Moderate 44 mag loads

[Mauser48]

Have my first 44 on the way and am looking at putting a good moderate load together. I'm going to use the missouri cast hi tek costed 240gr rnfp. I'm thinking this bullet around 1050 fps shoot make a good shooter that's not a complete handful. I'd like to use w231 since it meters well and I like it in my other pistol calibers. Does anyone have chrono data with various charges they've tested? Gun is a ruger redhawk with a 7.5" barrel. I also have some blue dot but that would probably be best suited for more upper end loads.

[HWooldridge]

I’ve used 15.0 gr of Blue Dot with a 240-250 gr bullet for the last 40 years. Great accuracy from my M29.

[Targa]

231 is a great choice for that purpose. My cast 240 grain loads with 10grains of 231 chronographed at an average of 1164 fps with a standard deviation of 7 fps out. With 6 grains of 231 they chronographed at 791 fps and a standard deviation of 10fps. These were out of my 5.5” Super Blackhawk.

[racepres]

I’ve used 15.0 gr of Blue Dot with a 240-250 gr bullet for the last 40 years. Great accuracy from my M29.

I have shot a boat load of those.. even the heavier weights get Blue Dot.. Except in Contender... I just am Not tough enough to handle that load in the Contender!! My Contender gets softer Boolits off 255 gr weight with Trail Boss... Yea... I'm a Wimp..

[HWooldridge]

I have shot a boat load of those.. even the heavier weights get Blue Dot.. Except in Contender... I just am Not tough enough to handle that load in the Contender!! My Contender gets softer Boolits off 255 gr weight with Trail Boss... Yea... I'm a Wimp..

The Contender's grip has a tendency to bite me as well. It doesn't roll - just comes straight back into your hand.

[black mamba]

231 (HP38) really starts to shoot clean at higher pressures. I'd start at around 9 grains and go up to about 10. Somewhere in there you'll find an accurate, clean shooting load at around 1100 to 1150 fps.

[405grain]

In 44 mag. I load the RCBS 44-245-SWC (powder coated) over 13.0 grains of HS-6. This burns cleaner than Unique, and gives me around 1000 fps out of my 4" 629. I might pick up a little more velocity out of my 10.5" Superblackhawk, but the recoil is still quite manageable. This is a good general purpose cast bullet charge, and I've used it both for target shooting and dispatching feral pigs.

[JoeJames]

Just mentioned it in another post - for reduced 44 Magnum loads I load the 430 240 Lee SWC on top of 7 grains of Unique in a 44 Magnum case. It runs about 1050 fps in my Rossi R92 16".

[RJM52]

Used to us 9.0/231 with a 240 for right around 950 from a 4" 29...that should put you at your desired velocity in a 7.5" barrel...

[Mauser48]

Looking on hodgdons website 9gr of 231 seems like a good load. How's the recoil on these? Is it something you can shoot a fair amount of without discomfort?

[Swineherd]

Good taste in guns. If you want to down load for more comfortable plinking, consider 44 special brass and/or a lighter bullet. I've run 25 grains H110 with a 200 grain cast in my lever gun and it's an excellent, accurate, easy shooting load. For 240 grain cast the starting load is 23 grains.

[Targa]

Looking on hodgdons website 9gr of 231 seems like a good load. How's the recoil on these? Is it something you can shoot a fair amount of without discomfort?


The 10 grains of 231 that I use is something I can go through a 50 round Box without a problem, the recoil is certainly there but not punishing . The 9.0 grains that RJM52 is using should put you right in the sweet spot that you are looking for.

[DougGuy]

Good taste in guns. If you want to down load for more comfortable plinking, consider 44 special brass and/or a lighter bullet. I've run 25 grains H110 with a 200 grain cast in my lever gun and it's an excellent, accurate, easy shooting load. For 240 grain cast the starting load is 23 grains.

You are over 10% below the published starting charge weight for this load.

Not recommended to download H110/W296 below minimum starting charge weight.

[44MAG#1]

I have a tendency now to deep seat my bullets in MAGNUM CASES to around 44 Special OAL and use 44 Special loads and somewhat above.
I crimp over the shoulder and over the OGIVE on RNFP bullets.
Works very well. Skelton's 7.5 Unique or an equivalent load is nice.
5.5 W231/HP-38 is too with the 250 "Keith" bullet if such actually exists.

