Does this sound like a good load?

[aerod1]

I found this in "Nick Harvey's Practical Reloading Manual". I am loading 240 grain Lead Semi Wadcutters in my 44 magnum. I bought 400 of these bullets very cheap and am looking for a fairly mild load.
Starting load:
2400......11.7 grains.....Muzzle velocity 820 fps....magnum primers
Maximum load:
2400......14.2 grains.....Muzzle velocity 1000 fps....magnum primers
OK guys, what does the data look like to you?
Most loads I have seen for this bullet are up around 18+ - 20+ grains of 2400 with a MV of 1386 - 1510 fps which is considerably hotter.
What do you think? Are the lower velocity loads OK to shoot? Opinions?
Thanks.

 

[.38 Special]

If it does what you want, then it's a fine load. In your shoes, though, I'd choose a faster powder for reduced loads, something like Unique. While I'm a fan of 2400, my experience has been that it does not burn cleanly at less than full power.

 

[Galil5.56]

IMO, I think you will be very disappointed with their performance, and it will look like someone dumped sand in/on your pistol. For those velocities, there are a ton of other faster powders that will work very well. WW231/HP38, Unique, AA#2, Trail Boss, Bullseye, Red Dot, Green Dot.... A bunch more.

I have used a lot of Red Dot/240 cast in my 29 Classic to do precisely what you want to do, and like the results a lot.

 

[rcmodel]

Who the heck is Nick Harvey?

IMO: If he's showing .44 Mag loads like that with 2400, he ain't qualified to be writing reloading manuals!

As others have already said, 2400 must be loaded near maximum to get it to even begin to burn clean.

The only pistol powder I can think of that would be even less suitable for reduced loads would be H-110/WW-296.

rcmodel

 

[Linear Thinker]

If you want reduced loads in 44Mag, use the 44 Special data.
I highly recommend Trail Boss for mild loads in voluminous cases. I even learned to like the funky acrid smell TB makes.

You can have fun at the range with other shooters, showing how well you control the mighty 44 Mag, then offer them the gun to try, with full-power loads of course Oh, never mind!
LT

 

[ArchAngelCD]

If you continue to use 2400 you might want to ditch the Magnum primers and use standard primers. 2400 will react better to a standard primer than a Magnum primer. From what I've read you get more consistent rounds when using a standard primer too. 2400 isn't hard to ignite like W296/H110.