[Steve F]

Hello all,

I have mostly reloaded,.25-06,.45acp,.32 WinSpl,.38 spl&.32acp,now I'm getting a S&W 29-3(6"tube)and have a few questions on relaods.First,what differance does it have useing a Magnum primer over a standard?I have Blue Dot powder already(never used it before)and 240 grain copper jacketed soft point slugs.My shooting will be 99% range practice,so I want stay mainly with the .44 spl,maybe an occasional 6-pak of .44 mag.I don't want to beat up this gun up,cause it is Way to nice:D so I'm looking for safe ,but fun loads.Any special favorite loads you might recommend:cool:

Thanks,Steve:)

[Bacchus]

I don't usually use magnum primers. Just large pistol primers. I use Winchester. Most of the reloads are 44 special, so it probably doesn't matter for me. Personally, I've had good luck with 2400.

[Cal4D4]

Personally I like using .44M cases so the last bit of the chamber doesn't get crudded up. 15 grains/2400 either magnum or std primers behind 240 grain bullet is a very good target/self defense load and not too punishing. Top loads call for Winchester 296 (aka Hodgdon H110) by the book. The .44 seems to get it's best accuracy with stout loads. Have fun.

[Master Blaster]

My limited experience and my Research:

7.5" redhawk

Primer: Winchester Large (magnum or standard loads)
Brass: Mixed once fired brass I only use magnum why clean extra crud in the chamber and deal with two different die settings on your reloader? Once fired Magnum cases are easier to find at a reasonable cost than special cases.

Powder: Unique versatile, can be used for other target loads, and listed in the Speer and lyman manuals

7.0 grains of Unique, 240 LSWC Brinell hardness of 18.

Velocity 850 FPS, Accuracy excellent.

8.0 grains of Unique 1000 fps more recoil accuracy still excellent.

9.0 grains Unique 1100 FPS starting load in Speer #13 manual.
Accuracy excellent more recoil, slightly more fouling.

Use data from at least two sources.
:D

[larryw]

The magnum load that works best for both my RH and 1894 is 23.0gr of H110, WLP, 240gr Hornady XTP JHP, seat to crimp groove, crimp firmly, Starline brass. Haven't chronyed it out of the pistol, but I get a very consistent 1765fps out of the rifle. This load was tuned for the rifle, varying it a bit may give me slightly better accuracy from the 5 1/2" tube, but its plenty accurate for my magnum handgunning purposes (CQB with a bent-out-of-shape pig, etc.)

Tried CCI 350 magnum primers. Winchester Large Pistol primers ignite the charge fine and feed/seat better for me.

I also load 44 Mag cases at Special velocities. My favorite loads for this, both behind a 240gr RNFP plated bullet from West Coast seated to crimp groove, light crimp, mixed brass: 6.0gr of WST (7.0 max, past that and the cases were hard to extract: too fast a powder) or 6.5gr of N340. Both are soft and very accurate. The N340 load is cleaner and "feels" better when shooting.

9.7gr behind a 240gr plated bullet of N340 is also a mild magnum load (like +P 45). I need to work on this one a bit to improve the accuracy, but that will give you a good starting point.

[Scout.308]

I like Blue Dot, but use it less and less these days due to the amount of dirt.

I use magnum primers for everything .44. WW296 fuels my full-throttle loads, and WW231 for most everything else. 231's sorta like Unique, but better: it loads well up or down, if you light it with a big fire.

I have WW231 pet loads throwing 240SWCs at just-under 1000fps and at about 850fps. The 1000fps is the sweet load for my Dan Wesson.

If you can find them, I've had spectacular luck with 180gr WC. Yes, wadcutters in .44s. At about 600fps, it's my newbie-wants-to-shoot-her-first-big-bore load. At 900-1000 it's amazingly accurate. All with 231 over magnum primers and firm crimps.

Check the Winchester site for specific loads. It was my source.

[Trisha]

A nice general purpose .44 load (ditto on only using magnum brass):

240gr Hornady (XTP, or TC FMJ)
11 grains of VV N340

Supersonic, with a nice soft recoil.

If you want a little fun, try a 180grain SJHP with 16 grains of N340 - here at 10,000ft elevation it chronos at 1580fps.

