Red Dot .44 Special Loads

[Duster340]

Hey Folks,

Working up some loads for my new Bulldog. Worked up some decent loads using 7 gr Unique and 8.2 grains Blue Dot behind 240 gr PFP. Surprisingly the Blue Dot grouped best. The gun shot factory PMC 180gr JHP's extremely well. The gun seems to be favoring light bullets and since I have a Lee 214 gr SWC mold laying around I thought I'd try working up a few loads. Unfortunately, getting low on both Unique and Blue Dot. Picked up some Red Dot with the hopes to work up a few good plinking loads.

From looking at my manuals, 4.6-5 gr of Red Dot seems to be a good starting load for bullets in the 210-240 grain range. Not seeing any data for the 214 Cast SWC in any of my manuals, and wondering if anyone has any data/experience for 214 gr bullets and Red Dot.

Top Group is 5 shots of the factory PMC 180 gr JHP off hand at 7 yards. The center group (6 shots cause I had an extra round on the bench) is the Blue Dot 240 PFP load also off hand at 7 yards.

Thanks in advance!

Be well.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

You can safely use load data for a 210gr LSWC bullet with a 214gr LSWC bullet. The weight difference is very small and you will be safe if you start low and work up.

 

[fredj338]

You cn always se heavier bullet data for lighter bullets. I have shot #s of reddot in 45colt CAS loads. It's good for low to mid range loads in the bigger cases.

 

[Treeman]

Mine likes 6gr Rdot with 180gr cast... but I haven't loaded 214gr at all and have used other powders for heavier bullets in the Charter.

 

[Duster340]

Archangel, FredJ & Treeman, Thank You all for the quick replies. Much appreciated! As always, I'll start light and work up if needed. Will post up the range results once I am able hit the range for testing.

 

[SOFMatchstaff]

I just did a short run of 44sp with 6gr of RD and 6 of Promo under a 240 plated. 3- 1/2" N frame, and the groups at 20yds looked exactly like yours. I dropped down to 5grs and shot into the same POI with a tad less recoil. the chrono data said the 6gr load was at 865 and the 5gr dropped to 820, both shot well and almost to the same POI.
I am going outdoors and try at a longer range an see what they will hold. Sure do like that 3 1/2" M 24. I also ran the same charges thru the M58 with 220gr Keiths and got the same accuracy at a significant increase in velocity over the 44s.

 

[Duster340]

Thanks for sharing the Red Dot info SOFMatchstaff. I'd loved to get my hands on a nice short barreled M24 one of these days I loaded a couple small batches of 240 PFPs on top of 4.8 & 5.2 grains of RD yesterday but haven't tested them yet. They should be pretty mild shooting loads even in the little Bulldog. Going to cast some 214 gr SWC's tomorrow after work. Once I get a few test batches put together, I'll hit the range to see how the various loads work out. Looking forward to seeing how the Red Dot works out.Will post the results here...good or bad LOL. Let us know how your loads shoot when you get a chance to stretch the range a bit.

Be well.

I just did a short run of 44sp with 6gr of RD and 6 of Promo under a 240 plated. 3- 1/2" N frame, and the groups at 20yds looked exactly like yours. I dropped down to 5grs and shot into the same POI with a tad less recoil. the chrono data said the 6gr load was at 865 and the 5gr dropped to 820, both shot well and almost to the same POI.
I am going outdoors and try at a longer range an see what they will hold. Sure do like that 3 1/2" M 24. I also ran the same charges thru the M58 with 220gr Keiths and got the same accuracy at a significant increase in velocity over the 44s.

 

[scattershot]

I use 4.5 grains of RD under a 240 lswc in .44 special. It's a pleasant shooting load, around 750 fps,or so. Not uncomfortable in the Bulldog.

 

[Duster340]

Thanks Scattershot. Just finished up a little batch of these Lee 429-214-SWC's. Going to load a variety of batches in increments ranging from 4.5 to 5.5 gr of Red Dot. Hopefully I can find a load that groups as well as the little 180 gr PMC JHPs. They'll certainly be a whole lot cheaper to shoot!

I use 4.5 grains of RD under a 240 lswc in .44 special. It's a pleasant shooting load, around 750 fps,or so. Not uncomfortable in the Bulldog.