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Thread: Light 44 mag loads

  1. #1
    Boolit Bub
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    Light 44 mag loads

    I was watching a You Tube video on shooting light loads in a 44 mag rifle. He was using 250 gr cast bullets and only pushing the at around 460 fps with Trail Boss. But he didn't want to tell the load data. Does anyone have a idea on how much Trail Boss to use? Thank you!

  2. #2
    Boolit Grand Master Outpost75's Avatar
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    Don't know about Trail Boss, but 4 grains of Bullseye with a soft, 240-grain lubricated lead bullet will exit a rifle barrel every time, but NOT with jacketed as you will stick one in the bore.
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  3. #3
    Boolit Bub
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    Thanks Outpost75, I have Bullseye too!

  4. #4
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    Quote Originally Posted by Outpost75 View Post
    Don't know about Trail Boss, but 4 grains of Bullseye with a soft, 240-grain lubricated lead bullet will exit a rifle barrel every time, but NOT with jacketed as you will stick one in the bore.
    Always worth reading what you post good sir!
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  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by Outpost75 View Post
    Don't know about Trail Boss, but 4 grains of Bullseye with a soft, 240-grain lubricated lead bullet will exit a rifle barrel every time, but NOT with jacketed as you will stick one in the bore.
    I'm quoting you, to express my "like" for your post. I really wish they would add a "like" option.

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  6. #6
    Boolit Grand Master GhostHawk's Avatar
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    I have shot a lot of 6 and 6.5 grains of Red Dot under 200 and 220gr cast in my Handi rifle. No idea what it would feel like in a pistol. Nice load for the rifle though.
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  7. #7
    Boolit Bub
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    Thanks GhostHawk, I'll be shooting it out of a CVA hunter rifle.

  8. #8
    Boolit Master
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    I have a 44 mag J.M. What about using 44 special brass and use a heavier boolit and seat a little longer? Unique or VN340 would be a good start. It's raining here so I may do that today. I have 180--310 grain to play with and some primers. I could test them in my S.R.H. I think both have a 1 in 20 twist. Going slow you could use Cowboy data.
    Last edited by 45DUDE; 06-18-2023 at 01:55 PM.

  9. #9
    Boolit Grand Master Outpost75's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by GhostHawk View Post
    I have shot a lot of 6 and 6.5 grains of Red Dot under 200 and 220gr cast in my Handi rifle. No idea what it would feel like in a pistol. Nice load for the rifle though.
    Equivalent to .44-40. Probably 900 fps in revolver.
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  10. #10
    Boolit Mold
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    I like Trail Boss for light loads. It's gotten me good consistency and accuracy. My velocities definitely aren't as low as what you cite, but they are slow. If you have Trail Boss on hand, Hodgdon's starting load is 4.0 grains in a .44 Special case pushing a 240 grain SWC for 673 fps in their test barrel.

    If you aren't satisfied with Hodgdon's starting load, perhaps work your way down with a good dowel and mallet standing by in case a bullet doesn't make it out.

  11. #11
    Boolit Bub
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    Thanks for all the info. Yes I have trail boss and I thought about trying some bullseye.

  12. #12
    Boolit Buddy B1GB1RD's Avatar
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    I shoot a 10" contender in our league, I shoot a 225 cast boolit, and I use 2 loads, one is 4.6 bullseye and the other is 5.0 trail boss, hope that helps
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  13. #13
    Boolit Master wilecoyote's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by 45DUDE View Post
    I have a 44 mag J.M. What about using 44 special brass and use a heavier boolit and seat a little longer? Unique or VN340 would be a good start. It's raining here so I may do that today. I have 180--310 grain to play with and some primers. I could test them in my S.R.H. I think both have a 1 in 20 twist. Going slow you could use Cowboy data.
    revolver only, in .44mag. for me: anyway 6 grs. of VN320 behaved very politely in .44spl. Starline as in every .44mag. brass.
    my lazy start behind 200/214/240 cast._
    dacron between powder and bullet in .44mag. cases, but only because I'm picky_
    Food is overrated. A nice rifle is way more important.
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  14. #14
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    Would this also be a good load for a RSBH 7.5 Barre I really need to find a light load for me

    4gr bullseye load
    kids that hunt and fish dont mug old ladies

  15. #15
    Boolit Master
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    For light loads 4 to 5 grains of bullseye used here.

    The 4 grain loads were for plates on a 50 foot indoor range. 5 grains is better when more distance is probable.

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Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check