310gr Lee in a short barrel .44 Mag

[Rick R]

I've tried this bullet with H110 in my .44 Mountain Gun and the muzzle flash could start forest fires! I'd like to shoot them in my new 4 5/8" SBH too but I'd like a more sedate loading for both guns. Not many grizzly bear in WV, might meet up with a 300# black bear but that hasn't happened in my 40 years afield. I'm thinking something putzing along under 1,000 fps, just stout enough to stop a charging chipmunk. ;)

I use a lot of Unique for most shooting, never tried 2400 but if it works better in short barrels I'm game. Any source of information would be appreciated.

TIA

[tek4260]

The Unique will get you there at somewhere around 9-10gr. I have been really impressed with HS-6 for midrange loads. 11 or 12 gr of is should get you where you are wanting velocity wise.

[Rick R]

Tek,

Thanks, I also found a partial pound of Bluedot in the powder bunker if that would be a better choice?

:?:

[tek4260]

Tek,

Thanks, I also found a partial pound of Bluedot in the powder bunker if that would be a better choice?

:?:

I have no idea. I have not experimented with it. I started getting serious into handgunning after reading Linebaugh's writings so I started and stayed with H110 and HS-6. I have seen no reason to change to other powders. With that said I do have Lilgun, 4227, Unique, Universal, 2400, SR-4756 on hand if the urge to experiment ever hits :)

[BOOM BOOM]

HI,
THE UNIQUE would be better in a short barrel due to fast pressure curve.
2400 is better in longer barrels, slower burn rate.:Fire::Fire:

[beagle]

Back when I was shooting a 4" M29, I noticed that the muzzle flash was a might bright with a bunch of WW296 and a 320 grain Keith and they smarted the hand a bit as well.

Loads in the 1100 FPS are obtainable with a whole series of powders and are cheaper to shoot than is the H110 and far more pleasant as well.

You're on the right track./beagle

[saz]

Rick,
I shoot a 4 5/8" SBH quite extensively, and I have used all the powders mentioned except blue dot. You are looking for 1000fps with the Lee 310 if I read correctly. H-110 you have to be careful loading that low becasue you will be getting close to the 90% or less case density. My go to powder is Lil Gun, but I push my load to 1200 with excellent accuracy, but I have not downloaded it to 1000. I have always had excellent results with AA#9 and a standard primer. The nice thing I noticed about #9 is the lack of muzzle flash and it seems like the muzzle blast isnt as bad either. IMHO AA#9 is a great powder- I have never been dissapointed with it's performance.

[subsonic]

I like #9 too. It' like 2400, but better.

[saz]

Missed the comment about 2400- I am ashamed to say I have never loaded with 2400.......
Yeah I know, a 44 shooter that has never bought a pound of 2400......

[big dale]

I would say you should use up the rest of your can of Unique and then you might want to try a pound of Herco for that use. Either should cut down of the length of the flame shooting out of the end of your barrel around dusk.

Have fun with this stuff.

Big Dale

[Rick R]

Gent's

Thanks for the info!

I've been loading .44 since the mid 80's and never bought a pound of 2400 either.

But I've burnt a BUNCH of Unique and W296/H110. :D

I've also found that when the Lee 310 is loaded to the second crimp groove it's going to be partially in the cylinder throat. Is that going to cause a problem?

[krag35]

Im shooting 14 GR of Blue Dot with a 265 RD out of a 4" Redhawk. Guestamate velocity is about 900 - 1000 fps. Shoots good enough for what I want.

[Rick R]

The reference to Accurate powder got me looking at their website. I used some AA#9 years ago for I believe 9mm? :-( (Of all the things I've lost, I miss my mind the most). They do list data for the 300gr lead load, I may try that.

They also list a pretty sedate load for a 300gr boolit using 5744, which I just happen to use for cast boolits in my .375 H&H. This may work out without a trip to town for supplies.

[454PB]

Bluedot is my "go to" powder for midrange .44 magnum.

13 gr. behind the Lee 310 chronographs 1158 fps avg. in my 6 1/2" Herter revolver. In your shorter barrel, it should be down around 1050 to 1100 fps.

