700X in the Specials?

[Krag 1901]

I have a bunch of 700X left over from my trap shooting and wondered if it would work as a low velocity powder for .38 and .44 specials. I found some loads for .38 but can not find anything for .44 Spl.

I have a S&W model 624 I really want to shoot. Plus about 4 Colt 38/357s that I'd like to shoot again. How about a little help guys?

[NEKVT]

700X works just like Bullseye and Red Dot or other powders in it's burn range for light handgun loads. Lyman Cast Handbook #4 doesn't list 700X for 44 Special but does for the larger capacity 45 Colt. Then it lists Bullseye for the Special but not the Colt. 700X is slower than Bullseye on the burn charts but usually shows to be a bit faster on load charts. Reducing Bullseye starting loads slightly should work as a start for the 44 Special.

[onelight]

My 2018 Hodgdon manual has 700x loads for several bullet weights .
What bullet do you have in mind ?
I can check to see if there is data for that weight.
Go here .https://www.hodgdonreloading.com/reloading-data-center?rdc=true&type=53

[farmerjim]

Speer # 12 Has a 700X load for240 gr SWC 4.1 gr start 4.6 Max.

Bullseye for that boolet is 4.7 start and 5.2 max.

Most load tables for most boolets 700X is just 1 or a couple of 10's diff from bullseye but this is much more.

[nhithaca]

Have used 700X in 32 H&R and 38 Special; great powder for low to mid velocity loads using lead bullets. Much cleaner than Unique and meters well.

[243winxb]

3.6 gr 700X with 158gr lswc in 38 special is what I load.

[Krag 1901]

I'm going to be loading some 210 gr RNFP .44-40 boolets in the .44 and 158 gr SWC in the .38 so that 4-5 gr of 700x in the .44 and 3-4 gr in the .38 are about the right range of loads for my needs. Since I'll probably be using my Lil' Dandy measure to see if I have rotors that will drop ~3.5 and ~ 4.5 gr charges. should be good for the velocities I want. If that works out I'll be able to shoot a lot as I have about 3-4 lbs of 700x.

I was able to get a pound of Unique a few weeks ago but want to use it for some jacketed 125 and 158 gr HPs in the .38s & 357.

[smkummer]

I still use a lot of 700X. My son was on a trap league and used 8-10lbs. a year. I still use it for 12 and 20 gauge target loads. It’s my 45 acp, 44 special and 45 colt cowboy loads and cast bullet 9mm powder. Its a very economical powder for many cartridges. My lee powder disks get erratic with 700x under about 3.5 grains so I gave up on it for 38 special. Older IMR booklets had many loads using 700X. They listed 357 lead bullet loads that reached 1100 FPS. 4.8 grains and Lyman’s 429421 is a good 800 FPS load in 44 special. My reduced cowboy load for 44 special is 4.2 grains 700X and Lee’s 200 FP. You could use that with your 210 grain and of course increase that in your Smith.

[FergusonTO35]

700X will work in place of Bullseye, but it's dirty and do be careful about partial charges. The only measure I have tried which works ok with it is the Uniflow.

[alfadan]

3 to 3.5 grains under a long seated 148 grain wadcutter works for me.

[sukivel]

I load 9.0 grains of 700x over a 250 gr cast HP in a 44 mag case. I really like it.


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[Gtrubicon]

700X will work in place of Bullseye, but it's dirty and do be careful about partial charges. The only measure I have tried which works ok with it is the Uniflow.
I find that 700x is much cleaner than bullseye, my 1911’s tell me so. Today I shot some 44spc loaded with 700x that were incredible in revolver and rifle. I love 700x. The lee deluxe perfect powder measure loves it too.

[megasupermagnum]

700X will work in place of Bullseye, but it's dirty and do be careful about partial charges. The only measure I have tried which works ok with it is the Uniflow.

While I'm sure there are some new powders better, as far as I'm concerned 700x is one of the cleanest powders of the 20th century.

[Krag 1901]

You all have given me a new appreciation of 700x. I always thought of it as a shotgun powder and have only starting using it as a rifle powder for mouse farts. I'm gonna start up my .44 Spl reloading I've got lots of brass 1-2 ties fired and will size up a couple of hundred.
My 624 has the lightest SA trigger of any of the guns I've ever fired/have. It's almost scary!

I hope the boolets I have are accurate. Most of the boolets in .44 I've found are 240 or heavier, and I'd like a lighter boolet. I guess I better check the cylinder throats?

[robertbank]

You will like in 38 Special. I used it in competitiopn with 160gr RCBS RN lead bullet. Burns almost as clean as Clays in my Ruger GP-100. 3 grains of 700X Avg 736fps with a SD of 8

Take Care

Bob

[fecmech]

Bob--Got a laugh out of your sig line

[robertbank]

I found it funny as well but geographically correct.

Take Care

Bob

[HangFireW8]

I find that 700x is much cleaner than bullseye, my 1911’s tell me so. Today I shot some 44spc loaded with 700x that were incredible in revolver and rifle. I love 700x. The lee deluxe perfect powder measure loves it too.I found very light 45ACP loads to be cleaner with bullseye, but medium and full spec loads in 700x to be very clean, too.

It is harder to measure, having a wide rotor cavity and keeping the measure hopper full really helps.

[dougader]

700X works great for 38 Spl loads, and it's real economical, too.

[Jtarm]

Have used 700X in 32 H&R and 38 Special; great powder for low to mid velocity loads using lead bullets. Much cleaner than Unique and meters well.

Meters well? Is there another 700X???

[robertbank]

Meters well? Is there another 700X???

Nope. Meters fine in my Dillon powder measures.

Take Care

Bob