.44 Goldilocks Load

[Simple Shooter]

I recently picked up a 4 5/8" SS Ruger Super Blackhawk. Took it to the range today and shot what ammo the LGS had on hand:

Precision One .44 spl 240gr. FMJ was too light.

PMC .44 mag 180gr. JHP was really hot. (spec is 1,750fps)

Anyone have a good recipe somewhere in between? I have dies on the way and plenty of Bullseye and American Select on hand. Will likely stick with 240gr. JSP unless there is a good reason to go another direction.

Appreciate any advice. I have loaded since '86 but never for the .44.

 

[bigpower491]

Bullseye should do fairly well for you if you got a good amount on hand you wanna use. My only suggestion would be to shoot coated lead or plated bullets to keep costs down.
I use mostly power pistol and #5 in mine with an Acme coated 240 SWC.

For Magnums, I load my lighter charges with Enforcer, it, at least to me, doesn't have the recoil of a #9 or Blue Dot. Of course, my favorite propellant for it W296. But those are definitely not going to be all that nice. 240 is my preferred weight, usually hornady xtp. But I do occasionally play around with some Cast Performance 260 gas checked lead, and those are some good shooting bullets out of the long barrel.
44 is one of my favorites, I shoot a couple thousand a yr, mostly special

 

[Palladan44]

There is a plethora of data out there.
Bullseye 44 loads should remain in the "light" category however, but you will get a nice accurate load.

For a load that still barks like a magnum, but arent top-end crazy, I'd look for something like Power Pistol, BE-86, Longshot, Blue Dot, .......somewhere in this medium end burn range.
I never cared much to load the faster powders to their upper levels as pressures elevate more quickly, and accuracy deteriorates...... and slow powders like H-110, W-296, 2400, 300-MP, Lil Gun are best used for maximum velocity, and nothing less.

You can spend a lifetime developing loads for the 44 Magnum, I've enjoyed it. I'm sure you will too. Good luck!

 

[Charlie98]

There is a plethora of data out there.
Bullseye 44 loads should remain in the "light" category however, but you will get a nice accurate load.

For a load that still barks like a magnum, but arent top-end crazy, I'd look for something like Power Pistol, BE-86, Longshot, Blue Dot, .......somewhere in this medium end burn range.
I never cared much to load the faster powders to their upper levels as pressures elevate more quickly, and accuracy deteriorates...... and slow powders like H-110, W-296, 2400, 300-MP, Lil Gun are best used for maximum velocity, and nothing less.

+1

Although I don't load the .44, I do the .41... so it's pretty close. I don't load light loads, so the slowest powder I use is Unique, or a similar powder in that burn range. 44 is correct, however, don't ask too much from your Bullseye... it is a fast powder. It would probably work very well with lighter (200-220grn'ish) cast bullets for a nice low- to mid-range, easy shooting load, but if you thought the .44SPC loads were a little light, you prolly won't like those, either.

I would also agree with 491... save the jacketed bullets for the Magnum-level loads, there is nothing wrong with cast bullets, even commercial cast, which is all I shoot with rare exception.

My mid-range .41 load is 8-9grn Unique under a 215grn cast bullet. The equivalent in the .44 would be a 240grn cast SWC over a reasonable charge of Unique, Universal, AA#5 or a similar medium burn powder. Once you start to get slower... think IMR4227, BlueDot, 2400 and some of the others, you are headed into Magnum territory. Just my .02 worth.

 

[Obturation]

If I were you, I'd grab some swc bullets from Missouri bullet co https://missouribullet.com/details.php?prodId=241&category=5&secondary=12&keywords=

And scare up some 2400 powder if possible. That'll make nice midrange rounds that have plenty of power and won't beat you up.

That's what I'd do. Only fast powder I have experience with is clays but i've never used it for 44, only 45 colt. That can make some good plinking rounds too.

For revolvers I skip jacketed bullets most of the time, they cost too much and give no advantage until the velocity gets extreme (maybe) or you want a controlled expansion (maybe). I'll load a jhp bullet for specific tasks but for paper, soup cans, yard varmint ect, cast is just fine. Coated bullets prevent leading so size isn't as crucial as it was in the past .