[Rick R]

Made it to the range yesterday and shot a few rounds leading up to 9.5gr of Unique and the Lee 310gr boolit. The Lee shot into a 1 1/2" group at 25 yards but it was about 8" high from my zero with 240gr bullets.

I believe I'll buy a couple new powders and try it again with Bluedot, AA#9 and 2400 in the weeks to come.

I've got till November to come up with a good deer load.

:groner:

(anyone ever turkey hunt with a .44?)

:lovebooli

[W.R.Buchanan]

I would suggest obtaining both issue #236 and 237 of Handloader magazine.

Brian Pearce did back to back articles on loading of the .44 Special in #236, and midrange loads for .44 Magnum in issue #237.

In #236 he discusses several categories of loads for the .44 Special, for several classes of revolvers from light weight to full on **** kickers for revolvers that can take the pressure. There are several loads for 300+ gr boolits.

IN #237 he discusses Midrange loads for .44 magnum including loads with 300+ gr boolits, but loaded to more sedate velocities.

These two articles alone are enough reason to get these back issues, as they provide virtaully all the load data for these rounds you could possibly use, and it is all broken down into pressure categories so you don't push an old gun too far.

I have recommended getting these two issues here many times and this is just one more time.

This is very good information for the .44 enthusiast and well worth the cost.

Randy.

[Rick R]

Randy,

Thanks for the recommendation, I'll try to get those rounded up after I check my stack of magazines and see if I happen to have bought them...


Rick

[MGySgt]

I shoot the Lee 310 crimped in the second groove in my 629 Moutnaion Gun and a Ruger SBH 4.5 in.

Loaded with a standard primer under 16 grains of 2400 - Velocity is in the 1150 range and accuracy is excellent in both guns.

with that said - it is hard to beat Unique for a 1000 FPS in a short barreled 44

[Rick R]

I shoot the Lee 310 crimped in the second groove in my 629 Moutnaion Gun and a Ruger SBH 4.5 in.

Loaded with a standard primer under 16 grains of 2400 - Velocity is in the 1150 range and accuracy is excellent in both guns.

with that said - it is hard to beat Unique for a 1000 FPS in a short barreled 44

I can load this bullet out to the longer of the two crimp options and it still works in my SBH cylinder. the biggest problem is that I'm finding data that's all over the place for 2400 and a 300ish grain bullet.

What is everyone using for standard velocity loads? Since they shoot so high with the 10gr of Unique load, I may be better off with something a bit zippier.
(can a 310gr bullet be called "zippy"?)

[white eagle]

I use 17.5 gr.blue dot with a 240 gr boolit

[Unter]

I can load this bullet out to the longer of the two crimp options and it still works in my SBH cylinder. the biggest problem is that I'm finding data that's all over the place for 2400 and a 300ish grain bullet.

What is everyone using for standard velocity loads? Since they shoot so high with the 10gr of Unique load, I may be better off with something a bit zippier.
(can a 310gr bullet be called "zippy"?)

The rise in impact is due to the weight of the boolit. More recoil force.

[Oldslabsides]

The rise in impact is due to the weight of the boolit. More recoil force.

This and Ruger generally has too short of a front sight resulting in higher impact.

[tek4260]

This and Ruger generally has too short of a front sight resulting in higher impact.


+100

None of my Ruger SA's are still wearing the factory front. I have had to replace them all with taller front sights. But, I have seen pictures of other NIB Rugers that appear to have the right(tall) front sight. I guess it is a **** shoot on what you get and I always come up short.

Here is a 1000fps load

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/tk3945/DSCN0351.jpg


A couple of fixes

Pin and solder a piece of 1/8" key stock

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/tk3945/101_2836.jpg

Or order a .595" Ruger front sight from Brownells and replace the factory front

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/tk3945/101_0372.jpg

[MGySgt]

My SBH is SS, real easy tol make a new higher blade and replace the factory blade.

I make it higher than I expect to need (this is after I have worked up my Standard Load). I take it to the range with the rear sight set about with halh of the elevation. shot 2 rounds - file the front sight, shoot 2 more, file the front sight. I just keep working it until it is almost there.

Remove the front sight and true it up and put it back in. Go back to the range to finish sighting in.

My BH 45Colt doesn't seem to need a new sight. This is the 3rd SBH that has. Of course my boolits are heavier than standard.

Works for me.