New .44 Spl load

[moxie]

Back on topic here.

Speer #11 does have data for the 240SWC, but not for Power Pistol. Got any Unique, Bullseye, or 231?

Regarding OAL. With light loads you don't even need to crimp. Just remove enough flare (which should be minimal anyway) to permit chambering the rounds. Seat the bullets so that about a fingernail's thickness of the bullet's shoulder is protruding from the case. The OAL then is what it is. There should be enough case neck tension to prevent bullet jump with light loads. Watch for bullet jump and crimp if you get any. Crimp heavier loads into the crimp groove as a matter of course to help with case neck tension in preventing bullet jump..

 

[Jim Watson]

Sort of On Topic

There is an interesting subplot here.
How DO we know that it is safe to load .44 Special cartridges "off label" for use in a .44 Magnum revolver?
And a lot of other little stuff as well.

Back before Al Gore invented the internet, we had to learn from print on paper.
It is hard to imagine, but when I was coming up, the gunzines actually had some thoughtful and helpful articles, not just glowing reports on new products copied from manufacturers' press releases. People like Elmer Keith learned exactly what a .44 Special would do, and what it would not; and paid the repair bills.

Also, I know we have a panic driven powder shortage and may have to make do with whatever reasonably suitable propellant we can find instead of our old favorite or the Load Of The Month. That is no reason to end up with a can of 4350 when the caliber in question is .40 S&W. But that happened recently, promoted by an ignorant or lying store clerk to an unprepared customer.

 

[James2]

smovlov said, "Start at the minimum charge for a 250gr lead bullet, seat and crimp at the crimp groove. Do your load work up from the start charge and everything should be fine."

This is the correct answer. Have fun!

(C'mon you guys, stop confusing the issue.) .

 

[gamestalker]

For a revolver cartridge, the correct OAL, COL, COAL should be what ever crimping in the crimp grove produces. The crimp utilized for a revolver cartridge, which is a roll crimp, is necessary with high recoil / pressure loads to prevent the bullet from jumping the crimp, which will often lock the cylinder up.

Now, when it involves a rimless cartridge, 9mm, 40 cal. and such, oal becomes far more important, and can have a dramatic effect on pressures. The crimp on these type cartridges, a taper crimp, provides a completely different function, that being to remove any mouth belling used during seating. It does not serve as a means of, or provide neck tension, bullet hold, or any other practical function.

GS