The .44M 240XTP with Unique powder, Rossi R92

[3Crows]

I am away on the road right now so I have no access to my manuals but I do not recall loads for jacketed bullets with Unique in .44 Magnum. Cruising around the web I see this:



I am not new at reloading but not experienced with the .44 Magnum. Are there published loads in manuals similar to these for the 240 grain jacketed bullets, specifically the Hornady 240 XTP? And yes, it is a Rossi R92 .44 Magnum rifle.

 

[JmacD]

Hornady shows a 10.4 max in the pistol section. Unique isn’t included in the rifle section.

 

[Charlie98]

I use Unique in my .41MAG Marlin loads, it works well enough, so I don't see why it wouldn't work in the .44MAG.

Hornady shows a 10.4 max in the pistol section.

My Speer #14 gives 10.3grn max for their 240grn jacketed bullets, so that lines up with the Hornady data.

You probably know this already, but you would be better served with a slower powder in that longer Rossi barrel... something like 2400, IMR4227, or even W296/H110. If you just want plinking loads, Unique will work fine.

 

[3Crows]

I use Unique in my .41MAG Marlin loads, it works well enough, so I don't see why it wouldn't work in the .44MAG.



My Speer #14 gives 10.3grn max for their 240grn jacketed bullets, so that lines up with the Hornady data.

You probably know this already, but you would be better served with a slower powder in that longer Rossi barrel... something like 2400, IMR4227, or even W296/H110. If you just want plinking loads, Unique will work fine.

Thanks. Yes, I am wanting a lesser power load. Even at that the velocities from the rifle are near full power from a revolver.

But, yes, I have 4227, 296/110 and Little Gun to work up full magnum level loads. Even though I have some MBC 240 grain lead cast bullets I prefer to shoot jacketed. And most likely I will need to order over size cast lead for the Rossi. I have a good stash of 240 XTP and really that is what I want at all levels in the Rossi.

 

[Captain*kirk]

My standard defense load for .44M is 9.5gr Unique under a 240gr XTP bullet in my Super Blackhawk. I see no reason it wouldn't work in a short rifle.

 

[3Crows]

My standard defense load for .44M is 9.5gr Unique under a 240gr XTP bullet in my Super Blackhawk. I see no reason it wouldn't work in a short rifle.

When I get home I will do some more research of course. But the 10 grain load with the 240 XTP from a rifle (16 inches) ought to be fine for plinking and a mild 50 yards hunting load.

I do not have much experience with .44 Magnum and while I have plenty of Unique, just never much used it so there is going to be a learning curve.

 

[Charlie98]

I do not have much experience with .44 Magnum and while I have plenty of Unique, just never much used it so there is going to be a learning curve.

The XTP is a hard bullet to beat... but you might be surprised at those cast bullets. A lower velocity Unique load under a reasonably hard cast bullet is cheap and fun... I hardly ever shoot jacketed bullets in my Marlin, anymore. You are right, however, with any cast bullet, the diameter must match the bore, and I know .44's can be all over the place.

QuickLoad tells me 10.0grn Unique, seated to 1.610", will give you 1400fps at 26000psi. There is room for more... but I think you would be well served at that 10grn mark.

 

[hunt127588]

I found that 9.8 gr of Unique behind a 240gr JSP in my 20" Rossi R92 is my accuracy load. It's pushing them 1,285 fps. It's perfect for plinking and woods hunting.

 

[ThomasT]

Hi 3crows is this the Rossi you were having feeding trouble with you posted about on the MarlinOwners forum? I post over there with my old screen name of "ratshooter" and suggested the fix for the cartridge guide. I think you have it working now.

I will go along with the others about using lead bullets at those lower velocities. Those 10gr Unique speeds will let you match the old 44-40 rounds that were used to kill so many deer by pioneers and homesteaders back in the late 1800s and early twentieth century. I finally drug out my Lee mold and cast a bunch of 240gr lead bullets to use in my Marlin and Super Blackhawk. I haven't tested them yet but will try Unique but more likely some Blue Dot loads too. Any of the medium slow powders for handguns and shotguns should work.

 

[Steve51]

I am fine with and most often shoot milder .44 magnum loads from a revolver (1100 fps) but when it comes to my .44 magnum rifles, I prefer only near max loads. I want my rifle loads to be in the 1500 fps - 1600 fps range.
For years, i have used the Hornady 240 grain XTP JHP bullets in my .44 magnum rifles but recently have been trying a few Hornady 225 gr. FTX bullets. My preferred powders for near max magnum loads are Alliant 2400, Western AA#9, or Hodgdon H110.

 

[Alaskamike]

I shoot midrange .44 mag through my Rossi 92, as well as my revolvers, and one of my favorites is 10 grains of Unique with any 240 to 260 grain bullet.

I think you'll be very happy with 10 grains of Unique and a 240 grain XTP.

 

[3Crows]

Hi 3crows is this the Rossi you were having feeding trouble with you posted about on the MarlinOwners forum? I post over there with my old screen name of "ratshooter" and suggested the fix for the cartridge guide. I think you have it working now.

I will go along with the others about using lead bullets at those lower velocities. Those 10gr Unique speeds will let you match the old 44-40 rounds that were used to kill so many deer by pioneers and homesteaders back in the late 1800s and early twentieth century. I finally drug out my Lee mold and cast a bunch of 240gr lead bullets to use in my Marlin and Super Blackhawk. I haven't tested them yet but will try Unique but more likely some Blue Dot loads too. Any of the medium slow powders for handguns and shotguns should work.

Yes sir. And I do have the rifle fixed now. The Puma is running good. I am really impressed with the overall rifle. Thank you for the info on the cartridge rail guide.

I plan to try some cast lead. I think MBC will run custom sizing. I will need to slug the barrel. I will do that next time I tear the rifle down so I can push a slug down the barrel.

 

[Leatherbark]

That 10 grain Unique load with the 240 grain XTP is doing with a 240 boolit what a 44-40 with a 200-grain bullet did back in the day with Black Powder and a 24-inch barrel. Those 44-40 loads back then accounted for a lot of good and bad guys along with plenty of game to eat. So as far as a general-purpose load I like it...................Bob

 

[buck460XVR]

One needs to remember, you reload the cartridge, not the gun, so any published load that will work in a handgun, will also work in it's PC long gun. I would tho, in the case of using jacketed bullets, refrain from any load that shows less that 800 fps in the handgun, for fear of a stuck bullet in the long gun. I use published Unique handgun loads for .357 and .44 mag and have never had an issue. 7.5 gr of unique under a 158 jacketed in .357 is my favorite plinking load from my Rossi 92. Lyman shows a charge of 10.8-12 gr under a 240 pill in their rifle section....the exact same as in their handgun section.

 

[3Crows]

Thanks.

I did load some 240 XTP with 10 grains of Unique. Fortunately I have decent supply of both for the time being. I clocked essentially an average of 1200 fps to 1240 fps from my Rossi R92 with 16 inches barrel. I have not done any accuracy testing of the load. I have only run some factory ammo on targets at 25 yards and the rifle seems accurate for what it is, very good groups. I tell you, at least for load testing, I may have to temporarily mount a scope. I just plain cannot see irons anymore .

I need to shoot some more but I am thinking to bump the load just a smidge, 10.2, maybe 10.5 maximum. My data shows 10.7 grains to be the maximum load for the 240 XTP. I may also reconsider my long term disillusionment with cast bullets and run some. At least coated or plated.

And, the 10 grains load did not add additional bruises to my arms and shoulder . Much softer than the factory WWB and Federal 240 jacketed loads.