YOUR favorite 44 Mag loadings??

[Sully]

OK guys. Just got done burning up about $40 worth of Hornady JHP's in the back yard. 200 grain at 1500 is what they are advertised and they seem to be "a tad warm"...if ya get my drift. I normally use Alliant powders but also have 231 and I can always buy a pound of this or that. What Id like is some of all of your favorite 44 mag reloads. They dont have to be the "I'll kill that buffalo with one shot" sort of thing...but Im "thinking" about BOTH a 210 grain and a 240 grain LSWC at "about 1100 FPS ( ?? Im guessing here at fps at this point)

[white eagle]

I don,t use boolits that small
the smallest I use are 250 gr those are Keiths
my main load uses a 320 gr gck'd boolit

[454PB]

One of my favorites:

Any 250 gr. cast SWC in front of 15 grs. of BlueDot.

[felix]

Excellent load! ... felix

[2 dogs]

I like the 429215 GC at 215 grains at 1550 fps or so out of a 7.5 inch barrel blackhawk. Try 23 grains of 2400 on a standard primer after working up....

[Sully]

I like the 429215 GC at 215 grains at 1550 fps or so out of a 7.5 inch barrel blackhawk. Try 23 grains of 2400 on a standard primer after working up....

Might try that with 20 grains...should do about 1200 FPS...thats "more" the speed Im looking at. Thanks!
EDIT: OH! You stated 215 grains...I read that to be 250 grains. Thanks ...I'll try that one

[MtGun44]

10gr Unique under Keith 250 gr boolit (Lyman 429421 or H&G 503 or RCBS 44-250-K are
excellent examples) for about 1050 from 4" S&W 629 Mountain Gun.

Hunting load is 20.0 2400 under same boolit for about 1350 (IIRC) from 6.5" S&W
629.

SBH takes the same loads but my example needs fatter boolits to fit the fatter throats.

Both are nearly universally good shooting in multiple different .44 mags.

Bill

[fredj338]

If you want mild 200-215gr loads, 9-10gr of Unique is all you need. Good for about 1000-1100fps.

[Sully]

Now we are talking fellas...

Those 200gr Hornadys at 1500 were fun but you had to grip that 629 tight...lol. And at $38.95 a box of 20....that could get might $$$$$

[curiousgeorge]

Try 8.0 / 9.0 / or 10.0 grs Unique under the 429421 bullet or any other 250 - 260 gr bullet.

I personally keep an RCBS piggyback set up just for the 8.0 gr load with the 429421. My favorite packing load in a 4.75 Ruger SBH. Will put a hurt on anything I will come across here in central Kentucky (4 legged or 2 legged). Not the most powerful by any stretch, but is a pleasure to shoot if just hunting for paper or rock targets, and will surprise you on 25 yard coyote or deer size targets. Just my two cents worth.


Steve

[nes4ever69]

lee 240 grn tl with 7 grn of trail boss. easy to shoot and i can keep tight groups with it in my 629.

the other one i have shot was a 210 grain jacketed hollow point back by some tight group.

[phaessler]

I have a fondness for the Lee 430-310 with 18.0gn 2400 behind it, works well in both my Redhawk, and Marlin 1894, or even the Lyman 429640.

Pete

[Three44s]

A powder that I like for J-words from 180 gr. to 240 gr. and boolits from 200 to 250 gr. is HS-6.

My best of these is HS-6 at 11.8 gr. pushing a RCBS 250K boolit and lit by the Federal large magnum pistol primer.

I have and have used a good many powders in the .44 and find it to be a most agreeable round to load for but I have found few loads that can top the above load for general shooting.

Three 44s

[luvtn]

I have a fondness for the Lee 430-310 with 18.0gn 2400 behind it, works well in both my Redhawk, and Marlin 1894, or even the Lyman 429640.

Pete

Hi,
How many fps does that give out of the Redhawk? I have a 4 inch Redhawk.
lt

[Ole]

10.0 grains of Unique with the Lee 200 gr RNFP.

22.0 grains of H110 with the 265 gr Ranch Dog bullet.

[CATS]

First get out your load manual.
Like 2400 for full power loads. Like Unique and Trail Boss for plinkin, load diff levels and see what you and your .44 both like. I like to have some light loads to finish with so hand sting is not the last thing I feel. I also like to have lightish loads to run flinch drills and for when I let some one else play. I think you will find that you like several loads, besides, you get to shoot more finding what you like. Hope that helps.

