TC Encore .44 Magnum Handloads

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blackhawk5

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I recently purchased a 12 inch .44 magnum barrel for my TC Encore. I have a couple hundred .429" 240 grain cast bullets which i'd like to load using available Unique powder.

I'd appreciate recommendations for a good deer hunting starting and maximum loads using these bullets and powder. I've handloaded for years, but not for this caliber and in this particular firearm. Thanks for any help provided.
 
The RCBS Cast Bullet Manual list 12.1 to 13.1 grains of Unique for a velocity of 1361 to 1454 from a Blackhawk 7-1/2".

Lyman's Cast Bullet Handbook doesn't list a 240, but the 429421 245 bullet has a range of 9.8 to 13.0 for a velocity of 912 to 1147. The 429244 245 bullet range starts at 8.9 and maxes at 12.1 for a velocity of 805 to 1100. The Lyman bullets are linotype.

Keep in mind, these loads are for specific bullets and the manuals are more than 20 years old. Based on the velocities listed, I'm confident the max loads are on the light side, but may be limited to decrease lead fouling, however, the RCBS book list loads for the same bullet in rifles at velocities exceeding 1700. No loads with Unique, though.

Hope this helps.
 
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Also i load and shoot a TC contender and the loads differ from you stanard 44 loads....
Im useing the lyman 49th for my data. I load and shoot a TC super 14,SBH44mag and a M94 wichester in 44mag some of the data will cross over but look and beshore of your test componets.. and what they used to work up the load in.. be safe and work your load up..also there is a difference between the Encor and the contender.
 
That all sounds awful light to me.

2002 Alliant powder guide lists these 240 grain lead GC MAX loads.
9.8 grains Bullseye - 1,175 FPS - 34,400 PSI.
8.8 grains Red Dot - 1,175 FPS - 34,900 PSI.
9.5 grains Green Dot - 1,170 FPS - 34,800 PSI.
11.8 grains Unique - 1,255 FPS - 35,000 PSI.
12.5 grains Herco - 1,330 FPS - 33,800 PSI.
20.6 grains 2400 - 1,510 FPS - 34,700 PSI.

Any should be fine in a TC Encore, although you might want to back off a little if you get leading with a non-GC bullet.

rc
 
I work with Unique in a Marlin 1894. With a 240 cast RNFP I settled on 10g for 1400 fps out of a 20" barrel. Soft shooter with better than 2" accuracy at 100 yards for me.
 
In all my .44 Magnums, including a 10" Contender, I have settled on 10.0 Unique.
This is strong enough to take down a deer but still pleasant to shoot.
 
Hornady's 7th has 5.7 to 7.6 gr. Unique for its recommended loads.
I've shot 8.5 gr. Unique in my Contender with 250 gr. cast Keith style and gas check.
I have used 11.0 gr. Unique under a 240 gr. Hornady JHP.
There's data at Alliant online for Unique.
 
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