Load recommendations for Henry Big Boy Carbine in .44 Mag

[Bixster_inc]

Thanks everyone for telling me about the Zero 240’s.

Those would put my total cost (excluding brass) < .24/rd for special and about .32/rd for mag...can’t beat that, especially for a .44 nowadays.

 

[RealGun]

6.9 grains of Unique is listed as a max load for 44 special with a 245gr. Keith bullet. Needless to say, a Big boy is a fine plinker with that load.

Do you mean loaded into a 44 Mag case? Best to be clear about that.

 

[Chuck59]

Good point. That data is for a 44 special case. Just the same, it's fine in the Henry.
From Lever gun performance:
44 Rem Mag 240gr SWCbb
PR: WLP CM: Rem TempF: 72 OAL: 1.610"
PT PW Vel SD GS
Unique 6.0 940 18.0 3.7
7.0 1071 8.9 2.78
8.0 1187 16.5 2.38
9.0 1302 9.7 2.51
10.0 1371 17.6 12.0

 

[Buck13]

Is this a good plan or should I cut bait and save my money?

I would park those atop 8 or 9 grains of Universal in your Magnum brass and have fun with them.

 

[mdi]

For me, I enjoy researching loads in my manuals. It's a part of reloading to me to find a load, check out the specifics (velocity vs. powder charges, bullet weights, etc.) and looking at a few different manuals. I've been reloading long enough to have an idea of what components go with what powder to give me a decent load, but I will always check a manual for final decisions on pertinent data. I tied plated bullets, about 1,000, but they have no benefit for me over my cast or jacketed bullets. But for a newcomer, it's best to find a load then buy components...

It's pretty safe to use 44 Special loads in 44 Magnum brass, I've done it many times. Two things to remember; the listed velocity/pressure for the Special data will be higher than what you'll get in Magnum cases. Also, starting loads for Specials are OK in Magnum brass, just don't go below them as there's a possibility of a squib. I've been reloading 44 Magnums for quite a while and I don't think I've used any Special brass in at least 20 years...

 

[Bixster_inc]

For me, I enjoy researching loads in my manuals. It's a part of reloading to me to find a load, check out the specifics (velocity vs. powder charges, bullet weights, etc.) and looking at a few different manuals. I've been reloading long enough to have an idea of what components go with what powder to give me a decent load, but I will always check a manual for final decisions on pertinent data. I tied plated bullets, about 1,000, but they have no benefit for me over my cast or jacketed bullets. But for a newcomer, it's best to find a load then buy components...

It's pretty safe to use 44 Special loads in 44 Magnum brass, I've done it many times. Two things to remember; the listed velocity/pressure for the Special data will be higher than what you'll get in Magnum cases. Also, starting loads for Specials are OK in Magnum brass, just don't go below them as there's a possibility of a squib. I've been reloading 44 Magnums for quite a while and I don't think I've used any Special brass in at least 20 years...

I enjoy the research too, I just want to start somewhere in the ball park to avoid damage to myself as well as my guns.

I’ve purchased the Hornady #10, the new Lyman and I got a Speer #14 with my RC kit. I’ve noticed that all three books are somewhat at odds with each other. Without digging them out to produce examples I’ve found on a few different calibers that what one book calls a starting charge another calls max or overcharged. To someone that’s only been at this since late June, this causes concerns and confusion.

I literally just got back from trying out a few of the specials and mags and aside from very sooty cases I was quite pleased with the results. I didn’t do any scientific testing, just set a 12oz water bottle about 100 yards out and tried to hit it. I think out of 40 shots (20 ea) I missed about 5 total all aiming a little too high.

My special loads are Starline brass, 8.5gr blue dot, Remington 2 1/2 primers with the Berry’s plated 240’s. The funny thing is, these are so slow I can fire, pull off the rifle, rack and reacquire the target with what feels like a full second to spare before it hits at 100. I’ve had pellet guns that produced more felt recoil than these so they’ll be perfect for the 50-100 yard plinking, my friend’s kids and will help get the g/f into shooting.

The mag loads are Win brass, 20gr of H110, Remington 2 1/2 primers with the Hornady FTX bullets. Quite a bit peppier but still not a whole lot of felt recoil. I really want to set my steel targets up at 200, 300 & 400 yards and see what I can do with these.

Back to the sooty cases, not sure if it’s a powder thing or I need to adjust my crimp a little better but it doesn’t seem to be negatively effecting anything so far.