W231 is a very good .44 Special powder. I gave up on it and HP-38 a couple years ago because it can be hard to find in my area. Same thing with any Accurate Arms powders.
modest load for 44 special
- Thread starter coffeync3
- Start date
This sounds like me
Usually the scoop supplied with the handloader and the powder chart are made to produce light loads. I checked mine with a scale and found out it dips 2.8 grains of BE for my .38 wadcutters. For that load I still use the scoop after 35 years because nothing is simpler and it's a minimum load anyway. I've made several home made scoops with different cartridge cases cut to size and soldered on a wire handle. I used to do everything 'on the cheap' but now I'm trying to do things right so I'm in the market for a 'real' powder measure.
Usually the scoop supplied with the handloader and the powder chart are made to produce light loads. I checked mine with a scale and found out it dips 2.8 grains of BE for my .38 wadcutters. For that load I still use the scoop after 35 years because nothing is simpler and it's a minimum load anyway. I've made several home made scoops with different cartridge cases cut to size and soldered on a wire handle. I used to do everything 'on the cheap' but now I'm trying to do things right so I'm in the market for a 'real' powder measure.
I've been using Bullseye since I had a stash of it around.
I use loads right off the Alliant Powder reloading guide.
Alliant Powder - Reloader's Guide
http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/recipedetail.aspx?gtypeid=5&weight=200&shellid=11&bulletid=14
I load mostly 240gr lead, but load some 204gr lead FN also.
Those from my 44-40 bullet supplys.
For the latter I use the Cowboy loads (second link) that show a listing for a 200gr lead bullet.
Seems it's hard not to find a good load for the 44spl.
Most of mine go thru a Colt OpenTop repro and a Triple Lock.
I still use the dippers to measure powder for these.
Takes too long to set up the Lyman measure for a couple boxes of most anything I load.
I use loads right off the Alliant Powder reloading guide.
Alliant Powder - Reloader's Guide
http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/recipedetail.aspx?gtypeid=5&weight=200&shellid=11&bulletid=14
I load mostly 240gr lead, but load some 204gr lead FN also.
Those from my 44-40 bullet supplys.
For the latter I use the Cowboy loads (second link) that show a listing for a 200gr lead bullet.
Seems it's hard not to find a good load for the 44spl.
Most of mine go thru a Colt OpenTop repro and a Triple Lock.
I still use the dippers to measure powder for these.
Takes too long to set up the Lyman measure for a couple boxes of most anything I load.
Last edited:
ChuckS1
US Veteran
Mine's a Lyman 429383 246 grain LRN and 4.7 grains of Bullseye.
Just tried a Lyman 429348 180 grain full wadcutter over 4.0 of Bullseye.
Feels like a 148 HBWC fired from a 38 Special.
With my 6-1/2" 624 its easy to keep them all in the standard 10 ring at 25 yards.
Feels like a 148 HBWC fired from a 38 Special.
With my 6-1/2" 624 its easy to keep them all in the standard 10 ring at 25 yards.
