Looking for a .44Spl load

[MovedWest]

I have my favorite 44mag recipes and am looking for a decent 44spl load. I'm hoping to get some suggestions.

I'm open to any powder, but would prefer to stick with 210gr JHP's. I've tried 240gr'ers and they're a bit more recoil than I'm looking for. I use 210gr'ers for some of my 44mag loads so I already have an inventory of those. The 180gr bullets on the market don't seem to expand well at 44spl velocities, which limits their use to target/range only. I'd rather keep this as range/HD round.

Any suggestions or recipes? What are you guys using?

-MW

 

[Galil5.56]

In a .44 Special case, 5 grains of Red Dot and any 240 LSWC makes for cloverleaf accuracy from my 6.5" S&W 29-5.

I like 240's better, and would alter velocity to tame recoil myself, but I did however load up a lot of 190 grain LSWC in a mag cases for experiments using the following combo's:

6 gr Unique 739 fps

8 gr Unique 1032 fps

9.8 gr Unique 1155 fps

4.8 gr Bullseye 724 fps

6.3 gr Red Dot 928 fps

9 gr WW231 1126 fps

Recoil from any of these is extremely negligible, at least from my 52 oz S&W.

 

[Walkalong]

4.2 to 4.8 Grs 700X and any 240 Gr lead bullet. Very accurate. 4.8 is pretty stout. Start low and work up.

I have not found anything to beat the accuracy of 700X with lead in .44 Spl yet, and I have tried numerous powders.

Recoil from any of these is extremely negligible, at least from my 52 oz S&W.

I reckon so. I originally worked up .44 Spl loads in a 21 ounce Bulldog, and now shoot them in a 696 as well. I tried them in an 6" Astra .44 mag a few weeks ago, and they were like a popcorn fart.

 

[MMCSRET]

I see you are interested in only jacketed bullets. I've never loaded a jacketed bullet in my 44 Special rounds, however I do find a very accurate load using a Cast Lee 215 gr. SWC over 6.0 gr. of AA#2. Lee advertises their mold as dropping at 214 gr. I use a 50-50 alloy of wheel weights and pure lead. Its soft but not as soft as Speer swaged 240 gr. lead SWC. I favor cast bullets in my handguns so I'm not a lot of help with jacketed.
Are you shooting your 44 Specials from a gun chambered for it or a gun chambered for 44 Magnum? It can make a difference!!

 

[joneb]

I like 6.2-6.7gr of W-231 with a 200-210gr JHP using WLP, for a S&W 696.

 

[Slamfire]

I have a M431 that shoots high with 240’s. So I had to develop loads. For whatever reason it lightly leads with the lightest load, and increases as the velocity goes up. I shoot my lead 205 grain bullets with 6.0 grains Unique.

You will not get leading with a JHP.

I had poor process control and got my 6.5/7.0 loads mixed up. If I could, I would fire the reloader, but unfortunately, its me.

Loads are for reference.

[SIZE="4"]Taurus M431 3" Barrel			
					
205 LSWC 6.0 grs Unique  thrown, Midway Brass WLP		
				T = 54 °F	11-Dec-04
Ave Vel =	789.6				
Std Dev =	27.18				
ES =	96.54		 		
Low = 	724.1				
High = 	820.6				
N =	30				

Accurate, shoots point of aim And  lightly leads barrel!
					
					
205 LSWC 6.5-7.0 grs Unique  thrown, Midway Brass WLP	
				T = 54 °F	25-Nov-04
Ave Vel =	896				
Std Dev =	26				
ES =	99				
Low = 	839				
High = 	938				
N =	34				
				
elevation good, but left					
					
				
					
205 LSWC 7.0 grs Unique  thrown, Midway Brass WLP		
				T = 57 °F	25-Nov-04
Ave Vel =	906				 
Std Dev =	16				 
ES =	56				 
Low = 	876				 
High = 	932				
N =	15	 	 	 	
 elevation good but left: leaded barrel	 [/SIZE]	 	 	
.

 

[MMCSRET]

My 44 Special is a Taurus M441, 6" stainless. I've never had a leading problem, the closest I came to seeing a problem was a slightly leaded forcing cone and leade using a commercial hard cast 200 gr. The Taurus is a great revolver, I say that and I have Rossi, Ruger, Colt and S&W revolvers.

 

[Walkalong]

I would love a 6" 441, but they don't show up every day.

I used to cast a 208 Gr WC from a Lee mold. It shot great with no leading using simple old alox lube in a lubrisizer, Lee liquid alox, or Rooster Jacket.

 

[Galil5.56]

I have that same Lee 208 grain WC mold, and look forward to eventually using it and working up some target loads... Looks like a nice bullet, and I'm hoping it performs as expected.

 

[Walkalong]

It would shoot ragged one hole groups at 7 yards from my CA Bulldog. Cut a full diameter hole through anything I shot. Cast from wheel weights with some 95/5 solder tossed in and water quenched. (Water quenched cause it was easier than catching them on a towel-just lazy ) That bullet is over 15 years old. Haven't cast in some time.

I still have a few.

 

[Galil5.56]

Those look real good, real good indeed. Icing container? If so, I use and love those things for storing cast bullets.

