Animal
06-27-2014, 09:05 AM
Hello folks,
I'm in the mental preparation mode for developing a good cast load for a Charter Arms Target Bulldog in .44 special 4in. I'm not interested in anything hot, just mild. Probably on the hot side of mild. Yes, I know... seems a bit vague. Best way to put it, it would have to be recoil friendly enough for a healthy adult female to be able to practice with, yet powerful enough to retain it's reputation of a man-stopper. I'll be starting with 240gr commercial cast bullets I have on the shelf collecting dust. Depending on recoil, I can go higher or lower on boolit weight. Hopefully same or higher. Here are the powders I have to choose from:
Hodgdon Clays
IMR PB
AA#5
Red Dot
(I'm not buying more powder, and no, I do not have Unique, haven't seen it in years. I'm very lucky to have what I have.)
Red Dot and Clays has done well in my .45acp, with Red Dot being more forgiving on the top-end. I have not tried the others in low pressure pistol. I understand the .44spl operates at slightly lower pressures than the .45acp, but I'm thinking they should act similarly, maybe.
AA#5 is probably the only dedicated pistol powder in my list of powders, and I believe was specifically made for the .45acp (odd I haven't tried it yet, huh? My 1911 just really likes Red Dot, a lot). I'm thinking it will be a good power for sub 15,000cup loads along with the others.
I haven't noticed any one of the powders I've tried to be "dirty". I don't want burned/unburned powder interfering with the ejector, causing problems with setting the cylinder back in place.
This load would have to be able to function effectively in a "worst-case senerio" of extended shooting.
The cast bullets I have are probably hard-cast and alloyed for magnum loads, so I'm not expecting superb accuracy or a clean barrel. I'm just trying to see how a 240gr boolit will treat the shooter, whom is a tad recoil shy. I don't want to burn through more types of powder than I need to or purchase a boolit mold that is to heavy for my wife.
I'd love to hear about your experiences of what has worked well for you in your 44 Special revolver... not your 44 magnum. Thanks folks[smilie=s:
I'm in the mental preparation mode for developing a good cast load for a Charter Arms Target Bulldog in .44 special 4in. I'm not interested in anything hot, just mild. Probably on the hot side of mild. Yes, I know... seems a bit vague. Best way to put it, it would have to be recoil friendly enough for a healthy adult female to be able to practice with, yet powerful enough to retain it's reputation of a man-stopper. I'll be starting with 240gr commercial cast bullets I have on the shelf collecting dust. Depending on recoil, I can go higher or lower on boolit weight. Hopefully same or higher. Here are the powders I have to choose from:
Hodgdon Clays
IMR PB
AA#5
Red Dot
(I'm not buying more powder, and no, I do not have Unique, haven't seen it in years. I'm very lucky to have what I have.)
Red Dot and Clays has done well in my .45acp, with Red Dot being more forgiving on the top-end. I have not tried the others in low pressure pistol. I understand the .44spl operates at slightly lower pressures than the .45acp, but I'm thinking they should act similarly, maybe.
AA#5 is probably the only dedicated pistol powder in my list of powders, and I believe was specifically made for the .45acp (odd I haven't tried it yet, huh? My 1911 just really likes Red Dot, a lot). I'm thinking it will be a good power for sub 15,000cup loads along with the others.
I haven't noticed any one of the powders I've tried to be "dirty". I don't want burned/unburned powder interfering with the ejector, causing problems with setting the cylinder back in place.
This load would have to be able to function effectively in a "worst-case senerio" of extended shooting.
The cast bullets I have are probably hard-cast and alloyed for magnum loads, so I'm not expecting superb accuracy or a clean barrel. I'm just trying to see how a 240gr boolit will treat the shooter, whom is a tad recoil shy. I don't want to burn through more types of powder than I need to or purchase a boolit mold that is to heavy for my wife.
I'd love to hear about your experiences of what has worked well for you in your 44 Special revolver... not your 44 magnum. Thanks folks[smilie=s: