44 mag

[PinnedAndRecessed]

I handload reduced loads for 44 mag. I use Unique for these loads. My favorite load was always 7.0 grains Unique with 240 grain lead swc.

But formerly the only jacketed ammo I had access to was always jsp or jhp.
I had read somewhere that you shouldn't shoot jacketed ammo at reduced power because of the risk of a jacketed bullet separating in the barrel at
severely reduced velocities.

Anyway, I've just purchased a box of 240 grain flat point copper bullets. They look to be full metal jacketed as opposed to some bullets I've had which were merely "painted" with copper. With these "painted" bullets leading was still pretty severe. But the current batch appears to be genuinely copper jacketed.

So here's my question. I shot handloads with these bullets ahead of 8.4 grains Unique. Accuracy was acceptable but I'd like to load them down even further, like, 7.0 grains Unique.

Since these bullets are full metal jacketed, and not jhp or jsp, I should be able to reduce the velocity without danger of separation, right?

If the answer is yes, what is the smallest charge of powder I should attempt without actually getting the bullet stuck in the barrel?

thanx in advance.

 

[Bacchus]

If I were you, I would use the loading data for 44 special, 240 gr flat points. Since you're downloading anyway, it's the equivalent of specials and you won't have to guess or estimate charges.

 

[BruceM]

With regard to the jackets separating from the bullet at reduced velocities, I believe you're thinking of the old Speer half jacket bullets. These were supposed to be crimped above the top of the jacket. I don't think that these bullets are produced any more.

Bruce

 

[PinnedAndRecessed]

to bacchus

Re your suggestion that I use 44 special data, I read somewhere that with the case capacity of the magnum, it is dangerous to have a really small amount of powder because of some kind of detonation. I.e., the powder explodes like a hand grenade. I think maybe this was more of a danger for something like Bullseye, but since Unique is also fast burning, I always wondered if the same thing could happen.

Any info on that phenomenon?

 

[Bacchus]

I've read that, too, about being careful with small charges in magnum cases. I don't think it's a problem with Unique, since, like you said, it's not as slow as Bullseye.

There have been other threads on THR about using Unique and 44 special, and most people have found that minimum loads are rarely the most accurate and end up loading somewhere in the middle of the 44 special range.

 

[cola8d8]

I shoot reduced .44 mags in a (integrally) suppressed rifle. About 6 inches of bbl (the rest suppressor). If there was any "jacket seperation" in the bbl at reduced velocity, it would be very evident when using a suppressor. I use the loads listed below to stay subsonic. All XTPs, 44 mag brass and Unique.

240 JHP at about .44 spl velocities 6-1/2 grs. of Unique .... about 750 fps. (the quietest of course)

a 240 JHP with 8 grs giving about 950 fps .

a 300 gr. Lead bullet with 7.5 grs. at about 975 fps.

a 300 gr JHP with 8.5 grs. at about 975 fps. ( it takes 1 extra gr. of powder to push the copper jacket at the same speed.)

 

[Ben Shepherd]

Bruce is correct the half-jacket bullet designs having the problem you are worried about.

As for lower velocity loads: unique is a pretty safe powder for drastic downloads. However, be careful if you go under 700 f.p.s. you risk a bullet stuck in the barrel.

 

[PinnedAndRecessed]

Ben said: "be careful if you go under 700 f.p.s. you risk a bullet stuck in the barrel."

Just curious. Would this be totally obvious as soon as it happened? Or would the shooter not know it until he fired the next round?"

It would be obvious if you were watching the number of holes on a target but I normally just plink.

 

[birddog]

I handload for .44 with Unique as well. The load you stated sounds extremely light. The lightest I've loaded for target rounds with a 240 grain Speer JSP was 9.8 grains of Unique, and it was very very tame yet highly accurate. Have you thought about just increasing your loads a bit? (My current favorite load it 10.7 grains of Unique which is still a LOT less snappy than even Winchester White Box 240s).

Joel

 

[birddog]

double post.

 

[SASS#23149]

If it's less recooil you're after look around for the lgihter weight bullets.IIRC,there are cast bullets of about 185 grains avialable for .44's.In our snubby they sure make a nice 'can' load.A good cast bullet will give good accuracy and be a lot cheaper to shoot,generally.The Alliant website shows a Unique charge of 5.5 to 6.0 grains for a 205 gr. cast bullet at a bit over 700fps.This would be a very mild kicking 'can' load.
IMPORTANT!! VERIFY THIS DATA BEFORE USING IT.i AM NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR ERRORS OR MY TYPOS.

data here

 

[Black Snowman]

I'll second the vote for lighter bullets to achieve lower recoil. As a bonus the lighter bullets are generally cheaper too.

 

[JPM70535]

I load 240 gr LSWC that I cast from wheel weights. I played around with Unique and WW231 for a number of years but was never really satisfied with the accuracy or amount of residue left behind. On a whim I loaded some test rounds using 15 gr of Alliant Bluedot. The accuracy improvement was immediately noticeable and there was no comparison as to residue, the Bluedot seemed much cleaner.

I don't have a chrony so I have no clue as to velocity, however there was no leading. I varied the powder charge from a low of 13.5 to a high of 17 gr. At 13.5 accuracy dropped off consideraly, and at 17 I experienced pressure signs (flattened and cratered primers and sticky ejection of spent cases. I settled on 14.5 for plinking loads and 17 for aproximating factory loads.

One added benefit of Bluedot, it smells better than Unique, and I just love the smell of Bluedot in the morning.

 

[JNewell]

I don't have the load data here but I had some very light .44 Mag loads with Unique that did fail to get the bullet (JHPs) out the barrel. I am going purely by memory, and not very clear memory at that, but I *think* the load was 7 gr Unique under a 240 gr JHP in .44 Mag brass. Maybe one in ten or so failed to exit the bore.

Which brings me to your second question. Yes, I was definitely aware that something was different when those rounds fired. The recoil was different and even with good hearing protection the sound was different, too. Still, very great danger to the revolver and potentially pretty significant danger to the shooter as well. Be careful. I don't load that light any more in the magnum brass. My current minimum is more like 8.5 gr, which is very reasonable.