Anyone here ever loaded a 300 gr bullet into a 44 special case? I just have some cases prepped and was running low on 240gr bullets and due to a couple of things I was hoping to not run out and buy more 240 gr bullets right away. The rounds will be coming out of a 44 mag, so that end of is not a problem as far as I know. I don't have all my research resources with me right now. Thanks
300 gr in a 44 special?
- Thread starter Driveway
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jibbs
Member
I'm gonna be perfectly honest and say that I have never done so. My Google-foo lead me to this site, where I have used some S&W 460 & 500 data successfully.
http://www.handloads.com/loaddata/d...&Weight=All&type=Handgun&Order=Powder&Source=
300gr data is at the bottom. Just remember to start low and work your way up. When in doubt call/email/smoke signal the powder manufacture for their recommendations because bullet type is pretty important as well.
http://www.handloads.com/loaddata/d...&Weight=All&type=Handgun&Order=Powder&Source=
300gr data is at the bottom. Just remember to start low and work your way up. When in doubt call/email/smoke signal the powder manufacture for their recommendations because bullet type is pretty important as well.
IBEWBULL
Member
I hope you are using 44 special loading charts. Check jibbs link.
I have not loaded much but do know the case is built different in more than the O.A.L. dimension.
If I were going to make use of 300 grain bullets. I would save them for hunting in a magnum load.
648-752 fps in a special case will never be a big game hunting load.
Just some thoughts.
I have not loaded much but do know the case is built different in more than the O.A.L. dimension.
If I were going to make use of 300 grain bullets. I would save them for hunting in a magnum load.
648-752 fps in a special case will never be a big game hunting load.
Just some thoughts.
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I experimented with 300 gr. Speer and Hornady a couple of years ago. They always shot higher and not as tight as 240 gr. At 25 yards. If my memory it is correct, I loaded 19.0 gr. 2400 for 44 mag and 15.0 gr. 2400 44 spc. Maybe, your gun will like them better than mine…
jibbs
Member
You tun into the problem of case volume, especially when running a larger pill in a shorter case. Hodgdon's website doesn't even list a H110 load for 44 Special. Specifically I don't not know if the there are differences between the 2 cases, but I would error on the side of caution and just use 44 mag cases. The link I provided you only went up to 300grs as that was posted in your original post. I personally wouldn't do it. I would think you be running into a compressed load and I dunno how much compression H110 likes. Another thing is not all brass is created equal. Mag brass is usually supported more in the head, to take the added pressures. You are essentially raking 44 mag data and trying to make it work in a 44 special. Your hands my friend, not waters I would want to venture into.
In 44 Mag, it looks like 20grs of H110 is the starting load for a 325gr bullet.
Hey man, you have the internet, give Hodgdon a call and see what they say. They would be glad to talk to you about what you want to do.
In 44 Mag, it looks like 20grs of H110 is the starting load for a 325gr bullet.
Hey man, you have the internet, give Hodgdon a call and see what they say. They would be glad to talk to you about what you want to do.
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
Brian Pearce supplied 300gr data for the .44Spl in Handloader magazine a while back. He reported 1050fps using a Dry Creek 307gr SWC over 15.5gr H110. These were tested in a FA 97 and S&W 24-3 so they would certainly be safe in any .44Mag.
Case strength is not an issue.
Case strength is not an issue.
As to the starting load for the 320 gr LFNGC, the H110 is compressed a fair bit with the bullets. I don't have a chrony so I can't say what the speed is. It packs quite a wallop though. Cases are fine.
I may just bite the bullet and get some more 240's or smaller. I live in bush AK and have to pre plan most anything I get. I'm trying to use the combinations of what I already as I may be moving in a little while. Shipping is a real pain out here. Add hazmat on top of that...... While bullets aren't hazmat, I try to order things in bulk to save on shipping costs.
The thing is I had primed more 44 sp cases than I have 240 gr bullets. the plan was just to use them to get more familiar with the gun/s. I think I will call hodgdon and see what they have to say.
I may just bite the bullet and get some more 240's or smaller. I live in bush AK and have to pre plan most anything I get. I'm trying to use the combinations of what I already as I may be moving in a little while. Shipping is a real pain out here. Add hazmat on top of that...... While bullets aren't hazmat, I try to order things in bulk to save on shipping costs.
The thing is I had primed more 44 sp cases than I have 240 gr bullets. the plan was just to use them to get more familiar with the gun/s. I think I will call hodgdon and see what they have to say.
Driveway, call the powder manufacturer, and talk shop with those guys. They know what they are talking about.
Also please have a chrony available. When working up loads like this you will want to check velocity. You may see a huge jump in velocity with minimum powder bumps. This will show you that you have gone over the pressure limit. And I am talking a .2 bump in a compressed load like this can make a BIG difference. A tool like the CHRONY is invaluable when experimenting in reloading.
