44 magnum loads for the range

My 44 Mag plinker load is a 205 gr Lyman 429303 with gas check and 8.5 grains of Unique. I have shot 5.5 grains of Bullseye with this same bullet.
With the Unique load very mild (for a 44 mag) and accurate.
 
5.5 of bullseye too ? that's good I have that powder too.
Unique seems to be the goto powder for the non-t-rex hunting loads.
think i'll aim for 8 or 8.5 of unique to start, maybe load up a small batch of 9.5.
 
I just went through this same dilemma. I have plenty of full power options for the 44 mag but wanted something a little lighter for fun and to allow novice shooters to warm up to my SBH without being blown out of the water right away.

My chosen load is a 240 grain plated bullet (powerbond) stoked with 11 grains of Unique. I tried 10.5, 11.0 and 11.5 (11.8 is max in my Lyman manual) and settled on 11 grains because it shot to the same point of impact as my full house 240 grain XTP and 310 WNFP cast bullet loads.

These are by no means powder puff loads and they do have enough oomph to get some perspective on what the 44 mag can do without beating up your hands.

P.S. I use magnum primers for all my 44 mag loads..........I do this so there's no need to work with 2 different types of primers when swapping powders. Keep in mind that the loads need to be worked up with whichever you choose.....don't switch from standard to mags without working up the loads again.....
 
You can find the load data I listed in a older Lymans cast bullet manual.
I like Unique for not so wild loads and when I what to get a 44 mag zipping along I've always used Win 296 and jacketed bullets.

P.S. as always look these up yourself.
 
Last edited:
CFE Pistol burns a lot like unique, and is much more available. 240grainers go 1100 to 1200 fps out of 4". After that you can go up to 1500fps with 2400, h110.

I do 1200fps in S&W modl 69
I do 1500fps in ruger super redhawk

Great question, great answers!


Edfardos
 
Last edited:
8.,5g Unique under 240g SWC duplicates the Skeeter .44Special Load.
10.0g Unique under 240g SWC gets you 1100fps. My current .44Mag general purpose load.

No need for Magnum primers of course as that is powder dependent (H-110/296 or IMR-4227 for example).
 
As you have already seen in the replies to your OP, Unique is an excellent choice for your intended loads (especially since you already have it).

The problem may come when you deplete your current supply by feeding those big cases. Even though many powders are much easier to find now than they were a couple of years ago, it can still be a problem for the popular stuff. And since you have multiple other calibers you like to use that same powder for, best to keep an eye on your stocks and availability. If you have a hard time finding more, or desire to not use up all you have feeding the .44, consider buying some 800-X. It will work excellently in that caliber, and it is generally easily found and cheap (so many people bad-mouth it due to the large flake size that it does not sell out fast).

I personally suspect that most people who like to hate 800-X have never even tried it (or have terrible technique with their powder measures) - they just love to parrot bad things they read. My powder measures throw it consistently +/- 0.1 grain for .357 size loads, but it IS a very large flake, so best suited for larger charges in big cases.
 
I have been searching locally for CFE Pistol for 2 years and have found none. I find Unique wherever I go. Luck of the draw I guess.

I have no problem finding A2400, but Bullseye is as bad as CFE Pistol.
 
I load a bunch of 44 Mag and use Unique . With 240 lead 10.2 gr. is all I load . It was Win 231 until I could not find any .

I buy two kegs of Unique every spring and am not getting ahead of the game .
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top