44 mag and bullseye

[Jhamblen86]

Just got into reloading a few months ago and am looking to lighten the load a little. I started out using h110 pushing a 240gr hp. I'm looking to move to a 240gr LSWC target load. I bought some bullseye because its a good general purpose powder. From what I've found a good load is 6gr with a CCI 300 primer. Any ideas or input would be awesome.

 

[BHarada]

My current light target load is 5gn of Bullseye under a 180gn Missouri Bullet Cowboy #7 RNFP. I get about 800 fps out of a 6" S&W 29-3. Recoil is very light and accuracy is pretty good with 2-3" 5-shot groups at 20 yards shot off of a sandbag rest.

In the past I've had similar success with 5.5gn of Bullseye under a 240gn LSWC. I've just decided to buy cheaper (lighter) bullets now.

 

[groundsclown]

In a Ruger Redhawk 7.5" barrel I've used:
(Haven't tried BE powder yet though)

44mag brass
Win LPP (not mags)
W231 6.3gr
Cast SWC Keith (rcbs mold)
Tumble lubed using 45/45/10
Hi 904
Low 874
Avg 886
Groups avg around 2" from a rest at 20yds. VERY low recoil load.

I finally settled on this load. Just a tad more recoil but by no means harsh. Something anyone could literally shoot all day.

44mag brass
Win LPP (not mags)
Unique 7.5gr
Cast SWC Keith (rcbs mold)
Tumble lubed using 45/45/10
Hi 978
Low 922
Avg 951
Groups avg around 2" from a rest at 20yds.

 

[the Black Spot]

Yep 5 gr of bullseye is a good all around load for plinking with 240-250 gr bullets

 

[x_wrench]

i have run anywhere between 5.5 to 9.5 grains using a 240 grain lswcgc. obviously the 5.5 is fairly mild, and the 9.5 is fairly stout. certainly not like the H110 loads you were using though!

 

[GaryL]

I hate to be a naysayer, but are you guys sure you want to be loading such a fast powder in a large case like 44mag? I stopped using Bullseye in 45 acp because I thought those few grains in the bottom of the case looked so forlorn and lost that a few more would hardly be noticed.

Don't get me wrong, Bullseye is a nice powder in a lot of applications, but if nothing else, check out Hondo's thread for a reminder to be extra cautious with small loads in large cases.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=692143

 

[35 Whelen]

Yesterday I tried Bullseye in one of my Uberti .44 Specials for the first time...wow! 5.3 grs. and a 250 gr. SWC grouped 1 1/2" @ 25 yds., ran a little over 820 fps and had an extreme spread of only 15 fps. I intend to try it some more. I bet it'll work great in your .44 Mag.

35W

 

[Jaxondog]

I myself don't plink with 240 gr. bullets. Just seems to me it would be a little easier and more fun with something a little lighter. 180 gr. in 44 mag has enough ummph for me to plink with.

 

[35 Whelen]

I myself don't plink with 240 gr. bullets. Just seems to me it would be a little easier and more fun with something a little lighter. 180 gr. in 44 mag has enough ummph for me to plink with.

Good point. I actually have a custom mould that casts a 170 gr. RNFP and it shoots quite well, but I try to practice with the same load I carry to shoot.

35W

 

[mdi]

For my .44 Magnums (5 of them) I don't load anything faster than Unique, or lighter than 225 gr.bullets. On rare occations I'll load up some round balls over a load of W231. When I first began reloading the .44 in '86 there were a lot of magazine articles about reloading the magnum so I tried Bullseye under some lead bullets. Worked OK, but nothing special. I have no problem with loading small charges of fast powder in large cases, as my reloading style/methods are safe and I don't fear double charges. For me a .44 Magnum should shoot at least a 220 gr. bullet (and I have 200-300 429421 Lymans cast up and waiting) and be loaded to the velocity for the job (plinking 700-800 fps, hunting 1,000 or so fps) One of my pet loads is a 240 gr. LRNFP Ranch Dog over either a hefty but not max. load of Unique or 2400.

 

[hdbiker]

.44Ma. powers

I like Win 296 for full power .44 loads,Blue Dot and Unique for mediam cast bullet loads,and Unique and 231 for light plinking cast bullet loads .biker

 

[Jhamblen86]

Thanks everyone for your input. I will try about ten rounds each as I increase the load. What would a top end be? I will start at 5.5 grains. I'm using laser cast 240 grain swc bullets.

 

[56hawk]

I've loaded up to 9 grains of bullseye behind a 240 grain bullet.