ligonierbill
New member
Like a lot of people, I started loading 44 Special because I picked up a Charter Arms Bulldog. Handy little gun, and I worked up 200 gr XTP and GDHP over Power Pistol for about 870 fps. I figured the classic 240 cast might be a little slow, and I'm happy with those.
Can't leave well enough alone, though, so I bought a Ruger Blackhawk "Flat Top", the medium frame, with a 5 1/2" barrel. Also a pretty handy pistol. So, now I'm thinking "Skeeter Skelton" loads. I have read in several sources that Skeeter's load was a 240 cast over 7.5 gr Unique. True? But that's well over Lyman's 6.9 max, and Quickload says it's well over MAP spec. I went with Lyman, and in fact ended up with 6.7 gr Unique sending a Hunters' Supply 240 at 936 avg/9.3 Std. Nice shooter in the Blackhawk.
Now, I have no desire to hotrod this round. Even if the Bulldog would take it, it's lively enough already. I imagine the Blackhawk would put up with more, but I have much more powerful revolvers if more is called for. So what are you folks loading in 44 Special? I'm always game to try something else.
Can't leave well enough alone, though, so I bought a Ruger Blackhawk "Flat Top", the medium frame, with a 5 1/2" barrel. Also a pretty handy pistol. So, now I'm thinking "Skeeter Skelton" loads. I have read in several sources that Skeeter's load was a 240 cast over 7.5 gr Unique. True? But that's well over Lyman's 6.9 max, and Quickload says it's well over MAP spec. I went with Lyman, and in fact ended up with 6.7 gr Unique sending a Hunters' Supply 240 at 936 avg/9.3 Std. Nice shooter in the Blackhawk.
Now, I have no desire to hotrod this round. Even if the Bulldog would take it, it's lively enough already. I imagine the Blackhawk would put up with more, but I have much more powerful revolvers if more is called for. So what are you folks loading in 44 Special? I'm always game to try something else.