44 Special load for 2nd Generation

[crabo]

A friend of mine has a 2nd generation Colt 44 Special. I have the RCBS 250K boolit. Any recommendations for a load that won't abuse the gun?

I want to load up some specials for him and help him shoot 'em up. I have no experience with the single action Colt guns. I have a lot with the 44 mag.

Thanks,

Crabo

[MtGun44]

Check the throat diameters, size to throat +.001", try 8.0 Unique,
work up to 9 or even 10 if you want them hot for Special. 10.0 Unique
is usually a super accurate load in .44 mag, but make about 1050 fps
in 4" bbls. It may be a bit hot in the smaller Special case so start about
8.0.

Bill

[runfiverun]

240 gr boolit
4.5 titegroup about 850 fps and easily managed in the special case..
perspective here 4.0 in 9mm and 5.2 in the 45 acp.

[9.3X62AL]

"Skeeter's Load"--advocated by the late Skeeter Skelton for use in modern 44 Specials--has 7.5 grains of Unique propelling the 240-250 grain cast SWC. These run about 900-925 FPS in my 6.5" Model 624 (Lyman #429421), and won't strain a SAA in good condition one bit.

[Swagerman]

If its plinking loads you're after try these...did 'em yesterday.

Jim

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e321/44and45/P9120004Lee200graingroupsave727X.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e321/44and45/P9130005B-27targetB-27600XmarkedB-2.jpg


The bottom target on left side is 265 grain bullets #429244, the one on right side is #429215 at 220 grains. They are also both gas check bullets.

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e321/44and45/P9060031Save2targetsX1usethisone.jpg

[targetshootr]

I like 6.5 gr Universal which burns the same rate as Unique. No need to horse a collectible gun like that.

[AlaskaMike]

I really like 8 grains of Power Pistol--it's really close to Skeeter's load but is lower pressure. You could drop it by .5 to 1.0 grain to go a little easier on the gun if you were worried about that.

Mike

[Lloyd Smale]

my two favorite colt level loads are a 255 swc and either 9 gains of herco or 8 grains of unique or power pistol.

[smkummer]

My load is 7.8 grains Unique behind a Lyman 245 Keith Bullet. Very accurate and probably around 900 to 950 FPS. More bang than needed for targets. That SAA will handle about any 44 special load imaginable. Someone a few years ago was selling 44 magnum cylinders for the Colt (not Colt) and some gunsmiths would rechamber your gun. As a reloader one does not have to go this route and just look at the 45th Lyman reloading manual that uses a Colt 44 special SAA for its loads. This data takes the 44 special well beyond the current energy level if one needed it for deer or other large game.
That said I have to admit that I am shooting a lot of 200 and 245 grain bullets going out a 700 FPS lately for blasting cans at the 10 yard range. The plow handle grip does not suite well with hots loads. Meaning that the gun will rotate 90 degrees nose up when you shoot a 245 grain bullet at about 800 or more with a one hand hold.

[txbirdman]

I've got a 3rd generation Colt with 4 3/4" barrel and it likes 8.1 gr of 4756 with the 429421.