.44 Special and .44 Magnum >> One Powder

[renaissance]

Getting to know my new Ruger Super Redhawk in .44 Magnum with 4x Leupold Sight
Intend to reload both 44 Magnum and .44 S&W Special for it.

Will be shooting from bench….. for accuracy…. @ 25 Yards >> (NO Hunting!)
Currently thinking 240 Semi Wad Cutter – either Hard Cast Lead or maybe semi jacketed.

Looking at various charts I am attracted to Unique / Universal /and/ HP-38…because…..

“Steve’s Pages” indicate a fairly steady progression of charges: from the low end of S&W Special powder charge range…. through High end of Special… and then on through the Low and High ends of the Magnum powder charge range for these powders.

If I go with the Lead, I want to keep my velocity not much over 1000 to avoid leading.

I can find data for the expected velocity of the High ends of the range for the various powders…..but not the low ends.

Question 1:
How heavy a charge of the three powders ( Unique/Universal/HP-38 ) can I use and still keep my velocity “not much” over 1000 fps?......
In a 44 S&W Special Case….and then….. in a .44 Magnum Case?

Question 2:
What do you all think about crimp and standard vs Magnum Primers?
Should I stick to bullets with a crimp groove?

Can anyone recommend economical ($) sources for 240 SWC HCL and/or Jacketed ?

Given my goals….is there any other powder that someone would suggest.
( One where I could experiment with a single powder through the allowable range of charges low to high of both 44 S&W Special AND .44 Rem Magnum ???

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[Ol` Joe]

I use Unique in mine. Power Pistol will likely do the same things in these cases and flow much better in a measure. Unique is a real pain to throw.
You`ll do best to forget breaking 1000 fps with the Spcl and keeping velocities in the std 800-850 fps range. The nice thing is the 44mag will take off where the spcl leaves off and there is less strain on the brass and gun. The pistol and brass will take hotter loads, I just don`t see the need when the mag cartridge was developed to do just that. As for what charge to reach a certain velocity, only a crony can do that with certainty, but the manuals should give a good idea. I shoot 9.5 grs Unique under 240 LSWC with std primers for ~1000 fps in magnum cases. I only use magnum primers when loading H110 or W296 in the mag. 2400 does just fine with std primers also IMO.
If you do run lead 44 spcl in your 44 mag watch for a lead/carbon build up at the end of the chamber. The shooting of lots of the shorter cased ammo may cause build up and it can hinder chambering the longer cartridge.

 

[db_tanker]

You can substitute HP-38 with Winchester 231.

That being said...I use Bullseye, 231, Unique and a few others...

Bullseye is the cleanest burning...but my barrel is a touch longer (14") so it has a better chance to get a complete burn...


8.5 gr of Bulls with a 240 jacketed or about 8 grains with a Keith style LSWC.

When I run the same bullet in my 44 spec. cases I use 5 grains of 231. Get pretty good results.

ALL of my 44 cases get a Winchester LP primer...that way I don't have to worry about diffrent primers.

D

 

[Quantrill]

For both guns: Bullseye for target, Unique for "middle of the Road" loads and 2400 for ultimate performance. Quantrill

 

[roo_ster]

Trail Boss is the bee's knees for low velocity & lead.

Both mag & special data is available from the manufacturer.

FOr heavy loads, 2400 is my choice.

 

[wanderinwalker]

None of the powders you listed would be my choices for approaching 1000-fps with a 240gr SWC in a .44 Special case.

I do use Win 231 (similar to HP-38) in .44 Magnum cases to get to 1000-fps with a 240gr SWC. My charge is 8.2gr of W231 in a Magnum case, a 240gr Oregon Trail SWC and a WLP primer. Speed is estimated from a 6" barrel. I used to use a heavier charge of 231 for 1100+ fps, and figure the reduction should put me in the ballpark of 1000fps.

I like to use .44 Special brass for mild, mild loads that are similar to heavy .45 ACP-levels of power. Typically I look for ~800 fps with a 240gr in my 6" barrel.