Trisha

[Shooter973]

I shoot al lot of 44's loaded with the following load. 8.5gr of Unique and any shape 240gr cast lead bullet. This is a good all around load, for plinking, targets and bowling pins. It's a little hotter that a full power 45acp load and it doesn't beat on you much al all. Should give you around 1000 fps out of a 6 inch S&W. :D It is a little smokey but the crud just wipes right off. This has been a long time load for me, I've used this load for about 30 yrs. :D

[JPM70535]

I might be the only one, but I use Bluedot almost all the time in loading 44 mags. For just plinking I use magnum cases with Winchester standard/magnum primers and 13 gr. of Bluedot pushing a 240 LSW Keith style cast lead bullet. Don't know what it chronys. at but the recoil is mild and accuracy is good.
For a jacketed bullet, I use a 240 JHP in the same case set up using 15 gr. Bluedot. Accuracy seems to be better but the recoil increase is substantial. I have gone as high as 17 gr. with no excess pressure signs however this is not fun to shoot many of, and I really don't see the need to punish my S&W 629 or myself.

[bedlamite]

JPM70535, you're not the only one. 13-15 gr of Blue Dot under a 240gr jacketed in 44mag is very accurate out of my Redhawk. You can't push it to the same velocity as H110 or 2400, but for magnum peactice loads, it's ideal. I don't even bother shooting 44 spl in it anymore.

[Poohgyrr]

Dittos on the 7.5 to 9 gr loads of Unique under a 240 gr LSWC for mild rounds. You favorite book loads of 296/AA9 under 240 to 300 gr JHP/JSP in magnum cases for stouter rounds. Lately, I've been loading mild rounds in Special cases just because I like the idea.

[Steve F]

Thanks all;) I appreciate it:D I pick it up tomorrow and can hardley wait:p

[cheygriz]

I don't use magnum pistol primers at all. Tried 'em. Didn't like 'em!

Remington 2 1/2 standard large pistol primers work well in all of my LP loads, from target .45 ACP to maximun effort .44 Magnum.

Try 'em. You'll like 'em!

[Master Blaster]

Cheygriz what is your objection to the magnum primers in these loads? Did you have a reliability problem?

Have you tried the Winchester primers?

[Cherokee]

I have never had poor performance from standard CCI primers so have never felt the need. Many years ago I used got a bunch of Hodgdon magnum pistol primers from Bruce. When they were gone (and I had moved)I went to CCI with the same loads and never saw a difference. 38, 357, 44, 45.

[Johnny Guest]

I notice that Winchester shows their WLP (Win Large Pistol) primers as suitable for both standard and magnum loads, and don't even offer a separate magnum pistol primer.

Perhaps it's just my lack of marksmanship talent, but I can't tell the difference in accuracy. I used to use CCI Mag Lg Pistol primers for .44 Mag, but my Dillon 550B press just didn't seem to like to feed them.

I tried chronographing identical loads, varying ONLY the primer--Same bullets, brass, powder and charge. On the basis of a fairly small sampling, the loss of velocity using WLP seemed within instrumental and experimental error. The shot-to-shot variations actually seemed to be somewhat SMALLER with the WLP primers.

WLP feed well in my progressive press. I can buy 'em for slightly less money. I only have to stock one kind of lg. pistol primer. What's not to like?;)

Best,
Johnny

[larryw]

Exactly what Mr. Guest said.

(C.R. Sam's MIA, so I'm taking the man of few words approach in his honor :neener: )

[Mannlicher]

Steve,

Blue Dot works well. 12 grains pushing a Speer (or your favorite brand) 240 grain will give you a comfortable shooting load. Speed will be about 1100fps. You can go heavier if you like.

I prefer either 2400 or H110 for heavy loads. A fairly steady diet of a 240 at 1400+ won't hurt this revolver. It is designed for it.

[Zorro]

300 Grain Hard Cast lubed Lead bullet.

20 Grains of H-110 in 44 Magnum Cases.

Regular Large Pistol Primers.

HEAVY! Crimp!

1100 Fps from a 6 inch barrel. 1000 Fps at 100 yards.

A bit to Heavy for S&W M-29. Perfect for Super Black Hawks.

[Steve F]

Well,I got my Lee reload book in the mail yesterday and now I'm concerned.From a Speer data sheet I photo copied from a friend,I loaded .44 spl's with10 grains of Bluedot and used 240 grain Speer JSP slugs(#4457) and crimped at the cartouse(sp) line because no OAL was mentioned in the Speer data,so they ended up at 1.465" OAL,....NOW,the Lee manual says NEVER reduce the OAL less than 1.590",but doesn't that all depend on the slugs profile?These are fairly flat nosed slugs.Doesn't the cartouse area desingnate where to seat the bullet at?Have I made mini-bombs:confused: I can't pull them apart because of the crimp.:scrutiny: Anyone been down this road?Thanks for any and all info;)


Wondering,Steve:what:

[Bacchus]

I always, always abide by the minimum and maximum OALs that are listed for loads. One reason that I like the Lee manual is that it actually lists them. I also have the speer manual.

I would abide by the minimum OAL--if your rounds are too short, the pressures can increase exponentially.

I'd pull those that are too short. Just my opinion.