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

I'd recommend to work up a load using HS-6
it's a good powder for midrange 44 mag and a 240gr boolit

[MT Gianni]

Red Dot powder at 7 gr and a 240-280 gr bullet will be close to 1000 fps, accurate and economical.

[Mauser48]

I also have a lot of 700x but I don't know how well a fast powder like that will work in such a large case.

[BadgerShooter]

I've not chronographed them, but I really like 8 grains of Trailboss and a 250 Lyman plain base bullet. It is astoundingly accurate in my 629 and a Bisley Super Blackhawk. Super pleasant. I came up with this load for a couple friends with Smith 329's. It is pleasant even in those lightweight guns for a practice/familiarization load.

[TurnipEaterDown]

700X works in 44 Rem Mag, but I have found other powders much better overall.
There is old IMR data out there, and I know it has been posted on this site recently.
5.5-6.5 gr on a 200 gr SWC will likely get near where you want, or same on a 260 WFN (where I found accuracy atrocious).
I will say it worked OK for me under a Lyman 429244, and I never had much luck w/ that bullet. 6.5 gr, 50 yd group, 2.75" (5 shots out of 6 shot cylinder, I was loading 5 shot test groups), 2.25" (4 best of 5), 1.0" (3 best of 5). W231 & Unique gave more consistent groups (i.e. not changing size so much w/ charge weight).

[Swineherd]

You are over 10% below the published starting charge weight for this load.

Not recommended to download H110/W296 below minimum starting charge weight.

You're correct, I misstated my load data.
I'm embarrassed and apologize to the forum for passing potentially dangerous misinformation along. I am loading 25 grains H110 under a cast bullet dropping at 212.5 grains.

You have a keen eye. Again i apologize.

[Kosh75287]

You're correct, I misstated my load data. I'm embarrassed and apologize to the forum for passing potentially dangerous misinformation along. I am loading 25 grains H110 under a cast bullet dropping at 212.5 grains.
You have a keen eye. Again i apologize.
You're not the first, you won't be the last. Good to know that you take things like that seriously, but give yourself a break. By inadvertently misstating reloading data, you've become the member of a not-at-all exclusive club among reloaders.

[Swineherd]

Appreciate it, Kosh75287.

[Dom]

My mid range load is a home cast ( 10.5 BHN ) 280 gr @ about 1100 fps. Powder used is, Win 540/HS-6. This is out of my Ruger Redhawk 7 1/2" Bbl. . Quite accurate. Very manageable. Bullet on the left, 280 gr NOE mold. Bullet on the right ,Lee 310gr.

[megasupermagnum]

While Bluedot is fantastic for upper end loads, it is one of the best there is for moderate loads too. 1050 fps and 240gr I'd consider low end for 44 mag, especially with a 7.5" barrel, but it's worth trying anyway. Based on what I've tried, and 44 special data, I would try 9 to 12 gr Bluedot.

[Cosmic_Charlie]

12 grains of HS-6 under a 240-250 grain boolit works well for me. Look at Alliant 2400 too. Plenty of good load data in the Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook, 4th addition.

[44MAG#1]

Here are two loads in a M69 Smith 4.2 inch and one with a Smith M69 2.75 inch I chronoed.

7.5 Unique with a 250 Keith seated in MAGNUM cases to 1.590" OAL. 938 FPS. 4.2 inch
5.2 gr Bullseye 250 Keith at 1.545" OAL in MAGNUM cases. 782 FPS. 4.2 inch.
16.2 grain 2400 at 1.590" OAL with the 250 Keith in MAGNUM cases from a 2.75 inch M69 at 1086 FPS.
The primers used were CCI 300 on the 7.5 grain Unique.
The primers on the 5.2 grain Bullseye were WLP.
The primers used in the 16.3 grain load were CCI 300.

[racepres]

While Bluedot is fantastic for upper end loads, it is one of the best there is for moderate loads too. 1050 fps and 240gr I'd consider low end for 44 mag, especially with a 7.5" barrel, but it's worth trying anyway. Based on what I've tried, and 44 special data, I would try 9 to 12 gr Bluedot.

