Light 44 Mag loads

[Benchrest1]

At my range if you want to shoot steel targets you can't use anything with a mag head stamp. So now I use a lot of loads with spl cases.

 

[Claymore33]

.41 MAG LIGHT LOAD

Last night I loaded and shot Model 57-1 4" with : CCI no. 300 LPP, 8gr HP-38, 210gr JHP. No Chrono but very mild , very accurate. Felt like 850 fps. I desire 950 so I may go up to 8.5 gr of HP-38 today.

 

[jimbo728]

7gr 231 240gr cast 6.5" 629. 857fps 10 shot average.
Accurate and good pin punch.
Jim

 

[mscampbell2734]

I guess I need some new manuals. I haven't started reloading the .44 mag. and I will be getting some new books before I start. I'm looking at an old speer #10 just for grins and most all of the 'mild' loads listed here get to be past max of what that old book says.

The issue with manuals is not PRESSURE, it's the supposed intended use.

In other words most manuals ASSUME when the shooter is using lead they are using dead soft swaged bullets at minimum velocity for bullseye shooting.

There are too many variables for manuals to suggest mid range loads using 240/250 gr hard cast SWC loads.

A mid range 1000 fps 240/250 SWC load is a great range day and general purpose load that no factory offers and no manual wants to do the research to publish.

 

[Marksman]

For the past 25+ years my go to load in .44 Magnum has been a 200gr. RNFP cowboy bullet over a charge of 7.5gr. of Unique. I've become so fond of this load that it's the only load I shoot anymore.

 

[71vette]

Here’s my “midrange” 44 Magnum load:

240gr Acme SWC
9gr Win244, 1.61” COAL, Win LP

20” barrel: 1285fps
4” barrel: 1058fps

4” velocity is from a Smith 29-2. 20” is from a Henry All Weather.

 

[Casual Smith Nut]

“Spare the rod and spoil the bore.”
Bigedp51 that made me chuckle.

I like hp38 at 6-6.5gr for heavy 44spl and 7-7.5gr for same load in 44 mag cases with 240gr LSWC.

I for one appreciate using special brass rather than magnum brass when possible for mid range loads. The main reason is that you save a little powder for each cartridge. For example in the roomy 45 Colt case, 6.5-7gr of Solo 1,000 gives similar results to 5-5.5gr of the same powder in a 45 acp case (used in convertible cylinder single action 45) using 230gr Lee TL. The pressure is certainly different, but when it’s not hot rodded, it’s more economical.