44mag load

At least 30 years ago I bought 1000 Remington 240gr "cast" bullets but I can't say any more than they are lead, totally black, sized .430. I got a load somewhere but it so long ago I can't find the source. I rarely shot them until this past year. All I know is 14.5gr of 2400 produces a super accurate round with mild recoil in my Super Blackhawk 7.5 inch barrel. I tried to find these bullets again, looking for more details, but have not had any luck. I wrote to Remington but never even got an answer.
 
I wish I could help.

But the "lightest" 44 Mag load I have is a full load of HS-6 (240gn JHP). It's a more tame round than a full load of 2400 or W296; but still pretty stout.

Below that, I go with 44 Specials. I load/shoot way more Specials. My 5" 629 Classic gets a steady diet of Specials; and maybe 15% Magnums.
 
CFE is close to Power Pistol speed so it probably will not like being downloaded much from max.

7.0-8.0 gr of Unique is very soft plunking load. My M29 likes 7.0 for accuracy. Others I talk to find good accuracy within this range.

I use 10.0 gr Unique for a medium load, and H110 for max loads.
 
cdoc42- could they be nyclad coated [nycad/nyclad - cannot remember exactly]. But, in the 70's I believe one of the companies put out a black coated bullet. I have a box of 38s like that. All black, lead, hollow point. I can see the box in my head - blue and white. Just cannot remember the name
 
I get 1000+ with 8.5 gr of Unique in Magnum brass with any good LSWC. The same velocity is available with 9.5 gr of Herco as well, depending on barrel length. Rod
 
Northof50, I don't think they're Nyclad. I had some of those in .38 or .357, but they are shiny, almost look like plastic. These Remington's leave black color on your hands if you rub them. I'll try to cut one in half tomorrow.
 
I do have 44mag cases and special cases loaded with tiegroup, dont think Ill load any more, titegroup is still a hair to sharp of a recoil for my taste if Im aiming for lighter loads. Trail boss gives simular velocities with a much more rounded push, males shooting a couple hundred rounds in a day much more pleasant.
 
Red Dot, 700X and American Select are all very close in burn rate, and 6½ to 7 grains of any of them with a 240-250 grain bullet will give around 950-1,000 fps with very good accuracy. All three of them are also high bulk powders, so double charges are very obvious and easy to spot.
 
I like the 240 grain SWC with 7.3 grains ( a max load if memory serves ) of Trail Boss.

Gets around 900 feet per second from my 6.5" Model 29
 
To North of 50 (and interested parties): I tumbled one Remington 240gr black "cast" bullet with my brass being cleaned, and all the black covering came off - may have been lube. The bullet has 2 cannelures (with no lube in them). The bullet remains light gray in color. The base looks like it has a gas check, or at least a circle of the core surrounded by a gray jacket. But when cut in half with a hack saw, the entire bullet is silver with no evidence of a jacket. I wish I could attach photos, but I don't have anyone living with me less than 70, and in particular, 12 years or less in age........
 
Northof50 said:
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.
Click to expand...

I don't load for a revolver but I did do some extensive load development for the Desert Eagle 44 mag. I can share some experiences and data. First i'd like to share some info on H110 powder. It's the standard go to powder for 357/44 mags but only loaded to near "full bang" loads. H110 (or most ball powders) do not like to be downloaded below 90% case capacity. There is the possibility to have inconsistent burns when you have excessive air space within the casing. I had to do a lot of load development for my DE as they are very fussy with velocities to reliably cycle the action. I learned my DE cycled best with a velocity around 1220 fps. Any less I would observe stovepipes, any more my slide would lock back after each shot. With a revolver you can load whatever velocities you desire. If you choose to load milder cowboy loads I highly suggest 2400 as this powder is much more efficient with downloading. I could not get my velocities low enough with H110 , so I switched to 2400. My go to load is 18.2 gr of 2400 and i'm at about 1230 fps from a 6" bbl. With H110 you want to stay between 22-24 gr. with the 240 gr bullet. When I tested the 22-24 gr H110 loads in my DE I was getting consistent slide locking and my velocities were around 1325+ fps. Good luck with the 44 !
 
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Road_Clam

Thanks. We have different experiences with powder. Yep. 110 at full or near [with my Redhawk, I've gone over some books]. But, it's the only cartridge I like using the powder. 357 - 2400 and 296 [many think 296 and 110 are the same - I don't]. Love 2400, but like the 110 and 296 - only when loading near full. I'm looking for a load 240gr Cast @ 1000fps range. The slower powders mentioned tend not to do well at those velocities in my experience.

Thanks for the reply. Love the DE!
 
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