.44 mag load info.

[ghh3rd]

First time loading .44 mag for my Ruger SBH. Got the mold, but forgot to order the handles :groner: I will have to improvise a way to pull the two halves apart long enough to cast about 50 good boolits, and order the handles and pay shipping again [smilie=b:

I will shop for powder and large pistol primers today. I've heard that unless the powder manufacturer states that magnum primers are necessary, I can use regular primers.

What is the optimum powder for this load, perferably using regular primers. I'll be transitioning from breaking in the SBH to hunting with it as soon as I get the chance.

Thanks - Randy

[454PB]

If you're looking for maximum velocities, you're going to need magnum primers to ignite slow burning ball powders. If you're happy with midrange or reduced loads, try Unique or Bluedot with standard primers.

[44man]

If you're looking for maximum velocities, you're going to need magnum primers to ignite slow burning ball powders. If you're happy with midrange or reduced loads, try Unique or Bluedot with standard primers.
Not so. I use nothing but Fed 150 primers in the .44. Magnum primers will triple group size with 296 or H110. Too much pressure that moves boolits out before good ignition. All you need is HEAT from the primer.
To tell the truth, a standard prime will light off a max load of slow ball powder better then a mag primer. It will also work with reduced loads so you can find accuracy without going to max.
I ONLY go to a mag primer with larger cases like the .475 that can damp pressure.

[Changeling]

First time loading .44 mag for my Ruger SBH. Got the mold, but forgot to order the handles :groner: I will have to improvise a way to pull the two halves apart long enough to cast about 50 good boolits, and order the handles and pay shipping again [smilie=b:

I will shop for powder and large pistol primers today. I've heard that unless the powder manufacturer states that magnum primers are necessary, I can use regular primers.

What is the optimum powder for this load, perferably using regular primers. I'll be transitioning from breaking in the SBH to hunting with it as soon as I get the chance.

Thanks - Randy

I did the same thing on the handles back when I ordered my 44 mag mold from LBT, LOL.

You never said what weight bullet you were shooting.

I shoot a 160 grain LBTWFN in 44 mag and have only used 2400 and Winchester 296 and mag primers. I like the 296 a lot better than 2400. Both of these are slow powders but that darn 2400 is some really dirty powder to shoot.
I've never shot what would be considered low pressure loads, witch is going to change! If I did I would use a faster powder and regular primer as you have already been told.

[Bass Ackward]

I think 454 is 100% correct on primers.

I think Jim's statement is 100% correct on primers.

How can this be? Depends on your dies and your brass what kind of neck tension you have and what kind of crimp you use.

Proof of the taste is on the target. I use both when Professor Target says too.

[wallenba]

Some load data specifies magnums for powders such as HS-6 (Speer), then others don't. I think it comes down to a reliability issue, especially in cold weather.

[arcticbreeze]

First time loading .44 mag for my Ruger SBH. Got the mold, but forgot to order the handles :groner: I will have to improvise a way to pull the two halves apart long enough to cast about 50 good boolits, and order the handles and pay shipping again [smilie=b:

I will shop for powder and large pistol primers today. I've heard that unless the powder manufacturer states that magnum primers are necessary, I can use regular primers.

What is the optimum powder for this load, perferably using regular primers. I'll be transitioning from breaking in the SBH to hunting with it as soon as I get the chance.

Thanks - Randy

Hello Randy

I see you’re in Tampa. I am in New Port Richey. Funny you ask about 44mag tonight. I am going to WAC in Clearwater tomorrow with about 12 different loads in 4 boolits in 44mag to chrony. I am getting ready to hunt pigs in Homosassa the 14th and 15th. No center fire rifle allowed so I am shooting a New Model Super Blackhawk Hunter. Where do you shoot? I have mold handle to fit most mold you can borrow until you get yours. By the way what mold is it you have?

Marc

By the way, here in FL with our heat I have never had a problem lighting even the slowest of powders with regular LP primers.

[jack19512]

Magnum primers will triple group size with 296 or H110.






Maybe that's part of my problem. I have always used the magnum primers with 296 or other powders I have tried in my 44 mag.

[RKJ]

Guys, I'm new here but have been reading and listening for a long time, (I don't like the term "Lurker" as it sounds to much like stalker to me) :) . Anyway, you might try 20 grains of 2400 behind 240 SWC, or what John Taffin recommends: 10 grains of Unique. I shoot that and it's much more enjoyable.

[ghh3rd]

Hey Mark - I used to shoot only at Shooting Sports in Tampa near Dale Mabry/Waters. I've been to WAC a few times recently though, and it's a good place to shoot.

The mold is a Lee 6-Cavity Bullet Mold 430-310-RF 44 Special, 44 Remington Magnum, 44-40 WCF (430 Diameter) 310 Grain Flat Nose Gas Check (that's a mouthfull!).

I'd like to find out more about where you hunt hogs in Homosassa. I've never tried it, but that's on my agenda. I see you have a New Model Super Blackhawk Hunter -- I just purchased the same thing with Bisley grips and picked it up a couple of days ago. When will you be at WAC? Perhaps I can get over there tomorrow, between some long overdue chores. I'd sure like to see how your loads work out.

