44 mag mid range target loads unique vs blue dot

[drband]

I like Unique 7.5gr under a MBC 240gr Keith LSWC Hitek coated bullet. That’s in a magnum case using a regular primer. It’s pleasant to shoot in my SBH.

 

[Mr.Revolverguy]

I love the old Ken Waters 44spc load in a 44mag case. 14.5gr of 2400 under a 240gr lead or plated bullet.Here are the results of some of the testing I have done in different revolvers.

44 Special Chronograph Data
Name: ken waters 44 special
Notes: Taurus 6.5 barrel
Shots: 5
Average: 964 FPS
SD: 22 FPS
Min: 935 FPS
Max: 995 FPS
Spread: 60 FPS
Barometric Pressure: 30.1 inHg
Temperature: 44F
Weight: 240 grains

Name: ken waters 44 special
Notes: Smith and Wesson 629 2.5in barrel performance center
Shots: 5
Average: 767 FPS
SD: 40 FPS
Min: 733 FPS
Max: 832 FPS
Spread: 99 FPS
Barometric Pressure: 30.1 inHg
Temperature: 44F
Weight: 240 grains

Name: ken waters 44 special
Notes: Redhawk 7.5in barrel
Shots: 5
Average: 1004 FPS
SD: 43 FPS
Min: 956 FPS
Max: 1071 FPS
Spread: 115 FPS
Barometric Pressure: 30.1 inHg
Temperature: 44F
Weight: 240 grains

Name: ken waters 44 special
Notes: Smith and Wesson performance center 3inch power port
Shots: 5
Average: 761 FPS
SD: 31 FPS
Min: 739 FPS
Max: 824 FPS
Spread: 85 FPS
Barometric Pressure: 30.1 inHg
Temperature: 50F
Weight: 240 grains

 

[JO JO]

I love the old Ken Waters 44spc load in a 44mag case. 14.5gr of 2400 under a 240gr lead or plated bullet.

how does 2400 burn down loaded that much ? lots of unburnt powder ?

 

[Walkalong]

how does 2400 burn down loaded that much ? lots of unburnt powder ?

It's what I shoot (14.5 Grs) in .357 with a coated 158, burns clean. I wonder what pressure level it is in the .44 Mag case under a 240 Gr lead or plated bullet compared to that.

 

[MEHavey]

Unique is my go-to powder in all mid-power/large case pistol cartridges. Either that or Universal for ~same weight/burn/pressures and meters more like water

 

[Mr.Revolverguy]

Burns clean no unburnt powder. At one time I was using HS-6 and it left a lot of unburned powder behind unless it was close to max loads with magnum powder. HS-6 is now my fallback if I can't find 2400.

 

[RealGun]

I love the old Ken Waters 44spc load in a 44mag case. 14.5gr of 2400 under a 240gr lead or plated bullet.Here are the results of some of the testing I have done in different revolvers.

44 Special Chronograph Data
Name: ken waters 44 special
Notes: Taurus 6.5 barrel
Shots: 5
Average: 964 FPS
SD: 22 FPS
Min: 935 FPS
Max: 995 FPS
Spread: 60 FPS
Barometric Pressure: 30.1 inHg
Temperature: 44F
Weight: 240 grains

Name: ken waters 44 special
Notes: Smith and Wesson 629 2.5in barrel performance center
Shots: 5
Average: 767 FPS
SD: 40 FPS
Min: 733 FPS
Max: 832 FPS
Spread: 99 FPS
Barometric Pressure: 30.1 inHg
Temperature: 44F
Weight: 240 grains

Name: ken waters 44 special
Notes: Redhawk 7.5in barrel
Shots: 5
Average: 1004 FPS
SD: 43 FPS
Min: 956 FPS
Max: 1071 FPS
Spread: 115 FPS
Barometric Pressure: 30.1 inHg
Temperature: 44F
Weight: 240 grains

Name: ken waters 44 special
Notes: Smith and Wesson performance center 3inch power port
Shots: 5
Average: 761 FPS
SD: 31 FPS
Min: 739 FPS
Max: 824 FPS
Spread: 85 FPS
Barometric Pressure: 30.1 inHg
Temperature: 50F
Weight: 240 grains

If these are all in magnum cases, I think calling them "44 Special" risks someone misunderstanding and loading these in 44 Special brass.

I am running 15 Grains of 2400 in mag brass in a 6" SBH with 240 gr lead and consider it my range load. Once I get my flinch under control, I move up to hotter loads, usually IMR 4227. Haven't taken note of any unburned powder issue.

 

[Charlie98]

I think calling them "44 Special" risks someone misunderstanding and loading these in 44 Special brass.

I was wondering about that...

 

[Blue68f100]

I would identify them as" 44 mag downloaded to 44 special levels" . Or reduced 44 mag loads = 44 spl.

I do this all the time with my 357mag, shooting mouse fart loads at 38 spl levels.

 

[RealGun]

I would identify them as" 44 mag downloaded to 44 special levels" . Or reduced 44 mag loads = 44 spl.

I do this all the time with my 357mag, shooting mouse fart loads at 38 spl levels.

Mine are just 44 Magnum Cowboy, but even lighter than that I would call 44 Magnum Lite, always including the brass size in the name. The lowest I will go is somewhere between Special Max and Magnum Min, all based on powder or bullet company data, nothing informal. That depends on the few instances where data for specials and magnums indicate a common powder.

 

[davesmyrnaga]

http://www.alliantpowder.com/getting_started/safety/safety_notices.aspx
quote from Alliant

• Blue Dot® should NOT be used in the 41 Magnum cartridge (all bullet weights).

I use Blue Dot in my 41 Mag. I saw the note from Alliant about 10 or 15 years ago and emailed them. I told them about my loads and there weren’t any pressure signs on them. They said they were having problems with pressure spikes when trying to get full magnum performance (210gr at 1500 FPS). Mine are doing 1290 to 1300 FPS. They said the powder should behave pretty linearly at that level.

 

[Mr.Revolverguy]

If these are all in magnum cases, I think calling them "44 Special" risks someone misunderstanding and loading these in 44 Special brass.

I am running 15 Grains of 2400 in mag brass in a 6" SBH with 240 gr lead and consider it my range load. Once I get my flinch under control, I move up to hotter loads, usually IMR 4227. Haven't taken note of any unburned powder issue.

Great call out I should have labeled them downloaded 44 Magnum. I always validate loads with at least two load manuals and still then drop down 10% and work my way up but I understand not everyone does.

For additional info on 44spl here is an article by Mr. Taffin https://gunsmagazine.com/reloading-the-44-special/