Looking for a good 44spcl load
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OFT II
US Veteran
For a mild load try 5.5 grains of Unique, 6.5 grains for a medium load and 7.5 grains for a warm load. This info is for a 240 grain slug.
crsides
US Veteran, SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
what gun are you going to use it in and for what purpose? Hunting, target shooting, self defense ???
There ya go. That's the info we need to really help you out here.
semperfi71
US Veteran
A 240/250 grain cast flat point or semi-wadcutter loaded to anywhere from 800 fps to 1,000 fps (whichever is comfortable for you) with any powder that produces the best accuracy (which could be one of about 30 powders or so).
When you find the load you want, if you intend to keep the revolver for life buy ALL the components NOW to last the rest of your life. if you can.
When you find the load you want, if you intend to keep the revolver for life buy ALL the components NOW to last the rest of your life. if you can.
Skip Sackett
US Veteran
Yes, welcome to the forum!
I don't load for the 44Spl. I had some brass around here once but chose not to use it in my 44Mag revolvers. Nothing wrong with it though, I just decided to use 44Mag brass, even for my light loads.
All of the loads listed will work very well. I have a really light load that I used for PPC from my M629 Classic with a 5" barrel. It is a very light load but I found that others used it for pin shooting. It is a bit under the minimum from Alliant though so I hesitate posting it.
It uses a 200gr LRNFP Cowboy bullet and recoil is very light with the heavy barrel of the Classic. Makes for good follow up shots!
I don't load for the 44Spl. I had some brass around here once but chose not to use it in my 44Mag revolvers. Nothing wrong with it though, I just decided to use 44Mag brass, even for my light loads.
All of the loads listed will work very well. I have a really light load that I used for PPC from my M629 Classic with a 5" barrel. It is a very light load but I found that others used it for pin shooting. It is a bit under the minimum from Alliant though so I hesitate posting it.
It uses a 200gr LRNFP Cowboy bullet and recoil is very light with the heavy barrel of the Classic. Makes for good follow up shots!
Joni_Lynn
US Veteran
Welcome to the forum Pat
pbcaster
Member
I have had good luck in several revolvers using 5.0 grains of Red Dot, 240 grain bullets(RN or SWC), and .44 Special cases. That load is very accurate(at least in my revolvers)and burns quite clean.
Mule88
Member
Try 7.5 gn of Universal clays, burns cleaner than Unique and i find it more accurate.
I found that I like a little bit lighter bullet in the 44spl. I haven't had any problems pushing the 215gr bullets out of a charter arms bulldog, a S&W 624 & a contender.
For the last couple of years I've been using the lee cast bullet (214g). I can't believe the beautiful clean round holes they cut in paper. The holes look like they were made with a paper punch.
I'm using 4.8gr of titegroup to push that bullet. That's been an extremely accurate load that's easily managable for target duty & is still hot enough for other needs.
For the last couple of years I've been using the lee cast bullet (214g). I can't believe the beautiful clean round holes they cut in paper. The holes look like they were made with a paper punch.
I'm using 4.8gr of titegroup to push that bullet. That's been an extremely accurate load that's easily managable for target duty & is still hot enough for other needs.
Dave T
Member
My general purpose/plinking/practice 44 Special load is a Berry's 240g FP, seated deep enough to crimp over the shoulder of the point on top of 6.1g of HP-38 (I'm told this is the same as WW 231). I prefer the Berry's plated bullet as it leaves the revolver much cleaner than cast bullets of the same weight and at the same level of performance.
The above load chronographs at an average of 824 fps from a 4" barreled S&W Model of 1950 44 Target. Groups five or six shots into 2" @ 20 yards, which is about as good as my aging eyesight can manage. (smile)
Dave
The above load chronographs at an average of 824 fps from a 4" barreled S&W Model of 1950 44 Target. Groups five or six shots into 2" @ 20 yards, which is about as good as my aging eyesight can manage. (smile)
Dave
DGNY
Member
You are most welcome to join in the fun. Especially as you have inquired about a classic S&W cartridge, still so useful after all these years.
Regards,
Dyson
Regards,
Dyson
This is my 2 loads for the 3" 629
A nice plinking load, also good for bowling pins. 240 gr cast SWC over 5.0 Titegroup 650 fps
My next step up is 240 cast SWC over 5.7 Titegroup 850 fps
Great for bowling pins after they have soaked up a few rounds and get heavy. I would also be happy with this load for 2 legged varmints.
A nice plinking load, also good for bowling pins. 240 gr cast SWC over 5.0 Titegroup 650 fps
My next step up is 240 cast SWC over 5.7 Titegroup 850 fps
Great for bowling pins after they have soaked up a few rounds and get heavy. I would also be happy with this load for 2 legged varmints.
Kaumheimer
Member
In my opinion Smith Crazy is 100% correct. In experimenting I've also found the 200gr LRNFP Cowboy bullet to be preferable to the 240 gr lead SWC. The recoil is not only very light but it's incredibly accurate on top of 6.6 gr Unique. I don't really like a lot of recoil and the 200 gr bullet is much easier to manage and a lot more fun. Give it a shot.
