View Full Version : Light 44 mag load
Well folks, just got back into hand loading again and thought I would share my experience from a couple days ago.
I took my 11 year old son and father in law out for some plinking.
I had a couple 22s a 12 gauge, 30-30, and my super black hawk 44
For the SBH I had cooked up some 240 grain j words in front of 8, 8.6, 9.2, 9.8 gr. of Unique.
The results were just as some of you described! It took the 44 from not fun to SUPER FUN! The lighter loads were easy enough for my 11 year old to shoot.
And after my father in law challenged me to get a bullseye, I was pleasantly surprised to have 6 shots touching in one jagged hole at about 12 yards shooting off hand.
In fact the first shot was a total center shot, and the next 3 were just making the hole bigger. The next two still touching.
Everyone had a great time shooting, especially the SBH with light loads.
I will try to get some pics up that the FIL took.
So if you haven't already, go and try 8 gr Unique, it was all day comfortable, and accurate to boot!
Dan
Thumbcocker
07-14-2012, 10:07 PM
.433 rbs rolled in liquid alox and seated deep over 4grns of red dot is a fun one. They can bounce off hard surfaces so be careful.
.433 rbs rolled in liquid alox and seated deep over 4grns of red dot is a fun one. They can bounce off hard surfaces so be careful.
"Bounce Off" hehe must be kinda mild eh? I will have to try that some time!
fcvan
07-15-2012, 02:22 AM
Sounds like the velocity of the red dot loads vary depending on how hard you flick your wrist :)
I too needed to make up some light loads to introduce a friend to the joys of the .44 Magnum. An older DuPont loading guide showed that light loads of 700X would be worth a try, and I had a good supply on hand. I wound up loading 5.0 grains of 700X behind both 200 gr cast SWCs and 240 gr cast SWCs, all sparked by CCI 300 primers. Both boolits shot extremenly well at 25 yards, with nominal recoil. The big surprise was that they also shot only about 3" above point of aim at that range. My friend liked shooting my .44 Magnums so much he went out and bought himself a like-new stainless Ruger Super Blackhawk.. -Ed
I been shooting a lot of LEE 240 TL and LEE 310 over 6.5 Unique.
500Smith
07-15-2012, 08:49 PM
I think I'll give your recipe a try, I see I have a little Unique in my ammo factory. Thanks.
I have used 700X for my light 44 loads for a long time but I like to try other loads.
With the 240 it's a 44 Special book load have fun.
161
I think I'll give your recipe a try, I see I have a little Unique in my ammo factory. Thanks.
I have used 700X for my light 44 loads for a long time but I like to try other loads.
Thanks, hope it works well for ya.
In fact the 8, 8.6, 9.2, and 9.8gr Unique were all super nice shooting compared to standard Winchester White Box. Minimal flash and blast and recoil.
Although the 8gr load was absolutely powder puff, and to point of aim at 10-15yds with the sights cranked down all the way, but the others a little higher. The WWB stuff is way high.
Time to modify the front sight I guess for a little more wiggle room. I can handle a 6 o'clock hold, but don't want to have to use a "basement hold" for the hotter stuff!
Dan
I been shooting a lot of LEE 240 TL and LEE 310 over 6.5 Unique.
Hey tell me about that 310 load, how did you happen upon that?
I have a 300 grain mold coming from someone here and was trying to find load data for the big ones but had a hard time here, and the hornady manual is not geared for cast boolits either.
I just want some mild 900-1100 fps data, as that should do anything I need a 44 to do.
Thanks, Dan
Moonie
07-16-2012, 01:33 PM
lighter loads of Unique and a 200gr RF Lee boolit makes my sons 2 1/2" snub 44mag a ***** cat to shoot, the full house loads tingle a bit...
smkummer
07-18-2012, 09:55 AM
I believe many 44 magnums are sold or traded before they even try some 44 specials in them. You are discovering what I did over 30 years ago with my SBH. When I down loaded, I was able to hit some targets. If your load unique too light your cases will get sooty.
fecmech
07-18-2012, 04:56 PM
"Bounce Off" hehe must be kinda mild eh? I will have to try that some time!
