44 tweener load

[Skinnedknuckles]

I can only answer that with a question (one that I can't definitively answer myself): Assuming by "squib" you mean sticking a bullet in the barrel, why would it stick in a .44 Magnum if it doesn't stick in a .44 Special?

 

[Sappyg2.0]

Any concern with a squib going this low? In the same boat here with a 6" 44 magnum. I've loaded down to 9.6 grains of CFE under a 240gr bullet. Would be nice to bring it down a bit more.

Good question. I went down to 9.2 grains of CFE pistol behind a 240 grain laser cast and shot them side by side with 9.8 grains CFE pistol last Saturday. Sooting was about the same. Recoil was similar but ever so slightly less. Accuracy was similar at 50 yards. Based on the numbers from the hodgden data I guess I was close to the 1100 fps I was looking for in a 6.5" barrel. I'm thinking you can go lower than that but I'm satisfied. CFE is more versatile than I thought.

 

[MEHavey]

At the OP's velocity/pressure range: UNIQUE <==> UNIVERSAL (meters like water)

 

[Stumper]

My favorite magnum pistol powder is 800X. It is useful for 44 special loads all the way to near maximum velocity magnums but I find it perfect for the 'tweener' loads. Almost every one whines about how it meters but I don't find it problematic. With consistent technique it throws +/- a tenth for me and shoots good groups as thrown.

 

[Toprudder]

My favorite magnum pistol powder is 800X. It is useful for 44 special loads all the way to near maximum velocity but I find it perfect for the 'tweener' loads. Almost every one whines about how it meters but I don't find it problematic. With consistent technique it throws +/- a tenth for me and shoots good groups as thrown.

I played with 800x some, and was only able to get +/- 0.2gn. But, loading at mid-range charges made sure I was not ever going over max charge, and the variation in charge did not seem to have as much change on velocity as with other powders. For the type shooting I was doing, this was fine.

I have just started loading 10mm, and have heard that 800x is a good powder for that. I have a half pound of 800x, so I may use it up for some 10mm fun.

For the calibers I have tried 800x in, though, I have found other powders that I thought worked just as well (or better) and did not have problems metering.