help developing a load for 44mag

[twistedmoose]

I've been hand loading for rifles for over 30 years, just starting with hand guns. Recently came upon some casted 44mag LSWC in 232 and 230 grains. Have not been able to find any load data for these bullets wondering if anyone can help me. Thanks Twistedmoose

[RKJ]

I would use the data for the 240 SWC. I'd say if you go middle of the road starting you'll be fine. I use 10 grains of Unique under my cast 240 LSWC with no issues but I powder coat them.

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

twistedmoose
Welcome to the forum

What sources are you using?
What Data have you found that's close?
Cast boolit data is much more forgiving that Jacketed bullet in Rifle Data.
Meaning, you can use starting loads for cast boolits in Pistol...for boolits weighing ±10% of the spec'd bullet.
The exception to that might be some of the older Speer manuals (#8 and #9) which tend to have kind of Hot data.

[gwpercle]

The Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook 4th edition has load data for :
44 Magnum
RCBS 430-225-SWC , a 225 grain SWC with 10 different powders .
Lyman #429667 , a 240 grain SWC with 11 different powders .

While neither is a 230 gr. boolit ...the 225 gr. being a little light and the 240 gr. being a little heavy, you can :
1.) Use the data for the 240 grain boolit ... your loads will not be over pressure and possibly a few FPS faster in velocity but not that much .
2.) Look at the data for the 225 grain boolit ...your 230 / 232 grain boolits are only 5 grains heavier than the RCBS 225 boolit listed ... in the scheme of cast boolits , it isn't that much heavier and as long as you stayed away from the Maximum or Near Maximum load data you should be just fine .

Here is a "For Example" - I want to use Unique , start load for 225 gr. boolit is 11 grs. Unique .
Start load for 240 gr. boolit is 10.0 grs. Unique .
SO ....For our 230 / 232 gr. boolit I'm going to use 10.5 grs. Unique...split the difference and start in the middle . If starting load is too light ... Work Up Slowly !
Don't want to use Unique ... there are 10 other powders listed ...surely one will do .
The 44 mag./44 special are made for cast boolits ...get yourself a Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook
They are great to have .
Gary

[sharps4590]

What gw said, get the manual.

[375RUGER]

The hodgdon website is a good source for data. That said I have several manuals handy and constantly reference them as well as online sources. If you don't have a manual the Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook is a good one to start with.

I load 7.1 grains of 700-X under a 240g LSWC. It's a nice warm target load and very accurate. 9.5g is the maximum load for a 240 greaser. The maximum load for your 230s will be slightly higher.

[Outer Rondacker]

The Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook 4th edition has load data for :
44 Magnum
RCBS 430-225-SWC , a 225 grain SWC with 10 different powders .
Lyman #429667 , a 240 grain SWC with 11 different powders .

While neither is a 230 gr. boolit ...the 225 gr. being a little light and the 240 gr. being a little heavy, you can :
1.) Use the data for the 240 grain boolit ... your loads will not be over pressure and possibly a few FPS faster in velocity but not that much .
2.) Look at the data for the 225 grain boolit ...your 230 / 232 grain boolits are only 5 grains heavier than the RCBS 225 boolit listed ... in the scheme of cast boolits , it isn't that much heavier and as long as you stayed away from the Maximum or Near Maximum load data you should be just fine .

Here is a "For Example" - I want to use Unique , start load for 225 gr. boolit is 11 grs. Unique .
Start load for 240 gr. boolit is 10.0 grs. Unique .
SO ....For our 230 / 232 gr. boolit I'm going to use 10.5 grs. Unique...split the difference and start in the middle . If starting load is too light ... Work Up Slowly !
Don't want to use Unique ... there are 10 other powders listed ...surely one will do .
The 44 mag./44 special are made for cast boolits ...get yourself a Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook
They are great to have .
Gary

Well put.

[John Boy]

225gr … https://stevespages.com/429_1_225.html
240gr … https://stevespages.com/429_1_240.html.

[Cosmic_Charlie]

Look at Hodgdon HS-6 powder. It is currently available and works quite well in .44 mag.