[oscarflytyer]

Haven't loaded 44 Mag in years, so all my data/loads are out of date. But once I rework, I will most likely go with 2400 and 250 cast Keiths.

Have been loading 44 SPC alot lately and having good luck with Power Pistol and the std Unique.

[Sully]

Haven't loaded 44 Mag in years, so all my data/loads are out of date. But once I rework, I will most likely go with 2400 and 250 cast Keiths.

Have been loading 44 SPC alot lately and having good luck with Power Pistol and the std Unique.

Favorite 44 Special loads are fine too partner!

[Sully]

those +- 10gr Unique loads seem to be a hit with the "milk jug and stump killing" crowd!!

[peerlesscowboy]

Lyman 429215 (215gr swc), std LP primer & 20gr 2400.

Anymore, recoil bothers my arthritic wrist & hand. This load ain't too bad in that regard, good everyday "packin' around" load :Fire:

John C. Saubak

[Fire_stick]

I don't really have what I would call a favorite yet, but 8.0 grains of Universal behind a RD TLC432-265RF is what my Ruger SBH likes best so far.

[geargnasher]

Elmer's load, on a diet. (250 Ideal 429421, 16:1, 19.8 grains of 2400, Federal STANDARD primer. Your gun might like 19 or it might like 20.3, dial it in.

I have no advice for J-words.

Gear

[HeavyMetal]

I have only two loads for the 44 mag;

250 Kieth, lyman 429421 HP or the RCBS copy, over WW296, usually about 22 grains, depending on the gun.

250 Kieth or the full wadcutter GB boolit 10 grain Unique

Thes two loads will cover everything from plinking to hunting and never cause you to worry about gettin it done.

[44 flattop]

Some 30+ years ago I had 1 .44 mag load. The 429215 and 9 grs of Unique. Man I killed a lot of deer from pistols with that load.

Since then I went to any 250-275gr SWC and 9grs of Unique from rifle or pistol. My Marlins absolutely love an RCBS 255gr PB and 9grs of Unique usually shooting 1 hole 50 yard groups.

For hunting I use a 260gr cast and 23grs of W296. Shoots plumb through elk!

For a .44 special load I really like Skeeters load. A 255gr SWC and 7 1/2grs of Unique which does about 950 fps from my .44 specials and 1200 fps from Marlins. I have over 1000 of just this load loaded at all times, I shoot it nearly every day:D

44

[saz]

those +- 10gr Unique loads seem to be a hit with the "milk jug and stump killing" crowd!!

I dont know about stumps and milk jugs, but I use 9.5 grs unique under a saeco 441 (240 kieth) and standard primer does 1100 out of my 4 5/8" SBH. Fun load to shoot and would disbatch anything up to caribou or elk in a pinch. My other is a Lee 310 on top of 21.5 grs Lil Gun for 1250- that is my bear load and surprisingly accurate. I can hold that one to 4 or 5" @50yds offhand. I LOVE the 44 Mag!!!!!

[stubshaft]

20.0 2400 with a 245gr boolit.

[Sully]

Lyman 429215 (215gr swc), std LP primer & 20gr 2400.

Anymore, recoil bothers my arthritic wrist & hand. This load ain't too bad in that regard, good everyday "packin' around" load :Fire:

John C. Saubak

That load ought to get right on down the pike in a hurry!!

[bobthenailer]

saeco # 420 - 200gr tc - 5.5 TG or BE @ 800 fps-- 7.0 TG or BE @ 900 fps -- 13 gr HS6 @ 1200 fps . 19.5 surplus 820 with a RCBS 240 gc sil bullet @ 1350 fps
These loads have proven very accurate out of ove 6 different 44 mags

[Sully]

I dont know about stumps and milk jugs, but I use 9.5 grs unique under a saeco 441 (240 kieth) and standard primer does 1100 out of my 4 5/8" SBH. Fun load to shoot and would disbatch anything up to caribou or elk in a pinch. My other is a Lee 310 on top of 21.5 grs Lil Gun for 1250- that is my bear load and surprisingly accurate. I can hold that one to 4 or 5" @50yds offhand. I LOVE the 44 Mag!!!!!

I'll stay away from your bear round....:)...but your first one?? Now that sounds right up my alley. Thanks!

[white eagle]

Why so sedate of loads ? sounds like you want 44 sp.loads....
In the mag 21.5 gr and a 320 gr Accurate or 21.5 2400 for the 250 gr Accurate Keith
I know not what you asked but that is what I use in the mag

[jlchucker]

That load ought to get right on down the pike in a hurry!!

