44 mag XTPs and W231

WrongHanded · Jan 25, 2018

I'm trying out some XTPs for the first time. Also trying out W231 for the first time. My aim is a .44 "special/mag" load, in a magnum case with a 240gr JHP. I'm hoping for velocities somewhere around 1,000fps.

After looking around online, and at the two manuals I have, I decided 8.0gr under the 240gr XTP seemed like a decent place to start. If you've walked this road before and would care to comment on your findings, I'd certainly appreciate it before I go shoot these first 50 rounds.

WestKentucky · Jan 25, 2018

I did exactly what your doing when I still had a 44. Like always start low and work it up...or just stay low. I had to bump my starting load a bit to get it to shoot cleaner, but it was a nice soft shooter and a lot of fun. Even as a reloader 44 gets expensive because it's still a big hunk of lead.

cp1969 · Jan 25, 2018

I've loaded many ".44 SPL/Mag" loads but with very few jacketed bullets. I don't remember ever using this load with XTP's; any jacketed bullets would have been Sierra's seconds.

I've used 8 grains of WW231, Unique, or Universal. No discernible difference in any of them. They still pack plenty of punch at 100 yards, sometimes (not always) going completely through a junk washing machine.

ray15 · Jan 25, 2018

cp1969 said:
... sometimes (not always) going completely through a junk washing machine.

The international standard for terminal performance. :thumbup:

redbullitt · Jan 26, 2018

It's hard to stop a Trane, but the 44 oughta do it if they ever decide to make a washer.

44 mag XTPs and W231

WrongHanded

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WestKentucky

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cp1969

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ray15

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redbullitt

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