First time loader goes to the range

[phoglund]

Saturday evening I finally got down to reloading for the first time. I am using a Lee Anniversary Kit and Lee Carbide 3 die kits. I used Unique Powder for .41 Magnum, .44 Special and .44 Magnum with 210 Grain bullets for the .41 and 240 Grain bullets for the .44s. I had new winchester brass for the .41 Magnum and .44 Magnum and new Starline brass for the .44 Special.

The problem I'm attempting to solve is the ammo available for these caliber guns tends to be either difficult to find, expensive, or only high power loads. I am looking for reasonably inexpensive shooting of these big bore guns with moderate loads. I loaded the .44 Special with 6 grains of Unique, the .41 Magnum with 8 grains, and the .44 Magnum with 9 grains.

I went to the range on Sunday morning to try out these loads and see if I have the talent to be a successful loader. For comparison I brought along some Hornady 325 grain XTP Bullet .44 Magnum loads said to run a bit over 1100fps.

I didn't do any testing for accuracy or velocity, just off hand shooting at a metallic auto resetting target and miscellaneous targets of opportunity. I had a great time and the loads were pretty much what I was looking for. They all produced a satisfying amount of thump and recoil but not enough to limit my shooting nor possibly induce a flinch. In contrast the Hornady ammo was quite a handful and gave me a small blister on my trigger finger after only 10 rounds...probably when I did a "attacking bear" drill and emptied the Model 29 as fast as I could get on target and pull the trigger.

The guns were a Taurus 431 with a 3" tube in .44 Special, a Taurus 425 Tracker with a 4" barrel in .41 Magnum and a new Smith and Wesson Model 29 with a 3" barrel in .44 Magnum.

I've been reading "start reloading" on The High Road for years and have finally gone down that road. I'm glad I did!

 

[Starter52]

I've had the same experience with that Hornady .44 mag load. I like it, but it's a handful. From a 3" N-frame it's a bit more recoil than I would like.

You didn't mention if you were reloading jacketed bullets or lead bullets (I'm guessing jacketed). Your Unique loads seem very sensible. No need to beat yourself up when target shooting at the range

Sounds like you're off to a good start. Good luck, and keep reloading.

 

[phoglund]

As you surmised, jacketed bullets. Which leads to a question, what considerations are there for loading lead bullets? Should velocity be limited? I'd revisit the amount of powder of course.

Thanks.

 

[redneck2]

I used to whip up some "thumper" loads for my Ruger .45LC. After a few sessions, I figured out that you can only kill paper about so dead.

I can see no downside to lead. I use 255 Keith LSWC's in my Ruger.

You might consider Universal Clays (the new Unique) or AA5 for your next go round, particularly with lead. If the lead has the blue Crayola lube, you'll most likely get a ton of smoke with Unique at reduced loads.

 

[Crazy4nitro]

Congrats....Welcome to the Sickness!
Reloading is so therapeutic. Have fun. I have that same .41Mag and I love it,Porting Rules!

'Nitro