.44 Mag loads

[Northwest Cajun]

Hi Guys,
I just picked up a Taurus 44Mag w/ 4" barrel and I'm looking for some loads.
I have Bullseye, 2400 and H110.The bullets are Rem bulk 240 JFP's. I also have CCI 300 & 350 primers. I've found out where my max is with H110. For me it's 23.5gr with the CCI 300 primer. (Book max is 24.0 with the 350 Magnum primer) Boy does it make a fireball!!
I'm likeing 9 gr of bullseye and the 300 primer for a plinking load.
I haven't shot my 2400 loads yet. I have 20 made with 17.5.
What can I expect from these loads?
Whats your "pet" load?


Cajun

 

[Ben Shepherd]

You've good good powders there. If I were you:

Bullseye for very light "plinker" loads.

2400 for standard loads.

296 for "full snort" hunting loads.

Your 2400 load should be a good load. Most likely expect around 11-1200 depending on your cylinder gap, etc. You might want to work up to around a 20.0 grain load for hunting or similar applications. Should get your velocity up around 1400ish.

I would start over with your 296 loads using the magnum primer, you should end up with more consistant velocity.

Once again I'll reccomend using the redding "profile crimp" die, there's just none better.

Have fun with the new gun. Post load results when you get a good one!

 

[larryw]

296/110 are very sensitive with regards to ignition and crimp. Magnum primers and heavy crimp will do wonders for accuracy (and fireball reduction). Neck tension is another area where the 44 mag is picky and is the only pistol cartridge I maintain shot-counts on the brass used in max loads (10 then it gets retired to the light "Special" loads).

I have the Redding die, but prefer the Lee Factory Crimp die as it seems to even out neck tension.

I've use those Remington bullets for practice magnum loads: outstanding quality, more so considering the relatively low price.

My Marlin lever gun shoots under 2MOA with 23gr of H110 and 240gr jacketed bullets. 24gr opens the groups up to about 3" and make it a whole lot more fun to blast away with.

12gr of BlueDot is a good mid range load (heavy crimp, magnum primers). 9.5gr of V V N340 is a bit lighter, works great out of shorter barreled revos using a light crimp and standard primers. For a plinking load I use 6.0 gr of WST, but only because I use WST for 45ACP and have a big jug of it. These three are with 240gr plated bullets.

 

[Standing Wolf]

Bullseye for very light "plinker" loads.

I'll second that. I use 4.5 grains of Bullseye under a 240-grain lead semi-wadcutter bullet for target loads. That's by no means a good bear medicine, but it's very accurate in my pre-agreement Smith & Wesson model 29.

 

[Northwest Cajun]

Thanks Guys,

I tried the 2400 and wasn't impressed. I did get better accuracy with the H-110 loads and the standard primers. I know everyone says to use a magnum primer but when I did with the same load I was all over the place. I'll make up a few more to shoot over a chronograph. I'll let yall know what kind of speeds I'm getting.


Cajun

 

[Ben Shepherd]

H110/296 is the powder for "bear-stomping" loads.

I suggest starting over with new brass (preferably winchester or starline), trim to same length, heavy crimp, and the magnum primer.

A tight bullet fit and heavy crimp are critical for H110 to work properly.

 

[RCL]

I'll cast another vote for the use of magnum pistol primers (CCI 350) with H110/W296. For me it makes a more consistent load.

 

[stans]

Pet load for my six inch S&W 29-3 is 8.0 grains of Unique under a 240 grain cast LSWC and a Winchester Large Pistol primer. This load clocks an honest 1000 feet per second, is mild enough to shoot all day, but strong enough to know it isn't a pop-gun load.

I have yet to work up a rompin' stompin' load with W-296 for my Super Redhawk, but I'll get around to it one day.

 

[Ben Shepherd]

Stans:

For your SRH try working up to around 23 grains under a 270 gold dot. You'll love it I'd bet.

 

[stans]

Yeah, I'm thinking for the Super Redhawk I might want to go a little heavier than 240 grains, but I really don't think I need 300 grain or heavier bullets. But, paper can be really nasty when wounded!

 

[Northwest Cajun]

Here are the results from the chronograph with my Taurus 4" ported(actually 3.25")

240gr Rem JFP, 23.5gr H110, CCI 350 in Win brass 1175fps (hunting)
240gr Rem JFP, 8 gr Bullseye, CCI300 in Win brass 940fps (plinking)
I dont think I'll actually use it for hunting but it will be carried when I go hiking.
Next I'll try the "hunting" load in my 10" contender and we'll see.

Cajun

 

[Ben Shepherd]

Hey Cajun, 'ya got more details from your chrono work(like extreme spread and standard deviation)? Inquiring minds want to know.

Stans: For, uuhh..... fun:
Get some 300 XTP's for your SRH, seat them to the rear groove and carefully up the powder charge(use 296, n110, 2400, etc) for some more speed.

Lotsa boom........
lotsa flash........
lotsa recoil.........

BUT IT HITS LIKE A FREIGHT TRAIN WHEN IT GETS THERE!!!

 

[Northwest Cajun]

The "hunting" loads w/ H110
Std dev 14.67
Low 1163
High 1210


Cajun

 

[Ben Shepherd]

Good numbers. Thanks.

Given the consistency of that load, the accuracy should be there for sure.

 

[HankB]

I haven't shot my 2400 loads yet. I have 20 made with 17.5.

I've found that I usually get noticeably less velocity than the manuals claim when using 2400 in my 7 1/2" Redhawk. Your 17.5/240 load ought to be quite mild for a .44 Magnum, but distinctly warm (if not downright hot) for a .44 Special, Elmer Keith notwithstanding. I'd guess around 1000 - 1100 ft/sec, more or less. Please let us know the actual numbers once you clock them.

One problem I've noticed with 2400 powder - depending on the specifics of gun, bullet, and primer, if you drop below a certain charge weight, it starts getting dirty and messes things up with unburned powder. It's a real nuisance when it gets under the extractor star.