44 Special Loads for GP-100

[osteodoc08]

I’m gonna load up some 44 special tonight for my GP-100. It was bought and tucked away as life happens that way sometimes. A few recent posts have me itching to get it to the range, which will be Tuesday God willing before I go into work. I’ve got a plethora of 429421 cast and PC courtesy of 45cal. I’d like to use this boolit. I also have some ugly 200gr RNFP that are labeled as “hard cast” and are lined with some old crusty looking lube that isn’t well filled out. Also have some plated 240gr FN bullets.

Powders at my disposal include: 4227, #9, CFE Pistol, Longshot, 2400, 231. I have a bit of unique but would like to reserve that for my rifle loads until I can procure more. I’d like to load to level 1/2 as suggested by Brian Pearce.

The GP-100 has very uniform throats that all measure out at .4315” with a z minus pin gauge.

And go.........

[rintinglen]

15.0 grains of 2400, or 6.0 grains of ww231 are two loads that I have used. But I have to say my usual is the good old Skeeter load. A fellow may find through experimentation a load that does better in his particular gun, but for most full-size 44's, the Skeeter load is as good as it gets, and usually very good at that. {But the Speed loaders here are loaded with 432-640 MP hollow points.}
280004
Another load, highly recommended by my friend Doug, is 8.0 grains of Power Pistol under the 429-421. He claims great things for this combination but I have not had chance to use it.

[osteodoc08]

Loaded up 50 with 15gr 2400. Will give range report. Thanks!

[ddixie884]

That should do well with a nice firm crimp.

[dougader]

I wouldn't shoot anything over a book max load at 13.5 grains 2400 for the 429421. Too many reports of cracked forcing cones when using even the Skeeter load.

[osteodoc08]

I wouldn't shoot anything over a book max load at 13.5 grains 2400 for the 429421. Too many reports of cracked forcing cones when using even the Skeeter load.

Brian Pearce has an excellent article out regarding firearms and load data suggestions. I’ve never seen him give out bad load data or advice. Appreciate the reminder to keep an eye on these things.

With the GP-100, I ran 25 over my Lab Radar and got the following using 15gr 2400 (recent manufacture) and a MP rendition of the 429421 that was powder coated in HF Red and sized to .430-.431” IIRC.
Avg:1057
Hi: 1093
Lo: 1023
ES: 70
SD: 22.8

Accuracy was in the 2-3” area at 25 yards which I’m happy with. This will get better with practice. I was able to hit an 8-10” gong at 100 yards with boring regularity and ran it out to the 200 yard berm, scaring the Orange clays.

Very happy with the revolver and the loading. Would like to scale it back some as this load would be the most I’d want to shoot out of this gun with the walnut grips. Will try some simple 231 loads next.

[onelight]

I wouldn't shoot anything over a book max load at 13.5 grains 2400 for the 429421. Too many reports of cracked forcing cones when using even the Skeeter load.

I may be to conservative with mine but I also stick close to the standard pressure loads , I made that decision before I bought the gp100 . I look at the barrel at the forcing cone and it is very thin 240/250 grain bullets from 700 to 850 FPS do what I want . Having seen enough posts of people shooting heavier loads I would be ok with more powerful for limited use if I had a reason . I treat mine like a K frame 357. I have stronger 44s if I want to shoot heavy loads . Great gun for a light 44 .

[JAC43]

@Osteodoc08 - was that a 5” or 3” barrel?

[Soundguy]

what did you end up making? I have both 44 special in a charter bulldog target, and a couple 44 mags. I could find only one .429 mold.. a 240 grain. It's a bit big for the special in that light charter.. but fine for the mags. I have made some light loads for the special.. but hope one day to get a lighter grain mold for the special. until then.... it's a palm hammer with that light gun and a 240...

[onelight]

what did you end up making? I have both 44 special in a charter bulldog target, and a couple 44 mags. I could find only one .429 mold.. a 240 grain. It's a bit big for the special in that light charter.. but fine for the mags. I have made some light loads for the special.. but hope one day to get a lighter grain mold for the special. until then.... it's a palm hammer with that light gun and a 240...
If you have any red dot try 4.6 grains with a 240 swc this was a Summers Hi-Tek coated gives me 690 FPS in my 3" gp100 and 750 in my 45/8 Bisley . This load is pretty close to the 246 grain factory loads I find it comfortable even in my 3" charter Arms.
Using the same Hi-Tek 240 SWC in the GP100 with 6.9 grains unique gives 849 FPS gp100 SD 10.9 , 5 shots and 894 in the Bisley SD 13.9 5 shots
With H2400 14.6 under the Lee 240 GC SWC (mine are 248 lubed with the GC ) goes 1071 from the Bisley ES 26 , SD 10.5 10 shots I need to cast some more 429421 I did not get velocity # when I shot the last I had cast.

