44mag & STHP for HD

[MovedWest]

I'm drawn to the Winchester 210gr STHP's for the 44mag. The consistency and quality control are great. That and they also look great in a nickel case. I know Ol' Skeeter loved the 44spl for HD, and that's what I currently keep in my guns. But I'm looking for a little more.

I would like to build a load between 950~1100fps to keep the velocity under the speed of sound to avoid the sonic boom. This is to make it less damaging to fire indoors without hearing protection.

Keeping in mind that the STHP's only open up at certain velocities, I need to get it moving above 44spl speeds. I want it to be effective. (Does anyone have the performance range of these bullets BTW?) I'm thinking that Blue Dot would be good for the mid-range velocity I'm wanting?

Does anyone have any suggestions? TIA!

-MW

 

[jem375]

7.5-8.0 grs of Unique would put you in that velocity range. I use that load for my 240 gr. lead bullets and that's around 950-1000 fps...

 

[MovedWest]

Would 1100fps with Blue Dot be too slow for a 210gr HP to get a good burn?

-MW

 

[zeke]

Couldn't get any good accurate loads using the Win silvertips in 44 special or 44 mag at those velocitys, but others may have better experience with them. While the Rem sjhp's don't look as good, they may shoot considerably better, especially at the velocity's desired. Am using the Rem 180 sjhp's, but did try some Rem 210 sjhp's.

Rem 210 sjhp from S&W 3in 44 mag. 44 mag brass, 1.587 col, Fed 150 primers and strong LFC. While not max pressure loads, still should work up to em.

10.0 grains unique = 1098 fps, excellent accuracy
9.0 grains hp-38 = 1030 fps , decent accuracy
9.5 grains hp-38 = 1083 fps , excellent accuracy

Have not tried blue dot, and concentrated on powders that use upper end charges to get velocity wanted.

 

[MovedWest]

Thanks zeke. You're right about those Remington SJHP's. Those are a nice, accurate bullet. I think I might play around with some of those recommendations you listed.

Tonight I decided to poke around my reloading books a bit and stumbled onto a nice surprise. The Lyman book actually lists load data specifically for the STHP in 44mag. I think I recall having seen this before, but it never registered in my brain.

Not only do they list the STHP with Blue Dot, evidently Blue Dot outperformed all the other powders in accuracy with that bullet. The velocities and powder charges don't seem to match up with other 210gr bullets, but I know the STHP has a slightly indented base which should lead to lower pressures and velocities compared to other bullets.

According to Lyman, 17.2gr of Blue Dot will get you about 1240fps. Hornady says 13.8gr will get you 1300fps with a 200gr XTP. These don't really seem to line up, but I think it would provide me some good starting points to chronograph.

Lord willin' and the creek don't rise I'll report back with my findings this weekend.

-MW

 

[Paladin38-40]

The silver bullet

S&W 4" model 29-2
210 grain Silvertip
Remington nickel cases
CCI # 300 primer
12.0 grains Unique

ProChrono sez:
V = 1193
ES = 46
SD = 11

15 yard 5 shot groups fired from a sandbag rest run 1 1/4" to 1 5/16"

I carry Silvertips but shoot mostly Remington's because they are more affordable with results almost as good.

 

[MovedWest]

Paladin, it looks like I'm not the only person in pursuit of the silver bullet! Thanks for this info. I'm going to load some of these up as well and see how they compare with my Blue Dot test loads.

Unique is nice since I always have it around though. I'm beginning to think 2400 and Unique are the best powders all around for the 44 caliber.

-MW