what to do when there is no loading data: 44 Mag 44 Spl

[catkiller45]

I have on hand some 220 gr cast HP bullets I want to get both 44 special and 44 mag.loading data..Of which I have found nothing for that weight bullet..So what are your suggestions? Thanks

[Rcmaveric]

Is there data for a bullet weight close to what you have? You can extrapolate from that.

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[JBinMN]

Generally you can use the next greater weight load data for a lighter boolit/bullet, IF the weight of the next greater boolit/bullet is within a reasonable amount of weight above the lower grain projectile. I generally use the 10 grain rule or less. If the weight of the next higher/greater weight projectile is within 10 gr. or less of the desired lesser /lower weight projectile, then I feel safe enough using the 10% from Max. rule below to extrapolate load data ranges in grains. for the heavier projectile to the lower weight projectile & work my way up from there.

( A chronograph is quite useful as well in doing this as you can compare velocities to the loads as they are fired & see how those posted velocities match up with your testing. Velocity will reflect pressure & help you decide if you are pushing the limit of your tests for that particular lesser weight boolit as you work up.)

So , if you you have data for a 225 gr. projectile, you could use that data for a 220gr projectile, working up slowly & using the Start weight for grains using 10% of Max rule - so I would suggest START- ing loads at usually 10% of Max load, while looking for pressure signs like hard extraction of the fired case/lift of bolt handle, primers backing out or cratering, etc. as you progress up in grains to the MAX load. I also suggest using 1 tenth/inch steps ( 0.01") in grains with handguns as the load data ranges are usually smaller than the rifle load ranges where one can usually go up in steps of 3 tenths/inch at a time( 0.03").

Keep an eye on the OAL length of the round , so you do not put the base of the projectile in further than the one load data you are using or pressure can build quite fast. You can usually find projectile dimensions from the mnfr of the projectile or from the mnfr of the mold used to cast the projectiles.

NOTE - DO NOT use this process the other way around with a lighter projectile load data for a heavier projectile or usually bad things can happen, like injuries, etc. or damage to ones firearm or both.

Below is some data for 44 Special & 44 Mag for you to look at. Sources are provided for you to go look for yourself. I just found & brought them here in a short time. There are likely more if you look further.

G'Luck!
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Here is some data from handloads.com( Vitavuori powders) for a 44 Special using 220gr. boolits/bullets:

220gr FPJ 6.4 gr VV N320 894 fps 1.469" Vihtavuori
Suggested starting load: 5.8 gr

220gr FPJ 7.4 gr VV N330 952 fps 1.469" Vihtavuori
Suggested starting load: 6.7 gr

220gr FPJ 7.6 gr VV N340 932 fps 1.469" Vihtavuori
Suggested starting load: 6.8 gr

220gr FPJ 8.8 gr VV N350 974 fps 1.469" Vihtavuori
Suggested starting load: 7.9 gr

Source: Handloads.com https://web.archive.org/web/20170820...Powder&Source=

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Here is some data from handloads.com( Vitavuori powders) for a 44 Special using 222gr. boolits/bullets:

Start loads would be about 10% less than Max load
Note the charges are the Maximum charges in grains Max Charge

44 Special 222 RCBS 44-225-SWC 222gr sr 4759 13.3 759 0.000 CastData R1
44 Special 222 RCBS 44-225-SWC 222gr 2400 12.8 823 0.000 CastData R1
44 Special 222 RCBS 44-225-SWC 222gr HS-6 7.6 726 0.000 CastData R1
44 Special 222 RCBS 44-225-SWC 222gr sr 7625 7.5 845 0.000 CastData R1
44 Special 222 RCBS 44-225-SWC 222gr unique 6.6 793 0.000 CastData R1
44 Special 222 RCBS 44-225-SWC 222gr HP-38 5.0 776 0.000 CastData R1

Source: http://castpics.net/dpl/index.php/re...et-data-lookup
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Here is some data from castpics.net for a 44mag using 225gr. boolits/bullets:
Start loads would be about 10% less than Max load

Note the charges are the Maximum charges in grains Max Charge

44 Magnum 225 RCBS 44-225-SWC 225gr win 296 24.3 1418 0.000 CastData R1
44 Magnum 225 RCBS 44-225-SWC 225gr imr 4227 21.5 1266 0.000 CastData R1
44 Magnum 225 RCBS 44-225-SWC 225gr HS-6 15.7 1514 0.000 CastData R1
44 Magnum 225 RCBS 44-225-SWC 225gr unique 11.8 1299 0.000 CastData R1
44 Magnum 225 RCBS 44-225-SWC 225gr win 231 11.3 1320 0.000 CastData R1
44 Magnum 225 RCBS 44-225-SWC 225gr bullseye 6.5 925 0.000 CastData R1

