Need load data for 445 Super Mag

[hylander]

So I just reamed my Handi Rifle 44 out to 445 SM.
Not much data for the 445 Super Mag.
Most are jacketed loads or heavy G/C loads.
I am just looking for light to medium loads with a 240gr. non G/C boolit.

[Greg S]

If I was home I could give ya what I have. If I recall, ww 680 or 540, both long gone, 4227.... Check to see if a friend has a Sierra 3rd Edition Handgun manual which I recall correctly has 445SM data.

[hylander]

Wow, there is no Cast load data out there.
Looks like I get to be the Guinea pig.
Think I will start with Unique.
Lyman cast book shows 44 mag topping out at 11.7
So I think I will start at 12gr.
This is under a 240 PB Poly coated bullet.

Thoughts?

[Moleman-]

1.975" col, 240gr Lee swc and 12.0 gr Unique is a mild load at 24,553 psi, and 1476 fps for a QL guess on a 20" barrel.

13.0gr 1544 fps at 28Kpsi

14.0gr 1610 fps at 32kpsi

15.0gr 1673 fps at 37Kpsi

The only cast I've ever shot in my rimless wildcat of the 445SM the 310 gr RF with a gc and 2400, IMR4227 and Lilgun.

[GARD72977]

Pm sent on Load data

[hylander]

Thank guys,
Much appreciated

[hylander]

Well, I didn't blow up.
Loaded 12 and 12.5 of Unique
Quite the Puppy load as Moleman said.
Also accuracy was not the best.
So I will load up some 13 and 13.5gr.

[Moleman-]

I'll be taking mine out again before the end of the year using j-words. Looking at getting another 44 mold, I have a plain base 240 swc and the 310gr-gc. What 240gr bullet are you using and COL?

[curator]

One of the disadvantages of the Handi-rifle barrel is the SAAMI spec, bore with .431 to .433" groove diameter and rifling twist of 1 in 38". Mine shoots .433" Plain base boolits cast of WDWW (BHN22) that are 5/8 inch long at velocities of 1250-1300 fps. Longer boolits need more velocity to be accurate at anything past 50 yards. More velocity may also require gas checks and/or a harder alloy. Good move reaming to .445 Super magnum as it will move your boolit closer to the rifling leade than is possible with the factory chamber and .44 RemMag brass.

[hylander]

I'll be taking mine out again before the end of the year using j-words. Looking at getting another 44 mold, I have a plain base 240 swc and the 310gr-gc. What 240gr bullet are you using and COL?

240gr. RNFP, poly coated, plain base.
OCL: 1.90

Going to try some 240SWC as well

[Moonie]

When I had my 7445 Dan Wesson I loaded W680 until the supply ran out, AA1680 is a decent replacement however there are probably other powders that would do just as well now. Handloads.com has load data for 1680.

[lak]

Alright, let me throw my 2 cents in. I have an encore 24" 445 with 1-16 twist from MGM. Best group was RCBS 240 Sil. with 37 grains of 1680. Group was about 1.25" at 120 yards. The reason for the 1-16 twist was I had 10" 44 mag contender barrel which has 1-20 twist and a Winchester 44 carbine that has a the 1-38 twist. The contender barrel would out shot the Winchester with ease. Why in the world did these barrel manufacture use a such a slow twist with the 44 caliber. 41 caliber uses 1-14, 45 calibers use 1-16 and both have excellent accuracy, another reason I went with the 1-16