Good luck

 

[Riomouse911]

10.0 Unique and a 240 gr lead, coated or plated SWC or RNFP make a round that lets you know you are shooting a magnum without beating you or the gun up with top end loads. AA#5 also works with mid level magnum loads..

I will also load with AA#9, Enforcer or H-110 when I want to push it up to the upper end of the power spectrum. For these I use jacketed, or occasionally a gas-checked bullet.

I have a .30 Caliber ammo can full of the Unique powered mid range loads that are fun and accurate no matter what .44 Mag. gun I seem to shoot them in.



For lighter loads I like .44 Spl. cases. A 200 gr RNFP over 6.8 gr Unique is a pussycat in a Super Blackhawk, 629 or other large .44 Magnum revolver.

Congratulations on your new SBH, you’re going to find that it is a fun and sturdy handgun that will shoot just about any sane load. And best of all, it will do it for so long you will someday pass it down to a worthy heir.

Stay safe.

 

[wcwhitey]

I will second the 10 Grains of Unique under just about any 240-250 Grain SWC as mentioned by @Riomouse911. Just a great pressure point with that powder. Not harsh but not lacking in power at generally over 1000 fps. Missouri Bullets Coated 240 Keith SWC will give you a clean smoke free experience with that combo.

 

[dfish1247]

Imr 4227 is great for magnum loads, it’s a heavy push vs the sharp kick of 2400 or h110. But, good night is 4227 expensive now. Still my favorite though.

There’s a bullseye load in mag brass in my Lyman book that does work great with 240gr plated bullets. The book is for lead but works fine with plated.

All the mentions of unique are there for a reason, it’s the middle power powder that works.

 

[Simple Shooter]

Thank to everyone for the information. I had no doubt the fine folks on THR would come through.

I can save the Bullseye for the thousands of rounds of 9mm I load every year; it pairs up real nice with 124 grain JHP's from Montana Gold. I am sitting on several pounds of American Select (all I could find during the panicdemic) and a little Unique. I will give both a try with .44 loads.

Montana Gold has a 240 grain jacketed soft point for .44, but their availability has been really hit or miss lately. I do like the price I saw on the Hi-Tek coated bullets at Missouri Bullet:

If I were you, I'd grab some swc bullets from Missouri bullet co https://missouribullet.com/details.php?prodId=241&category=5&secondary=12&keywords=

I appreciate the link! I have not loaded cast bullets since the early 90's when all I had available to me were the yellow box Speer. They leaded up my Python something horrible and I have loaded nothing but jacketed bullets since. Does the Hi-Tek coating prevent leading as advertised?

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

Thank to everyone for the information. I had no doubt the fine folks on THR would come through.

I can save the Bullseye for the thousands of rounds of 9mm I load every year; it pairs up real nice with 124 grain JHP's from Montana Gold. I am sitting on several pounds of American Select…

Just be aware Alliant for some reason delisted American Select for the .44Mag some time ago. The older (1996) Alliant manuals list a MAX load of 9.2gr AS with a 240gr LSWC-GC. I would suggest starting as low as 8.2gr and skip the gas checks in favor of Hi-Tek.

I appreciate the link! I have not loaded cast bullets since the early 90's when all I had available to me were the yellow box Speer. They leaded up my Python something horrible and I have loaded nothing but jacketed bullets since. Does the Hi-Tek coating prevent leading as advertised?

Yes, mostly, in my experience. You might get some acrylic film in there (I did) but regular Hoppes takes it off with a little brushing.

FWIW Herco and Accurate No.7 are both pretty good mid range powders for the .44 - above Special velocity but below Magnum recoil - and both have been reasonably available online recently. Unique is what you’re looking for but if you can’t find it those two are options.
Have fun and be safe.

 

[Charlie98]

Imr 4227 is great for magnum loads, it’s a heavy push vs the sharp kick of 2400 or h110.

IMR4227 is also quite similar to 2400 and H110 in that it likes a full case... that is nearer to max the more efficient it burns. Starting loads, in my experience, can be quite dirty, and accuracy can suffer. You are right about how expensive it is (and other IMR rifle powders, too)

Montana Gold has a 240 grain jacketed soft point for .44, but their availability has been really hit or miss lately. I do like the price I saw on the Hi-Tek coated bullets at Missouri Bullet:

You could also look at RimRock/Oregon Trail/LaserCast (all the same company, now...) for bullets. They always seem to have everything in stock, although I don't know about coated bullets... I don't normally shoot them.