About the handles... guess I'm just anxious to do something with all of my new 'stuff'. I still have to get the powder and large pistol primers, and ingredients for a lube. I thought casting some boolits would satisfy my appetite for now.

Randy

[TDC]

Let me add something else to the primer decision...

With the current shortage we can't be that choosy as to the type and manufacturer. Many more magnum primers seem to be available right now. We may not be able to buy the brands we want. I believe it's wise to build loads with both primer types for whichever powder is chosen. JMHO...

[arcticbreeze]

I go to WAC every Sunday. I usually get there about 8:45am till ?. Homosassa opens on the 14th for 1st phase of "Small Game" season. So no dear hunting but pigs are on the menu (Here in FL pigs are feral so you can hunt them during any open season). It is daily quota permit issued first come first serve at the check in station and they only let 30 people in so if you ever go, be at the check in station early. That is actually the thing I like about it. You don't have to worry about running into other people around every corner. Here is a pdf for Homosassa.

http://myfwc.com/docs/Brochures/09-10_Homosassa.pdf

I did not draw a quota permit for Chassahowitzka which is my preference so I can't get in there till the 23rd.

[arcticbreeze]

By the way, to answer your original question about powder. I prefer either H110 or W296 for full power hunting loads. But be cautious, you don’t want to use those powders at reduced charges. For moderate practice loads I have had best accuracy with IMR4227 but 2400 is a close second and more versatile.

[ghh3rd]

I'll come to the rangee tomorrow as an observer. I appreciate the offer to borrow the handles. It would be good (for me) if you bring them tomorrow, and I can bring them back to you at the range the next Sunday, where I'll hopefully be trying out my Ruger SBH. If you forget the handles, no big deal -- I'll still enjoy being at the range.

Randy

[arcticbreeze]

No problem. I will be in a blue T-shirt that says Arctic Breeze Heating & Air, Inc. in white letters.

[Blammer]

Here's my groups on average;
I use mag primers but not H110 or W296, I use 2400.

http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g81/blammer8mm/Targets/File0088.jpg

http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g81/blammer8mm/Targets/44SRH_290gr16gr2400.jpg

http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g81/blammer8mm/Targets/44SRH260gr20gr2400.jpg

[JIMinPHX]

H-110 has been THE powder for me in top end loads for the .44 Mag. It burns just fine with regular old WLP primers. I get 1" groups at 50 yards out of a carbine with Iron sights & velocity variations of less than 50fps over an entire string. It's like clockwork every time. Revolver results are similar. That is for gas checked boolits only. The H-110 makes a mess of plain base boolits. It leaves a bunch of craters on the base & the down range ballistics results are not as impressive.

Blue Dot & 296 are generally known to be good powders for warm loads in the .44. Blue Dot can get a little spooky if you try to down load it though. I would recomend against going below published starting loads with Blue Dot.

For lite target loads with plain base boolits, I've had good luck with W-231, Bullseye & Unique. For some reason, the Unique seems to perform just a little better in semi-lite to medium .44 loads.

[fredj338]

IT's hard to beat H110/W296 for full power loads, but it doesn't down load well. So I like 2400 for an all-round powder. Runs well at upper midrange & high end loads well. It does NOT need a mag primer. I have had hang fire loads w/ early batches of W296 & std. primers, so I onyl load mag primers w/ ball powders, especially on cold days. Unique or WSF make great light to medium vel loads w/ exc. accuracy.

[runfiverun]

for the 300 lee 19 or so of the 2400 and either primer should be fine.
how i decide is i look in the bbl and if the powder is unburnt i try magnum primers.
if the groups go to pot then i'll work on diameter or hardness or even neck tension if i can adding a thou to the boolit will do the same thing.

[Chris]

I am curious what you guys are considering medium loads. I run just over 13 gr of Unique behind a 240 gr LRN at 1400 fps with a standard primer. Blue Dot has been very sketchy for me when used outside of any published info.

Those of you using 296, what kinds of load are you running? When I first started shooting cast .44 mag, admittedly just a short time ago, I was told 296 could not be downloaded safely.

[44man]

I am curious what you guys are considering medium loads. I run just over 13 gr of Unique behind a 240 gr LRN at 1400 fps with a standard primer. Blue Dot has been very sketchy for me when used outside of any published info.

Those of you using 296, what kinds of load are you running? When I first started shooting cast .44 mag, admittedly just a short time ago, I was told 296 could not be downloaded safely.
It can't be downloaded MUCH but there are starting loads. It is not as bad as some say. It does not need mag primers. H110 is the same powder.
1400 fps with Unique is too much initial pressure. It will ruin a boolit.
Here are sight in loads with 296 at 50 yards with 296 and a Fed 150 primer. 50 and 100 yards. I shot the can and was hitting low so I aimed higher for the last shot. RD 265 gr boolit, 22 gr of 296 and a Fed 150 primer.

[44man]

Lost picture again.

[44man]

My stinking mouse double clicks on me, once when I push it and also when it comes back up. Second mouse too.

