44 Mag reload question

[Steve H]

I was given 50 rds. of 44 Mag reloads. I'm told that they have 6.0 grs. of Unique. This seems like to me that the amount of powder is not enough for a240 gr. SWC. I have always used around 12.0 grs of Unique. Should I dump what I was given? I don't want to get any bullets stuck in the barrel. I'm shooting a 6 inch stainless Anaconda.

 

[birddog]

6 does seem very light.

Here's the link to Alliant Powder's Unique / Lead 240gr.

http://alliantpowder.com/reloaders/...gtypeid=1&weight=240&shellid=1027&bulletid=87

 

[Ben Shepherd]

If you don't know for sure dump 'em! Salvage the brass and primers, and start over with a known propellant and charge weight.

IF it is 6 grains, that's a low enough charge you just might stick a bullet in the barrel.

I've never went under 7 grains, and that load barely makes 850 out of a 9 1/2 inch tube.

 

[Bullet]

The load is for 44 Specials. My Lyman manual lists Unique 5.8gr - 6.5gr.
If these are in Mag cases they might still work, but I’d take a brass rod and hammer along just encase.

 

[Steve H]

The load is for 44 Specials. My Lyman manual lists Unique 5.8gr - 6.5gr.

That's what I thought...............somebody looked at the wrong page of the book.

 

[GaryL]

The load is for 44 Specials. My Lyman manual lists Unique 5.8gr - 6.5gr.
If these are in Mag cases they might still work, but I’d take a brass rod and hammer along just encase.

I bet he gets bowling balls (or worm burners, or whatever you want to call them) if he shoots them any distance. A friend of mine had a few 44mag squib loads that were pretty funny to watch as they skimmed along the ground and punched into the cans we had setup.

 

[MartinBrody]

I've gone as low as 7 grains Unique with a 240 SWC out of a 5" barrel and this is a very light load. I don't know if I would risk 6 grains, maybe better safe then sorry and pull the bullets.

 

[bender]

T

hat's what I thought...............somebody looked at the wrong page of the book.

or they were on the right page, but looking at the wrong powder. 6gr of win 231 is a 44mag load.

 

[YodaVader]

FWIW - I have the 6th Edition Hornady manual in front of me as I type and for their 240 Grain SWC-HP and SWC lead bullets they list for 44 Mag:

Unique 5.7 grains (800fps) - 7.6 grains (1000fps)

I also have the earlier 4th Edition and they list for the same bullet using the same gun (Super Blackhawk 7 1/2"):

Unique 6.7 grains (800fps) - 8.5 grains (1000fps)

 

[bakert]

I don't shoot other people's reloads period. The lowest I've gone with Unique in the .44 Mag is 7.6 grs but have found the same charge with Universal Clays is a much cleaner burning load. I'm a bit leery of loads lighter than this in the bigger cases. JMHO

 

[cobra1414]

I regularly shoot 6.4g of unique out of a 3" barrel. Very accurate for me, enough so that I've never cared to explore a higher charge.

 

[Walkalong]

If you are looking for reduced loads with the .44 Mag Blue Dot works well.

 

[PinnedAndRecessed]

My favorite handload for my Model 29s is 7.0 grains Unique and a 240 grain Ranier plated bullet.

I wouldn't hesitate to shoot 6 grains Unique. The only question I would have would be about shooting someone else's handloads, something I never do.

 

[highlander 5]

Who ever loaded them might have wanted 44spl loads. Not everyone is into masochism .

 

[Hook686]

Even without all the guessing, I'd toss them ... I won't shoot someone else's reloads. This strikes me, as a no brainer ... I sometimes worry about my own reload perfection. Why accept anothers more easily ?

 

[huntershooter]

Shooting someone's reloads is like using their toothbrush-I won't do it. Great way to strain a friendship by possibly blowing up a favorite gun.

 

[Meatman]

I was working up a load for my T/C Encore 10 mm, Had a light load-light crimp. My 14yr. old son grabbed a round,loaded a S&W 1006
pulled the trigger and spent the rest of the day picking scrapnel
out of his face from the receiver(OOPS!!!). Needless to say, he will NEVER shoot anyone elses handloads again either, not even his Fathers. Good leason to learn, not to experience.

 

[Steve H]

It's times like this when it's nice to have a bullet puller!!!