Load data for big, fat, flat 44 (290 gr. GC)

[AlaskaMike]

I'm finally getting around to loading up some of the bullets I cast from my first group buy mould, but I'm a little unsure of load data. The bullet I'm talking about is the top one in this image:

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=1704&d=1151115633

For my first loads I'm planning on using something pretty forgiving, like IMR-4227 or 2400. I made up a couple of dummy rounds and it looks like my Rossi 92 (.44 mag) feeds them just fine in the middle crimp groove, so I'll use that one.

Anybody have any loads that they particularly like with this one?

My apologies if someone's already posted load data for this one--I looked and couldn't find anything.

Thanks,
Mike

[AlaskaMike]

Wow--54 views and nobody's got any suggested loads? I can certainly work it out myself, but I was hoping somebody might've already played with this bullet some.

Mike

[Scrounger]

Comments retracted. I did it again. Will I ever learn?

[AlaskaMike]

Yeah, but the RCBS and Lyman 300 grainers don't drop bullets at .435 - .436 like this group buy mould does (I'm sizing them .434 and intend to use them in my Rossi '92). The larger diameter will make for higher pressures. While I could simply try something like 15 grains of 2400 and work up, I thought by this time several people would have fired a bunch and could tell me what worked well for them.

Mike

[hicard]

I loaded some with 15 grs of 2400 and they shot great in my Ruger Deerslayer carbine.

[AlaskaMike]

Comments retracted. I did it again. Will I ever learn?

:mrgreen: Not a problem! Thanks for taking the time to post.

I think I'll go just ahead and work some up. My plan is to try some with 2400 and some with 4227 since I can download those more than 296 and still be safe. Ultimately I want to use 296 though.

Mike

[MT Chambers]

21 grs. H-110 and 290 gr. bullet works for me,flattened a blackie awhile back!

[OBXPilgrim]

Looks like 15.0 grs of 2400 worked good for me too in an Winny 94 44mag SRC (20").

I had a note to try more powder - thought I could do a little better. My OAL was 1.630" - not sure if that was to the same groove as yours.

I also had decent accurracy from AA1680 powder, but didn't have much in the way of velocity & never did get it chrono'd. I had started at 20.0 grs & worked up to 23.0grs. Same OAL.

I'm pretty sure that was the same GB mold I got, but my actual weights were 285 grs with WW

[44 flattop]

A couple of my favorite loads for both rifle and pistol in .44 and a 295gr CG cast is 15 1/2 grains of AA#9 in a 44 Special case. Does about 1100fps from a 6" barrel and 1375 from a 20" barrel. In a .44 mag case I use either 19 grs of AA#9 or 22 grs of W296.

44

[Boomer Mikey]

I got good results between 21 and 25 grains of H110 or WW296 seated in the bottom crimp groove (longest OAL) in both my S&W 629DX Classic and DW 744VH10 and with a full case of H322 or H4198 in my 444 Marlin.

The Rossi's will stabilize this bullet with their 1:30 rate of twist. I would look around the 20 to 22 grain area with H110 or WW296 if seated in the middle crimp groove. I used WLP primers, Remington, Winchester, Top Brass, and Starline cases with a profile crimp. For 44 Magnum plinking loads try 6 - 7 grains of Tite Group, WW231, Universal, or Unique. You can also use Ranch Dog TLC432-285-RF load data as a reference... as usual, start at mid range loads and work up to max loads for your rifle paying attention to pressure signs.

If your Rossi is like my Rossi M92 44's it has an oversize bore requiring 0.434" bullets.

Boomer :Fire:

50 Yard full power groups: the last one is 3 into one hole... luck I guess

[AlaskaMike]

Thanks Boomer! On Saturday I was finally able to get to the range and test out some of the loads I threw together earlier:

16.5 gr IMR4227 (bullet crimped in top groove)
17.0 gr IMR4227 (bullet crimped in top groove)
17.5 gr Lil' Gun (bullet crimped in middle groove)
18.0 gr Lil' Gun (bullet crimped in middle groove)

I don't have my notes with me at the moment, but the 4227 loads were *really* mild, with a noticeable amount of unburned powder. POI was pretty low at 50 yds too, although groups were nice and small. I believe that 16.5 grains chrono'd at about 1120 fps, and the 17.0 grain load went about 1170.

The Lil' Gun loads were much better velocity-wise, about 1450 for 17.5 grains and 1500 for 18 grains. Both these loads were very accurate as well, although not as good as the 4227 loads. That may be because of me though.

I'll load up some with 296 next and see how those do. Boomer--I tried using my Redding profile crimp die on mine, but the larger diameter of these bullets didn't really allow it unless I was willing to swage down the loaded round a bit, which I didn't want to do. I did run them all through it, but only pushed them up into the die until they were snug (for lack of a better term). This wasn't enough to give the good, heavy profile crimp I'm used to on my other ammo. Just curious how you were doing it.

Thanks,
Mike

[seabreeze133]

Back a few years, when I could see well, nailed a mulie at 155 measured yds w/a 10" SBH, factory iron sights, 429244 w/24 gr IMR 4227.. Another good silhouette load w/same gun was 429215, 24 gr IMR 4227. Chronographed 1550 fps. Good to the turkeys but past 150 meters it went off in a direction of it's own choosing. Never could figure why.

Don

:o)