Wanted .44 Mag load to replicate .44 Special
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Dale53
Member
It would be helpful if you mentioned what your .44 Special load is.
I WILL give you an example, tho'. My favorite .44 Special load is the "Skeeter load", that is a Lyman 429421 ahead of 7.5 grs of Unique. To get approximately the same velocity in the .44 Magnum case you would need 9.0 grs of Unique.
Since this is in a "non-critical" pressure area for a .44 magnum, you can just apportion most other powders in a similar manner. Keep in mind that interpolation can get you into trouble but if you keep with medium burning powders, you should be all right. Of course, if you have access to a chronograph you can first chronograph your favorite .44 Special load and then raise that powder charge in a .44 Magnum to reach the same level.
After you decide what the load will be run it by a couple of reloading manuals (or Alliant's or Hodgdon's online data) to be certain you are staying in safe territory.
Dale53
I WILL give you an example, tho'. My favorite .44 Special load is the "Skeeter load", that is a Lyman 429421 ahead of 7.5 grs of Unique. To get approximately the same velocity in the .44 Magnum case you would need 9.0 grs of Unique.
Since this is in a "non-critical" pressure area for a .44 magnum, you can just apportion most other powders in a similar manner. Keep in mind that interpolation can get you into trouble but if you keep with medium burning powders, you should be all right. Of course, if you have access to a chronograph you can first chronograph your favorite .44 Special load and then raise that powder charge in a .44 Magnum to reach the same level.
After you decide what the load will be run it by a couple of reloading manuals (or Alliant's or Hodgdon's online data) to be certain you are staying in safe territory.
Dale53
R. Walter
Member
Try some Unique. Not very clean though. But you do clean your guns after shooting?
musicmanbass
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I absolutely LOVE 231/HP38 for light cast loads in .44! Much cleaner than Unique, and for me it works out that as long as I am over about 6.2-6.4gr, it burns completely. Like Okie said, around 7 grains is the sweet spot.
I've also loaded bullets as light as 180gr with light charges of 231, and it's a great way to get newer shooters used to handling a large-frame .44. Once they're comfortable with the light stuff, I work them up to heavier loads with Unique, then the really fun loads with AA9 or H110/296.
I've also loaded bullets as light as 180gr with light charges of 231, and it's a great way to get newer shooters used to handling a large-frame .44. Once they're comfortable with the light stuff, I work them up to heavier loads with Unique, then the really fun loads with AA9 or H110/296.
Groo01
Member
Groo here
A full case of Trailboss will get you to about
44spec spects Look on their web sight for
info.
A full case of Trailboss will get you to about
44spec spects Look on their web sight for
info.
Skip Sackett
US Veteran
I have shot all the way down to 200gr LRNFP bullets over 4.5gr of Bullseye (in magnum cases) to Elmer's 2400 44spl/Mag (in special cases) load under a 250gr LSWC, of his own design.
What do you want to do? What kind of velocity do you want to end up with?
The 44 is one of the most versatile calibers to load for. Very forgiving and accurate.
Why don't you try some "Cowboy Action" loads for the 44mag? There is plenty of data for them.
Case in point:
Cowboy Data for 44mag from Accurate Arms:
http://www.accuratepowder.com/...tonMagnumpage160.pdf
Standard data for 44spl from Accurate Arms:
http://www.accuratepowder.com/...0131%20and%20132.pdf
Do a little comparison and you should be able to come up with something.
Good hunting!
What do you want to do? What kind of velocity do you want to end up with?
The 44 is one of the most versatile calibers to load for. Very forgiving and accurate.
Why don't you try some "Cowboy Action" loads for the 44mag? There is plenty of data for them.
Case in point:
Cowboy Data for 44mag from Accurate Arms:
http://www.accuratepowder.com/...tonMagnumpage160.pdf
Standard data for 44spl from Accurate Arms:
http://www.accuratepowder.com/...0131%20and%20132.pdf
Do a little comparison and you should be able to come up with something.
Good hunting!
I guess I should have been more specific about what I was trying to accomplish.
I have a 629 and a M24 that are both 3" guns. I want to use the 629 to do my high volume shooting and use the M24 for occasional CCW. The M24 shoots so good with a 240 grain bullet at 800 - 900 FPS, I thought I would like to replicate that load in the 629 using magnum cases.
I have a 629 and a M24 that are both 3" guns. I want to use the 629 to do my high volume shooting and use the M24 for occasional CCW. The M24 shoots so good with a 240 grain bullet at 800 - 900 FPS, I thought I would like to replicate that load in the 629 using magnum cases.
Sir, 8.5 grains of Unique under a cast 240-grain SWC should get you in the ballpark. This load was a "sweet spot" with these components in my old 3-inch 629--neither lighter nor heavier powder charges were as accurate.
Hope this helps, and Semper Fi.
Ron H.
2000Z-71
Member
Check out Hogdon's cowboy action loading data. I've used Universal Clays with a 240 grain lead bullet and have been very happy with it. Universal Clays has a burn rate very close to Unique and burns a lot cleaner.
