Looking for 44 Special 200 grain Mild (cowboy) accurate, type loads

[Bazoo]

Preciate the effort.

I found WSF worked best for me at the upper end of the load range in my 3" S&W 696
210gr MBC coated RNFP
w-w Brass
GM 150
7.8gr WSF
H=935 fps
L=901 fps
Av= 915 fps
Es=34
Sd= 15
Me= 390 ft/lbs based on average velocity.
This load shot well for me in my firearm.
Shell extraction was easy.

I appreciate the info and effort. I will record it in my notes. That’s good stuff.

 

[RealGun]

I tried 6.5, 7.0, and then settled on 7.5 of Unique as most interesting to shoot in my NMB. My cowboy load is Trailboss, Hodgdon minimum. This is all with 200 gr lead.

 

[Riomouse911]

For me, 7.2 gr Unique under an Eggleston 200 gr coated RNFP has been my go- to fun load in my 3” GP-100 and 5.5” Blackhawk flattop .44 Spl handguns for quite a while.



(The golden-coated TCFP above are Missouri Bullet Co. 165 gr Hi-Tek bullets. Another great soft-shooting, fun bullet for the .44 Spl.)

Stay safe.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

Since you asked specifically about Bullseye, check out this article: Handloader, January/February 1967 issue, ppgs 20-21; 45. In it, Bob Hagel describes every .44Spl load from Keith's top performers to plinking loads for the target range and he specifically mentions 5.0gr. of Bullseye under a 250gr. Keith cast from 1:10 or 1:16 alloy (1 part tin to 10 or 16 parts antimonial lead). I'll post a shot of the specific paragraph but the entire article is worth a read. No reason the 200gr. LFRN won't work as well with the same 5.0gr. of BE.

 

[Bazoo]

Thanks for the reference @GeoDudeFlorida

which handloader number is that?

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

Thanks for the reference @GeoDudeFlorida

which handloader number is that?

Number 5.

 

[Bazoo]

I found WSF worked best for me at the upper end of the load range in my 3" S&W 696
210gr MBC coated RNFP
w-w Brass
GM 150
7.8gr WSF
H=935 fps
L=901 fps
Av= 915 fps
Es=34
Sd= 15
Me= 390 ft/lbs based on average velocity.
This load shot well for me in my firearm.
Shell extraction was easy.

Could you clarify the primer type? Is that federal 150?

 

[Bazoo]

Number 5.

Thanks. I keep a little spiral bound notebook where I write any interesting reloading or gun info. I have a list of handloader issues that have articles I’m interested in.

Also included is interesting load data for calibers and bullets I might use, including forum and member that posted it.

 

[RealGun]

Since you asked specifically about Bullseye, check out this article: Handloader, January/February 1967 issue, ppgs 20-21; 45. In it, Bob Hagel describes every .44Spl load from Keith's top performers to plinking loads for the target range and he specifically mentions 5.0gr. of Bullseye under a 250gr. Keith cast from 1:10 or 1:16 alloy (1 part tin to 10 or 16 parts antimonial lead). I'll post a shot of the specific paragraph but the entire article is worth a read. No reason the 200gr. LFRN won't work as well with the same 5.0gr. of BE.

Not sure we should make assumptions, since the lighter bullet will produce lower pressure. Lighter bullets usually get more powder than the heavier. Accuracy or POI could vary significantly. Should still go bang though, I would think.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

Thanks. I keep a little spiral bound notebook where I write any interesting reloading or gun info. I have a list of handloader issues that have articles I’m interested in.

Also included is interesting load data for calibers and bullets I might use, including forum and member that posted it.

That issue is available in digital format for download.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

Not sure we should make assumptions, since the lighter bullet will produce lower pressure. Lighter bullets usually get more powder than the heavier. Accuracy or POI could vary significantly. Should still go bang though, I would think.

Which would make it a starting load. Always start low and work up, right?

 

[joneb]

Could you clarify the primer type? Is that federal 150?

The Federal GM(gold medal) 150 is Federal's large pistol match primer. These primers are interchangeable with a given load.

 

[Bazoo]

That issue is available in digital format for download.

Do ya know where I could find it?

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

Do ya know where I could find it?

Try here... https://www.wolfeoutdoorsports.com/handloader-05-january-1967/

 

[RealGun]

Which would make it a starting load. Always start low and work up, right?

I was caught at "work as well". One would have to make a separate evaluation, I expect. That said, extrapolation is part of what we do.

