44 mag "short barrel load"

[Haycreek]

I plan to work up an accurate, mid-range load in the neighborhood of 1000 to 1100 feet per second for a 44 mag, using Speer LEAD swc bullets in a four inch S&W 629 . Seems to me that around 9.0 grains of unique is in the ball park, I would appreciate your comments.

 

[Sharps Shooter]

That load sounds a little stout to me. My old #9 Speer manual shows 8 grains of Unique behind that bullet as being a max load. However, all of my newer Speer manuals (#10 thru #12) show only 7 grains of Unique behind that bullet as max loads. That said, my favorite 44 Magnum plinking load is 7.2 grains of Unique behind Speer's 240 grain swaged SWC. My Smith 629 has a 5" barrel, but the truth is, I've never chronographed that particular load. It's accurate though and very pleasant shooting.

 

[mattcat]

I dont know the seat depth on that bullet but according to quick load 9 grains should be a workable load, with a seat dept of .343 you should get
935fps and about 21021psi
12gr unique should give 1150fps at 36106 psi
I dont have a manual handy to check the load data against

the load of 7.2gr should give 784fps at 14073
sharp shooter are the loads you listed for the .44special or .44 mag?

 

[bakert]

I agree with Sharps Shooter. I've never used them in the larger calibers but you might get some serious leading pushing the Speer swaged bullets with that 9 gr charge of Unique. Each gun is different though. Let us know your results.

 

[rbernie]

in the neighborhood of 1000 to 1100 feet per second for a 44 mag, using Speer LEAD swc bullets

You're probably going to spend a LOT of time scrubbing lead from the barrel.

If you want an inexpensive target load without the issues with lead, try the Rainier plated lead bullets. They do really well in loads up to 1200fps. I also have found that I can get the MagTech 240gr HPs as cheaply as I can get cast lead.

All of my 44Mag loads now use the MagTechs - LilGun for the smokin' loads and TiteGroup for the midrange target loads.

 

[444]

My load for my 4" Model 29 is 15 grains of 2400 and a 240 grain cast SWC in a .44 Special case. I never chronoed it, but it is a mild load and shoots very accurately. I use the .44 Special case to easily identify this load.

 

[Hal8000]

I use only .44 mag brass, it saves with the confusion of sorting brass and die setup... If it has lead in it, then it's a mild load.
I hate a leaded barrel!

 

[444]

Not Me

99% of all the .44 mag ammo I ever fired was using a cast lead bullet. I load full house loads with lead. I load very heavy lead bullets on occasion. As well as my plinking loads.
If you are getting a leaded barrel, you need to find out why. Incorrect bulet size, incorrect alloy, etc.
The only thing I can think of right off hand that I used jacketed bullets for were a little playing around with 180 grain bullets at "high" velocity.

 

[Hal8000]

enlighten us please

I think you are right 444. In my case I'm sure the cast bullets are too soft. I use to cast my own with wheel weights and they were much better... If your using factory cast bullets and not having a problem it would be helpful if you could enlighten us as to which manufacturer you prefer... I know there has to be some one out there that makes them hard enough for higher velocities, I've yet to find them and I'm tired of being disapointed...

 

[444]

When I was shooting a lot of revolvers, I cast my own bullets.
The cast bullets I bought were from various random brands. Oregon Trail was a big one (that allowed you a few choices in bullet diameter) but my local gun shop sold others as well. I never really worried that much about leading a barrel. I never got severe barrel leading in any of my .44s (although I have in at least one .357). I think one big issue with commercial cast bullets is the lube they use. They choose their lube based on how easy it is to use for them in their manufacturing process.
I have a Lewis Lead Remover. One pass through the barrel and the lead is gone. It takes about 10 seconds.

 

[Hal8000]

Come to think of it, I did resize all of my own cast bullets and I don't remember the factory jobbers having the re-sizer marks on them. I also used a high quality lube! I think you are right on all counts 444! I take my hat off to you!
Still, because I'm lazy any more. I shoot the factory cast bullets at low velocity and avoid the extra work... Maybe it's because I can better afford the jacketed bullets now in my advancing age...

 

[444]

Well, if you are just plinking and shooting paper, why not shoot light loads ? Save money and work.

 

[Sharps Shooter]

Sorry I didn't respond earlier - I haven't been back on the computer since last night. The loads I listed in my original post on this thread are using 44 Magnum brass. My Speer manuals show 6.3 grains of Unique as being max behind Speer's 240 grain swaged lead SWCs when using 44 Special brass.
I've been using 7.2 grains of Unique in 44 Magnum brass behind Speer's lead SWC's for years in Rugers and Smiths with no leading. Several of the others are right though - if you push that swaged lead bullet too fast, it will lead because it's too soft. But those lead SWCs from Speer are swaged, not cast. Harder, cast bullets are a different story. I've found that my own cast SWCs, which are pretty hard, will occasionally lead if I don't push them fast enough. I've always attributed it to my not having enough pressure to cause the bullets to obturate properly, but it could have been the lube or just the guns. I think what someone else mentioned is true also - some guns seem to just be prone to leading. My 45 Colt Rugers were bad for it until I had their cylinder throats reamed.

 

[Haycreek]

44 mag "short barrel"

The bullets being loaded are: Speer 240 lswc, and they are completely coated with a black, poly-looking coat, simular to the "precision black bullets" that I have used on other occasions. No bullet lube, just the black coating. The Precision brand bullets are lead also, and can be pushed to 2000 fps. As far as I know, this black coating on the Speer lead bullets is something new. [see thier website] I fired 18 rounds with 8 grains of unique today, no smoke and very clean so far. I may not have time to reload additional loads soon with other powders or weights, but I do plan on calling Speer for more info. At this time, I believe that Speer is onto something good. I will be looking for 1000 fps with the 240 lswc.

 

[snuffy]

From the speer website:

SPEER® Improved Lead Handgun Bullets

Speer cold-formed lead bullets have been a great bargain ever since Vernon Speer introduced them over 40 years ago. Cold-swaging eliminates the voids found in cast bullets that can destroy accuracy. Now Speer lead bullets are even better.

All Speer lead bullets now feature our hi-tech, multi-layer lube system first introduced in our Idaho Territory Bullets®. This great lube is, simply stated, the best thing in lead bullets. It stays with the bullet instead of burning off, virtually eliminating the gas cutting that causes most leading problems. It won't melt-off in storage or transport, and is clean and dry to the touch.

For target shooting or plinking, Speer lead bullets are now even a better value. Available in calibers from 32 through 45.

 

[bakert]

I've always used hard cast bullets but those new Speer sound interesting. Just may give them a try.