[Steve F]

Thanks for your reply Bacchus,

I only have 15 or so of those loaded that way.I guess I'll just write those off.I also did the same with the .44 mag's,same slugs,but with 12 grains of Blue dot and missed the OAL(according to Lee) by .005" short,but also 1.2 grains short of their min.load so I feel that those might be alright:cool: I will abide by the Lee data from here on out:o Anyone disagree with the .44 mag rounds?:(

Thanks,Steve

[Cal4D4]

If those .44 sp loads are going into a .44M gun, I personally wouldn't be too worried and I often load 11.5 gr. in mag cases for a mild ~1000 fps target load. Not to advocate bad practices, but the powders mentioned at the weights listed - you do have a scale, right? - are not pushing the envelope for case volume or getting into a peaky range for that powder.

[Steve F]

Hello Cal4D4,

Yes,I have a powder scale,and used it for each and every round
;) The powder can still be heard shifting in the cases of the .44SPL's.These where intended for my newly aquired S&W 29(6" barrel) and I don't want to beat it up or me,just looking for a pleasent recipe for the Mag brass,but I did have some .44SPL brass that I just wanted to use once for giggles (the mag brass will be easier cleaning of the cylinder)that reflects the .44 SPL but not as harsh as a "box stock" .44 mag.:D
What powder did you use at 11.5 grains and which slug,if I may ask,that sounds about what I'm looking for:)
Thanks,Steve

[Cal4D4]

Hey Steve,
I use Blue Dot and a copper plated West Coast Bullet. You are in a fairly mild range. As an example, bold people will put 12.0+ grains behind a 180 or even 200 grain bullet in the 10mm which has a case volume probably half that of the .44M. This is close to compressed and is pushing the envelope. For the .44M especially, you have a tremendous amount of case volume in this range of loads. I have not found a 240 gr bullet that when crimped into the cannelure gave any pressure problems on these mid range loads. Blue Dot is fairly forgiving in this charge range also. Assuming no double charges or such, I see more trouble when trying to hit these velocities with the faster powders like 231. I split some cases once with top listed loads of these ultra quick powders. Good shooting, I don't think you've produced any bombs.

[Edward429451]

My experiance with 44's pretty much mirrors the others that've posted. No magnum primers for me. the 180 gr WC's mentioned are superb in either the mag or the special. The 180 WC's in mag I found are excellant at 20.0 gr of 2400.

The 245 gr Keith bullets will give you the best accuracy between 18.0 to 21.0 gr of 2400 (1.680 OAL IIRC). (WLP primers)

The 300 gr Keith bullets (GC'd) do well at at 16 to 18 gr of 2400 but this is for my RH & SBH, we do not shoot the 300's in our S&W 29-2. By all means, be cautious if you go to put 300's in your S&W. (The 300 gr Sierra JSP's will probably be too long for your S&W cylinder, unless they've lengthened it? I thought I heard that they did but could be wrong)

180 gr SWC, 20.5 gr of 2400, (WLP Primers), seated to the crimp groove. Shoots flat (for a handgun cartridge), mild recoil.

I did not like Unique in the .44 mag/spec. It was ok with mild loads, but when you get to the warmer ones, it didn't feel right so I switched back to 2400. I've tried H110/WW296, WW231...Eh. I keep coming back to 2400 which gives wonderfully consistent results. Elmer Keith really knew what was up with that powder.

For pure fun or getting a 44 newbie/youth used to the 44 mag., try 12.0 gr of 2400 behind a 180 gr WC or 10.0 gr of 2400 behind the 245 gr Keith bullet. Super duper light loads. Zero muzzle rise, very mild report (So light I kept checking for the squib in the barrel! never squibbed.) IIRC, these loads are below book minimum so be careful when working these up (down?!).

[Steve F]

Thank You Gents;)

[Ryder]

what differance does it have useing a Magnum primer over a standard?

Magnum primers are used with the slowest burning ("magnum")powders like H110. It is true that slow burning powders will light with standard primers but they are harder to ignite than faster burning powders and thus Magnum primers become more of a requirement IF you expect to shoot in very cold conditions. They burn hotter and ignite the main charge where standard primers may not. Cold conditions are about the only real advantage IMO.

I've shot Blue Dot. It can be dirty (unburned powder) but not always. It's hard to put my finger on the reasons for this. Could be Mag primers assist the burn, maybe it's a matter of crimp, perhaps it's the weight of projectile, or barrel length, or a combination of the above? The Blue Dot loads I shoot are compressed or 100% full. They can be quite powerful.

Lately I've been using Blue Dot in my compact 45acp with 230 LRN. That shoots clean, is very accurate, with lots of power, but the recoil is an eye opener. :D