.44 Mag load using 700X

[vulcan]

I was given a few boxes of handloads in .44 Mag. They consist of


7.1 gr 700X with 240gr LSWC bullets.

I'm not familiar with 700X , What can you tell me about this combo?

Is it mild,med,or spicy?

Thanks

 

[rob_helms]

Richard Lee's Modern Reloading circa 1996 lists a Max Load of 700X with a 240gn LSWC at 9.5 gn for a vel of 1185 fps at 40,000 CUP.
You might try IMR or Hodgons web site for more data.

 

[Quantrill]

IMR lists 9.5gr 700X for Max with 240 gr bullet. An earlier edition book lists 8.9 as the max. FWIW, I have used 5.5gr 700X in .45Colt with 240gr bullets for a mild, accurate cowboy load. I think your 7.1 will be just fine but a little stiff. Quantrill

 

[Paul "Fitz" Jones]

700 X for hot loads

As a commercial police and civilian reloader I figured that I could save money on my powder costs by using 700X as it took less powder to do the job compared with bullseye and WW231. However for full power loads it has a fast and high pressure curve and in effect cost my department money as it wore out the brass inventory faster than any other powder. It is very economical for target and smaller calibers but for full power 45 and magnum loads I would say no.

For normal police loads I would use Bullseye and for my own and police competitors for the championships I would use WW231 as it metered more accurately and I would load competition ammo in one of my 11 Star reloaders. For anyone else I would load 700X in my Auto Load 5,000 round per hour machines.

So 700X is a very economical powder for many calibers.

I have a steel barrel of 12 pounds of 700X to sell to someone close to Sacramento Ca.

Fitz

 

[HankB]

I used to shoot a lot of trap and skeet, and loaded my shotshells with 700X powder. Bought in 12 pound kegs, it was pretty cheap.

In pistol, it's not too far removed from "Bullseye" in both burning speed and application. It works well in 9mm P and for .38 Spec target loads.

Today, it's my standard powder for "hardball equivalent" loads in .45 ACP. It's pretty fast, so it's not a good choice for max loads in cartridges like .44 Magnum. 7.1 grains in .44 Mag would not be considered a hot load, but is probably more than needed for casual paper punching.

But . . . you mentioned you were "given" this ammo. Do you REALLY want to shoot someone else's reloads? My advice is, don't, unless you REALLY know and REALLY trust the person who gave them to you.