11.6 behind a 255 SWC is pleasant..

[farmbif]

when I first got into 44 mag I loaded both 44spl and 44 mag with blue dot. it works well. these days I use be-86 or unique for milder loads and 296, no9, 4227 or 300mp for full power loads. there are many powders that work well in 44mag I just use what I have the most of.

[RJM52]

Looking on hodgdons website 9gr of 231 seems like a good load. How's the recoil on these? Is it something you can shoot a fair amount of without discomfort?

..it is one of those "all day long" loads...

[Edward429451]

It's all about the barrel length with a 44 Mag. I have a 7.5" so of course I use 2400. This can be loaded up from nice midrange loads to the range of not fun to shoot at all! And there's always been something about mid range loads and Unique, it just works great.

I've tried Trailboss, 231 and a couple others over time, eh. Some work some don't. 2400 & Unique always work well though.

[44MAG#1]

It's all about the barrel length with a 44 Mag. I have a 7.5" so of course I use 2400. This can be loaded up from nice midrange loads to the range of not fun to shoot at all! And there's always been something about mid range loads and Unique, it just works great.

I've tried Trailboss, 231 and a couple others over time, eh. Some work some don't. 2400 & Unique always work well though.

I don't really see anything wrong with 1086 FPS from a 2.75 inch barreled M69 Smith with a 250 Keith and 16.2 grains 2400.

[Edward429451]

I don't really see anything wrong with 1086 FPS from a 2.75 inch barreled M69 Smith with a 250 Keith and 16.2 grains 2400.

I ran some 245 Keith bullets with 18.0 of 2400 in my sons mdl 29 4" barrel and there was lots of unburnt powder on the table. If you had a longer barrel it could use the extra powder and keeps getting better. As it is, Unique loads would be a good choice for shorter barrels.

[44MAG#1]

I ran some 245 Keith bullets with 18.0 of 2400 in my sons mdl 29 4" barrel and there was lots of unburnt powder on the table. If you had a longer barrel it could use the extra powder and keeps getting better. As it is, Unique loads would be a good choice for shorter barrels.

I don't look for unburned power. If you would up the load of 2400 it will clean up some.
I go by performance of the load overall not the unburned powder part of it.

[trapper9260]

I don't look for unburned power. If you would up the load of 2400 it will clean up some.
I go by performance of the load overall not the unburned powder part of it.

I do the same when I load, I let the load tell me what is liked in the gun.

[44MAG#1]

I do the same when I load, I let the load tell me what is liked in the gun.

I think, after long thought over many years, many of us overthink things to a strenuous degree to make us think we are doing something worthwhile.
It makes us feel we have accomplished something.

[Cap'n Caveman]

My pet (moderate) load is 7.5gr of Bullseye ignited with a standard large pistol primer pushing a bevel based 245gr SWC. 12 BHN and sized at .4315" for my 6" stainless Super Blackhawk. It chrono's at 1000-1050 fps and is easy to handle. This load isn't shown in modern manuals but I assure you it is more than safe. I have put at least 6500 of these through my SBH and your wheel gun is even stronger yet.

[paul edward]

I have had good luck using 10 grains of Win-231 (same as HP-38) with a cast 225 grain gas check bullet (RCBS 44-225) sized .430 in a Ruger SBH with 7.5" barrel. Do not have chronograph so estimate this load to produce about 1,000 fps. This has proven to be a very accurate load. This load should work in your Redhawk with a 240 Cast plain base bullet.

Note: When the RCBS 44-225 bullet is crimped in the crimp groove, the overall length is too long to work through the action of an 1894 Marlin.

My original light loads back in the sixties were 6 grains of Bullseye with a 250 grain cast, plain base bullet from Lyman mold 429336. Eventually I moved on to Win-231 as it meters better than Bullseye through my Redding powder measure.

[ShooterAZ]

My go to powder for "moderate" 44 Mag loads is Unique. 8.5 grains for boolits weighing 240-250 grains is what I use. The above mentioned load of 6 grains of Bullseye is another winner. 231 works pretty well too, but I personally prefer Titegroup over 231 using 9 grains with the afore mentioned boolit weights.

