44 Magnum reloading today

[Bullseye]

Made 84 - 258 gr swc with 10.5 gr Unique at around 1.680 OAL in Rem, Federal, and Winchester cases. CCI 300 primers

Made 38 - 225 gr FTX Hornady in Hornady cases with 10.7 gr Unique very close to factory 1.645 OAL CCI 300 primers.

Now I thought the FTX bullets would be a problem but with the seating die they came out sweet.
The cast bullets won't cycle in my Henry Big Boy rifle, they are too long, but I think I can shoot these safely out of my S&W 629. There's plenty of room yet to turn the cylinder but I did think these looked awful long. Yet they are crimped at the proper place and the book gives that OAL. So I just will use them up in the revolver.

I have tackled the 45 Colt reloading with success so I moved on to 44 mag and sure hope these numbers look good. I looked in the manual and feel that I was good with consistent weight of each load of Unique powder but any input here would be helpful and may take my worries away from the first tries at firing these loads. I'd rather bounce this off you guys first and see what you think. This reloading is fun.

 

[748]

I bet you will like the 225gr FTX bullets. I did but they were just expensive and didn't appear to offer accuracy advantage over 180gr XTP.

 

[Bullseye]

I have some factory 225 FTX yet, It will be interesting to see how mine match up to factory. Anyways, I hope I like them, I bought 500 of them on the BST boards here on THR. I'll be putting them to use in 44 spl cases too.

Just hoping somebody comes along that knows 44 mag reloading and tells me I look good to go from what info I have given. I feel pretty confident though.

 

[243winxb]

258 gr swc with 10.5 gr Unique at around 1.680 OAL 44 mag.

Should be Ok. I dont measure OAL. I just seat to the crimping groove.

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[/URL][/IMG] I know nothing of the FTX, but notice on Hornady's website, this

Not recommended for use in handguns

http://www.hornady.com/store/leverevolution But above is posted

LEVERevolution® represents a breakthrough in ammo design for lever action rifles and revolvers.

 

[Bullseye]

Thank you 243Winxb. I think I am good to go with the Lyman style bullets I have that weighed 258 gr each. and the powder used. I'll use these in the revolver and the FTX in the Henry rifle.
I also am sitting on a box of Nosler (.429) 240 gr JHP that specifically reads Sporting Revolver Handgun on the box, but I would bet that would work with all my 44's.

 

[WestKentucky]

Bullets is bullets...no real reason to not use one in a weapon that the bullets is made for unless you are hunting with it and your concerned about expansion from a handgun, or if your driving a pistol bullet too fast from a rifle and tearing it apart with centripetal force. For the former its no big deal in a big bore as its still a big hole in a deer. For the latter you need to be careful of your pressure because your likely topping out or over max. Use them up but stay in published data...or carefully ladder up slightly above watching cases closely for pressure signs.

 

[Bullseye]

My reloads worked excellent! Surprisingly the Hornady FTX were super accurate and consistant out of the S&W 629.

 

[243winxb]

Glad it went well. The lead/lubed cast bullets need to condition the barrel for best accuracy. I would not interchange the bullets.

 

[Bullseye]

Copy that... Ya learn something new every day. Next time out I'll stick with the same cartridges between cleanings. Thank you!

 

[savanahsdad]

Glad it went well. The lead/lubed cast bullets need to condition the barrel for best accuracy. I would not interchange the bullets.

I've been shooting jacketed bullets out of my BlackHawk after shooting cast for years , 24 to 48 round of cast then 12 to 24 rounds of jacketed , switch back and forth all the time , just don't do that if you are shooting soft lead , or you are seeing leading in the forcing cone, now with my S&W 357 , I don't, and with my 44mag rifles I only shoot jacketed bullets , just loaded up some today , and on my way to the range to do the same thing tonight ,