[Soundguy]

I think I do have some red dot. Will have to look. Thanks.

[Petrol & Powder]

The "Book" loads for 44 Special are ridiculously mild. While I wouldn't recommend grossly exceeding SAAMI limits for 44 Special; in a strong modern revolver the margin of strength is far above what the SAAMI limits are set at.

The "Skeeter" load typically exceeds the SAAMI limits, but not by much and not enough to worry me. You will have to make your own decisions but the SAAMI limit for 44 Special is 15,500 psi. The 45 ACP is 21,000 psi and the 38 Special is 17,000 psi - just for reference.

[rintinglen]

Just to be clear, The 2400 and WW-231 loads I listed are Level II loads, as is the Skeeter load (max pressure of ~22,000.). The Power Pistol Load is supposed to be Standard velocity, (<15,000psi,) suitable for all 44 specials.

[onelight]

The "Book" loads for 44 Special are ridiculously mild. While I wouldn't recommend grossly exceeding SAAMI limits for 44 Special; in a strong modern revolver the margin of strength is far above what the SAAMI limits are set at.

The "Skeeter" load typically exceeds the SAAMI limits, but not by much and not enough to worry me. You will have to make your own decisions but the SAAMI limit for 44 Special is 15,500 psi. The 45 ACP is 21,000 psi and the 38 Special is 17,000 psi - just for reference.
I don't think the gp100 44special will blow up the cylinder , that is not why I am conservative with it ,the barrel at the forcing cone looks really thin and I really like the gun so I don't want to break it :) and I don't have a need to beat it up . Might feel different if it was the only gun I had and was worried about getting chewed up by something big and hairy .

[JoeJames]

Not any mastodons or griz in Arkansas; so my 240 grain swc loads run at a sweet spot of 820 fps in my 5” GP100 44 Special. That is with 6.2 grains of win 231.

[oldhenry]

You mentioned scaling the loads back .
I have that same gun with the identical small grips. My fun load is the Accurate 43-210A with 5.0 of HP-38/231. I have increased it to 5.5 gr., but usually use the 5.0 gr. load. This should work fine with your 200 gr. RNs.

If you happen to have some WST, try 5.0 grs. with your 200 RNs.

That 3" GP100 is my house gun: at night it's by my bed. During the day it's by my recliner.

[Forrest r]

@Osteodoc08 - was that a 5” or 3” barrel?

5" barrel

[onelight]

I think great minds think alike :) I am wearing mine now.
Mine has the small Ruger grips too.

[osteodoc08]

@Osteodoc08 - was that a 5” or 3” barrel?

Sorry. Busy with work.

5” GP-100

Of note, my velocity mimics Brian Pearce’s velocities with that load. A Level II loading.

[onelight]

Took it to the range this morning and ran some .430 , 200 grain RNFP Hi-Tek coated this is the one from SNS , over 7.7 grains of unique ww primers , Starline cases in the 3" GP100 they ran 948 10 shots low 892 high 977 ES 85 FPS in the Bisley 10 shots av 1030 , low 1009 high 1079 , that's a pretty wide spread I think because 7.7 is to light a load with Unique and the 200 grain.
And I have better results with 240 grain bullets or up with Unique
The Alliant data shows 8.7 max .
I need to quit going to the range and get my shed finished so I have a place to cast :(

[ddixie884]

Just to be clear, The 2400 and WW-231 loads I listed are Level II loads, as is the Skeeter load (max pressure of ~22,000.). The Power Pistol Load is supposed to be Standard velocity, (<15,000psi,) suitable for all 44 specials.


In my experience 8gr of PP and a 240swcbb gives so little pressure that it leaves smoke residue on the front half of the outside of cases.

[Dale53]

I have been a long time fan of most anything .44 Special. One of my favorite revolvers is a 4" 624 Smith. It has been on my hip just roaming around the farms as well as Grouse hunting in Eastern Ohio and the UP in Michigan. My favorite field load is the Skeeter load which is a bit over SAAMI, but not outrageous. Another load, if I was hunting these days, which would work well is the group buy 200 gr. Dbl Ended W/C (200 grs) ahead of 5.0 grs. of Red Dot. That chronographs just under 900 fps. and with that large meplat, it would hit hard! 4.0 grs. would be a nice soft target load.

