44 magnum load help

[realmswalker]

I got about 1200 44 magnum bullets recently and a box of 500 were From redline ballistics. It says they are custom hardcast bullets. 44 240gr RNFP. a pic is included.

Do I need to gas check these bullets before I load them?

Do I crimp them on the first ring nearest the top?

Where can I find some data for loading these bullets online or does someone have a good load for these bullets themselves using red dot powder.

I am also looking for some good loads using 200 grain jacketed soft point bullet also with red dot powder.

all these loads are for my S&W model 629 8 3/8 inch barrel.

Thank you.

 

[machinisttx]

1.Those bullets are not made for gas checks.
2. The top "ring" is the crimp groove.
3. Red dot is a pretty fast burning powder, and not suitable for use in the .44 magnum. You'll need to find a slower burning powder. I did find one load listed in a Speer manual, but the bullet used is a swaged(read "soft") lead bullet rather than cast. It's listed as 6.0 to 6.5 grains and 871 to 905 fps.

I suspect you are looking for low velocity target type loads, and if those bullets are actually hard cast, they will need more pressure/velocity than a typical target load will develop. Them being bevel based instead of square based adds to the problem. What you will likely run into with such a load is lots of leading, and the reason is pressure being too low to cause the bullet to obdurate and seal the bore. Hot gas will blow by the bullet and cause gas cutting, which leaves lead deposits in the bore. Bullets CAN be too hard--I found out the hard way.

I suggest loading for 1100-1200 fps and see how much leading you get.

 

[Crazy4nitro]

Well First of all I have "Downloaded" Hardcast Bullets before and I have had good luck.

www.alliantpowder.com

There is Load data for a 246gr LRN bullet there for the 44spcl. The Non Magnum round for that caliber. I personally would have no issue using that data to get a Baseline.

Dont over look the "Cowboy Data" for Plinker soft shooting loads...

Red-Dot Powder IS a Fast powder for that round so Using That Powder to Make Full Tilt Magnum loads isnt your best option IMO.
Here is a Link for a 240gr Laser Cast RN Bullet similar to yours.

http://www.alliantpowder.com/reload...typeid=5&weight=240&shellid=1004&bulletid=441

Just remember to Start low and slow. I also would find a Slower Powder to reload with when you get the Time/Money/Chance to do so.

Slower powders fill the case better to make it easier to see Double Charges easier,and have more room for error then Fast powders.

Unique covers the spectrum pretty fair.
I like Alliants 2400 for my 44's.

Best of Luck and Be Safe.
Post Back your experiance to share with us all.

'Nitro

 

[realmswalker]

Thank you guys for the advice, that was very helpfull.

I'll probably use the hardcast lead bullets for the full house loads and the jacketed bullets I have for the light to medium loads. so do you think 2400 or unique is the best way to go?

 

[rcmodel]

I think you got that backwards.

Use the jacketed bullets for full-house loads, and the lead bullets for light plinkers.

Using jacketed bullets for light loads is asking for trouble you don't want to have!

2400 for full-house jacketed loads.
Unique for light to medium.

7.5 grains Unique will be a very nice load with your 240 lead bullets.

rcmodel

 

[zxcvbob]

I had this long reply all typed out and accidently hit the back-arrow key and lost it Briefly this time:

You should never need gas checks with a pistol.

Use the Red Dot with your cast bullets, maybe 7 to 8 grains. You can go as high as 8.8 grains, but the recoil will get pretty rough for what little extra you get in performance. If you need more power with cast bullets, switch to Unique or Herco.

Use Power Pistol or 2400 with the jacketed bullets. Or maybe the Herco again.

 

[achildofthesky]

Consider H110 for the heavier loads. Works well, just don't go overboard in your S&W... +1 for Unique, is great for light to medium loads.

Be safe

Patty

 

[Crazy4nitro]

I agree with Above....H110 w/Magnum Primers will Rule the Roost In My Opinion. I Shoot Lead Bullets with H110 and I get No leading. Being that you have Jacketed Bullets I personally would use those for the H110....

H110..."Pedal to the Metal" or Nothing...

'Nitro

 

[realmswalker]

Thank you very much everyone, I appreciate your input. I think I will go pick up a pound of unique and a pound of 2400.

 

[machinisttx]

I use 2400, and not much else. I use Elmer Keith's .44 special load(reduced slightly for the faster burn rate of today's 2400) for the majority of my shooting--which is 99% cast bullets. Come to think of it...I don't remember loading anything but 2400 for my .44 mag.

 

[aerod1]

Yep, I was looking for a good mild load for 240 gr. lead semi wadcutter using 2400 powder. The manuals are all over the place. Some manuals start load is max load for another manual.

 

[rcmodel]

"Mild load" & 2400 powder don't go together at all.

You either load it up to high pressure where it burns correctly, or you switch to a faster powder.

rcmodel

 

[depoloni]

My two personal favorite cast bullet loads for my 44mag are as follows:

240gr SWCBB (Magnus, BHN ~16)
My favorite and most accurate load with these is 8.5gr of W-231, which gives me consistently about 880fps in my 8.5" Taurus.

240gr RNBB (Local guy, BHN ~21-22)
I prefer W-231 at 9.5 to 10.0 grains in my pistol, yielding between 1050-1125fps generally. These are hardcast like you're talking about. My second favorite load is 13.0gr of Blue Dot at ~1100fps with these bullets, but I'm not generally a big fan of blue dot... it's the only other powder I've gotten to yet.

Yep, in case you were wondering - I've got a Raging Bull, blued with factory porting. And it really sucks to clean the porting out... which I have to do frequently due to lead buildup over 2-300 rounds. The barrel itself really evened out after 1000 rounds or so and doesn't lead much with either bullet (note hardness difference) as long as I hold up much beyond these loads. The porting area is getting that "ridden hard" look but I like it actually. Shows how much attention it's gotten from me. I can be hard on tools.

Good luck.

 

[Mr. Chitlin]

I shoot that same bullet with 9.0 grains of Unique. It shoots accurately, has mild recoil and chrono's 1070 fps from my 7.5" Super Redhawk.

 

[realmswalker]

Chitlin you mean you shoot the same lead bullet?

 

[Mr. Chitlin]

Same bullet profile and weight, but not from redline. I crimp in the groove above the grease ring.

 

[Kosh75287]

Until you pick up the pound of Unique, you CAN use RedDot with the .44 Mag. Alliant lists 8.8/RedDot/240Cast is max, delivering 1170 f/s. I don't know what velocity you'd get by backing off to 8.0 grains, but it might make for a pretty acceptable "just shooting" combination. Also, if you don't find Unique available (once in a while, a reloader's supply might run out), try using Alliant Herco. Slightly less versatile, but very useful, burns a little slower, and is very forgiving to work with.

 

[realmswalker]

Thank you kosh, but I was able to pick up a pound of unique and a pound of 2400