Don't laugh, ask bowling pin shooters if .45 G.I. hardball doesn't "bounce" off bowling pins, not exactly a light load. I've personally been hit a few times with bird shot (1200 fps) bouncing back off trees on sporting clays courses.
Hey tell me about that 310 load, how did you happen upon that?
I have a 300 grain mold coming from someone here and was trying to find load data for the big ones but had a hard time here, and the hornady manual is not geared for cast boolits either.
I just want some mild 900-1100 fps data, as that should do anything I need a 44 to do.
Thanks, Dan
Ya know I posted that on word of mouth, my Dad gave me that load and I never really took time to look it up. Just assumed it was right, I can't find it any where in .44 mag or SP data. However it runs 800 fps out of a 7.5 SRH. Accuracy is OK but the 310s shoot way higher than my sights can adjust. Need a taller from sight.
HEAVY goes high. LIGHT goes low.
Since I'm shooting Original Size VAQUEROS in 44 (and a few 357s) I get constant reminders of this. One used custom gun had the front sight filed a bit too much, I need 200 grain boolits to get it close to point of aim. The 3.5 inch Sheriffs Model custom needs 300 grainers to be close...I need to trim the front sight some.
:redneck::cbpour::guntootsmiley:
TCLouis
07-22-2012, 09:37 AM
Heavy boolit goes high and light powder charge does too.
Light boolit goes low as does heavy powder charge
I like 6.2 gr green dot with Lee 240 TL in my M29. Shoots more like a 22 mag. I use green dot for my 12 guage shot shells also.
I went out Friday with some stiff 240 loads. Shot 18 and my hands were shaking so bad I couldn't hit anything even when I went to the 38 sp. Went out yesterday with the 44 sp loads and I must have been over the shell shock cause all was good again.
161
gray wolf
07-27-2012, 03:41 PM
For shoot all day 44 mag. loads with pin head accuracy
6 grains of tite group does it for me.
I went out Friday with some stiff 240 loads. Shot 18 and my hands were shaking so bad I couldn't hit anything even when I went to the 38 sp. Went out yesterday with the 44 sp loads and I must have been over the shell shock cause all was good again.
161
Boy 161, you got that right!
Rather shoot mild stuff any day. Mild and accurate is way more fun!
Dan
For shoot all day 44 mag. loads with pin head accuracy
6 grains of tite group does it for me.
I will try that, got a couple pounds of tite group just sitting there lonely!
Dan
cajun shooter
10-19-2012, 07:51 AM
I first used eight grains of Unique in 1970 and it has been my standard ever since for any large capacity case. I'm speaking of the 41 mag, 44 mag, 45 Colt and the 44 spl.
Lee S. Forsberg
10-21-2012, 05:01 PM
I cast 165gr and 200gr bullets for 44. With 3gr of 700X for a very light load they do just fine at 50ft.
I first used eight grains of Unique in 1970 and it has been my standard ever since for any large capacity case. I'm speaking of the 41 mag, 44 mag, 45 Colt and the 44 spl.
That is awesome to know, thanks for the info. Glad people have enjoyed this thread, it is fun to catch up on after awhile! Dan
kweidner
01-15-2013, 06:31 AM
Boy 161, you got that right!
Rather shoot mild stuff any day. Mild and accurate is way more fun!
Dan
No doubt. When any of my mags get around 1250+ its just not as fun. My absolute favorite load is my 44 keith over 7.2gr Trailboss. still accurate out to 60 yards and not punishing. I gotta find a load like this in my 41 now that deer season is over. Was shooting my 8" 357 saturday 173 keith over 14.5 gr H110. although not exactly light it made my 41 feel like a fire breathing dragon in comparison. was shooting my plates at 80 yds by the end of the session. Nice controllable and just fun. Gotta load some more 357 now.
bobthenailer
01-15-2013, 10:45 AM
MY favorite reduced velocity load for several 44 mag revolvers over the past 25+ years has been the Saeco# 420 200gr TC , loaded in 44 mag cases with 5.5grs of Bullseye or Tightgroup powder @800 fps , and up to 7.0grs of BE or TG @980 fps, both loads are very accurate from quite a few 44 mag handguns.
That is great to know, I have a pound of TG that is lonely. Never even been opened.
