44 rem mag and trail boss
- Thread starter tdoyka
- Start date
condor bravo
New member
The Lyman manual does not show any .44 mag loadings with TB, but shows two for the .460 S&W mag for the Contender and Encore. One is shown as compressed at 16gr and a 255gr cast bullet. The starting load is 9gr so there must be quite a bit of compression there. Pressure figures are not shown. I'll probably weigh out 16 gr of TB to see how much of a .460 case that it does occupy.
Last edited:
condor bravo
New member
Follow up to above:
Well not quite as much compression as you might think. Sixteen grains TB fills a .460 case to 1/4 inch from the rim. But after seating a 255 gr bullet there would definitely be some compression.
Well not quite as much compression as you might think. Sixteen grains TB fills a .460 case to 1/4 inch from the rim. But after seating a 255 gr bullet there would definitely be some compression.
buck460XVR
New member
From the IMR website......
That's a start, but I would be looking for rated velocity and pressure numbers. The loading data center shows for 240 gr cast the following:
240 GR. LSWC CAST
Starting Loads
6.0 gr
828 fps
19,100 PSI
Maximum Loads
7.3 gr
917 fps
21,600 PSI
These would probably make a pretty good bang as maybe a step up from SAAMI 45 Colt but would not be real representatives of Magnum loads.
240 GR. LSWC CAST
Starting Loads
6.0 gr
828 fps
19,100 PSI
Maximum Loads
7.3 gr
917 fps
21,600 PSI
These would probably make a pretty good bang as maybe a step up from SAAMI 45 Colt but would not be real representatives of Magnum loads.
Last edited:
condor bravo
New member
Are we kind of getting lost in the confusion here? Yes the Hornady .44 mag load would be reduced recoil along the lines of Cowboy Action shooting, compressed or not. That is the point of TB powder of course. But the question relates to the compressed charge and what affect that might have on resulting pressure. We could never get an answer from Hodgdon on compression, everyone says just don't do it. As I indicated earlier, Lyman lists a compressed charge for the .460 S&W mag but it doesn't seem to be that much overly compressed. Does some pressure spike occur with compressed charges? No one really knows and Hodgdon wants to withhold on an answer. Is it for real or more of a cya type of thing since there does not seem to be a real answer? I use a considerable amount of TB for mag rifle calibers with cast bullets, and opposite to standard powder loadings, I start a new loading with Hodgdon's max charge and then work downward for accuracy improvement if it seems necessary (usually not). It seems like the maximum velocity results in good accuracy, especially with the heavier cast bullets. Calibers I have never had any luck with using cast bullets and TB are the 6.5x55 Swede, the 6.5 Rem Mag and .264 Win Mag. From 120s on up, cannot find a lighter cast 6.5, bullets all keyhole or are off in orbit. Yet all weights of jacketed bullets are fine with TB.
Last edited:
Actually the OP made no reference to compression. He wants to shoot Trailboss in a 7.5" Super Redhawk (44 Mag), and we're trying to make sense of that.
Other than the rifle, why would a cowboy shooter be using downloaded 44 Magnum? Maybe just a trial before investing in the right gear? I read so much about getting magnum guns and then working to take the "magnum" out of them. Maybe it's just time to trade guns.
maybe 'cuz he has the gun, dies, brass, 2lbs of powder and all he needs is the bullet. 
i also had a stroke. the redhawk, i won't trade for it. even tho it kicks, my left arm and hand(gun on a tripod) ain't done yet!!! i wish i had a 44 spl, i really do. but i can't afford it. i am looking at a light kicking load(trail boss) that will take a deer down at 50 yards.
thanks everyone
!!!
oh yeah, i don't load trail boss compressed...
i also had a stroke. the redhawk, i won't trade for it. even tho it kicks, my left arm and hand(gun on a tripod) ain't done yet!!! i wish i had a 44 spl, i really do. but i can't afford it. i am looking at a light kicking load(trail boss) that will take a deer down at 50 yards.
thanks everyone
!!!oh yeah, i don't load trail boss compressed...
Right. TB is not for Magnum level loads. Way to fast burning of a powder. Doesn't matter whether swagged or the normal SWC which I use. The bullet shape is the same, so no biggie to go the suggested max for .44 Mag. BTW, the only reason reason I used the whole load range to 9.5g under 240g SWC (which is a 30K+ psi load as estimated by Quick load) is to find an accurate load. That is why I settled on 8g under 240g SWC as I liked it the best for 'accuracy'. Basically I found my load for this powder when I want to use it. Want a magnum load? Use a different powder than TB... like 2400 for magnum, and Unique for medium level.... Simple
. Who wants to shoot true magnum loads anyway? 
...oh, here is what 9.6g looks like in .44Mag case for the curious.
Last edited:
I have downloaded a 357 Magnum caliber for a small gun but not for a large 357 or 44, well able to handle the magnum level. Short of moving to a 44 Special, which is rare in a substantial double action, sticking with the same oversized gun and magnum size cases would be a good opening for TrailBoss, I agree. I am going to part with my Taurus 431 and maybe 441, both 44 Special, sticking with the S&W 696 for 44 Special DA. That would be the good trade here. For me though, a Super Redhawk is not in my future.