Looking for a light .44 load with 265 gr boolit

[ghh3rd]

My 12 yr old son went to the range with me recently and decided to try out the .44 Ruger SBH. I had just loaded some 265 gr boolits over 22gr of W296. I suggested that he stick with my .40, but he insisted on trying the .44, and managed to get off six rounds before giving in. Hopefully, he didn't develop a permanent flinch from the experience.

I'd like him to try again, this time with a light load. I have some .44 Special cases that I was thinking of loading with with the 265gr boolits (all I have are 265gr and 310gr boolits), but wondered if I should stick with Mag brass and load as light as I can safely to avoid having to clean rings out of my cylinder from the short brass.

Anyone have a suggestion for a light load for either Mag or Spcl brass? I currently have on hand 296, AA5, Bullseye, but any suggestions welcome.

Thanks

Randy

ps: I see that Lee offers a 214gr .44 mold. Would that make much difference in plinking comfort over the 265gr?

[HammerMTB]

My 12 yr old son went to the range with me recently and decided to try out the .44 Ruger SBH. I had just loaded some 265 gr boolits over 22gr of W296. I suggested that he stick with my .40, but he insisted on trying the .44, and managed to get off six rounds before giving in. Hopefully, he didn't develop a permanent flinch from the experience.

I'd like him to try again, this time with a light load. I have some .44 Special cases that I was thinking of loading with with the 265gr boolits (all I have are 265gr and 310gr boolits), but wondered if I should stick with Mag brass and load as light as I can safely to avoid having to clean rings out of my cylinder from the short brass.

Anyone have a suggestion for a light load for either Mag or Spcl brass? I currently have on hand 296, AA5, Bullseye, but any suggestions welcome.

Thanks

Randy

ps: I see that Lee offers a 214gr .44 mold. Would that make much difference in plinking comfort over the 265gr?

Obvoiusly, lighter bullets mean less recoil, given equal velocities.
I use 10 gr Unique under that 265 gr boolit with good accuracy and success.
You can make a good load with the AA5, too. check Wiljen's Reloader's Reference, it's bound to have something.
Bullseye would work for a low vel load, too, but would not be my choice for that app.
I just made up some 265's with the 296 powder tonight. Haven't been able to find 296 in less than 8 lb kegs of late. Got some today, so lookin' forward to some boomers....

[lwknight]

You can use unique on down to 7 grains for a nice mild load. Maybe less but the POI will be high due to slower boolits
I like using 8 grains WSF for plinkers. about 800 fps. 10 grains will get you about 1000 fps.
Cant go wrong with good old bullseye either. Try 5 grains. I bet you like it.

[Lloyd Smale]

5 grains of bullseye will work well at this level switching to a 215 wont make much difference

[chuckbuster]

Lighter bullet will help and sounds like a good reason (not an excuse) to acquire another mold.

I use TRAIL BOSS for .41 and .44 mag plinkers. I like the way it fills up the case compared to Unique, Bullseye and others.

[dale2242]

8.5 gr Unique under any boolit 215-265 gr is my favorite light load...dale

[Little Jim]

My 12 year old grandson dose ok with with a 240 gr gc from rcbs. 14 gr of 2400
hope this helps Little jim

[ghh3rd]

Thanks for the help.

[Bula]

Another vote for 8.5g of Unique under anything from 215 to 265.

[Slow Elk 45/70]

When I want a lite load....I use 14-17 gr. of 2400...Same powder I use for Mag. loads 215-265 gr boolits...Good Luck and keep that youg man shooting.

[Le Loup Solitaire]

I use this in my 44 Mag, but it will work fine in the 44 Special case. 9 grains of IMR 4756. The recoil is mild and it is an accurate load. My bullet is the H&G #503 a 260 grain semiwadcutter. LLS

[MT Gianni]

7 Gr Green dot in Mag cases gives you 1000 fps under a 429421. Try 5 gr in special cases.
Among the oldtime members of Shooters.com it is known as the "Shuz load". Thanks Ray, Gianni.

[warf73]

Here is my plinking load for my 44mag.

Brass - Winchester
Primer - CCI Large Mag Pistol Primer
Powder - Red Dot @ 5.0grs. (+.1)
Bullet - LEAD 240 gr. SWC

Fun load to shoot all day long my son cut his teeth with this load. Accuracy goes to pot beyond 25 yards with this load and my short barrel 44mag.
If you dont like that load you can go up to 6.5grs with fps of 905 according to alliant.

[RSOJim]

I have a 44 sp smith 624 with a 6-1/2" barrel. Shot some 235 grain boolits today with 5 grains of bullseye for the first time. I was really surprised with the accuracy. I let one of my shooting buddies try it. He did better than me. Darn that young 67 year old shooter. I am going to make some more of that load.

[LVRFAN]

I've been using 9 gr. of UNIQUE under a 250 gr. SWC for about 35 years now (got my first 44 Mag. at 15) and have yet to find a better easy shooting all-around load.

[vanilla_gorilla]

I load my 265 grain LSWC over either 6 or 7 grains of Bullseye. Out of my S&W M29, felt recoil is comparable to a .45 ACP.