Powderpuff .44

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cecILL

New member
Hello.

Been getting interested in lever actions lately. Have several hundred old .44 magnum reloads I was eager to shoot, pretty much so I could reload with some 240 gr JHPs. So, dusted off the Marlin 1984 and headed outside.

Yeesh, after about 20 rounds or so the ole shoulder is starting to ache. Guess old age is creeping up on me.

So, as the title says, looking for you guys' recommendations for light loads for the .44.

Have Unique and H110 on shelf but willing to try whatever pops up here.

Thanks for reading!
 
Your Unique will make you some rounds that are mild for a lever action and still shoot nice and consistent and straight. Your H-110 is for the shoulder poppers.
 
Why not just use .44 special loads, adjusted for the Magnum case?
If your Marlin still has the hard and unforgiving stock, install a good recoil pad, too.
 
Just use .44 Special loads, period. Since the COL for the two rounds is the same (for all practical purposes; just 5 thousandths different) the space under the bullet should be about the same and pressures about the same. The only time you have to adjust is when you use a bullet's .44 Special crimp groove with the longer .44 Magnum case. That gives you a longer than standard .44 Mag cartridge (1.74"), and a 10% increase in powder then keeps the pressure about level.

I would suggest simple swaged or cast lead 240 grains SWC bullets over 6 to 7 grains of Unique. If you want to use jacketed bullets, the same loads will fly with them.
 
Take your starting load with Unique and work down backwards until you get to where you like it. No need to buy new powders.

H110 warns against reduced loads.
 
One of the reasons I like my .44 Magnums is that I can load everything from 123 gr balls to over 300 grain T-Rex killers. I have a .44 Mag. levergun that I occasionally shoot with some 240 gr. SWC over Trail Boss, for around 850-900 fps. velocities. Just a hair more recoil than my .22 rifles...

Or as suggested above just turn to your .44 Special section and try some starting loads.
 
1894 MARLIN 44 MAG-PIPSQUEAK
RCBS 44-200 RNFP-PB-Cast1:30 / Lym450Sized 0.432/LymAloxLube(50/50)
700X/4.4gr
FED-LrgPst
OAL:1.569"
Hodgdon says 12,000CUP
Actual Vel (20" barrel) =879

1894 MARLIN 44 MAG HEAVY
Acc432-280* Cast #2 / Lym450Sized 0.432/LymAloxLube(50/50)
H110 / 20.5
CCI_LP_Mag
OAL:1.600"
QUickLoad(20")= 33,803psi/1,633fps / Actual Vel =1,630fps



* http://www.accuratemolds.com/

FWIW: My `94 feeds the RCBS 44-240 SWC with a 1.675" OAL just fine
 
According to my records, a .44 magnum case loaded with 5.4 grains of Bullseye and a 240 gr plated bullet chronographed 733 fps from my 4 inch Model 29. Very light recoil in such a heavy revolver and good accuracy. It's a little dirty, but Bullseye usually is. I've fired this load from a lever gun, but didn't record the velocity.

Data comes directly from Alliant and is 10% under max. Essentially, it's a .44 Special factory duplication load.

http://alliantpowder.com/reloaders/powderlist.aspx?type=1&powderid=1&cartridge=33
 
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Listen to UncleNick, and go with 6-7gr Unique in a mag case with a 240-250gr cast...

Just remember that nominal groove spec on the 1894 is .231", so use bullets of at least that diameter, and mine likes em starting at .432"...

The light loads will not obturate the base of smaller bullets enough to fill the grooves...
 
Bullseye good one.

My favorite powder puff load in my 44 mag rossi is 6 grains of Bulleye under a 200 grain rnfp...with a 240 grainer I use 5.5 gr ....tough getting bullseye now days. So just improvise...anything for a 44 special or even a 45 colt in the same bullet weight is gonna work pretty nice. I would not however try light loads With H110... that stuff isn't made for a lot of airspace in the cartridge ...From what I've always under stood it can cause it to spike...Trail Boss is very popular Cowboy action powder, but the opposite is true with it...don't use a compressed load....you are going to love that 44mag once you get a powderpuff load worked up ...
 
Good point Salomeye

Yes ,going to low will not let the base seal and can also cause leading caused from the blow-by of gasses vaporizing the lead.....
 
Well, I did 8 grns Unique over 240 grn JHP. Exactly what I was looking for. Just luck, but hit 12 inch plate @ 100 yds first shot, off hand.
 
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I have a terrific light load for .44 Magnum that I use for knocking down steel plates with a 7.5-inch barreled Ruger Redhawk.

I use a Falcon brand 240 grain LSWC over 5.7 grains of Titegroup and this chrono's a very consistent 870 fps in the long barreled revolver. Hits the steel with similar or a bit more thump than a .45 Auto.

Likely a bit faster from a lever action rifle.
 
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