Huge Differences in Published Loads

[WNC Seabee]

I'm just starting reloading for .44 Magnum, have been loading .45 and .38/.357 for years.

I'm finding published data for this cartridge varies greatly form source to source. What do y'all do about that? Obviously, go with the more conservative source and work up from there, check multiple sources to cross-reference, etc.

What I'm wondering is if the "heavier" published loads are safe while the more conservative loads are just being that...conservative.

Case in point...the Speer manual (#13?) shows a range of 5.5grains of W231 as the low end and tops out at 5.8 for the top end (I don't have the book in front of me, but that's close enough for this discussion). For the same powder, the hodgdon.com data center shows 5.5 as the low end and 11 grains for the max. That is close to DOUBLE the max charge listed in the Speer manual. Both charges are for a 240gr LSWC.

Thoughts?


Edit: I'm really not looking for input on loading for .44 Mag specifically, I'm mostly interested in your thoughts on this disparity of published sources....

 

[LiveLife]

I usually use the latest published load data by the powder manufacturers (paper or website) just in case there has been powder formulation changes over the years.

 

[CraigC]

Couple things. Firstly, the Speer manual (#14 is in front of me, #13 is elsewhere) lists a 6.5gr charge as maximum for a 240gr swaged SWC. These are very soft bullets that should be kept around 700-800fps to prevent leading. So the 6.5gr charge is not maximum pressure, just the maximum recommended for the bullet. This is a reduced pressure load, probably running in the 15,000psi range, that they list as running 867fps. The Hodgdon data is for a much harder cast bullet and their maximum charge (11.0gr) IS near maximum pressure at 38,100CUP, for 1334fps.

 

[WNC Seabee]

Couple things. Firstly, the Speer manual (#14 is in front of me, #13 is elsewhere) lists a 6.5gr charge as maximum for a 240gr swaged SWC. These are very soft bullets that should be kept around 700-800fps to prevent leading. So the 6.5gr charge is not maximum pressure, just the maximum recommended for the bullet. This is a reduced pressure load, probably running in the 15,000psi range, that they list as running 867fps. The Hodgdon data is for a much harder cast bullet and their maximum charge (11.0gr) IS near maximum pressure at 38,100CUP, for 1334fps.

Craig...you are correct, 6.5 is the max charge listed, thank you for the correction.

I did not see the swaged vs. cast distinction when looking at these loads. That explains a lot.

Thanks!

 

[CraigC]

You're welcome.

PS, I wasn't trying to correct your maximum charge in that statement, just that it was for a swaged bullet.

 

[jhansman]

So the 6.5gr charge is not maximum pressure, just the maximum recommended for the bullet.

A very important distinction, and one to be remembered. Thanks, CraigC