Those Unpublished Middle Loads 44 Special - Magnum

[Obturation]

Have you tried magnum primers..

Yeah, small magnum rifle primer.

 

[Bazoo]

From handloader 237

 

[P Flados]

To get performance just above 44 Sp in a 44 Mag, an easy approach it to just go with 44 mag load data from a faster powder. I have loaded lots of 225 gr 44 mag rounds with just under a book max charge of Promo (using Red Dot data). Although these rounds may have a "magnum" chamber pressure, the pressure drops off much faster than when using a "magnum" powder and this makes for much less muzzle flash. The lower charge weight also reduces recoil.

The 2005 Alliant data handbook is a great resource for this type of reloading. I consider this data "safe" as it was done with modern transducers and the results include pressure in psi. http://marvinstuart.com/firearm/Manuals/Reloading/Vendor Supplied Load Data/Alliant Powder Reloaders Guide - 2005.pdf

Hodgdon on-line reload data for powders like Titegroup also works good for this role.

 

[P Flados]

FYI, I just ran Quickload to estimate rifle vs pistol velocities. For a full charge Red Dot load under a 225 gr cast bullet, changing barrel from Alliant's 5.7" to 18" increased speed by very close to 200 fps.

 

[P Flados]

One problem I’m having, as are most other reloaders, is that I only have a few powders to choose from. Some of the data from the magazines posted do not list powders or bullets I have.
(I appreciate the info though!)

I have Longshot, HS-6 and IMR-4227.

Of the above, HS-6 is the fastest powder you list and probably the most suitable for what you want. A little faster would probably work better, but if that is all you have it should work.

Hodgdon data for HS-6 is included for both 44 Sp and 44 Mag loads. HS-6 in reduced loads is not known to be "unsafe" like H110. HS-6 just gets very dirty burning at lower pressures. That is why they can included it in the listings for low pressure rounds like 38 Sp and 44 Sp. Looking at what they have, you probably want something in between. As a matter of fact, I would start real close to 1/2 way in between, try it and then adjust up or down to your liking.

 

[joneb]

This is all very good information, I have been frustrated with the accuracy out of my Redhawk

Not happy with Ruger's .434" throat diameters of the cylinder. Bad move IMHO. You will need a hot load to fill that gap.

 

[RealGun]

Midsouth has Shooter's World Heavy Pistol available with link to the loading manual indicating a broad loading range for 44 Mag Carbine, starting just above 1000 fps. Nothing there for lead bullets, so some extrapolation would be necessary.