[44MAG#1]

8.5 gr Unique in Magnum cases is roughly equal to the Skelton load of 7.5 gr in the 44 Special.
While NOT IDENTICAL it is very close.

[Mauser48]

The 9gr of w231 worked out well. Right about the power I was looking for. I did have leading all through the barrel with the missouri coated bullets. Might have to go back to casting and powder coating myself.

[racepres]

Red Dot powder at 7 gr and a 240-280 gr bullet will be close to 1000 fps, accurate and economical.

Glad this came back around... Yes, the above load is a very Good one...for Me, with softer 230-240 gr Boolits.
But, with the Lee 255 SWC there is alot of Boolit In the case, so 5.8 gr of Trail Boss is where I settled (based on available powder space)
Yes Very Soft Shooting... But, with the Contender, sweet shooting.. Haven't shot them with the SBH, but, Might be Fun in that... tho 200 gr Rf, over SR7625 is what it Likes

[Anyracoon]

Any one loading for a Taurus 44 magnum, 4" ported barrel?

[rintinglen]

Actually, Lyman's number 4 gives 25.1 grains of H110 for the start load for a 200 grain SAECO #420 boolit @ 31,700 CUP.

[Rockindaddy]

My favorite 44 Mag "cupcake" load is the 200 gr flat point Lee boolit that I cast from a Lee 6-cavity 429 200RF. These moulds list for$65 They make a lot of boolits in short order. The flat point is good stacked in a tubular magazine rifle. I shoot them in my Rossi stainless 92 and a Marlin 44 Mag. They feed well because of the ojive design of the boolit. The Colt Anaconda allows my grandsons bragging rights to shooting Pap's 44 Mag. Unique at 6.5 grs works great! Good soda can blaster. I have a couple of dueling trees on the farm shooting range. The 200 grainer has enough steam to swing the paddles.

[murf205]

I don't really see anything wrong with 1086 FPS from a 2.75 inch barreled M69 Smith with a 250 Keith and 16.2 grains 2400.

My favorite mid range 44 load is 16.6-16.7 grs of 2400 and with a 429421 Keith in my 4" 629 it does 1050 and don't worry about any unburned powder. It is super accurate in all my 44's.311977 My SRH Ruger REALLY like it. Full throttle loads are more accurate with H110 but the blast and flash is a bit much, but you are not looking for those anyway.

[44MAG#1]

My favorite mid range 44 load is 16.6-16.7 grs of 2400 and with a 429421 Keith in my 4" 629 it does 1050 and don't worry about any unburned powder. It is super accurate in all my 44's.311977 My SRH Ruger REALLY like it. Full throttle loads are more accurate with H110 but the blast and flash is a bit much, but you are not looking for those anyway.

Try that load in Mag cases seated to the same OAL as a 44 Special and crimped over the front band.
It is a heavy 44 Special load and I like it.
7.5 of Unique is good too.

[murf205]

I have shot the 7.5 gr Unique load and it is indeed a very accurate one. I use 44 spl brass and std primers in both. I like the 2400 for the ease of metering. I can get the Unique to run through the Uniflow with pretty good consistency but not a smooth as 2400.

[Chena]

Brian Pearce covered this topic in both Handloader numbers 237 and 261. His article on full power cast bullet loads in Handloader 208 is also a good one. I believe all three issues are available online. His article on handgun bullet seating and crimping in issue 237 is worth reading as well.

[racepres]

Brian Pearce covered this topic in both Handloader numbers 237 and 261. His article on full power cast bullet loads in Handloader 208 is also a good one. I believe all three issues are available online. His article on handgun bullet seating and crimping in issue 237 is worth reading as well.

Very good... for a time when there was Not access to so very many "experts" so readily... I much enjoy input from numerous knowledgeable people who have BTDT... Like Here!

[44MAG#1]

Very good... for a time when there was Not access to so very many "experts" so readily... I much enjoy input from numerous knowledgeable people who have BTDT... Like Here!

