Questions after range visit......44 spl

[RB98SS]

Well I just got back from the range and tested out some new 44 spl loads with my new revolver. All seemed fine and I was pleased with a load I thought would be perfect for the wife to plink with. I loaded 200gr XTP's with 7.0 grs of Universal and 240 gr Noslers with 6.8 grs of the same. These loads are on the high end of the data for both bullets. My concern is that there was unburnt powder in the cases after inspection. Around 6-12 wafers in each case.

The cases were crimped good in the cannalure so I don't think that was the issue and I did not see any unburnt powder in any of the other loads that I had. Only the Universal loads.

Would it be worth my while to try magnum primers next time and see if that helped or would I be well advised not to? Any issues with trying?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Walkalong]

I don't believe mag primers will help with Universal Clays in this app, but it does not hurt to try a few. That is what it's all about, handloading that is.

Universal Clays shines at higher pressures than those generated in the .44 Spl. It is not going to burn all that clean in the .44 Spl.

AA #2, AA #5, 700X, Red Dot, & WSF are good ones to try.

 

[RB98SS]

Thanks Walkalong,

I'll give the primers a shot and if it doesn't help I'll go elsewhere with my load combos.

 

[kk5ib]

44 Sp Load

Years ago I loaded 7.0 gr of SR-4756 with Lyman 429421 Keith cast bullets, standard W-W or CCI primers, to shoot in my old model 3" Charter Arms Bulldog. I notice that The Speer #14 lists 7.3 to 8.0 grs of 4756 as their high velocity choice with a similiar bullet. That load was all I wanted to handle in a revolver that weighed about 21 ozs. The load was both fairly clean and very accurate. I never had much success with any kind of jacketed bullets expanding even at faster 44 Sp velocities, or lead bullets either. I recovered a lot of bullets, and there is no comparision in the expansion between 44 Sp and 44 Mag.

 

[def4pos8]

I realize that it's a mundane alternative but you might try Unique.

I've also had good result with AA5 and will be trying Power Pistol shortly after enjoying good result with PP in .38/.357.

 

[Sport45]

Pile up all the unburnt kernels of powder and try to light them. I've never tried it myself, but I've read that these sometimes are just "skeletons" and have indeed burnt.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

It's possible you might need a Magnum primer to ignite Universal completely. Were you out in the cold shooting? The reason I say it might be possible is, when I look in some of the older manuals a lot of the loads using HS-6 and HS-7 have a notation telling you to use a Magnum primer. It might be a Hodgdon powder thing if you know what I mean. I'm not saying it's for sure but like said above, how could it hurt to load up a few and give it a try?

 

[RB98SS]

but I've read that these sometimes are just "skeletons" and have indeed burnt.

The remaining flakes are the same color as the powder out of the container so I don't think they are unburnt.

Were you out in the cold shooting?

Nah, indoor range.

I'm going to load some up tonight and give it a try

Thanks.