I did cast a few to break in the mold/get a feel for for what it likes, and think I will add a bit of tin as you did to get them to "look pretty"... My last bit of Linotype alloying stash that I have had for 25 years is drying up, and it looks like I may finally buy some 92/6/2 and blend as needed with WW's... If I can even get them (WW's) anymore.

Boy the days of "glad to get rid of these damn things" is LONG over. Linotype was so cheap, I shot it straight for almost all my rifle bullets without a care.

 

[Walkalong]

Icing container?

Yes it is actually. The lid on this one has cracked over the years. I still have several out in the shed with "stuff" in them.

the days of "glad to get rid of these damn things" is LONG over.

Sure is. It went the way of riding to the edge of town and shooting at the first clay bank we could find, and no one cared.

 

[MovedWest]

Too many good responses and questions to dish out quotes, so I'll try to give overall responses.

I'm primarily firing these from a Ruger Super Blackhawk 7.5" with a mild bit of smithing done. I was intending to use Green Dot in these loads, but it only seems to be accurate in my weapons at magnum pressures (God bless it does a nice job there!). But for my 44 special needs it provides too much "pop" and the groups are substantially off-center from my magnum loads - even at close range.

I'd prefer to stick with JHP's or SJHP's because that's primarily use in my magnum rounds. I've had good experience with their expansion and I like to keep my supplies to a minimum. Buying in bulk and keeping my loading supplies as simple as possible have desirable benefits. I don't have an aversion to WC's or non-jacketed rounds, but if you guys saw my <lack of a> bench you'd empathize with me. Not being snobby or worry about leading, I just want to minimize my component purchases.

These loads would be good for me to fire regularly for practice and to keep for HD. Thanks again.

-MW

 

[Walkalong]

700X works very well with jacketed and plated bullets as well. Another to try here is AA #2.

 

[kelbro]

Moved West, are you talking about 44spl loads in 44spl cases or in 44Mag cases? There is a slight difference.

 

[MovedWest]

700X works very well with jacketed and plated bullets as well. Another to try here is AA #2.

Ironic 700x is a shotgun powder. Green dot is also, but it's a flake powder which is difficult to measure and meter. Since it's extruded it might be easier to deal with than Green Dot. If I can find it I might pick a little up today.

I gotta tell ya Walkalong, I keep checking out your WC's above and they've got me thinking about seeing what's out there. They're reeeeally shiny. I can't start casting my own bullets right now though... my wife would kill me for picking up another hobby.

Moved West, are you talking about 44spl loads in 44spl cases or in 44Mag cases? There is a slight difference.

These are for 44spl loads in 44spl brass. I've found it better to keep loads respective to their cartridges for accuracy reasons.

 

[Walkalong]

700X does not meter all that great, that's a fact, but it shoots very well, and that is what maters. It is also one of the cleaner burning powders out there at the low pressure levels .44 Spl runs at.

 

[MovedWest]

I was looking through the Hogden manual to see what they recommend for their load data on 700x (safety first) and I noticed loads for IMR4227. I just so happen to have nearly a Lb of that in my supplies from earlier tests with my 44magnum loads. Despite what everyone says about it, I didn't care for it compared to other powders so I set it aside.

Anyone had any experience with that?

-MW

 

[Walkalong]

Not 4227 in .44 Spl, but I did try some stout (real stout) loads of SR 4759 in .44 Spl with lead slugs. It shot well in both the Bulldog and a Winchester 94, although it left a little powder residue in both. Almost too slow burning, as I expect 4227 is as well.

4227 did shoot well for me in .44 mag from the carbine, but I switched to W-296 and AA #9.

 

[joneb]

I used to cast a 208 Gr WC from a Lee mold.

Walkalong, that's a nice looking bullet, I can't find any commercial casters making a true WC, that seems like it would be a great bullet for the .44 spl.

 

[NVMM]

I've been shooting Sierra 210 JHP.
Hodgdon's Universal Clays works real well.

 

[Walkalong]

Penn Bullets makes a 185 Gr WC in .44 Caliber. I tried some recently and they shoot pretty well, but I like 200 to 215 Gr bullets in .44 Spl for plinking. I have just had better luck with them getting good clean loads than lighter bullets. Magnus makes a 215 Gr SWC that shoots great in .44 Spl. It was my favorite store bought lead bullet in .44 Spl. The 210 Gr Remington JHP shoots great in it with 700X as well.

 

[joneb]

but I like 200 to 215 Gr bullets in .44 Spl

Me too

 

[Drail]

Those are great .44 Spl. bullets. 200 gr. is a very good compromise between heavy and fast. Really good for the snub revolvers. Unique, Red Dot and Bullseye work well.

 

[MovedWest]

Alrighty. I just spent some time searching through Pet Loads to see what Ken Waters suggests. Much like Walkalong, he speaks highly of 700x with lead slugs and WC's.

However for JHP's in the range of 200gr, you're not gonna believe what he says is tops. He likes 2400 and Blue Dot! He even likes setting off the charge of 2400 with a CCI350 magnum primer. He notes great accuracy and a large muzzle flash (imagine that with 2400) with 14.0 and 15.0gr under a 200JHP.

Anyone else use this powder for 44spl? I'd be interested to hear about your results.

-MW