HELP...1st time loading 44Mag.

[Ruger GP100 fan]

I'm going to reload 44mags for the first time. My SIL works lots of hours and has entrusted me(he likes living life on the edge!) to load some ammo for his SBH for the coming weekend. None of the load data I've found is consistent (he brought me 300gr XTPs). My Speers book,which gives arguably unsafe data for 357Mag...their max being BELOW Winchester/Hodgdon start load for H110/Win296,a very picky powder,gives HIGHER data for 44Mag than Winchester/Hodgdon website. What's a guy to do? I know most members like to refrain from giving out load data,but can someone point me to some safe info somewhere? Thank you very much.
Man,these things look humongous compared to my 357 components...the only other pistol round I've loaded!!!

 

[Funshooter45]

I tend to rely more on the Hodgdon website when I'm using their powders. I have made comparisons on several different cartridges where I looked up data for a given bullet/powder combo and then wrote down the ranges I found in Speer, Lyman, Hornady, Lee, and the powder makers manual. Typically, if you have 4-5 references, you'll see the trend. One of them is nearly always a fair bit different than the others. But it always seems like the data from the powder maker (Hodgdon for instance) is around the middle of the pack.

So, if I only had to rely on one place for data I would choose the powder maker data. Sometimes, they change the formulation for the powder slightly. Hodgdon will update their website data fairly soon, but it might take the other manuals a long time to ever correct it.

 

[zxcvbob]

I would use 2400 instead of 296. Especially if you're new at this.

Also I recommend getting some 240 grain cast bullets and load 'em kind of hot using Herco or Blue Dot.

Has he shot a .44 Magnum before? Might want to load a box of some softer rounds too; the "zombie stomper" loads are only fun for the first dozen or so at a time. (240 grain lead bullet with about 7 to 8 grains of Red Dot, or 9 grains of Universal. You can shoot those all day)

 

[Ruger GP100 fan]

Thanks,Funshooter45. I always use Winchester/Hodgdon's for load data online site for my 357,but since their maximum load for 44mag was below Speers(#14) start load and undercharging being a bit unsafe for H110/296,I thought it best to bring my question here as an extra measure of safety. Winchester/Hodgdon's MAXIMUM load is a full 2.2gr BELOW Speers' minimum. WAAAAY more than the "...no more that 3% below start" I've seen elsewhere,siting a lack of powder ignition as a possible result. Just thought it best to ask.

 

[Ruger GP100 fan]

He wants H110 rounds. I thought the task would be simpler. I do have some 2400 on hand,though. Also,the primers he gave me are Win. magnum or standard. I assume they are fine to use win H110/296?
I'm not at all unfamiliar with H110/296 as I use it almost exclusively in my GP100,but just never loaded 44mags.

 

[rcmodel]

You can't compare Speer data when you are using Hornady XTP bullets.

Hodgdon lists Hornady 300 XTP data, and thats the load data I would use if I didn't have a Hornady manual.
They say 18.0 Start - 19.0 MAX

Hornady #6 says:
H110
17.5 Start - 20.1 MAX.

W296
16.8 Start - 19.9 MAX.


Also be aware that the 300 XTP bullet has two crimp cannelures, and can be seated "short" or "long" in the .44 Magnum.

Hornady manual says data was tested at 1.600" OAL, whichever cannelure that is.
They used Win WLP primers.
You should use Magnum primers if you don't have WLP's.

rc

 

[rg1]

Hornady 7th--Hornady case--Win LP primer--300gr XTP--oal 1.600"
Win 296- Ruger Redhawk 7 1/2" barrel--16.8 1000fps---max 19.9- 1200fps
____________
Midway's LoadMap 44 Magnum--300gr XTP--oal 1.590"--RP 2 1/2 primer-Win case--Win 296 powder--8.275" barrel universal receiver
16.4-1170fps--16.8-1203----17.2-1236----17.4-1253----17.6-1269fps
Use caution going above 17.6
___________
Hodgdon basic Guide--8.275" barrel---Win case--RP 2 1/2 primer--300 XTP
Both H110 and Win 296 powder---19.0 grains-1325fps
______________
Just to add to your data sources for comparison. A good heavy roll crimp is needed with a 44 magnum and heavy bullets.

 

[Ruger GP100 fan]

rcmodel "You can't compare Speer data when you are using Hornady XTP bullets."

Now I see why.The Speers book gives a COAL for their 300gr of 1.665(revolver only)....a full .065 longer than Hodgdon's COAL of 1.600. At least I can look to that difference to explain the different powder info.
I will go with Winchester/Hodgdon's data on their website and seat to THEIR coal (same as Hornady,according to rg1's post),with a min powder grain of 18gr and a max of 19gr....probably 18.5. The primers he gave me are WLP,although their website does not specify what to use,the box says they are for either standard or magnum.

