44mag 300gr loads. whats yours?

[chuck plissken]

out of my 629 6" barrel im getting about 1175 average through 7 shots so far. around 920lbs energy.

using Wolf or CCI Large Pistol primers. No mag primers.
17.0gr of AA#9 which is about middle of the road in Speers and Sierras loading manual.

im using Sierra 300gr JSP projectiles.

Im happy with the load and its nice to shoot. Im seeing cratering of the primer. Should I go to Mag primers? I don't see a lack in power or performance really. Its a middle of the road load.

 

[98Redline]

I think that mag primers would do nothing but make the issue worse. The hotter primer would further increase the burn rate and cause the pressure spike to go a little higher.

As a rule, unless the manufacturer calls for a mag primer, don't use one. You want to use as low powered primer as possible to get reliable ignition.

Cratering of the primer, as well as being a high pressure sign can also indicate too large of a gap between the firing pin and bushing in the recoil shield.

 

[blarby]

Unfortunately, I have yet to find a 300 gr load that works well in mine.

4", made to be about 3" due to the porting "chamber".

If you aren't seeing un-burnt powder, a mag primer is probably unnecessary. The primer cups are not harder or softer than normal as a possible solution to your "cratering" issue.

If you are so inclined, h110 works very well at maximum charges- although you will need magnum primers. I have gotten h110 into the 22 grain window at about your velocity, with no primer cratering.

 

[JLDickmon]

CAUTION: The following post includes loading data beyond currently published maximums for this cartridge. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. Neither the writer, The High Road, nor the staff of THR assume any liability for any damage or injury resulting from use of this information.

18.5 gr Blue Dirt under a 300gr XTP
seated to 1.720 OAL

CONTENDER ONLY

 

[Salmoneye]

18.5 gr Blue Dirt under a 300gr XTP

Um...

That's just a 'tad' warm according to Alliant...

Page 44:

http://glarp.atk.com/2004/2004Catalogs/2004AlliantPowderSM.pdf

 

[JLDickmon]

Um...

That's just a 'tad' warm according to Alliant...

Page 44:

http://glarp.atk.com/2004/2004Catalogs/2004AlliantPowderSM.pdf

Good catch.

I went back and posted the COAL, which matters a butt-load. (I gotta learn to quit making quick replies).

I have two different versions of that same bullet in my hand.. one is a single cannelure for seating at 1.610 (which I see has been dropped from the catalog)
The other a dual cannelure for seating at 1.720

That's the one thing I hate about Alliant's manuals.. neither the version you posted nor the version I use (web-based and live updated) specify OAL.
http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/default.aspx

Saying of which, I don't think you can get that much Blue Dot under the single-cannelure bullet.

 

[Salmoneye]

(I gotta learn to quit making quick replies)

No problem...You should see how I stepped in it on 'another forum' in the last few days over Ruger 'Blackhawk' frames...

 

[murf]

the accurate manual shows a starting load of 17.1 grains of aa#9 for the 300gn sierra bullet.

aa#9 does not require a magnum primer even for 44mag loads.

the sierra manual shows a max load of 18.7 grains of aa#9.

with the velocity you are getting from the 17.0 grain load, i would not up your current load for more power. (max velocity in the accurate manual is 1275 with that bullet).

caution: if you switch bullets, all bets are off. the hornady 300gn xtp takes a lot less powder for the same velocities.

murf

 

[VAPOPO]

Be forwarned max loads of H110 or AA9 in a 629 with the 300 grain bullet = problems down the road for the gun. A TC Contender or Ruger Redhawk, Super Redhawk or super Blackhawk are more suitable for the big boomers. My 6" ported 629 was shook loose by the leftover 300 grain handloads from my contender in less than 500 rds.