I will cook up a few of those next round.
Dan
Love this thread!
All the crazy stuff going on with gun confiscation executive orders, ammo shortages....semi autos.... "assault rifles"... high cap magazines... that is fine and I love all that stuff and will do all I can to protect our 2nd amendment. And it is great that we are coming to our senses as a nation and fighting back finally.
But when I think of fun shooting, or hunting for meat on the table, nothing gets my blood pumping like a nice mild heavy boolit 44 load in my "boring" SBH, riding in a leather holster.
I think I may need a Plain Blackhawk in 44 sp. now too. Got lots of brass!
Maybe I should make a kydex holster for it to be more "tactical"...just kidding.
Dan
Fluxed
01-18-2013, 01:31 AM
6.5 grs. of 231 is very nice under a 200 gr rnfp.
Been playing with 5.7 Red Dot with the Lee 240 SWC TL. 830 fps out of an old model Vaquero 5.5 in barrel. A little snappy in that gun but shoots great.
Been cooking up some new boolits for the Light 44 mag loads I am gonna load tonight and tomorrow!
Unique of course, and also gonna try TG for the 250gr Keiths
And some starting H110 loads for the 305gr.
Yippee, should be fun
Dan
58814
I was thinking 17.5gr H110 with the 305gr with WLP as a lighter 44 mag load. It was recommended by the fella here that I bought the 305gr mold from. Anyone else use this load?
I just want a mild heavy boolit 44 load. Or should I use some other powder? I have Unique and TG, although I have heard they are too fast for the heavies?
Just looking for 900-1100 fps, nothing full house. Just want easy to shoot and accurate. I love how accurate I can be with my SBH when I'm not flinching :)
That is what I am "shooting for" with the 305gr loads.
Took yesterday away with a couple buddies and headed to one of their spots for some plinking.
Besides my new 22 mag savage, the other favorite turned out to be my SBH 44 with my 8gr unique load with 250 keiths.
Both the other guys loved it, one of em was shooting his bowling pins with it. Before he starts shooting he says "is it gonna be hard to shoot this thing?". I said "no, nice easy hand loads, accurate too". Big grin on his face, he must have put 20-30 rounds through it and said "I gotta get one of these!"
We had an informal egg shoot off towards the end at 20 yards. One 1911, some other semi auto, and my 44. Needless to say, I was not out gunned, even after a reload. I guess you can't miss fast enough to count. Fun stuff.
Potatoes on a pole at 30-50 yards were popping for us too with the SBH.
Let's hear it for the light 44 loads!
Dan
joepb
05-08-2013, 02:40 PM
I shoot a lot of 240's with 5.8 unique. The older I get, the more my hot loads are coming down.
Larry Gibson
05-08-2013, 03:45 PM
Isn't a "lite load" with a 305 gr bullet and oxymoron?
Wouldn't one be better served with a 200 gr or lighter bullet for "lite" loads? Depending on the bullet you could get almost twice as much shooting per lb of alloy...........
Just my thoughts.
Isn't a "lite load" with a 305 gr bullet and oxymoron?
Wouldn't one be better served with a 200 gr or lighter bullet for "lite" loads? Depending on the bullet you could get almost twice as much shooting per lb of alloy...........
Just my thoughts.
Hehe yep Larry, you are right I did kinda get off track there! Didn't so much mean a 305gr is a "light load" it was just a question for a moderate load for a heavy boolit, kinda got distracted and derailed my own thread that time a few months ago. Oops. Should have just started another thread, this thread is still about the lighter loads.
I was just reviving the thread for the fun Keith loads with 8 grains unique. They were a hit yesterday that is for sure!
Sure is nice to be able to hit something with a decent slug at a decent clip and do it super comfortably. Can't wait to try that load on deer this fall!
Dan
I shoot a lot of 240's with 5.8 unique. The older I get, the more my hot loads are coming down.
That would be a good one for the special brass I have just sitting on a shelf. Next batch I will try those.
Dan
Isn't a "lite load" with a 305 gr bullet and oxymoron?
Wouldn't one be better served with a 200 gr or lighter bullet for "lite" loads? Depending on the bullet you could get almost twice as much shooting per lb of alloy...........
