44 MAG/SPL loads using Bullseye

[eric123]

Interarms Virginian Dragoon 44 Magnum 7.5 inch barrel
Bullseye may not be ideal for the 44, but it is what I had on hand.

44 MAG:
Assorted headstamps, mostly R-P and W-W
7.0 grains of Bullseye
240 grain lead SWC cast by a local company
CCI Large Pistol Standard Primers
Light crimp
Comfortable load to shoot, accurate, very dirty, low pressure signs

44 SPL
R-P headstamp
5.0 grains of Bullseye
240 grain lead SWC cast by a local company
CCI Large Pistol Standard Primers
Light crimp
Lighter kicking than the 44 Mag's, very dirty, low pressure signs

[Outpost75]

I use similar loads, actually 7.2 grains in my .44 Magnum and .45 Colt Rugers and they shoot well with standard-weight cast bullets for the caliber.

[bobthenailer]

I have used Bullseye and Tightgroup powder for loads up to 1,100 fps in 357 . 44 and 454 casull with excellent accuracy for decades.

[lotech]

Good accuracy with Bullseye & #429421 and SAECO 200 grain FP, both in .44 Special.

[ShooterAZ]

While Bullseye may not be "ideal", it still works pretty darn well accuracy wise for target loads, and so does Red Dot. I use both in 44 Mag with 200 grain full wadcutters and accuracy is outstanding.

[GooseGestapo]

What do you mean by "dirty"?
Soot? Normal. Carbon and graphite. It's what makes Bullseye so accurate. I'm going to blame most of the "filth" on your bullets lube.

If you mean unburned powder granules, your powder is contaminated or degraded some how. Also possibly the bullet lube.
If you are using a spray on case lube, it's getting in the cases and wreaking havoc.
Spray the lube in the bottom of a plastic container, then swirl the cases to coat with lube.

I prefer clean scores to clean bores. Pistol matches aren't won with a clean gun...

[2152hq]

I use 5.0gr B/E and a 240gr LSWC in 44spl loads.
Nice accurate load, Doesn't seem to shoot 'dirty' to me, but then I don't expect miraculously sparkling clean guns after shooting anyway. Thats why cleaning rods were developed.
The load is pretty much off the Alliant site. IIRC they list 5.2gr instead of 5.0gr.
I shoot it in a Uberti/Cimmaron 1872 OpenTop Colt repro.

When the B/E is gone I'll probably start using up RedDot. I've plenty of 'older' powders that still work just fine.

[Jack Stanley]

I used to use Bullseye in the .44 magnum with wadcutters when I was shooting competition . I forget the charge now but it was less then seven grains and shot very well .

Jack

[shoot-n-lead]

I have shot a bunch of 44sp using BE...it rocks. Now, I use more Tite Group or HP38...but that is only because I have a pile of those 2 powders...no reflection on BE.

[jeepyj]

I'm renewing this thread in case anyone else would like to share there experience with BE. I find I have a bit more than I remembered. I don't mind lighter loads and do like medium range accuracy. I only kill steel plates. I've had a standard load of 8.5 grains of 700x but for the darned of me I can't verify this information in any of my manuals so have decided to do some research before I cap some. I'm using a lyman/ ideal 429421 with powder coat. Any direct experience with 700x or Bullseye would be greatly appreciated. Jeepyj

[TurnipEaterDown]

700x Does appear, mated to 44 Remington Magnum, in an older IMR handloaders guide (tan colored paper) that I have. Looks to be October 1990.

The following are shown:

Case: R-P;
Primer: Rem 2 1/2;

Speer 200 gr J Mag HP, 1.610" COL: 700x 10.1 gr, 1300 fps, 40,000 CUP
Speer 225 gr JHP, 1.585" COL: 9.8 gr, 1235 fps, 40,000 CUP
Sierra 240 gr JHC, 1.590" COL: 10.3 gr, 1200 fps, 39,400 CUP
Remington 240 gr JSP, 1.610" COL: 10.3 gr, 1205 fps, 39,400 CUP
Rem 240 gr Lead GC, 1.610" COL: 9.5 gr, 1205 fps, 39,600 CUP
Hornady 240 gr Lead SWC, 1.585" COL: 9.5 gr, 1185 fps, 40,000 CUP

Caution does appear in print to lower by 10% for initial charge.