It will also show when pressures have dropped to low. Be careful. Most .44 SPC guns I have seen are real nice, and I'd hate to see you blow one up, and I also hate to see you get hurt even more.
$500 for a new Ruger .44 Magnum might be a lot cheaper than wasting powder, bullets, time and potentially a gun and or hospital bills, missed work, and or a career change. Know what I am saying.
Also please have a chrony available. When working up loads like this you will want to check velocity. You may see a huge jump in velocity with minimum powder bumps. This will show you that you have gone over the pressure limit. And I am talking a .2 bump in a compressed load like this can make a BIG difference. A tool like the CHRONY is invaluable when experimenting in reloading.
It will also show when pressures have dropped to low. Be careful. Most .44 SPC guns I have seen are real nice, and I'd hate to see you blow one up, and I also hate to see you get hurt even more.
$500 for a new Ruger .44 Magnum might be a lot cheaper than wasting powder, bullets, time and potentially a gun and or hospital bills, missed work, and or a career change. Know what I am saying.
I tried some 300gr Mt Baldy 300gr Keith's based on the Pearce article ref by CraigC above in my Freedom Arms .44 Special:
55 Deg F and 5 paces from the muzzle:
FA97….. 5.5 Inch Bbl, …300 gr Keith, Mt Baldy, ……..….Starline 2x , ….WLP prim, ……...……..….15.5, H-110….., 991 fps
FA97….. 5.5 Inch Bbl, …300 gr Keith, Mt Baldy, ……..….Starline 2x , ….WLP prim, ……...……..….16.2, H-110…., 1047 fps
.44 Mag chrono results for the Beartooth 325gr WLNGC -- 70 Deg F and 5 paces from muzzle:
S&W M329 PD…. 4 Inch Bbl, .…..325 gr WLNGC, Beartooth, ….New WW , ….CCI-350 (mag) prim, ….19.5, H-110…., 1043 fps
S&W M629-6….…. 6 Inch Bbl, .…..325 gr WLNGC, Beartooth, ….New WW , ….CCI-350 (mag) prim, ….19.5, H-110…., 1135 fps
Ruger 50th FT….. 6.5 Inch Bbl, …325 gr WLNGC, Beartooth, ….New WW , ….CCI-350 (mag) prim, ….19.5, H-110…., 1155 fps
Paul
55 Deg F and 5 paces from the muzzle:
FA97….. 5.5 Inch Bbl, …300 gr Keith, Mt Baldy, ……..….Starline 2x , ….WLP prim, ……...……..….15.5, H-110….., 991 fps
FA97….. 5.5 Inch Bbl, …300 gr Keith, Mt Baldy, ……..….Starline 2x , ….WLP prim, ……...……..….16.2, H-110…., 1047 fps
.44 Mag chrono results for the Beartooth 325gr WLNGC -- 70 Deg F and 5 paces from muzzle:
S&W M329 PD…. 4 Inch Bbl, .…..325 gr WLNGC, Beartooth, ….New WW , ….CCI-350 (mag) prim, ….19.5, H-110…., 1043 fps
S&W M629-6….…. 6 Inch Bbl, .…..325 gr WLNGC, Beartooth, ….New WW , ….CCI-350 (mag) prim, ….19.5, H-110…., 1135 fps
Ruger 50th FT….. 6.5 Inch Bbl, …325 gr WLNGC, Beartooth, ….New WW , ….CCI-350 (mag) prim, ….19.5, H-110…., 1155 fps
Paul
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Man, thanks for pointing that out. I mean. If they didn't already know that I'd misread the post then whoa... Thank goodness for you. Seriously. How could the thread go on without a person like yourself who points out the mistakes of others? The highroad is such a better forum knowing we have you to point out mistakes of others. Thank you. Now I can sleep, and I am sure your comment really, really helped the OP.
At least my post contained useful information even if it was a little off topic. You must feel 10 feet tall today knowing that really put me in my place.
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
Wow, you're on a roll this week. You really don't like being challenged on any level, do you? I agree, try reading the OP before giving your two cents.
Humility? Seriously, CraigC. For posting concerns weather relevant or slight a drift to the topic. Please, man. Get off my case. You're following me like a bully, and I have blocked you. Please do the same for me. I do not care to ever see a post or deal with you again.
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
Of course. I particularly like challenging the posts of those who can't take a polite correction or are so belligerent about being wrong. Or those that cast unprovoked insults.
Following you??? I believe I posted in this thread before you did. The only difference is that I actually read the OP and then answered the question asked. You did neither. Now you wanna cry because your PM offensive did not go as planned??? Now you wanna answer PM's on the open forum?
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