Light loads for 44SPL/MAG

[jimbo728]

When I choose "light" loads in 44 Mag cases I deep seat the bullets. A 240 SWC crimped over the forward driving band with 5.7 WW231 is amazingly accurate in all of my 44 Mags. Recoil feels like a .38

Dan

7,0 231v857fps is my favorite! beats pins wy back!
Jim

 

[Agt. Smith]

More data !

Stopped by the range on my way to work this morning and got chrono readings on the latest .44mag/Alliant SP loads. Nice accuracy, and still very comfortable to shoot strong hand.

Same parameters as before: Temp was 78F, RH 77%, no wind. Lost some data because the sun was *really* bright and I wasn't using the diffusers - but what I got was good I believe.

LOAD 8 - 240gn FP (HS), 6.6 gn Alliant SP, 44 MAG Everglades OF case (2)
{"velocity":820,"date":"2021-06-30T09:00:14-04:00"} - part of a very nice 2" group
{"velocity":829,"date":"2021-06-30T09:00:24-04:00"} - part of a very nice 2" group
{"velocity":824,"date":"2021-06-30T09:00:30-04:00"} - part of a very nice 2" group
{"velocity":832,"date":"2021-06-30T09:00:48-04:00"} - part of a very nice 2" group
{"velocity":831,"date":"2021-06-30T09:02:38-04:00"}
{"velocity":820,"date":"2021-06-30T09:02:50-04:00"}
mean = 826, standard deviation = 4.9, PF = 198

LOAD 8 - 240gn FP (HS), 6.6 gn Alliant SP, 44 MAG Everglades OF case (2)
{"velocity":840,"date":"2021-06-30T09:03:26-04:00"}
{"velocity":835,"date":"2021-06-30T09:03:38-04:00"}
{"velocity":847,"date":"2021-06-30T09:05:14-04:00"}
{"velocity":829,"date":"2021-06-30T09:05:30-04:00"}
{"velocity":834,"date":"2021-06-30T09:05:40-04:00"}
{"velocity":828,"date":"2021-06-30T09:06:02-04:00"}
mean = 835, standard deviation = 7.1, PF = 200

Also shot some poly-coated 200gn FP w/ 6.1 gn Alliant SP - everything was ~600 fps. I didn't record anything because it was totally an experiment - but I plan to work up a load for these also. I love the bullets - easy to handle and I think they'll go through the feeder tube well.

 

[teletech]

There was a minute when cast 174TC were what I could find and since I have them I'm trying to figure out what to pack behind them. I see loads for 180JHP or 205LRN but nothing lighter in any of my manuals.
I'm tempted to say this is the perfect application for the SR4759 I have on the shelf but since it seems a shame to work up a load for an obsolete powder I suppose Unique or 2400 might be better choices.
Suggestions?
I'm just putting holes in paper out to say 25yds and want to go easy on the New Century (TL) I recently paid too much for.

 

[ddixie884]

6.0gr Unique will work for you're TL. The cylinder is slightly smaller in diameter and not heat treated. 2400 will not work at the pressure limits of your finr revolver..........

 

[Agt. Smith]

More Alliant SP Testing

Yesterday, I had a chance to collect some verification data on the .44 Mag (629-6 w/2-5/8") 7.1 gn Alliant SP / 240gn SWC. Very good accuracy 25-30' and the data was pretty much a repeat of the last set with the same load.

Couldn't miss 6" and 8" steel gongs from 30' even if I tried.

(two handed, and as long as it was a center hold on the 'top edge' of the plate)

Next up is 7.5 gn - probably next week sometime. Who would have guessed a snub could be so much fun.

LOAD 9 - 240gn SWC (T&B), 7.1 gn Alliant SP, 44 MAG 1F Rem Brass

{"velocity":800,"date":"2021-07-10T09:04:49-04:00"},
{"velocity":833,"date":"2021-07-10T09:04:55-04:00"},
{"velocity":788,"date":"2021-07-10T09:04:59-04:00"},
{"velocity":790,"date":"2021-07-10T09:05:05-04:00"},
{"velocity":811,"date":"2021-07-10T09:05:07-04:00"},
{"velocity":795,"date":"2021-07-10T09:05:11-04:00"},