Personally, I dropped starting charges ~ 40% for my recent testing.

I got a bit (1 3/4 lb) with some others on an auction, and w/ a 429244 Lyman, 262 gr checked, 0.430" 50/50 lube, I got a respectable group w/ 6.5 gr and a WLP at 50 yd: 2.75" (5), 2.25" (4), 1.0" (3). Standard Ruger SBH that's pretty whipped. Cylinder end shake, wobble at lock up. I stopped counting 20 years ago at > 11,000 rounds and now on barrel #2.

[jeepyj]

700x Does appear, mated to 44 Remington Magnum, in an older IMR handloaders guide (tan colored paper) that I have. Looks to be October 1990.

The following are shown:

Case: R-P;
Primer: Rem 2 1/2;

Speer 200 gr J Mag HP, 1.610" COL: 700x 10.1 gr, 1300 fps, 40,000 CUP
Speer 225 gr JHP, 1.585" COL: 9.8 gr, 1235 fps, 40,000 CUP
Sierra 240 gr JHC, 1.590" COL: 10.3 gr, 1200 fps, 39,400 CUP
Remington 240 gr JSP, 1.610" COL: 10.3 gr, 1205 fps, 39,400 CUP
Rem 240 gr Lead GC, 1.610" COL: 9.5 gr, 1205 fps, 39,600 CUP
Hornady 240 gr Lead SWC, 1.585" COL: 9.5 gr, 1185 fps, 40,000 CUP

Caution does appear in print to lower by 10% for initial charge.


Personally, I dropped starting charges ~ 40% for my recent testing.

I got a bit (1 3/4 lb) with some others on an auction, and w/ a 429244 Lyman, 262 gr checked, 0.430" 50/50 lube, I got a respectable group w/ 6.5 gr and a WLP at 50 yd: 2.75" (5), 2.25" (4), 1.0" (3). Standard Ruger SBH that's pretty whipped. Cylinder end shake, wobble at lock up. I stopped counting 20 years ago at > 11,000 rounds and now on barrel #2.

Well I'll be darned. Today I went into the shop and found the data your referring to in a condensed 44 mag loading book. I've shot a good bit of that load 8.5gr through a 629 with good accuracy but it had been a while since I loaded because of the stock pile I had, so I was second guessing myself. Better safe than sorry. Thank you for taking the time to help me out. I have a very well worn 66 that has a large amount of rounds through it like your Blackhawk. I refer to it as part of the family.

[jeepyj]

Still interested in hearing about Bullseye experiences with the 429421 mould.

[lotech]

Still interested in hearing about Bullseye experiences with the 429421 mould.

I've had good accuracy with 5 or 5.5 grs. Bullseye and the #429421 in wheelweight alloy sized to .432". Muzzle velocity is about 860 fps with the 5.5 load in a 6 1/2" S&W Model 24-3.

[sharps4590]

I shoot either BE or W-231 in my S&W 696 and the 429421 mold is the only 44 mold I have....wait, no it isn't. I have a Lee 200 gr. mold for the 44-40 but I've never used it in my 696. I forget the 231 load and the BE load is 5.3 grs. It's accurate enough but 231 beats it.

[rintinglen]

I've had good accuracy with 5 or 5.5 grs. Bullseye and the #429421 in wheelweight alloy sized to .432". Muzzle velocity is about 860 fps with the 5.5 load in a 6 1/2" S&W Model 24-3.

Except that mine are sized .431, my usage and experience is virtually identical. I'm using Red Dot these days, but only because I have lots of it.

[Bazoo]

I’ve been running bullseye 4.4 grains with the RCBS 44-250-k and getting decent accuracy in my 44 special Blackhawk. My bullets weigh more like 265 grains.

I’ve run some 5.0 bullseye loads too and they were pretty good for an everyday working and plinking load I thought. I’m about to try some more as it’s been a while.