What is an "Expert"? What goes into making someone an "Expert"? Who are "The Experts"?
I am a follower of Elmer Keith. Was he an "Expert" based on what he knew at the time?

[racepres]

What is an "Expert"? What goes into making someone an "Expert"? Who are "The Experts"?
I am a follower of Elmer Keith. Was he an "Expert" based on what he knew at the time?

IDK...One mans Expert is probably another mans Idiot... matter not the degree of Popularity nor Published Works...
I pick Mine in My Manner... you need to do Same. I very Much appreciate the Varied input...from All

[44MAG#1]

What would the steps be to picking an "Expert"?
Not trying to be funny or anything. There should be some criteria that we could use to determine who would be one.

[Chena]

44Mag - Not entirely sure what your quibble about a common word has to do with the OPs original question. As it happens, Pearce credits, adopts and builds on Keith’s work. His pressure category update on the .44 Special is also an advance and proves the work of the old master is still valid after over fifty years. Studying it convinced me to settle on the RCBS 250-K and the old time Hercules/Alliant powders for all my .44 reloading. Thousands of rounds down range and many years of field carry have given me no reason to change. I did not quote his load data because it is still under copyright and the workman deserves his wage.

[Murphy]

I see where Unique powder has been mentioned a number of times in this thread. I'm going to follow suit in using Unique. While it may not meter as well as some of the other mentioned powders, it has been my choice for mild to medium loads using a 240 grain cast boolit for over 40 years now.

Given the size and weight of a Ruger Redhawk, I would start with 7.5 grains of Unique and go up .5 tenths of a grain to 9.0. Out of the 4 loads (7.5/8.0/8.5/9.0) I'm sure you'll find the one that suits you.

Just my 2¢ worth.


Murphy

[44MAG#1]

44Mag - Not entirely sure what your quibble about a common word has to do with the OPs original question. As it happens, Pearce credits, adopts and builds on Keith’s work. His pressure category update on the .44 Special is also an advance and proves the work of the old master is still valid after over fifty years. Studying it convinced me to settle on the RCBS 250-K and the old time Hercules/Alliant powders for all my .44 reloading. Thousands of rounds down range and many years of field carry have given me no reason to change. I did not quote his load data because it is still under copyright and the workman deserves his wage.

I am not quibbling over ANYONE. I asked what is an "EXPERT" is all and the definition of "EXPERT".
I HAVE NOTHING against Pearce. I read his writings. I peruse his data. I use his data some.
Who said I said anything about Pearce or anyone by name?
Would this ASSUMPTION be based on ASSUMING I have something against Pearce?
I don't.

[Chena]

44mag - Guess I just misunderstood. Still puzzled as to what you meant, but don’t want to stray further off topic by asking questions. Regarding the OP’s original question, I would add that Herco makes a fair substitute for Unique with 240 to 255 grain semi-wadcutters if charges are increased by 0.5 to 1.0 grains. I used up a couple of pounds that way for practice rounds a few years ago. My experience was that it burned a bit dirtier and was a little less easy to meter accurately.

[racepres]

Because we are talking slightly Milder 44Mag loadings...who here has Used AA#5... I believe it to be slightly slower than Unique, and Should be a good bet... besides..around me it is less costly than Unique...assuming you can even Find Unique.. Only problem May be that it sure don't fill as much case (by volume) which may be a Bad Thing since it is essentially a Ball Powder (flattened I believe)...
Or we can continue to Praise Unique...and Rightly so IMO.
Edit; Trail Boss seems the Ultimate "reduced loading" but,,,around me, more scarce than Unique, Actually All Alliant Fast Powders...

[44MAG#1]

Studying and investigating is paramount in load data.
Speer shows, with #5 at 9.3 grains at max 44 Special data with their latest 44-250K bullet. With. STD primers.
Deep seat a 250 "Keith" bullet, see in parentheses, in 44 Mag brass and start at 9.3 grains and work up to a decent load.
Not rocket science. Seating deep keeps load density in a more favorable situation.
Power Pistol looks REAL GOOD for this application too.

