.44 magnum - What's a decent practice load?

[meathammer]

I have a 5.5" Ruger Redhawk in .44 magnum that accompanies me to the range . I usually shoot CCI blazer, as they are cheaper than most. I get excellent accuracy with Hornady's 240 gr XTP, but a little too pricey to shoot a lot of.

What else is a decent factory target/plinking load that won't break the bank? I know, I know, but reloading isn't an option at the moment. Recommendations?

Thanks!


--meathammer

 

[Brass Balls]

I've been using bulk packed reloads by Miwall. I've got about 800 rounds down range without any problems. Every once in a while I'll get a thick rim that makes the cylinder turn not so smooth, but that's been the only drawback. The price is right, especially on the semi wadcutters which are $50.95 +shpg for 250 rounds.

http://www.outdoormarksman.com/index.php?cPath=65_1_19

 

[meathammer]

Thanks Brass Balls, that's what I'm looking for. I also found some Ultramax Remanufactured SWC. Any experience with Ultramax? I thought someone on this board mentioned its kind of dirty.


--meathammer

 

[Standing Wolf]

Load your own. You'd be amazed how well you can do with a little Hodgdon Tight Group.

 

[SteelEye]

Brass Balls,
A few years ago I purchased a case of Miwall reloads in 9mm. They would not load in my wife's 228 and blew up her Kahr P9. (Fortunately for us, Kahr fixed the P9 free of charge).

Gave the remaining ammo to a local range guru. He said the majority of the rounds were odd sized and many were double charged.

Since that time, I NEVER NEVER NEVER buy reloads from anyone. Either it's my reloads or factory and by factory I mean Remington, Winchester, MagTech and the like. MyWall is not factory.

 

[Ben Shepherd]

Winchester white box is decently priced around here.

Remington umc is ussually pretty cheap. It's fairly accurate, but it's usually fairly hot, and always dirty in 44 mag.

CCI blazer is most likely your best best, since you aren't saving brass.

You posted "I know, I know...." So here's some food for thought:

I can reload good practice 44 Mag loads for about 3.00 per box. Premium loads run around 10 dollars per box. That is a lot of shooting on the cheap.

When you get to where you can reload, give us a holler in the reloading forum.

 

[meathammer]

Thanks everyone.

I want to get into reloading, I'm in an apartment at the moment so it's not gonna happen. I did locate some PMC online for just under $14 for a box of 50.
That's cheaper than I can get the Blazers retail around here. Hmmmm.

I guess I'll just shop around some more.


--meathammer

 

[mikewilczynski]

ya gotta reload

I just got set up for reloading becuase I like to shoot my SRH. I bought a Lee turret press kit for 79 bucks. With a few other items, dies, calipers, manual, I can reload a box of 50 for less than $4. This is easy, wish I started sooner. 38s cost $3.50. I aim for 850 to 1000 fps for plinking ammo in my 44 with lead cast. Made some great 38 loads with 148 wcs and 2.5 to 2.6g of Unique.

 

[Flatfender]

.44 Special

 

[G. Glock]

Also, it rather depends on what one is "practicing for." Example: for my carry guns, I always practice with either my carry rounds or with my handloads of the same bullet weight and power factor.

If I were a pretty serious handgun hunter, I'd make sure I practice a fair amount with my hunting loads, or more logically, handloads that approximate the power factor and bullet weight (read same point of impact).

If you're just shooting for fun, I would definitely get into handloading as soon as possible. The .44 mag is just make for handloading. I shoot many thousands of .44 a year, and I enjoy loading a moderate load that doesn't hurt me yet is fairly warm. Also, I load .44 Specials by the thousands and they are fun to shoot in shorter barrel .44 mags. It's not easy to take advantage of the wonderful .44 Special round in your .44 mag because a box of factory rounds is likely to cost more than .44 mags rounds.

I didn't address your question very well, I realize, but as a .44 mag shooter for over 30 years, I thought I'd add my two cents worth. I'm a Smith Model 29 lover and own/shoot them in all barrel lengths. Great cartridge with amazing flexiblility, particularly if you have a Dillon in the garage.

Enjoy!

By the way, hope you're catching all the .44 magnum 50-year anniversary articles that are appearing in all the gun rags. Just got my American Handgunner yesterday, and John Taffin has written one, too.