N 105 powder and 44 spcl loads

[metalman60]

Anyone try reloading 44 spcl using N 105 powder.? There are no loads listed in the literature. (IN my opinion, this doesn't mean one can't try anyway-)
My best guess for a starting load would be about 10.0 grains, for a 240 grain LSWC. Bullets would be about 8 BHN-, sized to .431. Load would use a magnum primer.
I have not shot any of these loads- However, filling a 44 spcl case with 10.0 grains of N 105 powder, seems to give about a 70% load density.( Based on a visual inspection) What I don't know, is that 10.0 grains of this powder will "bump up" the bullet and burn reliably.
Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Nemo288]

I have loaded and shot a few.
Your feeling coincides with mine about a starting load.
Under a 240 cast (I prefer a WFN style) QuickLOAD calculates that 12 grains would be a maximum load.
This is really stiff in a Bulldog
I have not chrono'd these but plan a more extensive series this winter as I graduate to the indoor range.

Calculated data (COAL 1.152") Beartooth WFNPB 240:
MV: 1000 fps (6" barrel) (QuickLOAD assumes a closed barrel so this is somewhat speculative)
Pmax: 14.4 KPSI

Calculated data (COAL 1.528) Rainier 240 plated HP (slightly hollow base):
MV (4" barrel) 877 fps.
Pmax 15.1 KPSI

Both of these are with 12 gr. N105

I looked very closely at VV's load data for N105 in the magnum and extrapolated from there.
Then I compared this with the simulation in QuickLOAD.

Once I get some chrono data and fine tune the simulation, I will feel more comfortable maybe stepping this up another grain in the S&W modern 44 specials.
See Brian Pearce's recent article in Handloader #293 about reloading for the 696 & 396.

Good luck.
This IS a combination that has been waiting to be exploited by the community for quite awhile.
I got some N105 when 2400 became unavailable and am pleased with it's clean burn even at these low pressures.
Should be even cleaner as we near the 20-25 KPSI Pearce advocates for the modern special.

 

[metalman60]

I will give it a try-

Thank you Nemo 288
I will load up 50, and go to the range. I will be using one of the 1980's Lew Horton specials . It is a model 24-3.

I will check out the results and report back on this forum.

Thanks again for the fine advice.
Metalman60

 

[Nemo288]

Cool.
I would load a ladder.
10 of each say: 10, 10.5, 11, 11.5, 12.
Shoot for accuracy over a chrono if possible.
Accuracy is more important.
Many of us will be interested in the results.

I originally got one of those guns but for some reason did not like the build quality.
The finish was very bad among other things so I sold it and got the stainless version.
I kept the holster that came with it though (BFW).
The Lew Horton 3" 44 special holsters work great for the L frame 44s too.

Through the years since I seem to have acquired a few more S&W 44 specials.
I don't shoot magnums much at all any more.
The special is all around more useful and fine for the deer we have around here.

Stolen from another forum member:

 

[metalman60]

Range Results for N105

I shot 50 44 spcl loads with N105 powder... The load was :10.0 grains N105, CCI 350 magnum primer, 240 grain SWCL bullet at 7-8 BHN hardness. OAL of cartridge and bullet was 1.527.

Recoil was moderate. There was slight staining at the edge of the cartridge mouths. There was some unburnt powder in the BBL. (Gun used was a Smith N Frame 3 inch BBL. )
Accuracy was ok. Bullet bumped up and sealed the chamber throats. No gas cutting and lead build up on edge of forcing cone. BBL crown had deposit of bullet lube -all around. (ALOX lube was used in the load) No visible evidence of barrel leading as well. Spent shells were examined for flattening of primers - None was detected.
All in all, 10 grains in this load is on the light side. Will try 10.2 grains in the next loading.
Metalman 60

 

[Nemo288]

Thanks for the report.
You might even go to 10.5 as suggested above.

 

[metalman60]

Will proceed with care

thanks again Nemo 288
I am in the process of loading another 25 with 10.5 grains N105. I will also load another 25 with 11.0 grains of N 105. I will post the results of this effort in a couple of days.
These loads will use the bullets I am casting-. Bullets will be 7-8 BHN, sized to .431. Lube will be alox. I am uncertain how stiff a load I can cook up using lead bullets, with N105 powder

 

[Sixshooter44]

Matts bullets makes a beautiful hollow point that is perfect for the 44 special

 

[metalman60]

Results for 10.5 grains of N105 in 44spcl

I loaded 50 rounds of 44 spcl. The load was 10.5 grains N 105 powder, with all new starline brass. CCI 350 primers were used. The bullet was a 240 grain SWCL at 7-8 BHN. ALOX was used as a bullet lube. Heavy crimp was used at the top edge of the cannelure, which resulted in a COAL of 1.526. (Measured with dial calipers)
Accuracy was good. Was able to remove the bullseye of a target at 30 feet, using all 50. Load burned clean. NO un-burnt powder, no leading, and no residue on the edge of the forcing cone. Bullets used were sized to .431.
Felt recoil seemed the same as the previous 10.0 grain load, possible even a little less. Used Redding universal powder measure, and checked every tenth powder charge on an RCBS 1010 scale.
This in my opinion, is a good starting load for target shooting. I would like to hear from others who are interested in trying this load as well. If my results have any validity, others should be able to duplicate them and report on their findings.

Metalman60

 

[Nemo288]

Good going.
I suspected the load would clean up with a minor increase.
VV powders are known for being some of the cleanest burning there are.
Magnum primer and heavy crimp may contribute to this.
I don't use either in target loads but if it works for you .. go for it!

 

[ddixie884]

This interests me and I am going to look into it after I get through with my experiments with Herco.......

 

[Nemo288]

Digging through some chronograph data I see 12 even 12.5 grains of N105 under a 240 is a good load in the 44 special.

As mentioned above, I got my first N105 during that last great shortage of a few years back
which also coincided with VV switching their distributors and warehouse.
For a short time their new distributor was Recobs Target Shop which happens to be my local store.
They had all kinds of VV powders I had never heard of before like 3N37 3N38 N105 etc.
Glad I decided on the N105.
Every time I run a simulation in QuickLOAD it claims N105 to be the most efficient powder available for the 44 special.
Highest velocity for a given pressure.
It also bulks up the case nicely and burns way better than 2400 at the lower special pressures.

After that shortage I only saw N105 for sale once or twice and got several more pounds which have lasted till now.
But I see it's back on the shelves at some of the online outlets now.
Vihtavuori Powder N105 | Cheap Vihtavuori Powder N105 - AmmoSeek.com 2020
It really is quite expensive as are all the VV powders now but they do offer some uniquely good properties.

Below find a pdf of some chronograph data of mine including N105 in various 696 and 624 S&W 44 specials.
The green loads are the ones that gave the best targets.

If you are really into the 44 special, try to find yourself a 696-1.
That is my most accurate S&W 44 special and I have 6 of them.
The chamber throat and bore dimensions match and are the most correct of the lot.
However I lucked out and got one with a button rifled barrel as well that was probably assembled from the spare parts bin at the end of the run.

Keep us posted.
N105 is a great 44 special powder

Edit:
Midway has N105 for $36/lb (limit 2) as I type this.