Light 44 load results

N

Northof50

Moderator
I was looking for a light load for the 44. All were a bit too light, but if you can use the info, you're welcome to it. All shot with a 7.5" Redhawk, measured with an Oehler 35P chrono.

Bullet: Berry 240FP plated
Primer: Winchester
COL: 1.61"
Temp: 48

8.0gr CFEPistol
H- 893 / L-799 / A-839 / ES-94 / SD-37

7.5gr Unique
H-900 / L-781 / A-843 / ES-119 / SD-45

6.0gr TiteGroup
H-834 / L-792 / A-808 / ES-42 / SD-15

As has become the norm when I use light CFE charges, there were burn marks on the brass, indicating there was not enough pressure to seal the chamber. Of the 3, Unique had best accuracy. But, they are about 100fps slower than I'd like.

Also had a 240 Hard Cast RN ahead of 10gr Power Pistol
H-1222 / L-1185 / A-1200 / ES-37 / SD-13

The Power Pistol load was accurate, but a bit faster than I'm comfortable with shooting hard cast. I'd drop it down 150fps.
 
I have found that with plated bullets (I use X-Treme) my best accuracy almost always comes between 925 and 1000 fps. Try 8.5 of Unique under that Berrys.
 
Yes. 8gr. with Unique gave me 975fps and good accuracy with NBC Hard Cast. I wasn't certain what the plated would do. They were on sale at Cabela's and picked them up to give a try. I prefer the hard-cast, simply for cost. But, occasionally our local Cabela's will have X-Tremes on sale 25% off.

I through the info up just in case anybody wanted it for reference.
 
North of 50, I've had good luck with that 7.5 gr of Unique load in .44 Special brass however, and got a consistent 960 fps in both Magnum and Special chambered Rugers. And in Magnum brass, 8.0 grains of Unique gives me almost (within 10 fps) identical velocities, and equal accuracy. All the above are very manageable, and most any 200-240 gr. LSWC gives superb accuracy. HTH's Rod
 
Yep - Rod, we're on the same page with hard-cast and 8gr Unique. I wasn't certain how different the plated bullets would be.
 
Have you tried Trail Boss with the 240 SWC?

That's my favorite load for plinking with my 44 Magnum and it fills the case and burns clean not leaving any noticable soot behind.

I use the Max load listed by Hodgdon which is 7.3 grains for about 900 FPS.

I'm not sure how that would be with the plated Xtremes, but would probably be fine.
 
disseminator - Thanks. No I haven't. The plated were an anomaly purchase because the sale was good. I posted simply to provide some info. I'm happy with the Unique, as I've had very good luck with it in my 45acp, light 10mm, 40sw and cast 240 44mags. It's really becoming my "go to" powder for plinking pistol and helps justify 8lb purchases.
 
It's really becoming my "go to" powder for plinking pistol and helps justify 8lb purchases.
Click to expand...

I too have been trying to consolidate to a smaller amount of different powders but they just keep making new ones......
 
Yea....I've lost track. My shooting and loading style have changed so much over 30 years. There was a time when I weighed every case, hand-measured each load, tried to max out each firearm, every range day was with a chronograph, dial calipers.....

After more than a few years, I realized I was actually doing very little shooting. All I was doing was accumulating data. I had pistols that were 10+ years old with less than 1000 rounds through them :-)

Now, all cases go into the hopper, loading is middle of the road, and bring out the chrony only a couple times a year.
 
I like Unique a lot for revolver and pistol. 7.5 gr for a light .44 mag with 240 LSWC, and 10.0 gr for a medium load. Although I use Power Pistol for my near max loads in 9, .40 and .45, I still like Unique for lighter target loads. Also use it for .38 and Unique or W231 for .380 and 9x18. Very versatile powder.
 
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