.445 Supermag

[leftiye]

Hi, I'm here again with hat in hand. (surprise?) I seem to have gotten hold of a round that is fast dissappearing, the .445. I literally can't find any data in any of the books for it. I'm looking for milder loads in the .250 grain range, and also full power loads in the 300 grainers. My older Accurate arms book is the only one that has any data in it. It may dissappear elsewhere, but I think it is probably the ideal hunting revolver cartridge.:Fire:

[Bass Ackward]

Hi, I'm here again with hat in hand. (surprise?) I seem to have gotten hold of a round that is fast dissappearing, the .445. I literally can't find any data in any of the books for it. I'm looking for milder loads in the .250 grain range, and also full power loads in the 300 grainers. My older Accurate arms book is the only one that has any data in it. It may dissappear elsewhere, but I think it is probably the ideal hunting revolver cartridge.:Fire:


The 445 Supermag is in Quickload. Unlimited load data that way. Want to use the PM feature, we can get something going.

[44man]

I found only heavier loads (silhouette) in my Hodgden manual. For the 300 gr bullet; 24 to 27 gr's of 4227. With H110, 27 to 29 gr's.

[monadnock#5]

Hornady Handbook of Cartridge Reloading, Fifth Edition Vol. 1. There are listings for: 180; 200; 240; 265 and 300 grain jacketed bullets. For IMR 4227, a start load for the 240 grainer is 26.4 grains, and the heaviest load for the same powder in the 300 grain offering is 28.0 grains. Other powders listed are: H 4227; AA 5744; WIN 296; H110; WIN 680 and AA 1680.

Ken

[S.R.Custom]

Find someone with a Sierra 3rd edition handgun manual. There are two sections for the .445SM, for both revlover and TC Contender data.

[leftiye]

Thanks a lot guys. It seems that I've got older books from before the .445 and newer books that also don't have it. I kinda guessed that there were manuals out there with the data i need, but they were now out of print too. Nuthin I could find online either (probably would be if I knew more about compukers).

[Scrounger]

To you and to everyone else who asks for loading data, there is a ton of it on the internet, free for the taking. If you don't have "Google", you should download and add it now, it's free. For loading data, go to "Google" and type in "loading data .445 Supermag" or whatever caliber you want. Google will give you links to dozens of webpages that have loading data in whatever caliber you asked for, including the Hogdgon loading manual data. Now the question, "Can I trust loading data from the Internet?" Sure, you can, as much as you can trust what anyone here could give you. The reason being that ALL loading data given is only a rough reference to what should be a starting load to work up to where you safely want it. Drop the data a little further and work up. There are several dozen different powders out there and many similarities in powder burning speed. For instance, IMR 4895, H4895, AA2495, IMR 4064, Varget, AA2520 (and probably several others) are so close in burning speed that substituting one for another should cause no problems as long as you take the sensible precaution of lowering your starting charge at least 10%. There are several ins and outs on using powder and I don't know an easy way to teach it to you, you pretty much have to go by the book and take baby steps until you've been doing this for 30 or 40 years and everything becomes almost instinctive.

[leftiye]

Scrounger, Been there, done that, no luck (internet). And yup, I've been reloading for 35 years now (with no Kabooms).

[jeff223]

there some data on this site
http://stevespages.com/429p_5.html

ive shot alot of 445sm rounds in the last three years.if you have any questions about the 445 shoot me a PM

what kind of gun are you shooting?some of the load data is very hot thats been published.the 445sm was designed to shoot a 240gr boolit 150fps faster than the 44mag.some of the data out there will give 444 Marlin results and should be only used with an Encore.i have broke two scopes and stretched one Contender frame when shooting the 445sm.I just found out a bunch about the 445 in the last two weeks when i talked with J D Jones "SSK",he was one of the guys that developed this round

[leftiye]

Will do jeff!

[Lloyd Smale]

any top end 44 mag load should make for a good lighter load in a .445

[Mohillbilly]

I belive I've got a few Elgin Gates cases for 445Sm.If'n I remember correctly 445 was loaded to the same max pressures as the 44Rem mag. The dif was more speed with more powder while the pressure was the same,because of longer chamber/brass. Contenders may or maynot out preform the revolvers.I likes the xtps in 300 because of the two canalures.I would allow me to load long for my "Danny".I shot my buddies contender(that has taken many deer)and it is a fine machine,and he also likes the xtps......

[leftiye]

Mohill, So what loads do you like for your DW 445? I agree on the Horny 300 grain xtp- it was made for this caliber!

[S.R.Custom]

I belive I've got a few Elgin Gates cases for 445Sm.If'n I remember correctly 445 was loaded to the same max pressures as the 44Rem mag....

The original SuperMag cartridges were designed with a higher pressure threshold in mind. Indeed, the Sierra 3rd specifies use of Federal 210 (large rifle) primers. This only works with the original IHMSA/Gates cases, however, as the current crop of Starline brass is cut for pistol primers...

But in any event, a comparison of muzzle velocities indicated to me that the ideal bullet weight in this caliber is the 265 gr Hornady unit (and it too comes w/ two cannelures). The best velocities and accuracy came with a case stuffed full of AA1680; W680 is preferred, but that's long since been discontinued. AA1680 has always been good enough for pig pooching and all around range intimidation... :mrgreen:

For you 'boolit' shooters, on the other hand, a 300 gr unit over generous amounts of H4227 gives the best results. And a PB bullet is just fine at full pressure if you LLA tumble lube your bullets in addition to a grease groove lube like Rooster HVR.

