44mag load

N

Northof50

Moderator
Easy one for everyone -

Looking for a good plinking load for a 44mag using 240 hard cast. I have a Ruger Redhawk, purchased in '85 which has primarily been used as a hunting revolver. In all honesty, I don't believe there are more than 1000 rounds through it.

110 is my powder of choice for the XTP240 and Sierra's 300. But, I've never worked up a good plinking load. Unique has always been my go-to for these loads, though I never had much luck with it in the 44. 7.1gr of Universal Clays @ 1050fps gave decent results.

Looking to keep the velocity between 950-1050 range. Don't want to use Special cases [don't like firing 38 in my 357 either].

Thanks for any suggestions.
 
I have a Super Redhawk that does very well with 9grs of Unique and my Lyman 250gr 429421 wheel weight alloy bullets...at about 1000fps.

Matter of fact, my hunting load is 10.2grs of Unique with the same bullet.

I have never used it, but a lot of folks swear by Trail Boss for 44mag plinking loads...but I doubt that you can get your desired velocity from TB.
 
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I use 8.0gr of Unique or Power Pistol under 255 Keith SWC from Matt's Bullets. Very accurate and comfortable in my SBH.
 
A plinking load for the 44mag? I've tried several with 240 grain bullets. Start with 5 grains of Red Dot. Powderpuff load. Also, start with 6 grains of Trail Boss, or 7 grains of AA#2. Again, these are powderpuff loads.
 
Northof50 said:
7.1gr of Universal Clays @ 1050fps gave decent results.
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Huh. Did you actually chrono that, or did you get it out of a load manual?

I've been doing 9.1 of Universal under a 245 LSWC. Feels good and stout.

I don't have a chrono, so I don't know how fast it's going.
 
I use Universal behind a 240 gr polymer coated lswc as my plinking and practice load. Groups well and burns clean. Need to chrony.
 
Check the Lyman manual for 44 Special loading data. It's perfectly safe to use those loads in your 44mag handgun. Rather than struggle trying to find a 44mag "plinking load", just use a starting load for 44 Special or even a higher end load for that caliber.
 
Smoking357- Sorry - I jumped a line on my spreadsheet. I chronographed with an Oehler 35P - Here are the specifics from the session. Best groups came from 7.6gr. But, 7.1 and 8.1 were close.

5.6gr = 636fps
6.1 = 721
6.6 = 859
7.1 = 940
7.6 = 1051
8.1 = 1120

For the record, once you start to actually chronograph loads, you begin to truly see the differences from 1 pistol to another. My Redhawk will generally provide faster results. My Dan Wesson a bit slower. Glocks tend to be pretty close. T/C Contender barrels fluctuate depending on who produces the barrel.

ShootinIron - 10grains @ 1000 from a 250? I was getting 1038 from 8.5 grains with a 240. I would have thought 10 would produce higher velocities.
 
First, your H110 ain't a good "plinking" powder unless you consider full Magnum loads for plinking. ;) I have been reloading my 44s since '87 and have reloaded everything from 123 gr. balls to 300 gr RNFP. I have used 44 Special data in my 44 Magnum brass for some very light, fun loads. Nope, I haven't stuck any 250 gr LSWCs in any barrels (Ruger SBH, Dan Wesson 44H, S&W 626 or 10" Contender).
 
"...Don't want to use Special cases..." No need. You can load Mag cases with Special data with no problem at all. Just like you can .357 cases with .38 WC target loads.
There's .44 Special 240 grain cast bullet data on Hodgdon's site. Much slower than 950 FPS at max loads though.
 
Thanks T-

I usually hybrid between the high special end and low magnum end for the 44 and 357. I was simply hoping to save some time/money by seeing if someone else had already gone through the process. I have tons of info on the subject. Just looking to abbreviate the "finding right load" process. :-)
 
My light plinking load using 44 mag cases is 5.2 grains of Bullseye under a 240 flat point plated Campro bullet. This is a very accurate load out of a 5.5" SBH out to 25 yards.
Haven't tried any cast bullets like you have though.
 
I use unique for "plinking loads" but when it comes down to shooting my model 29 I plink with h110 because I enjoy the thunder. One handed is best!
 
Northof50 said:
Smoking357- Sorry - I jumped a line on my spreadsheet. I chronographed with an Oehler 35P - Here are the specifics from the session. Best groups came from 7.6gr. But, 7.1 and 8.1 were close.

5.6gr = 636fps
6.1 = 721
6.6 = 859
7.1 = 940
7.6 = 1051
8.1 = 1120

For the record, once you start to actually chronograph loads, you begin to truly see the differences from 1 pistol to another. My Redhawk will generally provide faster results. My Dan Wesson a bit slower. Glocks tend to be pretty close. T/C Contender barrels fluctuate depending on who produces the barrel.
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You're awesome. Thank you. 1051 or 1120 in a 240 is fast enough for most work. Looks like I can back off my loads.
 
Thanks for the suggestions all. I was hoping someone would come up with CFE Pistol or Titegroup load that they really liked. I bought it during the latest powder shortage, but really can't find a home for it.
 
ShootinIron - 10grains @ 1000 from a 250? I was getting 1038 from 8.5 grains with a 240. I would have thought 10 would produce higher velocities.
Click to expand...

Sorry, you are correct...that should have been 9grs.

And, my hunting load is 10.2grs...not 12grs.

Just screwed up all the way around...that is what I get for posting in the middle of the night.
 
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