Unigue behind Hornady 240 grain XTP and SWC 44 Sp.

[bamacrazy]

What performance should I expect from 6.4 grains of Unique with 240 grain .430" XTP and 240 grain Hornady .430" SWC? These will be shot out of 3.75" 44 mag Super Blackhawk and 4.2" Redhawk 44 mag.

 

[bamacrazy]

Primers are CCI 300.

 

[JimKirk]

(XTP) 750/800 fps....

 

[gamestalker]

I've always run Blue Dot, and I think 4756 also, but when using a jacketed bullets, and I really like them. There's some data over at Alliant also that would help offer some more options I bet.

I don't load anything but jacketed, so I can't really offer any advice regarding SWC's.

GS

 

[bamacrazy]

How would the felt recoil compare to factory mag loads with same projectile?

 

[Walkalong]

At the estimated 750/800 FPS, it will be substantially milder.

If we go to the max with midrange powders it can be sharper than a near max load of slow powder.

 

[Sunray]

6.4 grains of Unique is below minimum for a jacketed 240. .1 above minimum for a cast 240. Both Mag loads. According to Alliant.
Assuming the SWC is cast, it's 1 grain over max for the Special. That's not really a big deal.
Out of 3.75" 44 Mag either will have a great big muzzle flash. Felt recoil is subjective.

 

[Jlr2267]

that's a very mild load. I run 10gr with a 240gr hardcast bullet and it's a mid range 44 magnum load, not unpleasant at all.

^^^^
EDIT: to be clear, I'm loading in 44 magnum cases and shooting from a 44 magnum firearm, not 44sp.

I only load jacketed bullets full-tilt with H110 or 2400, so I can't help there. I personally would not waste xtp bullets on light range loads.

 

[gamestalker]

^^^ this.

Why waste good jacketed bullets on mild target loads? Reserve those for times when you want to shoot full tilt, that way you can have a load established for hunting and other full throttle needs.

GS

 

[yugorpk]

I run 9.5 grains of Unique with a 255 grain bullet for 950 ish FPS in a 45 colt. Nice mild cowboy load.

 

[Steve51]

I have a Super Blackhawk with 5.5" barrel. I use 6.6 gr. Unique for light loads and 7.5 gr. Unique for my normal woods carry load (Skeeter Skelton load). I load these in .44 spl. cases. I have good accuracy using these loads with 240 gr. Xtreme plated RNFP bullets and 250 gr. LSWC (Keith Style) bullets from Magnus Bullet Co.

I use 19.6 gr. of Alliant 2400 for magnum loads in magnum cases. I use 240 gr. Hornady HP XTP bullets for my magnum loads. I also shoot these loads in a Henry Big Boy .44 lever action rifle.

 

[bamacrazy]

Thanks for the advice! I loaded the 44 specials as a home defense load. Additional special or mild loads will get SWC bullets. In the future the XTPs will go into magnum cases pushed with 2400. I have FXT's for my 44 mag lever gun.