It's the very load that I've used for years in my Winchester trapper carbine. I've loaded it at 21 grains with no noticeable improvement in accuracy, so this one you've quoted has long been my main one for that gun. I don't have a 44 mag revolver so I can't comment on that.

[Sully]

Why so sedate of loads ? sounds like you want 44 sp.loads....
In the mag 21.5 gr and a 320 gr Accurate or 21.5 2400 for the 250 gr Accurate Keith
I know not what you asked but that is what I use in the mag

Because I see no reason to burn up the powder; tear up my wrist; and waste all my reloading effort on loads as you have described....just to shoot at the local dump...or to "kill" water filled milk jugs!

Im trying to get a feel for what the AVERAGE guy shoots 90% of the time thru his pistol...not the MAXIMUM load he can fire. I can find that sort of data in any loading manual and probably 20 places online.

[peerlesscowboy]

That load ought to get right on down the pike in a hurry!!
If I chronographed it I must'a forgot to record it? It's listed as the "starting" load in Lymans #3 Cast Bullet Handbook at 986 fps.

John C. Saubak

[Gunsmoke4570]

I load the Lyman 429421 Keith with 20gr of 2400 for my standard heavy load and the same boolit over 8-9gr of Unique for general purpose use. For light target work, I load 215gr LSWC over 5.5gr of Bullseye in a 44 Special@ ase. I've used these loads in my M29, Redhawk, and my brother's SRH to great effect. I just got a 300LFN mold I am going to start working loads up for my Ruger RH and my brother's SRH.

[midnight]

Unique for the light loads and 2400/AA#9/296/or H110 for the heavies. All these powders work well for me.

Bob

[white eagle]

Sully no offense implied
but I do consider myself average
and those loads I shoot 100 % of the time in my mag
you ought to see what I shoot in my 45 colt

[Sully]

Sully no offense implied
but I do consider myself average
and those loads I shoot 100 % of the time in my mag
you ought to see what I shoot in my 45 colt

"I see no reason to burn up the powder; tear up my wrist; and waste all my reloading effort on loads as you have described....just to shoot at the local dump...or to "kill" water filled milk jugs!.."

[TCFAN]

For me I use my Marlin Cowboy Limited 44mag as a 44-40. So I load a Lee 200gr. RNFP with 9.5gr of Unique.Very accurate and low recoil but will make a steel 8 inch plate dance at 100 yards.

If I have to load to Mag power and velocity then I use the RD 432-265 with H110/2400/296 powder.

The load with 9.5 Unique is really all I need with the Lee or 429215 boolits here in Missouri...............Terry

[CATS]

Ok, so for plinker loads Unique is nice for me. As I posted before, I have a several loads that span the range in my load books. I start near the bottom of the listed loads and then increase a little for the next bunch. When I go to the range I shoot what feels good on that day and what has proven to group well for me. I have the sights set for hunting loads which is close enough for me with my plinker loads. I use a firm crimp on all of my loads. Load some, shoot some and come back and tell us what you found to be fun! :)
CATS

[ScottJ]

For really light try Trail Boss. I went with 6.6gr when first trying tumble lube 240gr SWC. Recoil felt like my .380 Bersa but they chronoed around 840 fps out of my 6.5" 629 Classic.

They were just the ticket to have on hand for a new shooter I was introducing who wanted to shoot the "Dirty Harry" gun.

I was so successful with those I decided to try 8.5 gr of Unique under the same boolit. These are warmer (have not run across the chrono yet) and plenty accurate and an entire box of 50 went downrange with no leading.

[JudgeBAC]

429421 10 grs. Unique. Standard Deviation 4, it really is consistent, quite accurate and goes 1147 fps. out of a 5.5" bbl. While working up warmer loads for the .44 special, Keith stated he wanted 1200 fps with a 250 gr. bullet.

265 gr. ranch dog LLA 19.8 grs. 4227. very accurate in my 29-10.

[EDK]

I have a lot of different moulds and sometimes things get interesting since my current favorites are VAQUEROS and BISLEY VAQUEROS with fixed sights. Most are 5.5 inch, but I have a pair of 7.5 inch guns too...my cable service has PALADIN re-runs at 5:30. AND I try to get the cartridge over all length adjusted so they'll feed in my MARLIN Cowboy rifles.

