44 Mag Reduced loads..
- Thread starter Henry45
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geo57
Member
I've used Unique for this application for mild .44 mag loads for over 30 years for both cast and jacketed projectiles. I tailor these loads to approximate original .44-40 ballistics so while they are mild .44 mag loads they still may have more recoil than a novice female shooter would care for.
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44 MAG-PIPSQUEAK
RCBS 44-200 RNFP-PB-Cast1:30 / Lym450Sized 0.432/LymAloxLube(50/50)
700X/4.4gr
FED-LrgPst
OAL:1.569"
Hodgdon says 12,000CUP
Actual Vel (20" barrel) =879
http://thefiringline.com/forums/showpost.php?p=5981900&postcount=5
RCBS 44-200 RNFP-PB-Cast1:30 / Lym450Sized 0.432/LymAloxLube(50/50)
700X/4.4gr
FED-LrgPst
OAL:1.569"
Hodgdon says 12,000CUP
Actual Vel (20" barrel) =879
http://thefiringline.com/forums/showpost.php?p=5981900&postcount=5
VINTAGE-SLOTCARS
member
Unique for 30 years!
TfflHndn
Member
I use Clays or Clay Dot, 5.5 grains with a 240 grain coated or plated bullet. A tad stronger than .44 spl but very manageable, especially with a heavier gun like the 629. It purrs in my 29 and SRH.
TimSr
Member
Unique covers everything from light specials to mid range magnums.
For light specials with cast or lead, you can use any fast burning pistol such as Bullseye, Red Dot, and a dozen others.
For light specials with cast or lead, you can use any fast burning pistol such as Bullseye, Red Dot, and a dozen others.
blarby
Member
8 grs unique behind a 240 LSWC is about as accurate and sweet shooting as it gets. Its not a 38 special, but it takes all the sting out. Just pooshy 
6 grs of unique or 231 behind a 200 is like a pop gun :}
If you tell us what kind of bullets and powder you have, im sure we can "steer ya soft" in a Jiffy.
6 grs of unique or 231 behind a 200 is like a pop gun :}
If you tell us what kind of bullets and powder you have, im sure we can "steer ya soft" in a Jiffy.
bocefus78
Member
I started my GF on 6gr unique w 240gr plated pill and she instantly said "that's not bad at all!" Its a real mouse fart load.
She shot 7gr and 8gr unique w/ 240gr pill without complaining also.
She has also shot 7gr 700x but didn't like it as much as the unique loads. Too fast of a powder for her little hands. Accuracy wasn't as good either....even with me shooting.
These all shot from a 7.5" Ruger super redhawk with a 2x scope weighing it down.
She shot 7gr and 8gr unique w/ 240gr pill without complaining also.
She has also shot 7gr 700x but didn't like it as much as the unique loads. Too fast of a powder for her little hands. Accuracy wasn't as good either....even with me shooting.
These all shot from a 7.5" Ruger super redhawk with a 2x scope weighing it down.
oldpapps
Member
Better question, what do you have or can you get?
Most any of the quicker pistol powders will work. Just check any loading manual. I like 231/HP38 and have been loading my wimp load of 5.6 grains under 240 grains of lead for over 40 years (just when did they stop making Olin 230?).
Depending upon how you load, you may want to go for a more bulk powder. Dem am sum big cases to fill!
Most any of the quicker pistol powders will work. Just check any loading manual. I like 231/HP38 and have been loading my wimp load of 5.6 grains under 240 grains of lead for over 40 years (just when did they stop making Olin 230?).
Depending upon how you load, you may want to go for a more bulk powder. Dem am sum big cases to fill!
blarby
Member
I think right about the time we stopped fastening obsidian axe heads to sticks with jungle vines
Just ribbing ! I've heard it was a great powder.
dmurdach
Member
I have been using 6.4gr Bullseye under MBC 240gr coated SWC in my Blackhawk.
oldpapps
Member
"fastening obsidian axe heads to sticks with jungle vines"
If I remember that far back, I always used animal hide and ligaments to do that....