Dale53
Member
<span class="ev_code_RED">burns a lot cleaner.</span>
I guess I could be rightly called "old school" as for years my old stand-by's have been Bullseye (target loads) and Unique for medium (service) loads. I have pretty much pooh-poohed those that complained about Bullseye and Unique being "dirty".
I have been shooting a good deal with my revolvers this past couple of years. Today was an example: I was out with my 6" 686-4 shooting double ended wadcutters ahead of 3.5 Bullseye in .38 Special cases. This is a really good load, accurate, not a powder puff .38 Special load, but a really useful load for target and edible small game. It will group in my 686 under an inch at 25 yards.
HOWEVER, this is a DIRTY load and that is for sure. I shot eight targets (slow fire target - ten shots each) for a total of 80 shots. When I finished, my hands were FILTHY. I am right handed and the back of my right hand was dirty almost beyond belief. I swear I have less dirt from shooting black powder in my Bisley Vaquero in full charge .45 Colts (well, maybe not QUITE that bad) but really bad.
I guess I am going to have to go along with the "cleaner burning crowd" and that HURTS!
I am shooting up all of my odds and ends of powder to get rid of the partial kegs. I'll probably have enough to last til next year but THEN I'm going to clean up my act. After I finish up and start shooting "clean" powders CSI is probably going to have to lay off people (remember "GSR" {Gun Shot Residue}??)
.
Dale53
I guess I could be rightly called "old school" as for years my old stand-by's have been Bullseye (target loads) and Unique for medium (service) loads. I have pretty much pooh-poohed those that complained about Bullseye and Unique being "dirty".
I have been shooting a good deal with my revolvers this past couple of years. Today was an example: I was out with my 6" 686-4 shooting double ended wadcutters ahead of 3.5 Bullseye in .38 Special cases. This is a really good load, accurate, not a powder puff .38 Special load, but a really useful load for target and edible small game. It will group in my 686 under an inch at 25 yards.
HOWEVER, this is a DIRTY load and that is for sure. I shot eight targets (slow fire target - ten shots each) for a total of 80 shots. When I finished, my hands were FILTHY. I am right handed and the back of my right hand was dirty almost beyond belief. I swear I have less dirt from shooting black powder in my Bisley Vaquero in full charge .45 Colts (well, maybe not QUITE that bad) but really bad.
I guess I am going to have to go along with the "cleaner burning crowd" and that HURTS!
I am shooting up all of my odds and ends of powder to get rid of the partial kegs. I'll probably have enough to last til next year but THEN I'm going to clean up my act. After I finish up and start shooting "clean" powders CSI is probably going to have to lay off people (remember "GSR" {Gun Shot Residue}??)
Dale53
Dan Cash
Member
Originally posted by Dale53:
<span class="ev_code_RED">burns a lot cleaner.</span>
..., my hands were FILTHY. I am right handed and the back of my right hand was dirty almost beyond belief. I swear I have less dirt from shooting black powder in my Bisley Vaquero in full charge .45 Colts (well, maybe not QUITE that bad) but really bad.
I guess I am going to have to go along with the "cleaner burning crowd" and that HURTS!....
Dale53
Fergeddaboudit. Use soap instead.
Dale53
Member
Dan Cash;
I already carry a zip lock bag with "Handi-Wipes" so I don't get all of the crap on my steering wheel, etc.
I also use a hospital scrubber to get it all off (it is tenacious, it is).
I used to say "fergeddaboudit" myself. Now, I think I'll start using cleaner burning powders and REALLY "Fergeddaboudit"...
Dale53
I already carry a zip lock bag with "Handi-Wipes" so I don't get all of the crap on my steering wheel, etc.
I also use a hospital scrubber to get it all off (it is tenacious, it is).
I used to say "fergeddaboudit" myself. Now, I think I'll start using cleaner burning powders and REALLY "Fergeddaboudit"...
Dale53
66TAS
Member
I like 16.5 grains of 2400 under a 250 grain Keith style swc. I dont know how clean you can call it. I usually stick with Unique though.
A fellow forum member has me wanting to try his pet load of 7 grains of 700X under a 240 or 250 grain Keith swc. I'll let ya know how it works.
A fellow forum member has me wanting to try his pet load of 7 grains of 700X under a 240 or 250 grain Keith swc. I'll let ya know how it works.
model14
Member
8 3/8" 629:
I shoot a 240 grain cast SWC in front of 5.5 grains Solo 1000 (see Hornady's latest reloading manual). I get in the low to mid 800's and very good accuracy.
I shoot a 240 grain cast SWC in front of 5.5 grains Solo 1000 (see Hornady's latest reloading manual). I get in the low to mid 800's and very good accuracy.
bluetopper
Member
I would suggest around 6.8 to 7.0gr of Bullseye. Should be the ticket as to what you are looking for.
Burns cleanly, completely, and pleasurably.
Burns cleanly, completely, and pleasurably.
Vanilla Gorilla
Member
I agree with parisite. 6.5 grain of Bullseye gives me what you're looking for, from my 6 inch 29. Add a half a grain to make up for the barrel length and you should be in business.
harry carey
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i like 3.7 bullseye and a 200 rnfp in a magnum case.
Mule88
Member
8 gns of universal clays in magnum brass will get you there and burn much cleaner than unique.
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