Confused with Hodgdon Powder Data

[somis81]

OK I am a newbie and confused with Hogdon Data Sheet.

I have Missouri Bullet Co Cowboy 240 gr #13 LSWC bullets and the revolver is a Old Vaquero .44
I am loading with Hodgdon HP-38 powder.

Their Data on page 22 says 240 gr LSWC bullet and use Max load of 5.2 gr of
Hodgdon HP-38 powder reduce by 10% to start.

But then on page 24 under Cowboy Action Data says 240 gr LSWC bullet and use Min load of 5.5 gr of Hodgdon HP-38 powder and Maximum of 7.2 gr.

This doesnt make sense to me.
What am I missing?

Jerry

 

[Sport45]

Welcome to The High Road!

The 5.2gr load is max for .44 special. The "cowboy" load is probably for .44mag cases in a .44mag gun. I say probably because I don't have a Hogdon manual here to check.

The max HP38 load for .44mag cases in a .44mag gun is 11gr under a 240gr Cast SWC according to their website.

 

[mackg]

Yes. I've got a copy of their 2008 Basic Reloading Manual and a few older paper versions.

Regular Data say:
5.2 in 44 Sp

Cowboy Loads say:
4.2 to 5.2 in 44Sp
5.5 to 7.2 in 44 Mag

all for 240 Lead SWC

 

[J_McLeod]

Another good resource is Hodgdon's online data. www.hodgdon.com