.44 Mag Load Wanted for 200gr LRN.

[Mikul]

I'm looking through my Lyman reloading book for a .44 Magnum load for some 200gr LRN bullets. Maximum charge velocities are listed around 1,050fps. That's really slow. I have several loads for 300gr bullets that are near 1,400. I start looking through he Loadbook for .44 and I'm finding the same thing for all lead bullets. The velocities are all around the sound barrier.

The closest thing that I can find is a load from Speer (they always have the hottest loads) for a 215gr LSWC that's pushing 1,500fps. THAT's more like it! With 24gr of H110. I'm planning to use this as my starting load for the 200gr bullet unless someone has a reason not to.

Does anyone else have any good loads for a little lead bullet? I've got Universal, H110, and 2400 to work with.

FYI, these bullets are hard with a Brinell of 21 which should be fine at high velocity.

 

[Werewolf]

Goto the hodgdon web site (www.hodgdon.com). From the contacts page send 'em an e'mail telling them what you told us here and ask for load recommendations for that bullet.

I've done that on a number of different cartridges and within a couple of days get back a pdf from them with every possible load could imagine. You might be surprised at who in the company responds.

The data page on the Hodgdon site doesn't list a load for .44Mag with a 200 gr lead bullet though they do list one for a 200 gr JHP that is very, very hot using H110 but well within SAAMI specs for .44Mag.

 

[Black Snowman]

The 215gr LSWC load should be a good starting point. H-110 has a nice gradual pressure curve so you aren't likely to run into pressure issues but you could run into leading problems. H-110 burns hot, gas checks and/or a nice hard alloy may be in order.

 

[twowheel]

First, get a Lewis Lead Remover or an electronic lead remover device.

Make sure you know the diameter of your cylinder chambers (if revolver is your gun) and slug the barrel to make sure you know its exact diameter. Choose a bullet that matches the chamber (for revolver) and barrel (for either revolver or rifle.) With hot loads and wrong size bullets you are asking for trouble.

Then, use either 2400 or H-110 or N-110. For my hot loads I use H-110 and worked up from 22 grains until pressure symptoms appeared. My safe, top load was 24 gr of H-110 with 240 gr bullet.

With a 200-225 grain bullet, I would start at 22 grains and work up, being VERY CAREFUL about lead in the barrel. Lead will make the barrel diameter smaller which creates higher pressures. Lead bullets over about 1000 fts will lead on just friction. Undersized bullets, even by a little, will lead due to gas cutting.

My opinion is that heavy lead bullets are used for hunting more than target and plinking so there are not a lot of rounds through the gun in between cleanings.