 

[bigpower491]

I get great results with these from Acme

https://www.acmebullet.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=437&search=44+240

 

[Palladan44]

In this day and age of using what you can find, rather than waiting for an ideal powder that is unobtanium......I'd keep in mind of all of the suitable powders in the medium burn range, and see what you come across.
I've last seen CFE pistol available, as well as AA#5 and AA#7. These would serve you very well in you venture, if you happen to come across these powders which around here have been spotted fairly regularly.....
Unique, 2400, Power Pistol.....not so much.

 

[Palladan44]

IMR4227 is also quite similar to 2400 and H110 in that it likes a full case... that is nearer to max the more efficient it burns.

I'd say that 2400 can be downloaded 5 times better than H-110/W-296...... Meaning H-110 can be reduced by maybe 2% and 2400 to about 10%...before running into possible erratic behavior. It certainly varies from firearm to firearm, and with lot to lot of powder. H-110 and 2400 have been around for 80-90 years and I've seen batches of them from different decades, act very differently. Hercules 2400 from back in the day seemed slower burning than 2400 of the last 20 years, and seemed to be more like H-110....and Today's 2400 has more in common with Power Pistol than it does with H-110/W-296.......(someone call me crazy please)
And with the slow pistol ball powders, there always is some unburned granules in the cylinder, barrel etc. And I just live with it.
In general though, yes, best results near Top end.

 

[N555]

If you want to load bullseye or a fast powder like that, I would say use 44spl brass.

 

[Duster340]

My go to general purpose load is 9 grains Unique behind a 240 gr plated or lead bullet. Pretty mild yet enough oomph to be fun and useful.

Be well

 

[.38 Special]

The last few years I have realized that an awful lot of my "pet" loads run about 950 FPS, whether in Magnum or Special cases. I've also noticed that I pour 7.5 grains of Unique into a lot of those cases too. For example, 7.5 Unique in a .44 Magnum case bumps a 250 cast SWC to - wait for it - about 950 FPS (in my 7.5" guns) and has given me consistent and accurate results.

 

[nofendertom]

IIRC those Speer bullets were swaged lead. The cast plated bullets can be driven faster with no leading.

 

[wcwhitey]

The last few years I have realized that an awful lot of my "pet" loads run about 950 FPS, whether in Magnum or Special cases. I've also noticed that I pour 7.5 grains of Unique into a lot of those cases too. For example, 7.5 Unique in a .44 Magnum case bumps a 250 cast SWC to - wait for it - about 950 FPS (in my 7.5" guns) and has given me consistent and accurate results.

Now I run that same powder weight in .44 Special cases and only get 950 +\- in a given barrel length. Classic .44 Special -+P load.

 

[.38 Special]

Now I run that same powder weight in .44 Special cases and only get 950 +\- in a given barrel length. Classic .44 Special -+P load.

In the .44 Special I get about 950 from a 5" barrel, and in a .44 Magnum I get about 950 from a 7.5" barrel. YMMV, of course, but I call it a happy coincidence.

 

[BBarn]

I've used American Select in the 44 Mag with 240gr plated bullets, but only for light loads that are probably lighter than what you are seeking. If you are looking for 1000+ fps, I'd start with a bit slower powder.

 

[black mamba]

8.0 gr. of American Select under a 240 gr bullet is a nice midrange load (1,000-1,050 fps) depending on barrel length and very accurate.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

8.0 gr. of American Select under a 240 gr bullet is a nice midrange load (1,000-1,050 fps) depending on barrel length and very accurate.

Is that in a Special case or Magnum? Standard primer, I assume? (AS doesn't need much fire to go boom)

 

[Simple Shooter]

If someone started a company that helped their customers the way THR folks help each other, they would get rich. I appreciate all the information and suggestions!

 

[Bazoo]

I load 4.8 bullseye under a RCBS 44-250-k, in special cases. In a magnum case, 6.0 grains is a duplicate best I recall. My bullet weighs 265 grains and not the 250 specified.

What you're wanting is mid level loads. Like the 10 grains unique mentioned. There is a handloader magazine or two that has articles on those. I have one I think. If ya want I can pic the info for ya.

And 10 grains unique is a dandy load.