[black mamba]

The Vihtavuori powders are larger grained, less dense and give better case fill than any ball powders. N330 is very slightly faster than Unique and N340 is slightly slower than Unique. In my 6½" 629 Classic 9.4 gr. of N340 gives about 1050 fps and extreme accuracy under a commercially coated 240 SWC.

[ddixie884]

I am a big fan of VV N340 but have never tried it in the .44s. It really does well in the .38spls. Guess I should go out of my way to try it in the .44s.............

[dogdoc]

My favorite load with 44 mag cases is 9 grains of power pistol with Lyman 429421 cci 300 primer.Usually get good groups in all my 44 mag handguns. I think I got this load from a true expert : Brian Pearce in a Handloader magazine article .��

[Larry Gibson]

My favorite load with 44 mag cases is 9 grains of power pistol with Lyman 429421 cci 300 primer.Usually get good groups in all my 44 mag handguns. I think I got this load from a true expert : Brian Pearce in a Handloader magazine article .��

in 44 magnum cases 8 1/2 or 9 gr of Unique under the Lyman 429421 or the RCBS has been my standard "medium" load for many years. I developed the load many years ago simply to duplicate the "Skeeter" 44 SPL load [same bullets with 7.5 gr Unique in 44 SPL cases] but in 44 magnum cases for use in 44 magnum revolvers. Back in '09 I pressure tested that load in my Contender test barrel. The average psi [10 shot test] ran 21,100 psi. That load runs 1070 fps out of my Ruger FTBH w/6 1/2" barrel. It runs 950 fps out of my Colt Anaconda w/4" barrel.

BTW; "expert" is defined as "one with special skill or knowledge representing mastery of a particular subject". I would suspect Mr. Pearce falls within that category regarding the loading and testing of numerous handgun cartridges.

[MakeMineA10mm]

Have my first 44 on the way and am looking at putting a good moderate load together. I'm going to use the missouri cast hi tek costed 240gr rnfp. I'm thinking this bullet around 1050 fps shoot make a good shooter that's not a complete handful. I'd like to use w231 since it meters well and I like it in my other pistol calibers. Does anyone have chrono data with various charges they've tested? Gun is a ruger redhawk with a 7.5" barrel. I also have some blue dot but that would probably be best suited for more upper end loads.

Hi Mauser48! I see you had many answers, and found a load you liked with W231. I just want to encourage you to test some other load levels. I have found W231 to be a very universal powder for most of my pistol loading as well, so to keep powder inventory manageable, I try to find loads in most calibers which use that powder.

What I found in experimenting with W231 in 44 Mag is that higher end loads are not that pleasant. They have a loud “crack” and a sharp recoil impulse. I do not remember what the max load was, but believe it was around 11.5grs? I found that anything above 9.5grs was not the pleasant, shoot-all-day load I was looking for.

After researching seating depths and 44Special loads with W231, I worked my way down to 6.0grs in 0.5gr increments. Where I found happiness was at 7.5grs. The sharp crack and recoil impulse was gone, and I was getting around 875fps out of a 6” bbl. (S&W629). I do not recall chronographing it in my 6.5” Ruger, but I’d guess from 4”-7.5” barrels would be in the 825fps-925fps range.

I know you said you were looking for ~1000 fps, so my load is below that. I want you to load what makes you happy, but try a ladder test from 6.5 up to the 9.0 you tried, and see where your sweet spot is. It only takes a cylinder-full of each load to decide.

[racepres]

Studying the Books is Nice.. I much prefer Experiences of fellow Shooters who are not afraid to experiment..
Great case in Point... What "book" did the 7.5 grains of Unique come from?? Universally accepted, yet Not Published in any book I own...and I have more than a Few books.. Someone experimented, someon else did also.. Figures someplace between 44Spl and Low end 44 Mag load...
Why I asked about AA#5 loadings.. No Problems... I am doing my Own Diligence..

[44MAG#1]

Studying the Books is Nice.. I much prefer Experiences of fellow Shooters who are not afraid to experiment..
Great case in Point... What "book" did the 7.5 grains of Unique come from?? Universally accepted, yet Not Published in any book I own...and I have more than a Few books.. Someone experimented, someoneelse did also.. Figures someplace between 44Spl and Low end 44 Mag load...
Why I asked about AA#5 loadings.. No Problems... I am doing my Own Diligence..