Those loads also shoot really well out of my SS Flattop Ruger Blackhawk, too! Since I have .44 Magnums too, I only use the .44 Special for edible small game and snakes (both the curly ones as well as the two legged ones). Just so we are clear, only legal self defense. I am NOT one of these nuts we have been seeing on the TV these days.

FWIW
Dale53

[Cosmic_Charlie]

I would try some of that longshot powder under a 240 grain boolit.

[smkummer]

I am reading the comments here as I have a target bulldog 4” in 44 special. Love the lightweight and it sits in my center console of my truck as I type. It has the federal factory 225 gr. soft hollowpoints in it as if I need it, hopefully the opposing party looking at hollow points sticking out at them complies with my orders to cease. The tier 1 loads are about all I care to shoot out of it for comfort. The skeeter load is my cutoff. Maybe I should look for some pachmayr grips for it to see if I can comfortably shoot the skeeter loads. The 15.5 grains 2400 out of the GP100 44 special? Dang, my hand almost hurts from reading that.

[nhithaca]

I too have a Charter Arms 44 w/ the 2" barrel and factory supplied CTC laser. Have shot factory Winchester cowboy loads and a few of my Level 1 240 grain lead HP Hornady loads and I agree, Level 1 is all you need in such a light gun. Have cast a number of 250 grain gas checked Lyman bullets that actually weigh about 260+ grains but I hesitate to load these for the Bulldog even at starting loads due to the recoil. Really want some 165-185 grain plated Berry's bullets to try, but as we all know supply is "Out of Stock" everywhere. Considering that this is a 15 yd and under weapon, a 180 grain 0.43" bullet @ 650-700fps will knock the wind out of any bad guy you may run into so Level 1 loads are plenty.

[onelight]

Summers Enterprises has Hi-tek 180 rnfp and 240 swc and SNS has Hi-Tek 200 rnfp and 240 swc .
I have shot quite a few of all of those . Not the quality you can get casting your own but fine for defense practice and plinking .
https://www.snscasting.com/ was/is one of our sponsors , have always had great service on my orders.
https://summersenterprisesllc.com/ he is out now but tells you on his web sight when he will be taking orders again I have had great service from him .

[winelover]

I too have a Charter Arms 44 w/ the 2" barrel and factory supplied CTC laser. Have shot factory Winchester cowboy loads and a few of my Level 1 240 grain lead HP Hornady loads and I agree, Level 1 is all you need in such a light gun. Have cast a number of 250 grain gas checked Lyman bullets that actually weigh about 260+ grains but I hesitate to load these for the Bulldog even at starting loads due to the recoil. Really want some 165-185 grain plated Berry's bullets to try, but as we all know supply is "Out of Stock" everywhere. Considering that this is a 15 yd and under weapon, a 180 grain 0.43" bullet @ 650-700fps will knock the wind out of any bad guy you may run into so Level 1 loads are plenty.

Have the same Bulldog and grip, but with the shrouded hammer. It's gets mostly level 1 loads. Because of the fixed sights, I stick with bullets in the 240- 250 weight range. I shoot a lot of the Lyman 429667 bullet. It drops close to 250 grains, with my alloy. I like W-231 powder. Data can be had in Lyman's Cast Bullet Manual for that exact bullet. Recoil isn't that bad with that powder, at or near the minimum starting load.

For a few 44 Special performance loads, I do use 2400 powder, but mostly reserve that for my magnums.

Winelover

[sharps4590]

In my S&W 696 I'm shooting the 429421 over 5.8 grs. of WW-231. Superbly accurate at 25 yards, sub 2 inch, rested. 10 grs. of Blue Dot isn't bad either.

[onelight]

If any ones curious the Underwood 44 special loaded with the 200 grain gold dot runs 850 FPS from my 3" gp100 the Speer Blazers 200 jhp run 800 FPS .

[Pavia]

Not quite a thread resurrection, but I’m running a 240gr Keith bullet at 850fps using Auto Comp and the same bullet at 900fps with H110. No issues for the Ruger. I’d be using the Skeeter load, but can’t get Unique.

[slughammer]

.....I’d be using the Skeeter load, but can’t get Unique.

If you can't find Unique, keep your eye out for Power Pistol. I use it in 38+P and 44spl. Burn rate is very similar to Unique, just a touch slower; its smaller and denser size meters really nice. I'm away from my 44spl load data, but in 38spl, I'm launching the 164gr Saeco #382 at 890fps with 5.5gr of Power Pistol out of a 4" 686.

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