Looking for a Universal Powder Charges like .45acp and .44 mag

[dubious]

I'm trying to spot powder charges that I can share between my .45acp and my .44 Mag loads.

*WARNING THIS IS A THEORETICAL LOAD! DO NOT ATTEMPT!*

.45acp 240gr LRN 7grains Unique (Primer?)
.44mag 215gr LSWC 7 Grains Unique (CCI or Winchester Large Pistol?)

*DO NOT ATTEMPT THIS THEORETICAL LOAD!!!*

The idea here is to avoid changing my powder measure which is a little bit of a pain on my Lee, but also to keep things nice and safe and consistent.

Does anybody have any ideas on this sort of thing? Other, different loads are also of interest. I definitely take all loads I read on forums and non-official websites with a HUGE grain of salt.

 

[Walkalong]

Find a powder that will work with a single throw for your .45 and a double throw for your .44 load.

Just a thought, OR, you could get an easier measure to use. You will thank yourself in the long run.

And maybe not blow yourself up either.

 

[CBS220]

The Lee measure is $20. Buy two if it's that big of a deal...

 

[Griz44]

What press are you using? If it is a turret press, just set up a second turret with all the fixings on it. I can change from .45 to .38 in about 2 minutes if I take my time...

 

[SaltySteve]

Thanks for your question Dubious. I was about to ask that exact question. I'm just trying to keep it simple (powder wise) till I get a grasp of this reloading process.

 

[evan price]

I use the Lee Autodisk powder measure, that's just remove one screw, slide the powder hopper to the side, and change the disc. Takes all of a minute.

And it's a heckuva lot safer than reloading a 45 with 44 mag data.


Nevertheless, here's what I found as a "magic load" in Titegroup:

.44 spcl 240 SWC 4.7 gr.
.45acp 230 RN 4.7 gr.
.40S&W 180 TC 4.7 gr
9mm Luger 115 gr RN 4.7 gr

 

[lgbloader]

Hey Evan,

I applaud your efforts. I think that was really cool of you to make this assessment. You're a class act.


Dubious,

I load for 44 mag as well and my question is do you really want shoot a weak 44 magnum round? Think Dirty Harry, "This is the 44 Magnum, the most...".

I don't want to question your post, it's actually something, I'm sure, alot of us has pondered at least once, it's just that when I shoot my 44 mag, I like to feel that magnum kick. And it's really hard to do that and then not blow your arm off when you use the same charge for your 45acp. Plus, working up the loads are half the fun. Well okay, most of the fun. Okay, the real fun is firing them down range, but you get my point.

Have fun, Mate

 

[zxcvbob]

It's not gonna work out very well, but it'll probably work better if you use lighter bullets in the .45 ACP and much heavier bullets in the .44 (300 grain?) or wadcutters.

This combo looks interesting:
.45ACP 200SWC 8.5 Herco
.44Mag 300SWC 8.5 Herco

 

[ants]

I sought the same goal with Titegroup, but came up with weak loads in 44 Spc/Mag, and really heavy loads in 45acp. None of them were accurate nor satisfying to shoot. I came to the same conclusion attempting to synchronize 9mm and 45acp loads with the same charge of Titegroup. Same with Clays. Both required excessive compromise.

So I developed excellent Titegroup loads for each caliber separately. Going through the trouble of changing disks isn't that troublesome.

 

[Steve C]

7.0grs of Unique is too hot for a .45 acp with 230gr's let alone 240grs. 6.0grs is about maximum for the ACP with 230gr jacketed bullets. You can shoot heavier but it will beat your gun badly.

You are dealing with too great a disparate level of pressures and case capacity to get a useful load that would work in both unless you want full power .45 ACP's and Cowboy loads .44 mags.

 

[rcmodel]

.45acp 240gr LRN 7grains Unique (Primer?)

7.0grs of Unique is too hot for a .45 acp with 230gr's let alone 240grs.

That's for durn sure!

6.0 with a lead 230 is about max.

6.5 with a FMJ-RN is a GI duplicate hard-ball load.

7.0 grains Unique with any 230 or 240 bullet in .45 ACP is +P+ and then some!
I wouldn't do it, ever!

rcmodel

 

[Harve Curry]

It might have been Skeeter Skelton writing years ago. UNIQUE is UNIQUE was the title. He had one powder charge setting for UNIQUE (7 or 7.5gr) and used it for several cartridges including a 12 gauge.
It can be done safely, just do your homework.
I wouldn't mess around with throwing two strokes of the measure. That would get confusing.

 

[dubious]

7.0 grains Unique with any 230 or 240 bullet in .45 ACP is +P+ and then some! I wouldn't do it, ever!

OK RCModel, I trust your opinion. I never would have loaded that 7 grains of Unique unless I found out it was safe.

I load for 44 mag as well and my question is do you really want shoot a weak 44 magnum round? Think Dirty Harry, "This is the 44 Magnum, the most...".

Heck yeah I want to shoot a weak 44 magnum round! First of all, a "weak" .44 mag is just like a .45 acp "uber manstopper". Shooting with low recoil is a great way to practice accuracy. I'd shoot .22s out of the thing if I could. I shoot about 40% "weak" rounds, %50 normal rounds, and 10% grizzly rounds.

 

[jfh]

You didn't say which (Lee) press you use--but on any of them, you should be able to unscrew one from the PTED and screw on another one in about one minute.

Two measures, with the appropriate setups, is far preferable IMO.

Jim H.

 

[Hank Dodge]

I never had very good luck with my Lee Progressive 1000 press. The disk powder measure gave me fits with inconsistent charges. I started charging my cases with a Reading powder measure instead. That was a slow process and eventually lead to me buying a Dillon 550 progressive press. The Dillon is very simple to operate and adjust as needed. It produces top quality ammunition with a minimum of effort. Well worth the price. I've set up complete tool heads for each caliber and that really aids in the set-up.

Now, what I try to do is consolidate powders and primers etc. I have settled mainly on a few calibers that fit a multitude of firearms. My reloading components can be utilized more effectively that way. I keep a large quantity of Unique powder and large pistol primers on hand; this covers many of the cartridges I load for. I do the same with powder and primers for my rifle loading. I find that this helps a lot with expense and keeping supplies on hand.

 

[BullitHolz]

I have loaded up and fired some Hornady 200 HP-XTP in front of 7.2 grains of Unique and it's a nice stout load, and VERY accurate. I doubt I would use this much under a 230 though.

IME I have found win 231 to be more consistent through the LEE Autodisk and 5.5 to 5.9 works really well behind a 230 LRN in my guns.

My favorite load using Unique is 5.6 grains behind a Hornady 200 LCT, very accurate through my MP45.

 

[Ridgerunner665]

Power Pistol...its more forgiving than Unique.

9.1 grains with a 185 grain bullet in a 45 acp (+P Load)
9.1 grains with a 300 grain XTP bullet in a 44 Mag.

Both loads will give a muzzle velocity of around 1,050 fps...from a 5 inch 45 acp and a 6 inch 44 Mag.