44 mag help needed

The 44 Magnum is a pistol round so you use pistol primers regardless of what you shoot them in.

What powder are you planning on using? I would recommend H110 for hot loads, but there are several other options.

ExAgoradzo said:

1st Question:
Walt didn't know if it mattered whether I used pistol primers or rifle primers. ???

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........and "Walt" is teaching you proper reloading procedures? Sorry, but I'm having a hard time keeping a straight face.

.45LC is a Straight Walled handgun cartridge also, so it too uses pistol primers. Whether you use standard or magnum primers depends on the powder. If you need to buy some, I recommend Winchester Large Pistol primers as they work for both standard and magnum primers.

I bought Hornady FTX 44 cal 265 grain because someday I won't live in CA.

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Is there a CA law against those?

-MW

Is there a CA law against those?

-MW

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NO hunting with lead in Cali, as far as I remember. Condors or some such rubbish.

As mentioned, just buy Winchester pistol primers for both the 44 Mag and 45 LC.

I recommend 2400 for the 44 Magnum. H110/W296 (same powders) have all sorts of warnings about not reducing the loads, a loading density issue that 2400 does not have. I have shot lots of 2400 in my M1894, shoots well and you can download it if you want. My standard load is a 240 L or JHP with 22.0 grains 2400 for the rifle with standard primers. I have shot thousands of rounds with 17.5 grains 2400 and a 240. With H110, it is full power or nothing.

Unique is the best overall powder for the 45 LC. A standard load is a 250/255 anything with 8.5 grains Unique. Unique is the most flexible pistol powder out there, can be used for light loads right up to magnum levels.

Standard primers also. Magnum pistol primers are a good idea for H110 as ball powders are hard to ignite. You don't need or want them with 2400 or Unique.

FYI, I for those FTX bullets you will have to trim yoru case down below the normal minimum in order to get them to chamber correctly, the hornady manual has all the info on that. But you may not be able to use that brass for other bullets in teh near future.

I use alliant 2400 for my .44 mag

Defiantly need to use pistol primers (large).

For full loads I recommend alliant 2400. I've had super results with 240g and 20 grains of 2400 in my 1894. 5 shot, same hole groups @ 50 yards with a scope.

Never tried h110 but I do know you need magnum primers for it. I like the 2400 because I can use te same primers for my hot loads (2400) and my medium to light handgun loads (red dot or universal clays)

Hope that helps!

First thing I would do is get a couple of good reloading manuals and do some reading!

Here's the Barnes page where you can pull load data for the XPB's.

Looks like AA No. 9 and some WLP would set you on the right path.

ExAgoradzo said:

y like Unique for hot .45 LC loads, and 2400 for hot .44 mag loads. The load data I have for .44 mag rifle shows 2400 and H-110 in the top velocity bracket for 240gr jacketed bullets from 18-20" barrels."

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I load more for accuracy than I do for top velocity. To me for hunting, accuracy is premier as opposed to 50-75 more fps in a handgun round. IMR4227 works very well in my .44 mag rifles and handguns, as does H110/W296. I refrain from Lil' Gun in my revolvers, but it does work well in the carbines.

I use 2400 in my 44 magnums.

I load my 45 colts with 2400, as I shoot them from a Blackhawk.

One powder I'll suggest you probably would NOT want to try: Clays Universal. I use this myself, but only because I'm going for lower-end/softer shooting pistol loads; I can't do too many .44 shots before my wrist starts aching. So for hunting and/or rifle, use something else.

Also - yes, use pistol primers.

thorn

The Hornady 265 FTX is designed for the 444, not the .44 mag. You won't find reliable load data for that bullet because the bullet is much longer and the crimp groove will really set the bullet DEEP in a .44 case. or the OAL of the round will be too long to chamber in most guns. If "Walt" doesn't know if the .44 mag round takes pistol or rifle primers I don't know that I would be behind the trigger when he tries to figure out how to load this projectile. Stick to the Barnes as there is reliable data for those and PLEASE start reading as much as you can about reloading.

Might want to get some reload data from a Barnes reloading manual for those solid copper bullets you bought.
It won't be the same as lead core bullet data from everyone else.

rc

thorn- said:

One powder I'll suggest you probably would NOT want to try: Clays Universal. I use this myself, but only because I'm going for lower-end/softer shooting pistol loads; I can't do too many .44 shots before my wrist starts aching. So for hunting and/or rifle, use something else.

Also - yes, use pistol primers.

thorn

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The clays can be confusing. There is no such thing as "clays universal"

Universal clays=awesome for mid to lower loads in 44 mag for me. Shot over 1k in my 4" trail revolver.

Never tried "clays" and I'm assuming that's what he meant by "clays universal" that doesn't exist

TheCracker said:

The universals can be confusing. There is no such thing as "clays universal"

Universal clays=awesome for mid to lower loads in 44 mag for me. Shot over 1k in my 4" trail revolver.

Never tried "clays" and I'm assuming that's what he meant by "clays universal" that doesn't exist

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I forgot to mention there is also "international clays" and I've never tried it either.

Sorry - my bad - yes, Universal Clay's.

(Plus an obligatory glare from me in Hodgdon's direction for putting the word Clays in too many damned powder names.)

And while we're on the subject of confusing powder names, in the much earlier days I thought WSF and WST were possibly the same thing, and that someone was making typos when listing what they used.

thorn