Help with a 44 Magnum load

harleygeorge

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I have some 240 grain Brinell #18, TCFP bullets from Missouri Bullet Co. I would like to use in my 44 Magnum. Unique is all I have and Alliant powders guide which recommends 7 Grains of Unique behind a 240 gr cast LSWC giving a velocity of 899 fps.out of a 7.5 inch barrel. I found no info for a TCFP. Would 8 grains of unique be okay behind the TCFP bullet?
 
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I have a 629 Classic with a 6 1/2" barrel . With 8 grains of Unique and a 250 grain cast bullet I averaged 905 fps over the chronograph .
You'll be fine with your TCFP bullet and 8 grains of Unique .
 
44Wussy is not dangerous

You won't have any problems with that load other than you're in for a rude awakening when you finally load it as 44mag.
 
I load the Missouri Bullet Co 240gr SWC with 8grs of Unique and 10grs of Unique.

Both are very accurate loads. One is wimpy and the other will put a smile on your face.
 
8gr pretty much the midrange guru load for the 44mag under a 240-250gr lead bullet. You aren't shooing a 44mag until you get into the slower powders like 2400.
 
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800 ish fps is 44 special territory. Go ahead and spend the money for a pound of 2400 or H110 / W296 to experience a true magnum load. (btw from a 6 inch barrel the 240 grain hard cast bullets running 1,200 to near 1,400 fps are magnum velocities)

With cast bullets don't over do it with fast powders, barrel leading is a pain to clean out.
 
44's & Unique

Been shooting Unique in my 44's since the 70's....I normally run 10 gr. of Unique driving a 240 gr cast semi wadcutter as my everyday load in a 4" 29....8 gr's is a nice mild accurate load....I use Unique in my 4" or shorter bl's and 2400 with the same bullet in 6" or longer. Unique will work well for you...good shooting.
 
A couple of observations you may find helpful. I've been doing a bit of experimenting with Berry's Hard Cast bullets in 357 Magnum, specifically their 158 grain RNFP. My current load produces no leading at all and out of a 6 inch barrel it's clocking at 1150 fps and out of a 20 inch rifle it's clocking at 1415 fps. So, without any doubt I can assure you that the bullet you are working with can tolerate Magnum velocities.

BTW, Berry's claims a hardness of 18-20 BHN for their Hard Cast bullets and my "Caveman Hammer Test" indicates they are most definitely NOT a softer alloy. Basically you have to smack them pretty darned hard before you get any major deformation.

The second factor in this equation is your powder choice. I've been using Accurate #5 with is a bit faster than Unique and that choice was intentional. Because one cause of leading can be pressure that is too LOW to cause the bullet to obdurate in the bore and form a good seal. So, by loading a hard cast bullet too light you can actually cause leading that wouldn't happen with a heavier charge. My Lyman's 49th is showing 10-11.7 grains of Unique wtih a 240 grain bullet using a Linotype alloy, which means it's a Hard Cast bullet.
 
Thanks people. As for the "wussy" load, I have learned in my 82 years on this planet, there "ain't" no such thing as a dumb question. And, yes I have fired 44 magnum factory loads in it. As you all know, powder is hard to come by and, in my neck of the woods you had better be in the line when a powder shipment comes in. A friend has recommended 2400 also. As soon as I can lay my hands on some I'll certainly try it. Most of my reloading experience has and is been with rifle, but I am really enjoying reloading for my S&W model 629-1, which my wife purchased for Christmas for me several years ago, and my 38/357. Other "Smitty's." 38/357, M&P 9mm Shield, (purchased recently) and my My M&P 15.
Of course my "Howdah" gun is my trusty .22 LR browning Buck Mark.

I am a Korean War Veteran. 1950-53.
 
I started reloading for my .44 magnums in the early '80s. I went through the "Magnumitis" phase early and it lasted less than a year, mostly 'cause I like shooting and numb hands I don't like. I have my revolver loads (about 8.0 gr. Unique under a 250 cast SWC) a load for my carbine (about 15.0 gr, Bluedot under a 265 gr. RNFP) and my Contender loads (about 20 gr. WC820). None of these are wrist breakers, they are accurate, and if I were to hunt with any of these, I'm positive they would work on game up to mebbe black bear...
 
