM/Alliant/Alliant_2005.pdf
In it you will not only find standard load data, there's cowboy action load data to either use or use as a cross reference.
Starting in 2008 alliant used nothing but data for "their" own bullets. The lead bullet data is for the soft speer swaged lead bullets.
http://castpics.net/LoadData/Freebies/RM/Alliant/Alliant_2005.pdf
In it you will not only find standard load data, there's cowboy action load data to either use or use as a cross reference.
Starting in 2008 alliant used nothing but data for "their" own bullets. The lead bullet data is for the soft speer swaged lead bullets.
Hint; mic/measure your bullets. An unknown mfg and cast bullets can mean anything, and small bullets will lead the barrel.For all my 44 Magnums .430" is marginal, running on the small side, (too small, my 44 lead bullets are mostly .432" and for one gun, .434"). Make sure they will fit your gun.
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Plinking 208's with 2400? I'd save the 2400 for full-house grin inducing goodness where it shines.
Definitely verify bullet - barrel sizing. Maybe consider Unique, Promo/Red Dot, BE-86, or Power Pistol (if you prefer something flashy
) for plinking fun.
Definitely verify bullet - barrel sizing. Maybe consider Unique, Promo/Red Dot, BE-86, or Power Pistol (if you prefer something flashy
) for plinking fun.
fredj338
Member
You can always use heavier bullet data with lighter bullets of the same composition.
I agree if your goal is just 1000fps plinking loads, save the 2400. Not a BE fan so I would look for a medium burner like Unique, BE86, WSF, etc.
I agree if your goal is just 1000fps plinking loads, save the 2400. Not a BE fan so I would look for a medium burner like Unique, BE86, WSF, etc.
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jimbo728
Member
For that bullet weight and if intended for target use, including pins and plates,I would suggest using WW 231 data for a 200 gr cast bullet.
5 to 6grs of 231 should do a good job. I , like others , save the higher velocity loading for bullets that will not create excessive leading.
jim
5 to 6grs of 231 should do a good job. I , like others , save the higher velocity loading for bullets that will not create excessive leading.
jim
If that manual had the data the OP was looking for I would have quoted it instead of what I did. IMO it never hurts to have too many manuals but in this instance what he wanted is not in there.
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Qc Pistolero
Member
In the '80s Lee had a WC 208gr;had to try it.It gave superb accuracy when propelled by 5.0gr of Bullseye.
Since someone else decided to reorganize most of my reading
material out of sight and mind I can't find most of my loading
manuals. A couple of my old Lyman manuals do have Bullseye
data for cast bullets in the .44 mag. They list the same 5.0-7.5
charge weights for cast bullets with and without gas checks
from 205 grs to 250 grs in weight. So this is obviously not
maximum load data. I have used 7.3-7.5 grs with a 250 gr
cast semi wadcutter for a mid range handload that chronos
around 940 fps out of my 4" S&W 29-2.
I believe you but I checked my oldest Lyman manual, #45 from 1978 before I posted my original reply, & I see no Bullseye data for any 44 Magnum bullet in there.
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Instead of actually responding to the poster's question with .44
magnum Bullseye data you seem to want to make an issue out
of my post, typical behavior on here sometimes. Bullseye .44
mag data is on pages 177 & 178 in my Lyman #45 manual. OK?
Also check page #347 in Lyman #47 manual.
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I believe I was very specific on suggesting load data to him. And I wasn't trying to be agrumentative.
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