230 was replaced with 231 and as soon as I ran out of 230, that didn't take long I was shooting PPC competition and had to provide my own practice rounds, I had to switch to the 'NEW' 231. There wasn't all that much difference in the two. I had gotten a real deal on Olin 630, 36 pounds total and was using in in my .44 Mags for heavy stuff. I still have most of an 8 pound can of it. Using it more now in my .300 BlackOut loads.
More to the point of the original post. I like 2400 in my heavy-er .44 loads but I don't see why it couldn't be backed off a bunch to make light loads. I've never done it, so this is only speculation on my part. It is very versatile in the .300 BlackOut lead loadings, so just maybe.
If I remember that far back, I always used animal hide and ligaments to do that....
230 was replaced with 231 and as soon as I ran out of 230, that didn't take long I was shooting PPC competition and had to provide my own practice rounds, I had to switch to the 'NEW' 231. There wasn't all that much difference in the two. I had gotten a real deal on Olin 630, 36 pounds total and was using in in my .44 Mags for heavy stuff. I still have most of an 8 pound can of it. Using it more now in my .300 BlackOut loads.
More to the point of the original post. I like 2400 in my heavy-er .44 loads but I don't see why it couldn't be backed off a bunch to make light loads. I've never done it, so this is only speculation on my part. It is very versatile in the .300 BlackOut lead loadings, so just maybe.
robinsroost
Member
- Joined
- Dec 29, 2014
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- 7
I use Unique, 700x and Clays for reduced loads in the .44 magnum and .45 Colt loads.. I use Clays in my .45acp target loads..........Robin
Buckeye357
Member
Trail Boss is hard to beat for light loads.
zerobarrier
Contributing Member
I use 4.5grs of Titegroup under 240gr pill and 5.0grs of Titegroup under 220gr. Both hold 1" and 100yards when benched and rested. I use them in a Rossi Ranch hand and a S&W 69 combat.
Barely any kick out of those 44special loads.
Barely any kick out of those 44special loads.
Saint Dennis
Member
185 gr DBBWC and Trail Boss. I've never seen anything requiring LRP. I just use whatever Large Pistol Primers are available. Never been an issue. In my revolver these rounds have the same POI as Full loads 245 gr. That is nice. Don't have to play with the sights.
Mad Chemist
Member
Unique loaded to light .44spl specs.
stu1ritter
Member
Depending on the powders available to you, I load my .44 Magnum cases with full tilt .44 Special loads and even some +P .44 Special levels. They are just a joy to shoot in the heavy N frame revolver.
Stu
Stu
9 grs Unique w/ 240-250 gr cast bullet makes a very pleasant general purpose load. Its about 1000-ish fps or so. Makes longer range shooting easier to hit with than 44 spl loads, but not nearly the recoil or blast of full power loads. I've shot vastly more of these loads than any others in my 44's.
Toprudder
Member
I don't have any direct experience with 44 so can't give you first hand advice, but loading 44 is not much different in most respects to 357mag. (If I am off target, somebody educate me).
I agree with the Trailboss recommendations. Very fluffy powder that fills the case with low charge weights, hard to go wrong with it for reduced recoil loads.
Any fast powder will probably work, but some are very position sensitive. Two that I have had good luck with in 38spl/357mag are Titegroup and BE-86. Bullseye is also good. Just be aware that even though they don't kick like a true magnum powder, you still get high pressure at the lower velocities. Don't push them past recommended max loads hoping to get the velocity up.
I agree with the Trailboss recommendations. Very fluffy powder that fills the case with low charge weights, hard to go wrong with it for reduced recoil loads.
Any fast powder will probably work, but some are very position sensitive. Two that I have had good luck with in 38spl/357mag are Titegroup and BE-86. Bullseye is also good. Just be aware that even though they don't kick like a true magnum powder, you still get high pressure at the lower velocities. Don't push them past recommended max loads hoping to get the velocity up.
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