Jumping Frog
Member
All discussion below relates to finding proper load for .44 Rem Mag.
Primer: LPMag
Bullet: Cast SWC Gas Check, Lyman 429215 Gas Check, 215 grains nominal. (Water-quenched wheelweights, very hard.)
Weight with gas check: approx 234 gr.
OAL approx 1.635" (loaded to fit bullet at crimp groove).
Powder: H110
Although I've enjoyed loading other pistol calibers, I recently picked up a S&W 629 and just started loading for .44. I have a number of rounds loaded for target/plinking using both W231 and Titegroup, but I also wanted to develop some "full house loads" because I would like to hunt with this revolver (I'd also like to hunt using my own cast bullets -- there is a satisfaction there). I've heard and read that H110 was one of the traditional .44 powders so I picked up a lb and would like to work up some loads.
The man I bought the pistol and bullet moulds from told me, and had written notes in the loadbook he gave me, that he has loaded using 26.0 grains H110 and it "shot OK but was 'HOT'". He backed off to 25.5 gr H110 for his "standard" full house load.
Well, researching the load for myself, here is what I have found:
Per "LOADBOOKS USA" (one of those booklets published for a single caliber) (1993 version), here are the loads for H110:
200-210 gr JHP 26.0-27.0 gr
215 gr Lead Gas Check 25.0-26.0 gr (this is the load he had circled in the book with the notes above).
225 gr JHP 23.0-24.0 gr
240 gr JSP 23.0-24.0 gr
250 gr Lead Gas Check 22.0-23.0 gr
Looking at more recent books, my Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook lists ZERO loads for H110.
Lyman 49 lists 255 gr Lead Gas Check as 21.8-22.8 gr.
Hogdon's manual and website lists ZERO loads for H110 in a 240 Lead SWC. For 325 gr LFN Gas Check, it lists 20.0-22.0 gr.
My Hornady manual lists ZERO loads for lead bullets and H110.
My Lee RELOADING GUIDE lists 250 gr Lead as 23.0-23.0 gr.
When I subtract the part of the bullet length that is inserted inside the case and then fill the case up to that line, the available case volume will hold about 26.0 grains of H110.
OK, here are my questions:
Thanks for your help with this because I am one of those reloaders who tries to be very precise and careful.
Primer: LPMag
Bullet: Cast SWC Gas Check, Lyman 429215 Gas Check, 215 grains nominal. (Water-quenched wheelweights, very hard.)
Weight with gas check: approx 234 gr.
OAL approx 1.635" (loaded to fit bullet at crimp groove).
Powder: H110
Although I've enjoyed loading other pistol calibers, I recently picked up a S&W 629 and just started loading for .44. I have a number of rounds loaded for target/plinking using both W231 and Titegroup, but I also wanted to develop some "full house loads" because I would like to hunt with this revolver (I'd also like to hunt using my own cast bullets -- there is a satisfaction there). I've heard and read that H110 was one of the traditional .44 powders so I picked up a lb and would like to work up some loads.
The man I bought the pistol and bullet moulds from told me, and had written notes in the loadbook he gave me, that he has loaded using 26.0 grains H110 and it "shot OK but was 'HOT'". He backed off to 25.5 gr H110 for his "standard" full house load.
Well, researching the load for myself, here is what I have found:
Per "LOADBOOKS USA" (one of those booklets published for a single caliber) (1993 version), here are the loads for H110:
200-210 gr JHP 26.0-27.0 gr
215 gr Lead Gas Check 25.0-26.0 gr (this is the load he had circled in the book with the notes above).
225 gr JHP 23.0-24.0 gr
240 gr JSP 23.0-24.0 gr
250 gr Lead Gas Check 22.0-23.0 gr
Looking at more recent books, my Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook lists ZERO loads for H110.
Lyman 49 lists 255 gr Lead Gas Check as 21.8-22.8 gr.
Hogdon's manual and website lists ZERO loads for H110 in a 240 Lead SWC. For 325 gr LFN Gas Check, it lists 20.0-22.0 gr.
My Hornady manual lists ZERO loads for lead bullets and H110.
My Lee RELOADING GUIDE lists 250 gr Lead as 23.0-23.0 gr.
When I subtract the part of the bullet length that is inserted inside the case and then fill the case up to that line, the available case volume will hold about 26.0 grains of H110.
OK, here are my questions:
- First, although the bullet weighs about 215 gr, since it weighs about 235 gr with the gas check, I think it is more appropriate to use published loads for 240 or 250 grain lead bullets. Do you agree?
- That implies the previous owner using the 215 gr load above was in error and loading too hot. Do you agree?
- When I look at the 250 gr loads above, they seem to be in the 22.0-23.0 range. That is seems to be what I should use. Do you agree?
- I've read that H110 is one of those powders that you need to make sure pretty much fills up the case; that having a half-full case is dangerous. I've even read articles that talked about simply filling the case with H110 for a maximum load because it needs a full case. Any comment?
- Normally, I'd have simply proceeded with working up some loads from 22 to 23 with other powders. But this bit about H110 needing a full case has me cautious. Should I be worried or simply give it a try?
Thanks for your help with this because I am one of those reloaders who tries to be very precise and careful.