Today was Blammer's group buy clone of LYMAN 429352 (full wadcutter) over 6.0 of TITEGROUP. (Forget that one for the rifles!) Over the week end were the NOE clone of RANCH DOG's 432 265 round nose flat point and clones of 429421 from MIHEC and MMA10MM's group buy from LEE. Powder charges were 6.0 to 8.0 of TITEGROUP and HP38.

For plinking and target, I use the Cowboy Action Shooting data as a starting point. You need to compare data from multiple sources...and check the date on it. My old LYMAN books show considerably hotter loads than present editions. Data varies on "old 2400 and UNIQUE" and current powders.

If you like them hot, I'm not much help. I had carpal tunnel surgery over 10 years ago and I'm starting to show symptoms of it again. A lot of the guys who really talked up the 454, 475 and 500 LINEBAUGH (and their copies/clones) are paying for their fun now...a 44 Special or 45 Colt looks better to aching wrists.

:Fire::cbpour::redneck:

[saz]

"Im trying to get a feel for what the AVERAGE guy shoots 90% of the time thru his pistol...not the MAXIMUM load he can fire. I can find that sort of data in any loading manual and probably 20 places online."



I burn up about 2:1 ratio of unique to Lil Gun loads, as I like to shoot enough full house loads to be confident if I ever had to use it for defense. Plus I like it when the ol 44 barks a bit. It always puts a smile on my face!!!

[bigjake]

I dont know if it's my favorite, but for fun, because it looks cool too, (at least folks tell me so) and I think so too 8-)
180 gr. jackets packed to the hilt with Win. 296, fired at night. Tons of unburned powder fire coming out of the barrel and the cylinder. :Fire:
As I get older though, I am starting to like the tamed down loads, ones with 200 gr. lead and unique or light, blue dot loads.

[HammerMTB]

I like my Lee 300RFGC in front of 22 of WW296. Not for the faint of heart, it will git-r-dun when it comes whompin' time.

[rintinglen]

17.5 grains of 2400 under a 44-250 is my favorite these days. It is so darned accurate and doesn't beat me up too much. I am feeling my years more these days. 25 years ago I used 22 grains of 2400 but that is a little more manly than I care for now. Here in Huntungton Beach, there are darned few buffalo any more. I reckon the grizzlies must've ate 'em all before they left.

[NHlever]

I like my Lee 300RFGC in front of 22 of WW296. Not for the faint of heart, it will git-r-dun when it comes whompin' time.

While I can agree with this comment, and certainly have been down this road myself, you will find that practice, a cool head, and a steady hand delivering a well constructed bullet to a vital spot are the things most needed at whompin time. I read an article by an Alaskan fishing guide that made a strong case for a .357 loaded with stoutly constructed 180 grain bullets as a bear gun. He carried one for years, and his daughter carries one now. He also claims to have stopped ( or shot perhaps more likely) one Brown bear with that combo. Straight penetration to a nerve center when under great pressure is vital for "stopping".

[HammerMTB]

While I can agree with this comment, and certainly have been down this road myself, you will find that practice, a cool head, and a steady hand delivering a well constructed bullet to a vital spot are the things most needed at whompin time. I read an article by an Alaskan fishing guide that made a strong case for a .357 loaded with stoutly constructed 180 grain bullets as a bear gun. He carried one for years, and his daughter carries one now. He also claims to have stopped ( or shot perhaps more likely) one Brown bear with that combo. Straight penetration to a nerve center when under great pressure is vital for "stopping".

I "will find..."?
I'm sure your advice is well-intentioned, but
You may want to consider that you seem to have drawn far too much conclusion from far too little evidence.
And as far as what size caliber is adequate for what size game, there will be an article espousing the benefits of almost anything for almost anything. It don't make it right, just one person's opinion.

[1Shirt]

I am partial to 20 gr. of 2400 under any hardcast plain base 240-260 gr Kieth style blt.
Also shoot a fair amount of Blue dot.
1Shirt.:coffeecom

[Three44s]

I am partial to 20 gr. of 2400 under any hardcast plain base 240-260 gr Kieth style blt.
Also shoot a fair amount of Blue dot.
1Shirt.:coffeecom

That mirrors what I pack when the black bears are out.

20.0 gr. of 2400 pushing the RCBS 250K .... they average about 255 gr. and I lite them off with standard primers.

If I want to run things up a bit I push 20.5 or .6 gr. and leave the rest the same.

I USED to run 21.0 gr. of 2400 but my Mountain gun was taking a beating as I was.

For a MV of 1300 fps I was beating up both ends. At 20.0 gr. I get 1262 fps.

