44 Special 180gr Light Loads Wanted

[Mikul]

I'm loading up some 180gr LWC and can't find a reasonably light load in my Lyman book or anywhere else for that matter. The lightest load they recommend is 14gr of 2400 which is still doing 950fps.

I'd like something around 750fps.

This is just for plinking and letting people shoot the 44 who wouldn't appreciate full-house loads.

 

[Old Fuff]

My "Lyman Pistol & Revolver Reloading Handbook" (Second Edition) lists the following .44 Special loads:

180 grain Jacketed HC

Win. 231 6.5 grains = 689 fps 7.5 grains (Max.) = 832 fps
Red Dot 6.4 grains = 793fps 7.1 grains (Max.) = 850 fps

The above was out of a 4" vented test barrel. I would expect you're lead bullets would do slightly better.

 

[Mikul]

The load I used is listed at 750fps. I chronoed it at 950 from a 5-1/2" gun.

 

[Scout.308]

Mikul,

My favorite newbie load is 5gr of WW231 under a 180gr wadcutter, but in .44Mag brass. It's mild and quiet, and cuts one ragged hole from my Dan Wesson. I use magnum primers for everything I shoot in the .44.

I use it to with newbies to start them going up in power.

Try it, you'll like it.

 

[Quantrill]

Lyman 429328 180gr WC

Mikul,
In a 1973 Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook, loads are given for the above cast bullet down to 5.0gr Unique for 585fps up to a maximum of 8.5gr Unique for 1020fps. This is in a .44spec. In a .44mag., it starts at 8.0gr for 1000fps and a max of 13.5gr for 1550fps. Quantrill

 

[shooter429]

I also like 231 for Special loads

Though I am using 6 Grains of W231 and a standard LP with 180 Gr Cast bullet.

Shooter429

 

[NVMM]

Light Load

Light, soft, clean and accurate; 3.5grs Clays.