300 grain load for the 44 special

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44 Special cartridge wasn’t designed for heavy bullets like 300 grains. The heaviest bullets for the .44 SPL that I would try to work up loads for would be in the 260-270 grain range. Anything more than that, and you are playing with a grenade that might detonate in your hand.
IMO, the 44 mag is much better suited for 300+ grain loads, along with a healthy dose of W296/H110. The experienced 44 shooters have unanimously agreed on this for decades.
 
44special is the descendent of 44russian. 44 S&W American was a year older, and slightly different, using an outside lubricated heeled bullet. The Russians wanted a few design changes to the cartridge and thus the Russian was born.

I don't think using a 300 grain bullet is going to grenade a 44 special handgun. Provided the charge weights are reduced accordingly. Of course with a 44 special that can take 25,000psi, there is a little safety margin when working at the low end. I'd want to run some quickload data when getting near the top end.


The biggest problem with running heavy bullets is ultra high poi, and the possibility of keyholing.
 
Bazoo said:
44special is the descendent of 44russian. 44 S&W American was a year older, and slightly different, using an outside lubricated heeled bullet. The Russians wanted a few design changes to the cartridge and thus the Russian was born.

I don't think using a 300 grain bullet is going to grenade a 44 special handgun. Provided the charge weights are reduced accordingly. Of course with a 44 special that can take 25,000psi, there is a little safety margin when working at the low end. I'd want to run some quickload data when getting near the top end.


The biggest problem with running heavy bullets is ultra high poi, and the possibility of keyholing.
Click to expand...
Yup, the Russian not the American. Thanks. I recalled it was a relative, one that feature some heavier bullets, but didn’t have access to real computer to googled it.
 
shot ten more to check position sensitivity: IMG_20211117_0001.jpg

no position sensitivity and not enough rear sight adjustment. the shots are still four inches high at 25 yards (does that mean dead on at one hundred yards?). still a good load.

i'm going to wait for the mbw bullets to get here before continuing the test. that will give me time to work on my grip.

murf
 
murf said:
i have had a leading problem with this gun since i bought it in 2009.

murf
Click to expand...


Have you slugged the barrel

Leading is caused by bullet not filling the rifling.
or too soft lead being pushed too fast.
600 fps is definitely not fast.

What area you sizing to? .429, .430, .431?

Powder coated bullets help.
 
Seedy Character said:
Have you slugged the barrel

Leading is caused by bullet not filling the rifling.
or too soft lead being pushed too fast.
600 fps is definitely not fast.

What area you sizing to? .429, .430, .431?

Powder coated bullets help.
Click to expand...
i've been through all this. the throats are .431", i slugged the barrel but don't remember what it is, i firelapped the barrel to take the choke out, i had the forcing cone recut, i think i may have taken it to a priest and had it blessed.

i'm thinking the barrel is either cut wrong, or the frame barrel hole was not drilled straight. but the super blackhawk does fine for now. when i get a couple extra hundred bucks, the 44 special blackhawk is gonna get fixed.

murf
 
my next project before the bullets get here is to build up the front sight so when the bullets get here i can regulate the sights for heavy loads.

murf
 
Bazoo said:
possibility of keyholing.
Click to expand...
nice round holes @ 25 yards here. i have found the 300 grain 44 caliber bullet extremely stable out to 440 yards (yes, i have shot this bullet out to that distance). any heavier, in this caliber, and all bets are off for me.

murf
 
I have a couple ornery guns that lead. The flattop I have does some. Not with gas checked bullets though. I feel your pain.

I bet if you had a soft bullet, nearly pure, with nra 50/50 lube, it would shoot clean, or at the least, much cleaner. I bet a gas checked bullet would run clean.
 
murf said:
nice round holes @ 25 yards here. i have found the 300 grain 44 caliber bullet extremely stable out to 440 yards (yes, i have shot this bullet out to that distance). any heavier, in this caliber, and all bets are off for me.

murf
Click to expand...
I don't doubt the distance, but at what velocities? I bet you don't lob them in 600fps?

You don't cast do you? I bet a 50:50 ww: pb+Sn gas checked .431 sized bullet, lubed with nra 50/50 or equivelant, wouldn't lead you're flattop.
 
I sent a super Blackhawk back 3 times, trying to get the thread choke taken care of. The last time they replaced the gun. I didn’t fire it, sold it as new. It wasn’t as cleanly polished and finished as an older one.
 
Bazoo said:
, but at what velocities?
Click to expand...
that bullet @ 1400 fps, a 325 grain 45 cal bullet @ 1250 fps, a 180 grain 38 cal bullet @ 1200 fps, a 140 grain bullet @ 1200 fps. they all make it. most bounce off the ground and are found a few feet away. the big 300+ grain bullets penetrate the ground.

i have tried a lot of different bullets in that 44 special blackhawk. i want a new barrel and new front sight for it anyway so i'll wait.

murf
 
Taylor throating is an option you might consider. I'm considering it on mine.

I have a 11 degree reamer and am considering that too for my flattop. I don't get severe leading, but some, with plain based bullets.

I wish it had a removable front sight. Pinned on blade. I wonder what a smith would charge to make that happen?
 
Last edited:
Bazoo said:
Taylor throating is an option you might consider. I'm considering it on mine.

I have a 11 degree reamer and am considering that tok for my flattop. I don't get severe leading, but some, with plain based bullets.

I wish it had a removable front sight. Pinned on blade. I wonder what a smith would charge to make that happen?
Click to expand...
i will send my pistol to gary reeder, i think but, according to his website, there is a two year backlog. i will also get a barrel band front sight with replaceable blades. i guess i have a bit more time now to gin up the cash.

murf
 
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