recommendations for .44 magnum

[mzimmers]

Hi, all –

I've got a 629 waiting for me at the FFL. I also have a bunch of old Bear Creek bullets. Since Bear Creek is now defunct, I'm at a loss for loading suggestions, so I thought I'd ask the braintrust here.

Bullets are all lead, no gas checks, .430".

215 and 240 grain SWC
275 and 300 grain FP

Powders I have on hand are Titegroup and H110. I want to go for accuracy rather than maximum velocity.

Any suggestions are welcome. Thanks!

 

[mzimmers]

Hi, all –

I've got a 629 waiting for me at the FFL. I also have a bunch of old Bear Creek bullets. Since Bear Creek is now defunct, I'm at a loss for loading suggestions, so I thought I'd ask the braintrust here.

Bullets are all lead, no gas checks, .430".

215 and 240 grain SWC
275 and 300 grain FP

Powders I have on hand are Titegroup and H110. I want to go for accuracy rather than maximum velocity.

Any suggestions are welcome. Thanks!

 

[idahostreams]

Welcome to the .44 mag. H110 was designed for maximum or very nearly maximum loads. The manafacture does not recommend reducing powder charges with either 296 or 110. 2400 or 4227(my favorite) do well at both somewhat reduced loadings or at maximum. For mid-range loads several work well; unique, blue dot AA#5, universal, etc.Start %10 below maximum and work up .5 grn. at a time until you see where accuracy improves or declines, then increase or reduce in .2gr. increments. The 44 is very versatile and has a reputation for accuracy. Use the bullets you have and check for leading, usually not a problem until you reach around 1,300 fps., depending on bullet hardness

Julian

Originally posted by mzimmers:
Hi, all –

I've got a 629 waiting for me at the FFL. I also have a bunch of old Bear Creek bullets. Since Bear Creek is now defunct, I'm at a loss for loading suggestions, so I thought I'd ask the braintrust here.

Bullets are all lead, no gas checks, .430".

215 and 240 grain SWC
275 and 300 grain FP

Powders I have on hand are Titegroup and H110. I want to go for accuracy rather than maximum velocity.

Any suggestions are welcome. Thanks!

 

[musicmanbass]

Hmmm... I'd just go with mid-range titegroup loads with those bullets as I pretty much just stick to jacketed bullets with H110/W296.

If I can make one suggestion... I've been LOVING the loads I've worked up with HP38 for lead 44 mag loads! I'm just making mid-range loads and they have been very accurate and pretty clean, and just plain fun to shoot!

 

[Skip Sackett]

Titegroup will give you lower velocity rounds that are easier to shoot for most folks.

H110/W296 like has been mentioned above, is not to be reduced below 3%, and then only upon suggestion via loading data.

It has been my experience that bullets that are too hard, will lead below 900fps and is much more common than the reverse, bullets going too fast.

I drive my own cast bullets to 1800fps with no leading. A lot of things have to be right for that to happen.

I have several other suggestions for powder. Are you game to try some different ones than what you have?

 

[mzimmers]

Originally posted by smith crazy:
I have several other suggestions for powder. Are you game to try some different ones than what you have?

Sure...I would prefer to use powder from Hodgdon or IMR, but I'll be happy to listen.

Thanks.

 

[Shuz]

My favorite .44 mag 1000 fps load with cast 230 to 250g boolits, is 7.5 to 8g of Green Dot and a Rem 2-1/2 primer. Real accurate and real inexpensive.

 

[uzisandfloozies]

i've been using 13gr. of AA#7 under a 240gr. ranier flat tip. it shoots very nicely, accurate but not too much kick.

 

[M29since14]

For mid-range loads in your 629, I agree with the poster that suggests HP-38/231. I have had good luck with Universal Clays too, in the 41 Magnum, but have not checked it in the 44, yet. There is no reason it shouldn't work well there, too.

Keep an eye on your gun and clean as needed. It is easier to do it a little at a time than let lead acccumulate and have a real mess to contend with. Good luck!

 

[mzimmers]

Thanks for the suggestions. I do clean my guns after every trip to the range. Is there anything special I need to know about cleaning after lead bullets? I use a bronze brush.

 

[okie john]

If my loads don't leave lead fouling, I just make a couple of passes through the bore with a dry brush. No need to scrub it.


Okie John

 

[M29since14]

I keep a variety of anit-lead weapons handy, based on lots of cast bullet shooting experience. The old standby Lewis Lead Remover, or the modern version of it, is very handy and effective, and the lead removing cloth stuff works pretty well. I probably do most of my cleaning with bronze brushes and Nr. 9 solvent, then resort to the Lewis type tool if the brushes fail. I tend to use the lead removing cloth only as a last resort, though on your stainless gun, worrying about the blued finish would not be a factor. Despite what some people say, I have never seen cast bullet loads that do not lead, in my guns, anyway.