44 Rem Mag-Rifle reloads

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unwashed

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So, I haven't reloaded my 44 rem mag since 1993 and now after stocking up on more essential Calibers I decided to load some up. The new manuals and online all call for large pistol primers but I only have large rifle primers and never remember ever using large pistol. I still have a few loaded and sure enough my label on the box says large rifle primer.
Since I still have my manuals from years ago, copyright 1981 I took a look and they confirm to use large rifle. Comparing that manual with the new one's they both state the exact same powder but different primers. I like some thoughts on how much of a difference in powder is there or not, over all those years? Would you still use the data listed in the old manuals? My first thought is to reduce the current charge with the rifle primers and go from there. Maybe 70% case capacity to start. Any thoughts would be appreciated.
 
If you're using the exact same components
and the same procedure, I wouldn't see any
problems. I was always taught to drop
back 10% if there was a change in the
components you were using. Otherwise, you
should be good to go
 
In 44 mag it’s about ignition. The bottom edge of the charge range with ANY ball powder will ignite better with magnum primers. I’m not speaking Winchester that’s supposed to be magnum I’m talking MAGNUM primers. Now I just get the magnums and use them for everything. H110, 296, 300MP, AA9 and HS6 gets the nod first. Followed by Unique and 2400.

YMMV

Bluejay
 
bluejay75 said:
In 44 mag it’s about ignition. The bottom edge of the charge range with ANY ball powder will ignite better with magnum primers. I’m not speaking Winchester that’s supposed to be magnum I’m talking MAGNUM primers. Now I just get the magnums and use them for everything. H110, 296, 300MP, AA9 and HS6 gets the nod first. Followed by Unique and 2400.

YMMV

Bluejay
Click to expand...
Don’t forget IMR 4227! 22.0 grains with a 240gr hard cast and magnum primer is very accurate in my .44’s. Heavy profile crimp is essential, not roll crimp
 
mrawesome22-250 said:
My Lyman 44th from 1967 shows large pistol for 44mag. Your book must have a mis-print. Large rifle are taller than large pistol and would sit proud of the case head unless you really squashed them in there.
Click to expand...
I hadn't thought of the misprint, took a second look at the the few I still have loaded and yes the primer does go beyond the case bottom. I also have fired cases from the same loading and the primers seem flatten but not excessive pressure signs. Thing is I do not remember having any problems shooting this round. But I loaded these as a beginner back in 1993 and haven't shot the rifle since. Hence 25+ years later and why I'm questioning this now.
Makes you wonder how many misprints there are in these manuals.
20210402_174235.jpg
 
They find mis-prints all the time. Hornady has their corrections on their site.

As far as I know, 44mag started life with large pistol pockets, and has stayed that way. Large rifle pockets are deeper to accomodate the taller rifle primer.

Edit: I found a very dangerous mis-print for 45-70Govt in the Lyman 50th. I emailed Lyman a couple times and never heard back from them.

Screenshot_2021-04-02-21-35-11.png
Notice the last item. They referenced pistol when they meant rifle.
 
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I have only ever loaded 44mag with large rifle. Never had a high primer but I do get a flush one occasionally and had a few I couldn't tell if they were high or flush and had to set the round on a glass table to be sure. But that's one out of hundreds and hundreds of reloads. Also don't think I have had a suspect high primer since I started wet pin tumbling.

You absolutely do not want to use rifle primers if you are running a progressive setup where you deprime and prime the cases on the progressive.
 
Soonerpesek said:
What was it that you found....?
Click to expand...

I believe it was a trapdoor load where the starting load was higher than the max load for their Marlin data. Looked like it was meant for Ruger #1 section and ended up in the trapdoor section. I'll have to see if I can find it later. Ripping siding off the house atm.
 
FROGO207 said:
I always use LPM primers in all my 44 MAG loads just for simplicity in inventory. You would have had to REALLY mash a rifle primer to seat it flush. Been there.;)
Click to expand...

I tested it last night just to make sure. It seemed to seat fine. I guess thats the only way to make the Nosler Accuracy load of 22.8 grains of H110 actually ignite.
 
unwashed said:
I hadn't thought of the misprint, took a second look at the the few I still have loaded and yes the primer does go beyond the case bottom. I also have fired cases from the same loading and the primers seem flatten but not excessive pressure signs. Thing is I do not remember having any problems shooting this round. But I loaded these as a beginner back in 1993 and haven't shot the rifle since. Hence 25+ years later and why I'm questioning this now.
Makes you wonder how many misprints there are in these manuals.
View attachment 989147
Click to expand...

You mind posting that page to see the charges? I only shoot two bullets from my pistol so I can easily identify pistol from rifle loads. At my own risk of course.
 
milsurpguy said:
I have only ever loaded 44mag with large rifle. Never had a high primer but I do get a flush one occasionally and had a few I couldn't tell if they were high or flush and had to set the round on a glass table to be sure. But that's one out of hundreds and hundreds of reloads. Also don't think I have had a suspect high primer since I started wet pin tumbling.

You absolutely do not want to use rifle primers if you are running a progressive setup where you deprime and prime the cases on the progressive.
Click to expand...
Like I said I also don't remember having a problem and like you, I may continue to load them using the large rifle primer. Especially since those are the only primers I have for my 44 mag :D
 
bluejay75 said:
You mind posting that page to see the charges? I only shoot two bullets from my pistol so I can easily identify pistol from rifle loads. At my own risk of course.
Click to expand...
Sure no problem but these are rifle loads. Keep in mind this is copyright 1981.
20210403_193522.jpg 20210403_193517.jpg
 
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I have a few boxes of 225 Sierra FPJs. Looks like I can get near 2000 FPS with those and H110. Thanks.
 
28gr of H110 under a 180gr jacketed bullet sounds a little light.
I put almost as much H110 you can fit in mine and don't get any over pressure signs.
But when I fire off 240gr winchester white box in the super Redhawk the primers are smashed, the head stamp is flattened, some fairly concerning over pressure signs.
 
milsurpguy said:
28gr of H110 under a 180gr jacketed bullet sounds a little light.
I put almost as much H110 you can fit in mine and don't get any over pressure signs.
But when I fire off 240gr winchester white box in the super Redhawk the primers are smashed, the head stamp is flattened, some fairly concerning over pressure signs.
Click to expand...
Its the concave base of that bullet expanding and pushing it into the lands. It makes them one of the most accurate bullets you can put down a 44 tube. Can rarely find them as components though. Probably find there a little more recoil with those Winchester Bullets too.
 
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