Load needed - Lee 200 RNFP in 44 Special

[Indybear]

I've been loading the Lee 200 RNFP in 44 mag with 8.2 - 10 of Unique and lit by a S&B LP with excellent results in a SRH and Henry Big Boy. I would like to start loading these boolits in 44 SPL brass for a Taurus 44 SPL 6" and the Big boy for paper, can and Punkin Killn. I would like to keep the loads heavy enough they are not a joke in the lever gun but not so heavy they will beat us to death in the little Taurus. I would also like to keep the pressure up so the cases do not come out sooty. I have BE, RD, HP38/231, Unique, Universal and 2400 on hand. My challenge is I only have the SRH to take to the range to develop the 44 SPL loads and I have zero experience with 44 SPL brass.

The reason I'm doing all this is took the nephews out last year with the SRH 9.5" and they did not stop talking about the experience for months. I'm thinking they will enjoy the Taurus and lever gun even more, I want to make sure they have enough quality ammo to burn.

Suggestions? 7-8 Unique ? 6.5-7.0 HP38 ?

[Larry Gibson]

I suggest 6 gr Bullseye.....works in 44 SPL cases under any 200 gr cast bullet for me in my revolvers an a M94 Winchester.

Larry Gibson

[Indybear]

I have several pounds of the old Hercules BE I used to use for 38 WCs that is on the back shelf gathering dust. Never had very good luck with it in 44 Mag, 357 or 9mm though but I think it should be fine @ 44 SPL pressure levels.

Thanks!!!

[TCLouis]

The OLD Lyman cast Manual has the following

42798 Boolit (205 Grains)

Unique
7.0 736 fps 10,500 - 8.2 869 fps 14,000

2400
13.3 734 fps 10,800 - 15.2 870 fps 13,500

Hornady (4th edition)
200 grain fully gas checked boolit
Developed in a 3" Charter Arms Bulldog
Bullseye
4.5 700 fps - 5.0 750 fps

As always check my typing and editing with other known sources

[Rocky Raab]

As I've reported several times, my current "one charge - any bullet" loading for 44 Special is 6.0 American Select. It's quick enough with light bullets, not maximum with heavier ones (to 240 grains), works with cast, swaged, or jacketed, is accurate, burns clean, and just plain shoots.

[frnkeore]

i used to have a 431 Taurus with a 3 or 4" bbl. my load was 7.5 gr unique/240 gr bullet, as as i remember, i think it might be a little stout for kids. it was plenty accurate at 50 ft with about 3" groups at the indoor range. your 6" bbl and 200 gr bullets might makr it ok for the young shooters.

i believe this load was a old "skeeter" load. i did work well in my pistol.

frank

[Indybear]

The Taurus is owned by my sister's boyfriend. He bought it from a friend with the idea in mind of using it to hunt deer in Indiana. I'm not sure when he bought it he understood it was a 44 SPL rather than 44 mag and it would be marginal at best for deer hunting. Since he could not buy ammo for it locally he has never fired it. I told him if he wants to go hunting leave the Taurus at home and take the 44 Mag lever gun.

I looked at the gun over Thanksgiving and it appears to be built on same frame as the Taurus 66 clone. Not sure if it would handle very many "Skeeter" level loads but I think you are right 7.5 should be okay with the 200s.

My problem is I do not want to crank up the press and run off 300-400 and they not work well in the little Taurus.

[Rocky Raab]

Indy, my friend, anyone who thinks the 44 Special is "marginal at best" for deer has never hunted deer with one. A 200-240 gr cast bullet at 850-900 fps will shoot through an Indiana deer from almost any angle. Use the load I quoted above.

[EMC45]

I like 6gr. Titegroup with the Lee 200gr. bullet.

[Indybear]

People have killed deer at 100+ yards with a 22LR but that does not mean it was right, legal or humane

I do not recall seeing the 44SPL on the list of legal cartridges In Indiana for deer but even if it was with a standard 44 SPL load out of a 6" pipe @ 75+ yards sure does not have the ballistics that would give you confidence to take that shot.

Even the master shot Elmer Keith knew that the standard 44 SPL was not powerful enough for medium to large game and several blown up guns later and the help of S&W the 44 mag was born.

