Ruger 77/44 Load Help

[robMaine]

So I have a Ruger 77/44 Stainless/Synthetic that is my wifes deer rifle. We just mounted a Nikon Prostaff 2-7x on it and I sighted in with Win. 240gr JSPs, and was able to hold 1-1.5inch @ 50 yards. Now I am trying to work up a handload and I can't get anything much better then 4 inches @ 50 yards. Currently I am trying 24gr of IMR 4227 under a 240 gr XTP. I am fairly new to reloading and finding an accurate load seems so daunting, any ideas? Any pet loads for the 77/44? Thanks

 

[Certaindeaf]

Is the bearing surface similar on both bullets of that same weight? Are your loads jumping crimp? Those are the first things I'd look at.
Good luck and I think those are cool rifles.

 

[robMaine]

Thanks for the info, the crimp was pretty firm so I doubt they were jumping out, I guess it is just going to be a lot of trial and error.

 

[Bull Nutria]

I have loaded 44mag in a handi rifle and used 2400.Man if you are getting 1-1.5 inches at 50 yds with a factory load that is about as good as you can expect form a 44mag. I tried 240g xtp, 265 gHornady flat points and 265 xtp all with 2400. I tried cast bullets from 200g to300g no tack drivers loads found!!the flat points and xtp are about the same 1-2 group at 50 yds. some rave about win 296 and H110. but it has no leeway load hot or not at all.

good luck the quest, it is worth it if you find a very accurate load. crimp your loads as much as you can with out bulging and give them all the plunk test (run thru the chamber to make sure they fit and are not oversize)after you reload them.

Bull

 

[robMaine]

I have loaded 44mag in a handi rifle and used 2400.Man if you are getting 1-1.5 inches at 50 yds with a factory load that is about as good as you can expect form a 44mag. I tried 240g xtp, 265 gHornady flat points and 265 xtp all with 2400. I tried cast bullets from 200g to300g no tack drivers loads found!!the flat points and xtp are about the same 1-2 group at 50 yds. some rave about win 296 and H110. but it has no leeway load hot or not at all.

good luck the quest, it is worth it if you find a very accurate load. crimp your loads as much as you can with out bulging and give them all the plunk test (run thru the chamber to make sure they fit and are not oversize)after you reload them.

Bull

I am not expecting to get much better grouping then the factory loads, I am just looking to replicate that performance, on that note, anyone have any recommendations on replicating a factory load?

 

[rcmodel]

You might try backing off the load a little bit.

According to Lyman #49, 23.1 IMR-4227 is a compressed MAX load with a 240 Nosler.

Very often you will find your best accuracy is not at the MAX load level.

rc

 

[rg1]

My favorite load with the Hornady 240XTP has been with Win 296 at 23 grains while Hornady data says 25 is max and they used Win LP primers and Frontier brass. I use CCI 350 magnum primers. Don't reduce Win 296 powder much and I wouldn't go below 22 grains. My load with CCI 350 primers and 23 grains of Win 296 shoots very well. You need a heavy roll crimp on 44 Magnum with slow pistol powders to get good consistent ignition. Try to at least duplicate the roll crimp on factory rounds.

 

[buck460XVR]

23-23.5gr of H110/W296 under a 240 gr XTP usually makes for 2'' groups @ 100 yards from my 77/44. About the same outta the Marlin lever. 23-23.3 gr of IMR4227 produces just about the same result with the same bullet. Both powders give similar results when topped off with 240 gr Nosler JHPs/JSPs or even Remmie 240 gr JSPs. Outta the carbines I prefer the JSPs as they tend to hold together better than the XTPs and JHPs on deer @ carbine velocities and always make an exit wound. Hornady's published max for the 240 XTP outta a carbine is 24.2 of IMR4227. But like RC said, I've found my best loads are under max. Lyman shows 23.1 of IMR4227 to be the "most accurate" load with 240gr jacketed bullets. Funny they list IMR4227 for revolvers and show it as producing the best results, but don't even list it for loading .44mag carbines. I've found when shooting the 77/44 from a bench, that it works better to rest your forearm than to rest the barrel or stock. Pullin' the gun back tight to your shoulder helps to overcome the notorious hard trigger.


BTW, the oldest son just called and said he got a deer today with the Marlin and 240gr Remmies.

 

[JLDickmon]

I'd have to suggest 17.5gr of 2400 under a 300 XTP or JFP crimped in the second groove. Crimping in the top groove is gonna cause you problems

Don't exceed 19gr.

 

[robMaine]

Thank you all so much for the tips. I have a big shipment on the way from Powder Valley that has some H110 in it, I will work it up and see how it works.