Sound reasonable? Thank you all for your help.

 

[Ruger GP100 fan]

Just spoke with my son-in-law and he is going to check all of his many books and get back to me. He had no personal data to give me because he has never used 300gr bullets.

 

[RC20]

When I was loading 41 and 44 magnum, 2400 was the best powder.

I ran tests on the other ones, day in day out it was accurate and least pressure issues even with hot loads (it would not jump over the line suddenly)

 

[Ruger GP100 fan]

Any and all further input will be very much appreciated. Thanks

 

[Ruger GP100 fan]

Just heard back from son-in-law. Last night I loaded 2 rounds with 19gr. He just fired them. He wants 19.5,so 19.5 is shall be. It's his gun. I gotta think 300gr bullets will kick like a mule,especially in his gun with the old style hand grips. I simply cannot hang onto it. The grips are too small for my hand. I much prefer the factory grips on my GP100. Fingers don't go beyond all the way around once.

If there's anyone that thinks 19.5 is too much please post soon. I plan to begin loading in a couple of hours.

Last night I loaded 2 rounds with 19gr

 

[buck460XVR]

If there's anyone that thinks 19.5 is too much please post soon. I plan to begin loading in a couple of hours.

That's still below max according to Hornady....and it is a Ruger you are loading for. That said, iffin it were me, I'd practice proper load development techniques and start lower and work up.

 

[Ruger GP100 fan]

That's still below max according to Hornady....and it is a Ruger you are loading for. That said, iffin it were me, I'd practice proper load development techniques and start lower and work up.

He saw no signs of too heavy of loads with the 2 rounds of 19gr. Brass looks fine. But your input is very much appreciated and I will run that by him prior to loading.

 

[Ruger GP100 fan]

To add to your post,buck460XVR,these are not target rounds. I think he just plans to blow stuff up with them. Unlike myself,he tires easily shooting paper. Since I do not hunt my main goal is accuracy with every round I load. Not that that makes not starting lower ok,but accuracy is not his goal.

 

[Ruger GP100 fan]

buck460XVR,I came here for honest input and I've decided that not taking your advice about starting low and working up more serious would be an insult to you after you freely gave it in good faith. I am going to have a serious talk with my sil before proceeding. It's great to know there are members here watching my back! Thank you.

 

[hancjamk]

I've loaded 300gr speer for my ruger redhawk. Started with 17.5gr. 2400 and worked my way up to 20.0 gr. The shells started to get a little sticky in the cylinder with the 20gr load. So, I went back to 19.0gr. I suggest start with 18.0 and work your way up .02 at a time, 6 rounds each til you get to 19.5.

 

[Steve in PA]

20.0 grains of H110 is my load for the 300 grain HP-XTP's in my Super Redhawk. No sticky cases, no monster recoil, etc. The SRH handles .44 mag recoil very well.

 

[Ruger GP100 fan]

Thanks

 

[Ruger GP100 fan]

Worked my way up to 19.5 and was offered the opportunity to test-fire them myself. All I can say is I'm sure glad they make Rugers with grip configurations altogether different than his BH!! I'll take my (non-traditional) GP 100 design any day over the traditional Blackhawk design. I guess my fingers are just too long.

 

[ghostwriter]

For what it's worth...

I just got done loaded up 288 rounds of 44 mag and used 2400 powder and some 210gr HP's.
I save the bullseye and the 296 for the lesser calibers like 9mm, 45 ACP, and 38 spc/.357 Mag
I use large rifle magnum primers on all handgun loads that take that size primer.

 

[Walkalong]

296 isn't suitable for 9MM or .45 ACP, unless you are hot rodding beyond design limits. Even then I don't see it working in .45 ACP, and I wonder if the 9MM case could hold enough.

 

[zxcvbob]

I use large rifle magnum primers on all handgun loads that take that size primer.

No handgun cartridges take large rifle primers. They look like they fit, but they are too tall. You'll have high primers.

 

[mahansm]

"No handgun cartridges take large rifle primers. They look like they fit, but they are too tall. You'll have high primers."

Well, most .500 S&W brass is machined for rifle primers. Pistol primers were being pierced by the 60,000 psi operating pressure so the spec was changed. Headstamp will include the letter "R" on newer brass to designate the deeper pocket. Older brass may have the existing pocket reamed to the new depth without risk of adverse effects.

 

[buck460XVR]

No handgun cartridges take large rifle primers. They look like they fit, but they are too tall. You'll have high primers.

Well, most .500 S&W brass is machined for rifle primers. Pistol primers were being pierced by the 60,000 psi operating pressure so the spec was changed.

...........same goes for the .460 S&W Mag. Large rifle primers.