Does a bear really know the difference at close range between 1262 and 1300?

Sans bears ........... it's the HS-6 load I mentioned in the earlier post.

Three 44s

[Sully]

1 shirt & thre44's: Loads as you describe is most probably what I'll lean towards for "heavies" and I'll always have some of these Hornady XTP's close at hand....but I find the 200gr Hornady at 1500 fps and the 240 at 1350 a tad too much for constant shooting at tree stumps....along with the ungodly cost ( Geeze!!)

and about 9-9.5 grs of Unique with a 200-215 or even a 240 LSWC for milk jug shooting contests....")....should do me pretty decent. Thanks!

[shootingbuff]

RCBS 245K with Unique and AA9.

I have not worked with the 200 or 300s yet that I have and sometimes I wonder why I ever got them ;-) From casting to shooting I really like that 245K.

sb

[LUCKYDAWG13]

240gr xtp 24gr H110 i dont have a cast load yet

[Sully]

RCBS 245K with Unique and AA9.

I have not worked with the 200 or 300s yet that I have and sometimes I wonder why I ever got them ;-) From casting to shooting I really like that 245K.

sb

240-250 is a good all around size IMHO...

[shootingbuff]

240-250 is a good all around size IMHO...

I'll do most anything a normal person :smile: would need a handgun to do.

[x101airborne]

If I were a monk, I would sit cross legged and chant.. HHHOOOOOOMMMMMMM........ Stay with unique. It doesnt hurt. It will kill a black bear or deer. HHHOOOOOMMMMMMM...... Nothing knows the darn difference but you. HHHOOOOOOMMMMMMMM..... Repeat.

Finding serenity with a load (pun intended) means more to you than anything else. A hit at 1100 fps is better than a high velocty miss at 1400 fps. I have quit after 15 years of shooting magnums for no damn reason due to carpel tunnel. I can DRILL cans at 100 yards with a 260K boolit at 1000 fps. No deer or black bear can stand that in the heart or lungs. I have neve had one complain that they were not shot with a 1400 fps load.

[Sully]

If I were a monk, I would sit cross legged and chant.. HHHOOOOOOMMMMMMM........ Stay with unique. It doesnt hurt. It will kill a black bear or deer. HHHOOOOOMMMMMMM...... Nothing knows the darn difference but you. HHHOOOOOOMMMMMMMM..... Repeat.

Finding serenity with a load (pun intended) means more to you than anything else. A hit at 1100 fps is better than a high velocty miss at 1400 fps. I have quit after 15 years of shooting magnums for no damn reason due to carpel tunnel. I can DRILL cans at 100 yards with a 260K boolit at 1000 fps. No deer or black bear can stand that in the heart or lungs. I have neve had one complain that they were not shot with a 1400 fps load.

I know about the carpel deal...geeze. Was getting it in my left wrist...last fall on a fly fishing trip to the Tetons..I fell in the rocks...broke the wrist. It healed but the doc says it will never be like brand new...and I couldnt jack the slide back on my 1911's..or my brand new S&W MP9c that had had 12 shots run thru it. It was so bad I had to have a buddy come and jack the slide back to unload the M&P...hench mint shape Kimbers went to the gun store and I walked out with a 686 and a 629...then later picked up my M617 22 rimfire...but thank god its in my LEFT wrist and Im right handed!!!


Ive decided that W21=31 and Unique will be my main powders for "pop can shooting" and I'll hold back the 2400 for the "bear killers" that will be "about" a 240 LSWC at "about"1300-1400 fps.......and I'll keep a "6-pack" of those jacketed 240 gr HP Hornadys at 1350 back just for good luck!

[bigjake]

240gr xtp 24gr H110 i dont have a cast load yet

thats a strong load :-)

I'll use that same powder charge behind my lee 240 gr. TL cast with hard babbit lead. no leading either.

[NHlever]

I "will find..."?
I'm sure your advice is well-intentioned, but
You may want to consider that you seem to have drawn far too much conclusion from far too little evidence.
And as far as what size caliber is adequate for what size game, there will be an article espousing the benefits of almost anything for almost anything. It don't make it right, just one person's opinion.

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to direct that comment at "YOU", and I should have said that most will find. I guess I was thinking about the stories I've read about handguns used to attempt to stop bears where the shooter was still killed V.S. the story of the woman that stopped a big brown feet from her with one practiced shot to the brain....... maybe luck, but she had a lot of practice, and training too. Use what works for you in any case.