Source: http://castpics.net/dpl/index.php/re...et-data-lookup
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Here is some data from Stevespages for a 44mag using 220gr. boolits/bullets:

2400 From 19.5 grains to 22.7 grains
CCI-350 Primer

AA-7 From 15.2 grains to 18.0 grains
CCI-350 Primer

AA-9 From 18.6 grains to 21.6 grains
CCI-350 Primer

Blue Dot From 14.6 grains to 17.8 grains
CCI-350 Primer

H-110 From 22.4 grains to 25.3 grains
CCI-350 Primer

IMR-4227 From 21.6 grains to 25.8 grains
CCI-350 Primer

N-110 From 17.6 grains to 22.0 grains
CCI-350 Primer

W-296 From 22.5 grains to 26.0 grains
CCI-350 Primer

Source: http://stevespages.com/429_1_220.html

[drac0nic]

How I do it:
-Start with a heavier weight bullet's load data.
-If it's a cast bullet I use a J-word bullet Lead has better lubricity so pressure will be lower. Do not do this in reverse e.g. don't use cast data for j-word bullets.
-Be conscious of bullet OAL. The big thing you want to do is have the bullet be in the case as far as the original or further out. If it's further in additional load reduction is probably required
-Start low and work your way up. Beware of 296/H110 if you're going to do this. I've had good luck running Lee 105 SWCs with 110gr XTP data but it has a rep as a finicky powder. I don't see it listed at this weight so you're probably safe. Follow mfg guidelines for this
-Look through diverse sources. You may find something that you didn't realize you had. If you have Lee dies the load data there for instance. The Lee book seems to have a few (although not many) loads for both Special and mag with a 220gr cast bullet.


Hodgdon's web site has data for 220s in 44 mag and special with over a dozen loads for J-word bullets. Because of the better lubricity of lead vs copper you can use that data for cast bullets but not the other way around. As an example I tend to use Hornady 110 XTP data with my powder coated Lee 105 SWCs.

Alliant has some 225 cast data I would use that with your 220s if you're in that camp. Data was for Unique and 2400. If you don't have powder I will give Unique an endorsement here except its dirty. In terms of doing load ups it's probably one of the most goof proof powders out there and it would easily cover both calibers.

Do you have powders yet or a powder in mind? If I were buying as said I would be getting Unique.

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

JBinMN,
excellent post.

To the OP, I moved your thread to a more appropriate section and added calibers to your title so it's more searchable.

[Wayne Smith]

Sierra used to make a 220gr 44 caliber bullet. I'll bet they still have some data for it. It would be a start point.

[reddog81]

I start by figuring out the amount of bullet in the case and then try to find data for a bullet that takes up a similar amount of space in the case. Some SWCs have a small nose and big body while other have a large front driving band and large nose. This data point can be helpful for finding the most appropriate starting point.

One of my favorite bullets for 38 Special is the Lee 140 SWC, but there's no load data out there for it and the bullet takes up more case room than most 158 grain bullets! I have 124 grain 9mm mold that seats deeper than 140 grain mold and they're both TC's. Weight does matter but sometimes bullet design also plays a big part.

In a large case like 44 Special you've got some wiggle room and often times load data for a bullet within 10 grains will be the same or very similar. Even 200 and 240 grain loads will often times have data that overlaps. Any data that's safe for 200 and 240 grain bullets should be fine with a 220 grain bullet assuming you use basic reloading principals.

[garrisonjoe]

For any reasonable velocity cast bullet load in .44 mag or special, you will be fine using data from a cast bullet 225 grain load OR even a 250 grain load for the cartridge you are loading. Cast bullets have a pretty constant internal structure, not changing every five years like jacketed bullet construction has been doing.

It's safe (when loaded and tested with normal caution) because published cast bullet loads are not at max pressure for most guns (to avoid heavy leading of the barrel). And because lead bullets deform easily and don't tend to raise pressures as quickly as jacketed loads do. And cast bullets are a simple uniform internal composition.

If you have concerns, then do the normal safety step of backing powder charges off to the starting load data, and work up to a nice load.

See Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook for both starting and maximum cast bullet load data. Match your bullet alloy to your expected velocity to avoid leading.

[Conditor22]

Like JB said you can always use data from a heavier boolit then work up until you find what you like

[JBinMN]

delete msg

Here...... I fixed it for ya.






Note to OP> be aware that the data above is for a jacketed boolit + the manual is from 1989, so the data may be a little higher/different than load data from more recent times.

[drac0nic]

I am curious that the loads for 296/H110 are actually different. Usually they're the same.

[DougGuy]

I am curious that the loads for 296/H110 are actually different. Usually they're the same.

They are the same powder, made in the same plant, labeled for Hornady H110, or Winchester W296. The only variations are normal lot-to-lot variations that occur with all powders. It's possible two different lots were used in the testing and different pressure curves dictated different charge weights.