Doing your own diligence is a great thing to do. The books had to have been created by someone who experimented. They just didn't happen. Someone started out with a cartridge using a bullet, case, powder and primer and a gun. So experimentation had a birth. That birth gave way to loading companies that published books on loads. The 7.5 gr Unique has worked for many years by many people. Since it has worked so well for so many people for so many years it really doesn't need to be in a book. Wouldn't hurt any but it doesn't have to be.

[Larry Gibson]

I suspect the reason we don't see Skeeter's 44 SPL load [7.5 gr Unique] published in manuals is because the SAAMI MAP for the cartridge is 15,500 psi. There is no +P 44 SPL as that psi range is left to the purview of the 44 Magnum cartridge. Based on my own pressure testing of Skeeter's load depending on which 240 - 250 gr cast bullet is used, the psi will run 19,000 to 24,000+ psi.

[ddixie884]

The Lyman 45th gave 8.0gr of Unique under the #429421 and 7.9gr under the #429244. The later manuals were lower and Alliant shows 6.9gr of Unique with a 240 or 250gr lead bullet.
Just sharing the loads from my favorite manual with my favorite powder...............

This is in the.44spl…………

[chunkin lead]

8.5 - 9.0 unique with 240 - 260.
7.5 HP38 240.
No leading issues. Recoil is not bad. Changed out the ribbed grip for a Hogue. Did not like how the ribs reacted in my hand.
Purchased some 250gr cast HP for a woods/trail carry load.

[cowboy4evr]

I recently tried a new load and found it very satisfactory for a mid range 44 magnum load using the Keith swc , H&G 503 . I wanted to try Hodgdon's Titegroup . I had a couple of pounds and decided to give it a try . On their website they list 5-10 grs . I went with 8.0 . I am not interested in going any higher , accuracy was great , moderate recoil and I feel it would take of business if called up on .

[Jason Gilmour]

I know you didn’t mention Universal but that’s my choice for a mild 44. I go from 8-10 grains withe a 240 grain SWC. I’ve killed two whitetail deer with the 10 grain load. It worked well.

[Krag 1901]

I used to shoot a lot of 2400 in my 8" python but after a lot of rounds the darn gun locked up and upon disassembly I found that unburned 2400 had locked up the whole lower cylinder lock and trigger mechanism. This was a near max load too. 2400 is a good powder but make sure to fully disassemble every so often to clear out the unburned granuals. I never had this problem with my M29, probably because I don't shoot it as much.

I have a bunch of .44 SPL and Mag loaded with 700X and Unique but haven't shot it due to an eye problem that getting better now so this spring I will get my .44's out to the range soon, now that the temps are above 60.

[ddixie884]

I know you didn’t mention Universal but that’s my choice for a mild 44. I go from 8-10 grains withe a 240 grain SWC. I’ve killed two whitetail deer with the 10 grain load. It worked well.l

Universal is very near to unique in burning properties and burn rate. In strong guns “ Magnums” it can be used practically interchangeably with Unique. In non-magnum calibers, universal it’s not as forgiving of pushing the envelope on pressure as unique. it can be a little spiky at max pressure in things like the 38 Special. I use 9gr of either in .45 Colt with 255gr sec in my 625 Mountain gun.

[ulav8r]

First read this thread after about 4-5 replies and my first thought was 44 Special loads in magnum brass.

[ddixie884]

in 44 magnum cases 8 1/2 or 9 gr of Unique under the Lyman 429421 or the RCBS has been my standard "medium" load for many years. I developed the load many years ago simply to duplicate the "Skeeter" 44 SPL load [same bullets with 7.5 gr Unique in 44 SPL cases] but in 44 magnum cases for use in 44 magnum revolvers. Back in '09 I pressure tested that load in my Contender test barrel. The average psi [10 shot test] ran 21,100 psi. That load runs 1070 fps out of my Ruger FTBH w/6 1/2" barrel. It runs 950 fps out of my Colt Anaconda w/4" barrel.

BTW; "expert" is defined as "one with special skill or knowledge representing mastery of a particular subject". I would suspect Mr. Pearce falls within that category regarding the loading and testing of numerous handgun cartridges.

