Winchester 231 in a model 94 44 mag

[jeepguy242]

Hey all, first time loading for the model 94, and first time loading 44 mag also.

i looked at a couple recipes for the 44 mag and found that i could use WW231 from 5.5 to 11 gn's of powder so i loaded up a handful with 8gn

has anyone else tried this, and how did it work out for you.

at 8 gn, the recoil was very mild and the cast 240gn bullet was also quite accurate at 50 yards i was thinking of bumping up the powder to 10 and seeing what happens.

[Chill Wills]

I used to use this load all the time when I shot the 44. 231 is a fine choice for plinking and a lot of other things I am sure. I just used the 10 gr 231 load for plinking. Always a heaver loading (different powder)for hunting, not that it was needed I am sure. With the RCBS SWC, either mould, it works great 9 to 10 grs. and does not produce much recoil. 10 grs gets about 1500 fps out of the 20 inch barrel as I recall.

I hope this helps.

[fecmech]

I shot it a few years ago in my Super Blackhawk at 10.5 grs with the Lyman "Keith" 429421 250 gr bullet. It was very accurate and clocked at 1125 fps out of the 7.5" bbl. Add about 200 fps to that in your rifle so you would be in the 1300 fps range.

[jeepguy242]

Nice. I was thinking of upping the powder to 10, but I start getting a tad nervous around the high end unless I have talked to some one who had before

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[EDK]

Nice. I was thinking of upping the powder to 10, but I start getting a tad nervous around the high end unless I have talked to some one who had before

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I found 7.5 of 231/HP38 was about as warm as I liked for extended use in my 44 magnum VAQUEROS...5.5 or 7.5 inch barrels. You can pick the load up in your rifle in 1/2 grain increments...I'd be concerned about leading.

You might want to do some reading in various loading manuals or reloading web sites and find a powder better suited for rifle specific loads. 2400, the 4227s or 5744 would be my suggestions. Only thing is the slower powders require almost twice the weight of the fast ones like 231. When you reload on a DILLON and your boolits, brass and live ammo are all measured by the three pound coffee can, you find that powder is the one place to economize on pistol calibers. My 30/30 and 308 ain't bad on lead or primers, but they need more powder. The 45/70 will really reduce the powder and lead supply. AND we don't even want to consider 600 grain+ boolits and 100 grains of black powder in the 50/90 SHILOH SHARPS.

:redneck::cbpour::2gunsfiring_v1:

[skimmerhead]

Hey all, first time loading for the model 94, and first time loading 44 mag also.

i looked at a couple recipes for the 44 mag and found that i could use WW231 from 5.5 to 11 gn's of powder so i loaded up a handful with 8gn

has anyone else tried this, and how did it work out for you.

at 8 gn, the recoil was very mild and the cast 240gn bullet was also quite accurate at 50 yards i was thinking of bumping up the powder to 10 and seeing what happens.

what did you size your boolit at ? was it gas checked or plain base ?
skimmerhead

[jeepguy242]

what did you size your boolit at ? was it gas checked or plain base ?
skimmerhead

.430
and its a BB bullet, not gas checked

[skimmerhead]

.430
and its a BB bullet, not gas checked

i would think as long as your not getting any leading you can bump it up to what your recoil treats you and your accuracy is acceptable. some boolits lose accuracy with fps as other's like it a little slower for some reason. there are so many variables you just have to decide what you want to use the boolit for and work up a load you like. it sounds like the load you posted was a good plinking load, up it a bit and see how your accuracy and recoil are compared to your first load and go from there. there are many members that are alot more experenced than me on this subject. i'm sure someone will chime in with much better info than i can provide. i hope this helps.

skimmerhead:cbpour:

[BK7saum]

231 makes for good plinking loads. Your not gonna get magnum velocities, but you wouldn't typically go that fast with cast bullets anyway.