 

[Rodfac]

With any good LSWC, 200 to 250 grains, I like Win 231 or Bullseye. With 231, 5.8 gr gives me ~800 fps from a 4-5/8" bbl. & 6.5 grains in .44 Spl brass is a sure winner too at ~950 fps ...and Keith's old tgt load: 5.0 gr of Bullseye, equally good. I shoot both of these in Ruger Flat Tops with good success...also in a Smith M-24 with 6.5" bbl. For bullets: Home cast Lyman 429421, 429215, & 429244 are all good, as is the RCBS copy of Keith's 429421.... two (244 & 215) are gas check designs but work as well w/o the check.

For commercial bullets, most anything from Missouri Bullet Co. is outstanding. I like their 240 gr BBLSWC but find that their alloy is a bit hard for my liking and occasionally I get some throat or forcing cone leading...easily removed with an all copper chore boy wrapped around an old bore brush. Or...and I do this with all commercial lead alloy bullets...swirl lube with Lee Liquid Alox diluted 1/3 with paint thinner. Just swirl a handful of bullets with a few drops of LLA and let them dry over night. It eliminates the leading problems of too hard lube and too hard a casting alloy.

HTH's Rod

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

I was caught at "work as well". One would have to make a separate evaluation, I expect. That said, extrapolation is part of what we do.

Well, I guess it all depends on how you, personally, define the word "work" in this context, don't it? Will a 200grain LFN bullet exit the barrel with a 5.0grain charge of Bullseye? In a well-maintained, properly constructed .44Spl revolver, it most certainly should. If not, there's a problem other than the charge and projectile which should be examined. I'm not sure if there's a true "sticking point" to get caught on here - or if those three words are just triggers, somehow - but, any time the bullet leaves the barrel under any kind of measurable velocity, I'd have to say the load "works." And if one load "works" as well as another - meaning both result in a bullet exiting the barrel at measurable velocity - then it can easily be said, they both "work as well." I wasn't really addressing what is perfect in a strange weapon I've never seen, especially not lacking a model or any appreciable details, nor did I proscribe this as, "5.0, absolute!" but merely pointed to an example which "worked" for one author. I figure right about 5 grains of Bullseye will give the OP a good starting point. You can feel free to disagree.

 

[RealGun]

Well, I guess it all depends on how you, personally, define the word "work" in this context, don't it? Will a 200grain LFN bullet exit the barrel with a 5.0grain charge of Bullseye? In a well-maintained, properly constructed .44Spl revolver, it most certainly should. If not, there's a problem other than the charge and projectile which should be examined. I'm not sure if there's a true "sticking point" to get caught on here - or if those three words are just triggers, somehow - but, any time the bullet leaves the barrel under any kind of measurable velocity, I'd have to say the load "works." And if one load "works" as well as another - meaning both result in a bullet exiting the barrel at measurable velocity - then it can easily be said, they both "work as well." I wasn't really addressing what is perfect in a strange weapon I've never seen, especially not lacking a model or any appreciable details, nor did I proscribe this as, "5.0, absolute!" but merely pointed to an example which "worked" for one author. I figure right about 5 grains of Bullseye will give the OP a good starting point. You can feel free to disagree.

We are in a discussion venue here, so there must be some tolerance for comment, even a nit.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

We are in a discussion venue here, so there must be some tolerance for comment, even a nit.

I thought I was being very tolerant.

 

[RealGun]

I thought I was being very tolerant.

I missed one thing though - did you actually suggest a load and reference it? The OP was asking about reloading data suggestions.

Yes, I did in a way, but it was a report of my experience, not a suggestion.

 

[mavracer]

I use 7.0 of Unique with a 215 SWC or 200 JHP.

 

[Bazoo]

I don’t have a 200 grain 44 caliber mould yet, but when I do, I’m looking at 4.0-5.0 bullseye.

I’ve been using 4.4 grains bullseye with the RCBS 44-250-k that’s actually 265 grains, for a light load. I imagine the 200 grain bullets would work well with similar charges of bullseye.

Work well means to me, hits paper at a reasonable group size and is fun to plink with.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

I don’t have a 200 grain 44 caliber mould yet, but when I do, I’m looking at 4.0-5.0 bullseye.

I’ve been using 4.4 grains bullseye with the RCBS 44-250-k that’s actually 265 grains, for a light load. I imagine the 200 grain bullets would work well with similar charges of bullseye.

Work well means to me, hits paper at a reasonable group size and is fun to plink with.

That works!