.44 mag Sup. Blackhawk shotshell and chrono

[thomis]

I've an excess amount of Bullseye that rarely gets used so I settled on it for some shotshell loads. I have size 7 1/2 and 8 shot, no #9. I'm using the Speer capsuls. I found the following data and will be using it, I'd like to hear from those of you that have used this particular load with Bullseye.

Also, how do I get an accurate chrony? I feel like I have to hold the pistol within a couple of feet of the chrony so I don't hit it with a pellet, but doing so I think muzzle blast is affecting the readings.

 

[SVTOhio]

Not sure what kind of velocity I'm getting. But I put 10 grs of imr 4227, a peice of egg carton then fill the shell the rest with 7 1/2 shot. Give me a good 15" circle pattern at 10 yards out if a single shot handi rifle. Does wonders on water snakes.

 

[OYE]

Can't comment on Bullseye. I used the recommended load of W231 with the 7 1/2 shot without any problems. I would have the same worry about shooting the chronograph also. I doubt if it's worth it. I would also caution about loading mixed cylinders of shot and upper end 44 mag. loads. We tried it once and one of the capsules ruptured. So we don't do that anymore.
They make great snake loads but really aren't useful for much else. OYE

 

[TimSr]

I loaded a lot of Speer shot capsules in the past in 44 and in 357. #9 works the best, and generally the warmer you load, the more they spread.

I ran 6gr Bullseye and 6.8gr Unique for .44 that both worked well. Tried 7.5gr Unique and it just spread the pattern. Never chronoed.

I loaded a couple hundred in 357 for my buddy who used them for snakes in Texas. Another guy used them for rats and mice on his corn crib.

Top published loads for .44 and .357 are way below magnum.

 

[rg1]

I've shot the Speer shotshell loads in my Blackhawk 7 1/2" barrel using the Unique powder Speer data. Shoots very well with 7 1/2 or 8 shot. Opens up about one inch per foot so 10 feet about a 10" pattern. No need to chronograph them and the Speer data is best performing. Seat to Speer's recommended overall length with a light roll crimp. I agree that if you shoot full power 44 Mag loads with a shotshell capsule in another cylinder you could have broken capsules or in my experience the capsule moving forward enough to lock up the cylinder. Speer recommends an overall length at 1.600" in 44 Mag.

 

[rcmodel]

Cronoing shot loads?

Cut a hole in a chunk of 3/4" plywood and set it up in front of the screens.

Then shoot through the hole.

It will protect the screens from errant shot & wads.

rc

 

[blarby]

The data table you have is the data table I use for the little buggers, how bout that ?

Final velocity is going to be hard to measure for the same reason its hard to muzzle velocity test most guns, complicated by pattern development.

Whats of actual more importance is the final weight of the capsule using different shot sizes, which can vary quite a bit. As you go up in shot size to bigger pieces, your load is going to get lighter and lighter- correspondingly making your load faster and faster- provided backpressure on that little white shotcup holder is even.

When possible, workout your internal geometry so that the last row of pellets provide an even cushion against the back of the shot wad. If you dont, the wad gets all squirrly in the bore, and when it rifles out sideways on exit tends to lopside the pattern pretty bad.

Silly high velocity gases.

Cronoing shot loads?

Cut a hole in a chunk of 3/4" plywood and set it up in front of the screens.

Then shoot through the hole.

It will protect the screens from errant shot & wads.

Probably the best advice there is !

You'll still need to chrono at about 3 feet to prevent chronoing the gas, not the projectiles.