{"velocity":815,"date":"2021-07-10T09:06:53-04:00"},
{"velocity":817,"date":"2021-07-10T09:06:57-04:00"},
{"velocity":789,"date":"2021-07-10T09:07:01-04:00"},
{"velocity":792,"date":"2021-07-10T09:07:05-04:00"},
{"velocity":812,"date":"2021-07-10T09:07:09-04:00"},
{"velocity":804,"date":"2021-07-10T09:07:13-04:00"},

{"velocity":843,"date":"2021-07-10T09:08:17-04:00"},
{"velocity":795,"date":"2021-07-10T09:08:19-04:00"},
{"velocity":803,"date":"2021-07-10T09:08:23-04:00"},
{"velocity":824,"date":"2021-07-10T09:08:25-04:00"},
{"velocity":790,"date":"2021-07-10T09:08:27-04:00"},
{"velocity":803,"date":"2021-07-10T09:08:29-04:00"},

{"velocity":830,"date":"2021-07-10T09:10:53-04:00"},
{"velocity":827,"date":"2021-07-10T09:10:59-04:00"},
{"velocity":806,"date":"2021-07-10T09:11:03-04:00"},
{"velocity":818,"date":"2021-07-10T09:11:05-04:00"},
{"velocity":782,"date":"2021-07-10T09:11:09-04:00"},
{"velocity":821,"date":"2021-07-10T09:11:11-04:00"},

{"velocity":841,"date":"2021-07-10T09:14:39-04:00"},
{"velocity":782,"date":"2021-07-10T09:14:43-04:00"},
{"velocity":761,"date":"2021-07-10T09:14:47-04:00"},
{"velocity":783,"date":"2021-07-10T09:14:51-04:00"},
{"velocity":773,"date":"2021-07-10T09:14:55-04:00"},
{"velocity":785,"date":"2021-07-10T09:14:59-04:00"},

{"velocity":791,"date":"2021-07-10T09:19:09-04:00"},
{"velocity":806,"date":"2021-07-10T09:19:13-04:00"},
{"velocity":802,"date":"2021-07-10T09:19:17-04:00"},
{"velocity":807,"date":"2021-07-10T09:19:21-04:00"},
{"velocity":820,"date":"2021-07-10T09:19:25-04:00"},
{"velocity":814,"date":"2021-07-10T09:19:29-04:00"},

{"velocity":769,"date":"2021-07-10T09:24:15-04:00"},
{"velocity":764,"date":"2021-07-10T09:24:27-04:00"},
{"velocity":787,"date":"2021-07-10T09:24:31-04:00"},
{"velocity":787,"date":"2021-07-10T09:24:35-04:00"},
{"velocity":783,"date":"2021-07-10T09:24:39-04:00"},
{"velocity":768,"date":"2021-07-10T09:24:45-04:00"},

42-shot mean = 802, standard deviation = 18, PF = 192

 

[Agt. Smith]

Opps!

.....forgot the picture (always need a picture ).

Made up a box of 3 different loads for a 200gn FP as well.

 

[mikld]

Why would you want to "water down" a 44 magnum or 44 special?
Why not just use a 38sp and shoot a cheaper load.

\
44 Magnum is one of my most favorite cartridges. I have reloaded everything from 123 gr. balls to 310 gr ingots, gallery loads to T-Rex Killers. I own 5 44 Magnums and started "watered down" loads for my Super Black Hawk which using med to upper loads resulted in a bloody middle finger after 15-20 rounds and I don't like shooting gloves so I played around with lighter loads. I also made up a lot of 44 Special loads in Magnum brass and in the thousands of rounds fired, not one bullet lodged in the barrel (most used bullet was a 240gr 429421 then a Ranch Dog 240 gr. and 265 gr. RNFP),

I do have a few 38 Specials, but I don't consider reloading as "expensive or cheap" by caliber (if I did count pennies I'd be shooting cast bullets in my 32 ACP). But a good reason I made up "watered down" loads is because I can...

 

[mikld]

To be clear...you're using a Spl charge and seating to Mag length in Mag cases? Keep your brass rod handy.

I've done just that (low Special loads in Magnum brass and seated to crimp groove). In a few thousand rounds fired in 3 revolvers, one Contender, I have never stuck a bullet in a barrel...

 

[Agt. Smith]

38 spl / mag

I've done that also - spl loads in a mag case. It seemed to work fine, but I decided to stick with the full cases and work loads to around 1000 fps for the snub anyway.

I am partial to the poly coated 240 SWC bullets, but I plan to try some of the XTP JHP in 240 also. More expensive, but they will feed through the bullet dropped on the LNL AP.