What he said...............

[racepres]

First read this thread after about 4-5 replies and my first thought was 44 Special loads in magnum brass.
Works really well for me also...Warm Spl loadings = Moderate Magnum... Only reason to use Special Brass...Is For my Special Gun!!!

[black mamba]

To me moderate 44 magnum loadings are/should be a step above warm special loads. A 240 gr at 1000 fps is a warm special load, and that still leaves a 400 fps gap to a full on magnum load. 1050-1150 fps with a 240-265 gr bullet is a moderate magnum load to me, and capable of just about anything a handgun can do.

[racepres]

To me moderate 44 magnum loadings are/should be a step above warm special loads. A 240 gr at 1000 fps is a warm special load, and that still leaves a 400 fps gap to a full on magnum load. 1050-1150 fps with a 240-265 gr bullet is a moderate magnum load to me, and capable of just about anything a handgun can do.

Right... Kieth/Skelton 44Special loads but in Magnum Brass

[Ricochet]

44 Special performance in .44 Magnum brass avoids fouling the ends of the chambers, which can make subsequent Magnum cases a little sticky. I still have some swaged 240 grain .429 SWC, Speer and an unknown brand, that lead if pushed too hard. In 7 1/2 and 8 3/8" barrels, I find that 8 grains of Accurate #5 gives around 880 FPS and 10 grains is close to 1000 FPS. Both are pleasant loads. Those bullets lead if pushed faster. I bought a closeout 6 hole Lee 430-255-SWC mould years ago and have a lot of those cast. I'll keep on with them for moderate loads when I shoot up the old swaged ones.

[racepres]

44 Special performance in .44 Magnum brass avoids fouling the ends of the chambers, which can make subsequent Magnum cases a little sticky. I still have some swaged 240 grain .429 SWC, Speer and an unknown brand, that lead if pushed too hard. In 7 1/2 and 8 3/8" barrels, I find that 8 grains of Accurate #5 gives around 880 FPS and 10 grains is close to 1000 FPS. Both are pleasant loads. Those bullets lead if pushed faster. I bought a closeout 6 hole Lee 430-255-SWC mould years ago and have a lot of those cast. I'll keep on with them for moderate loads when I shoot up the old swaged ones.
I really like that 255 Lee alot... Shoots great in SBH and Contender...The Lever action Ruger??? Not so good at feeding!!! Oh Well, maybe I reduce the loading and try deeper seating

[Rich/WIS]

Back when I had a 6.5" M29 my favorite all day shooting load was 8.0 grs of Unique under whatever 245-250 gr SWC mold I had at the time. Not sure of the velocity but was accurate and had enough power to kill a pop can dead with one shot, LOL.

[Dekota56]

I shoot a S&W M29 7.5 barrel . Hornady 240 gr. hpxtp using Win. 296 23.5 grain does very well for me.
Has a little lift when shot. But easy to pull back on the mark. My favorite round for the Smith.

[Outpost75]

Larry Gibson did some testing maybe last year, firing Bullseye powder in the .44 Mag. to approximate .44-40 loads. There is very little difference in powder capacity between .44 Mag. and .44-40. IIRC relying upon memory, which can be dangerous, 7 grains of Bullseye with a 200-230 grain bullet is a safe and satisfactory .44-40 load in my Colt New Service and also in modern Italian clones of the Colt single action. 1000 rounds to a pound of powder has a nice ring to it.

Larry, please repost the data here if it can be easily done.

[Larry Gibson]

The data is in the first post of this thread; https://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?406689-Vicarious-44-40-Pressure-Testing

I can repost pictures if need be?

[cowboy4evr]

Here's a couple more " 44 magnum moderate oads " that I have shot . As mentioned before I deep seated the Keith swc over the front driving band , loaded on top of 7.5 grs of Unique . I was trying to duplicate the " Keith - Shelton " 44 special load . It performed well , very accurate and moderate to shoot . I have shot 8.0 grs of W231 using same bullet and again --- found a real nice shoot all day moderate load . Lastly 6.5 - 7.0 grs of 700X works just as well . Good Luck , regards Paul