Load data for 3-inch .44 Magnum?

[Pantera Mike]

I haven’t really reloaded since the 1990s, and am just getting back into the hobby. Part of my problem is that all my load data dates from that time, but since then there has been an explosion (hah!) in new boutique powders, powders for which load data seems hard to come by, particularly for cast bullets.

I have a Lyman manual from 1970 (!) which is just decorative, and ‘one book, one caliber’ manual dated 1993 which has the relevant pages from contemporary manuals, which predates powders like BE-86. And I have the new Speer manual which has no hard cast lead bullet data at all.

I might need to invest in the latest edition of the ‘one book, one caliber’ manual.....

 

[cowboy4evr]

Houston GT , I used 10.5 grs of BE-86 , with the 245 gr swc ( Keith , HG503) . I would think any 240 gr swc would be fine as my load was not that close to max . Alliant shows 11.6 max with a cast 240 gr RNFP , so a 240 gr swc would work just fine . Regards , Paul

 

[Pantera Mike]

I decided to give 2400 a try, specifically because it can be downloaded all the way to light .44 special territory. I chose to start out with 18 grains, which is just below the .44 Magnum starting load in most manuals for a 240 gr SWC, but the starting load for .44 Special is 13 grains. I brewed up 100 rounds this afternoon and hopefully can try them out on Friday.

In minutes I will be taking delivery of 8000 (!) more 240 gr SWC moly-coated bullets from the recently defunct Billy Bullets, so I will have plenty of opportunity to experiment!

 

[Pantera Mike]

The 2400 load worked great. Decent accuracy, zero perceptible muzzle flash, and recoil light enough to tolorate all day, while not being so light as to let you forget you’re shooting a .44 Magnum. I brewed up another batch and will be heading to the range again in a couple of days. Thanks again to all for the help!