Besides, I have seen him fire a handgun and I rather see him out in the woods chasing Bambi with his smooth as silk Henry 44 mag lever gun.

Rocky - I have got to pick up some TG. Some say it burns too hot for cast but I read of lot of good recommendations like yours for it. A local commercial reloader swears by the stuff and tells me he uses it in everything that is not a mag. I'll keep your recommendation....

[Rocky Raab]

Actually, the load I recommended was 6.0 American Select. I have used TiteGroup, and it is indeed a good powder, but it wasn't as good as AmSel in the 44 Spl - not by a long step.

I didn't even imagine that the 44 Spl might not be "legal" for deer. The cartridge is more than adequate assuming a good shooter with judgment. But the law is another issue.

[Indybear]

Indiana has some very strange deer hunting laws. We used to have shotguns only, then they allowed handguns and then recently handgun cartridges in rifles. I just checked the list and 44SPL is in fact legal for deer in Indiana but 38SPL and many others are not. A .458 SOCOM in a AR platform is legal but a 270 or 30-06 in a bolt gun is not... Very strange

I do agree a 44 SPL (and 357 mag) has and can be used for bambi hunting within range but I think most will agree there are much choices for medium to large game especially if you are less than a perfect shot, you might need a little longer range and there is a chance for something dangerous like a big boar.

Sorry... it was EMC45 that gave me the TG load... American select is probably good too but it I've only seen it for sale at gun shows locally and even that is rare.

Larry's 6 BE load has worked extremely well, with 7 of unique a very close second and HP38 was just okay.... Since BE meters way better, I have several pounds of the old Hercules stuff gathering dust and no time to try anything else, BE gets the nod this year.. I meant to try Universal but ran out of time

[rintinglen]

5.5 Grains of Red Dot works very well with a Lee 205 grain boolit out of my Blackhawk Flattop. For accuracy, Red Dot is a bit of a sleeper in the .44 Special. Often Overlooked, it is one of, if not the, best powders for accuracy in 44 Specials at standard velocities.

[Rocky Raab]

RedDot, American Select, and GreenDot (in that order) are very, very close in burn rate. In fact, GreenDot IS RedDot that tests out on the slow side. The three are essentially interchangeable in less than maximum handgun loads, but when I shot all three in 44 Spl, AmSel was clearly superior in all ways.

[Indybear]

Larry's BE load shots well but it is smokey and dirty. Almost worse than the old Hercules Unique (aka flaming dirt). I do have some RD on hand and enough time for one more trip to the range. Never used RD in a handgun cartridge before but I've read a lot good things about it. Sure works great in 12 gauge for me many many years ago. I'll keep my eyes open for Amsel and Power pistol at the next gun show.

Thanks all.. The boys are going to have fun over Christmas

[pbcaster45]

Here are two loads I like in my Colt New Frontier 44 Special.

Bullet: Oregon Trail 200 gr. RNFP (.4315)
Powder: Hodgdon HP-38 5.4 grs.
Primer: Federal 150
Case: Federal

Bullet: Oregon Trail 200 gr. RNFP (.4315)
Powder: Alliant Herco 7.5 grs.
Primer: Federal 150
Case: Magtech

[smokeater]

Rocky , Just came across this post and if you happen to read this, do you happen to know the veolcity of the 6 gr Amer Sel load? Looking for a good general purpose load for my Blackhawk 44Sp Flattop 5.5' barrel? Will be using Lee 200 gr RFP, Mihec 200 RFP and 200HP and the Lyman 429421 cast at 12 Bhn.

[ironhead7544]

In a 4 inch taurus 44 Spl. the Skeeter load went 875 fps. Probably a little over 900 fps in a 6 inch.

I only use the 200 gr bullets for practice with light loads so cant say what what you might get with a heavier load. If I had to use this bullet, a max load of Unique would be my choice.

I would go with the Skeeter load in a Taurus on deer.

[Rocky Raab]

Answered in a PM; for the rest of you, 6.0 AmSel will give 900 fps with a 240 cast, and about 875 with a 240 jacketed or plated. Lighter bullets will be a bit faster. This from my 4 5/8" flattop.

[smokeater]

Thanks Rocky for the reply and the info. I will have to pick up some AmSel the next time I am in town. Sounds like just the powder I'm looking for.