The silly-wetter crowd goes in for the heavier boolits as made by NEI etc. (we're talking 325-340 grain GC units) over prodigious amounts of surplus equivalent W680. (I never went into the surplus/equivalent powder scene; too much lot to lot variability and/or unpredictability.)

All that said, perhaps the greatest quantity of visceral enjoyment comes with the use of 180 gr. XTPs over more W296 than I'll ever admit to in print. Dismal accuracy, but talk about shock & awe on the firing line! I always keep a box of those in the range bag w/ the Dan Wesson for whenever the 500 S&W bunch gets too annoying...

[leftiye]

Supermag, Thanks for the info. BTW, I got a 3rd model Sierra handbook and a Saeco 260 rnfpgc mold on evilbay. Looks like I know where to start, and what to expect now. I guess I still like mainly 300 grainers mostly.:Fire:

[GP100man]

leftiye
how bout the lee 310 gr. rnfp gc.??
it has 2 crimpgrooves too.

GP100man

[Mohillbilly]

I still got about 5-6 lbs of w680 I been a use'n. I don't remember the top load but I do know that a single shot would eject alright, but six had to be pounded out with a board......1680 was good too.I reduced all those loads about a grain....I worked the loads up in winter. When summer got here with 100+ oh my!!!!

[S.R.Custom]

I don't remember the top load but I do know that a single shot would eject alright, but six had to be pounded out with a board......

LOL, that sounds about right!

Working up loads using the Sierra data, I ran into that very phenomenon. But since I was still under published maximum, I figured it had to be gun problem (wink-wink). So I polished the chambers and put a light film of RemOil on the cartridges as I chambered 'em. Worked like a charm; I'm surprised Sierra didn't mention those remedies in their write-up... :mrgreen:


Supermag, Thanks for the info. BTW, I got a 3rd model Sierra handbook and a Saeco 260 rnfpgc mold on evilbay.

On a more serious note... When the Sierra 3rd gives a MAX load, it's not some lawyer-proof squib load. It's the real MAX load. Work up your loads accordingly.

[leftiye]

SM, Thanks for the caution. Kinda like the old Speer #8? I froze up a 25-06 Rem 700 solid with the BOTTOM load of Norma 205. Used the heel of a shoe to beat the bolt handle open. That load was 6 grains below the max load!!! Now wouldn't THAT have been interesting? I've only got the first Sierra manual (till now) and most of their top loads can't be used- past experience.

[rugerdude]

You might want to check over on sixguns.com for load data that John Taffin worked up. There is also a section in his book Big Bore Handguns on the Dan Wesson guns in the SuperMag chamberings. He gives several bullets and powders and the velocities that he got. I don't trust a lot of the "anonamous" load data on the internet, but I'll trust Mr. Taffin.

[wyraider]

I recently aquired an alaskan (after a hard look for it) and haven't had time yet, but its in my 5th edition sierra. Says here, 180 grain - 296 from 30 to 34.4, H4227 from 31.8 to 36.5, AA-1680 from 41.5 to 45.5. also have 210,220,&240, but here's your 250 grain - 296 from 27.2 to 32.3, H4227 from 25 to 31.9 (with 31.9 being accuracy load with a DW V8S in the test @ 1550 velocity & 1333 ft. lbs.), AA1680 32.1 to 38.7, (hunting load being AA1680 @ 38.7 @ 1600 fps & 1421 ft. lbs.) 300 grain - 296 25.9 to 30.4, H4227 24.8 to 27.5 (27.5 being their accuracy load, in THEIR test gun @ 1300 fps & 1126 Ft. lbs) AA1680 26.6 to 33.9( with hunting load being 33.9 @ 1350 fps & 1214 Ft.lbs.) Good luck. By the way, when is hornady going to let us get our hands on the new leverlution bullets? Does any one know of 445 brass for sale?

[wyraider]

I recently aquired an alaskan 445 (after a hard look for it) and haven't had time yet, but its in my 5th edition sierra. Says here, 180 grain - 296 from 30 to 34.4, H4227 from 31.8 to 36.5, AA-1680 from 41.5 to 45.5. also have 210,220,&240, but here's your 250 grain - 296 from 27.2 to 32.3, H4227 from 25 to 31.9 (with 31.9 being accuracy load with a DW V8S in the test @ 1550 velocity & 1333 ft. lbs.), AA1680 32.1 to 38.7, (hunting load being AA1680 @ 38.7 @ 1600 fps & 1421 ft. lbs.) 300 grain - 296 25.9 to 30.4, H4227 24.8 to 27.5 (27.5 being their accuracy load, in THEIR test gun @ 1300 fps & 1126 Ft. lbs) AA1680 26.6 to 33.9( with hunting load being 33.9 @ 1350 fps & 1214 Ft.lbs.) Good luck. By the way, when is hornady going to let us get our hands on the new leverlution bullets? Does any one know of 445 brass for sale?

[leftiye]

Wyraider, Thanks for the info. I'll add it to my notes.

[runfiverun]

i got mine from starline, work a bit of overtime before ordering though.

[leftiye]

I made a bunch (3-4 hunnert) out of 30-40 Krag. That was years ago, and due to manufacturing f@%43&ps at Dan Wesson, I'm still working on getting them all fireformed. Ones that are finished are fine though.