I like a light 44 load.

It makes the same size hole in paper as a ear splittin', hand numbing, full throttle magnum load.

If all you are doing is shooting paper, I agree!! If, like me, you use the .44 Magnum like Elmer Keith intended...That is long range hunting and extreme range target shooting a bit more oomph is required. I have taken deer at ranges from 6 feet (yup two long paces) out to 90 long paces, and hit water filled coffee cans out to 150 measured yards.

That is the brilliance of the .44 magnum, down load it to comfortable, near zero recoil target loadings, or turn it up to near dangerous game charge stopping power levels. It does it all for the handloader.
 
Start with the 8 grains of Unique and see if it needs adjusting, this load should be just fine and help the hard bullet " bump up".
Us " more mature " shooters have learned you don't have drive them to the hilt all the time. My 38 special gets most of the range time now days.
Gary
 
Funny reading all the old poofters who buy a "he-man" 44mag and then load as 44wussy. Why not buy a good 1911 instead? Or a 357? Well I know why you don't - its because 44 mag sounds so much more macho.
 
First off, harleygeorge is a Korean War Veteran.. NOT an "Old Poofter".....

Thank you for your Service Sir!!

Secondly, if you read his post,,, He didn't buy the gun.. His wife did!! Obviously the woman has good taste in men AND guns!! :D

Third, I've owned a Model 29 .44mag and I do know for a fact that the lightest load for a .44mag/special will most definitely put a 2000lb bull on the ground ready to make into steak's and hamburger!!

I beg yer pardon dla but I don't call that "wussy"....... :cool:

Now back to our thread....
 
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Funny reading all the old poofters who buy a "he-man" 44mag and then load as 44wussy. Why not buy a good 1911 instead? Or a 357? Well I know why you don't - its because 44 mag sounds so much more macho.

I doubt that you know much about how "experienced"
handloaders think. Maybe some of us older handloaders have
learned that 44 magnums give you the choice of mild to wild
loads to handle most any need. And besides, they probably
already own 45s and 357s as well as others.
 
I worked up to 8.5 grains Unique under the 240 LSWC.
1049 FPS with an SD of 9.8 from my 8-3/8" 629.
Does everything I'll ever need it to do.
This is the 44 magnum version of Skeeter Skelton's .44 Special load of 7.5 Unique.
 
Funny reading all the old poofters who buy a "he-man" 44mag and then load as 44wussy. Why not buy a good 1911 instead? Or a 357? Well I know why you don't - its because 44 mag sounds so much more macho.

Dunno about the other guys, but "macho" has nuttin' to do with it for me. The .44 Magnum is an accurate, very versatile cartridge. A 45 ACP or .357 Magnum won't do all I want from a handgun. I have loaded it for huntin' T-Rex with max. load of WC820 under a 265 LRNFP bullet and down to grass hopper shooting with 124 gr. round balls with light Bullseye charges. I have three beautiful revolvers, two double action, one single action. Also have a single shot Contender and a 20" lever gun in .44 Mag. Everything covered. About the only thing I can't do easily with a .44 Magnum is concealed carry...
 
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I have some 240 grain Brinell #18, TCFP bullets from Missouri Bullet Co. I would like to use in my 44 Magnum. Unique is all I have and Alliant powders guide which recommends 7 Grains of Unique behind a 240 gr cast LSWC giving a velocity of 899 fps.out of a 7.5 inch barrel. I found no info for a TCFP. Would 8 grains of unique be okay behind the TCFP bullet?

I know just that during my tenure as a reloader I have used 10 grains of unique for a long, long time and settled on it many years ago.It gives approx. 1000 fps, give or take, and no problems.Always use a 240 bullet also, lead or jacketed. 7.5 inch Super BH and Sw 29. Plus lots of rifles and other revolvers. Give it a chance and you.ll see.
 
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