Just my thoughts.
Hey Larry since you are here, what do you recommend for a 180-200 grain type boolit mold? One for busting squirrels and vicious tin cans and stuff, in special cases maybe. Or should I start another thread titled "gnats sneeze" 44 special loads? ;)
Dan
randyrat
05-08-2013, 08:24 PM
I was thinking 17.5gr H110 with the 305gr with WLP as a lighter 44 mag load. It was recommended by the fella here that I bought the 305gr mold from. Anyone else use this load?
I just want a mild heavy boolit 44 load. Or should I use some other powder? I have Unique and TG, although I have heard they are too fast for the heavies?
Just looking for 900-1100 fps, nothing full house. Just want easy to shoot and accurate. I love how accurate I can be with my SBH when I'm not flinching :)
That is what I am "shooting for" with the 305gr loads. 10 grains of Unique is the Cats Meow..It is stout but very controllable and it does not hurt...I played with a hunting load 315 grain over 21+ grains of H110.I use it for close range deer, but it will ruin your wrist if you are fed a steady diet of these. I use the heavy loads in my SRH only. Don't try it at home, if you do hang on.
10 grains of Unique is the Cats Meow..It is stout but very controllable and it does not hurt...I played with a hunting load 315 grain over 21+ grains of H110.I use it for close range deer, but it will ruin your wrist if you are fed a steady diet of these. I use the heavy loads in my SRH only. Don't try it at home, if you do hang on.
I like the 10 grain load too, very easy to control, not abusive, but stout, much agreed.
Funny you mention the heavy loads, 44man talked me into starting at 20 grains up to 22 in half grain increments with h-110 and my 305, which I made a few of each and fully intended to shoot yesterday, but forgot them when I switched trucks :/ oh well next time I have something to look forward to? Probably regret it, but we will see how much of a tough guy I am?
The lighter loads are gonna be way more fun still.
Dan
Larry Gibson
05-09-2013, 01:33 AM
Hey Larry since you are here, what do you recommend for a 180-200 grain type boolit mold? One for busting squirrels and vicious tin cans and stuff, in special cases maybe. Or should I start another thread titled "gnats sneeze" 44 special loads? ;)
Dan
Hey Larry since you are here, what do you recommend for a 180-200 grain type boolit mold? One for busting squirrels and vicious tin cans and stuff, in special cases maybe. Or should I start another thread titled "gnats sneeze" 44 special loads? ;)
Dan
I use the Lee 429-200-RF for my "lite" 44 Mag loads although I do shoot a lot of standard 44 SPLs loaded with 240 gr TL430-240-SWC in my old Hawes Western Marshal.
In 44 Mag cases with Fed 150 primer;
If you can ever find any 7.7 gr VV Tin Star (N32C) under the 200 gr bullet is and excellent light load. Runs 811 fps out of the 6" revolver, 1007 fps out of 16" rifle.
My most used load is 6 gr Bullseye under the 200 gr RF bullet for 940 fps out of my 6 1/2 Ruger FTBH. The Ruger runs about 80 fps faster than the 6" barreled Hawes. 5 gr Bullseye does ok and makes a great SASS CBA load but the 6 gr load is a bit more consistent in accuracy for shooting past 25 yards.
For a 44 SPL CBA load 5.7 gr Tin Star under the 200 gr RF is excellent but so is 4.5 gr Bullseye.
I use the standard 5 gr Bullseye in 44 SPL cases under the TL430-240-SWC for right at 800 fps out of the 6" Hawes.
Larry Gibson
ultramag
05-10-2013, 04:24 PM
I've had real good luck with that 200 gr. Lee RNFP bullet that Larry mentions as well. I've been casting them from range scrap and shoot them unsized and tumble lubed over 5.0 grains of Clays at the moment. Very accurate and fun to shoot out of 2 different .44M's.
Bucking the Tiger
05-10-2013, 06:58 PM
I have used a couple of Elmer Keith loads for years that I love:
Lyman #429421 250 gr 8.5 gr Unique (You have this already)
" 5.0gr Bullseye( A super fun light load:meows like a kitten)
I don't like using a lighter bullet,the impact point always changes to a lower point.You could use this load with most any 240gr bullet also.
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