[arcticbreeze]

I am curious what you guys are considering medium loads. I run just over 13 gr of Unique behind a 240 gr LRN at 1400 fps with a standard primer. Blue Dot has been very sketchy for me when used outside of any published info.

Those of you using 296, what kinds of load are you running? When I first started shooting cast .44 mag, admittedly just a short time ago, I was told 296 could not be downloaded safely.

Chris

You are correct H110/W296 should not be downloaded. If you read the posts everyone is saying they like the powder for full power loads. I do not care for Unique in the 44 mag but many like it. I prefer to use most of the case capacity. I actually have achieved my best accuracy with IMR 4227 in mid range loads (ie 1000-1100fps w 240gr boolit) but accuracy starts to dwindle in my gun if I push them harder. I just got back from the range and chronoed some loads. I will post them after I eat some lunch.

[mooman76]

My stinking mouse double clicks on me, once when I push it and also when it comes back up. Second mouse too.

You can adjust the sensitivity of the mouse in the control panel.

[arcticbreeze]

These are some mid to high range loads that have shown good accuracy at 50 yds exept the RD boolit. I have not shot the RD boolit for groups yet and not sure I will. This is the first time I have chrony'd them. They are all from my Ruger NMSB Hunter 7.5' barrel.

Bullet: 44/444 Mihec FP sized .431
Alloy: Straight WW (312.1gr Lubed and Checked)
Lube: Speed Green
Primer: Wolf LP
Charge 18.0gr H110
Shot 1) 1192 FPS
Shot 2) 1189 FPS
Shot 3) 1200 FPS
Shot 4) 1192 FPS
Shot 5) 1201 FPS

My Hunting Boolit for Wild Pigs and Deer
Bullet: 44/444 Mihec HP sized .431
Alloy: 50/50 WW/PB (301.4gr Lubed and Checked)
Lube: Speed Green
Primer: Wolf LP
Charge 18.5gr H110
Shot 1) 1205 FPS
Shot 2) 1223 FPS
Shot 3) 1204 FPS
Shot 4) 1202 FPS
Shot 5) 1193 FPS

Bullet: Mihec H&G 503 Copy sized .431
Alloy: Straight WW (I forgot to weigh one) Approx 250
Lube: Speed Green
Primer: Wolf LP
Charge 22.5gr IMR4227
Shot 1) 1271 FPS
Shot 2) 1221 FPS
Shot 3) 1265 FPS
Shot 4) 1266 FPS
Shot 5) 1264 FPS

Caution with this load
No leading at all in my gun
Bullet: Mihec H&G 503 Copy sized .431
Alloy: Straight WW (I forgot to weigh one) Approx 250
Lube: Speed Green
Primer: Wolf LP
Charge 22.0gr 2400
Shot 1) 1471 FPS
Shot 2) 1426 FPS
Shot 3) 1433 FPS
Shot 4) 1399 FPS
Shot 5) 1414 FPS

Bullet: Ranch Dog (original) TLC432-265-RF sized .431
Alloy: 50/50 WW/PB (281.6gr Lubed and Checked)
Lube: Lee Liquid Alox
Primer: Wolf LP
Charge 19.0gr 2400
Shot 1) 1382 FPS
Shot 2) 1355 FPS
Shot 3) 1357 FPS
Shot 4) 1354 FPS
Shot 5) 1338 FPS

[hedgehorn]

for the 300 lee 19 or so of the 2400 and either primer should be fine.
how i decide is i look in the bbl and if the powder is unburnt i try magnum primers.
if the groups go to pot then i'll work on diameter or hardness or even neck tension if i can adding a thou to the boolit will do the same thing.

runfiverun that seems like a healthy charge of 2400 for a 300 grain boolit. What is your OAL?

[HeavyMetal]

I use 10 Grains unique under my 429421 as a general pupose load thats still got some stuff in it but it's not over powering. 1100 is what I usually see when I run it over the chrony from my 8 3/8s M29. Haven't tested it yet in the 10" contender.

About 22 to 23 grains of 296 is what I run under the 429421 1450 is a number I see a lot of on the chrony from the smith with this load.

Planning to play some with that Lee 310 grain boolit. The mold I have has to big a shank on it to install a check! Just my luck.

Fortuneately this is a two banger so I don't have much in it. Think I'll pull the sprue plate off and mill the gas check shank off the mold and make a plain base out of it.

Might take a drill and hollow point a few as well.

[fredj338]

I am curious what you guys are considering medium loads. I run just over 13 gr of Unique behind a 240 gr LRN at 1400 fps with a standard primer. Blue Dot has been very sketchy for me when used outside of any published info.

Those of you using 296, what kinds of load are you running? When I first started shooting cast .44 mag, admittedly just a short time ago, I was told 296 could not be downloaded safely.

You 13gr Unique & 240grLRN bullet is pushing safe recommended data. Certainly beyond a medium load. Have you actually chronographed them? I doubt you would get 1400fps. Lyman calls it a max load for 1200fps, maybe in a longer bbl 1300fps. For me, 1000fps-1200fps is a medium 240-245gr load. That is about 10gr-11.5gr of Unique.

[blaster]

Blue dot is a pretty versitile powder in the 44 mag. You can go from pretty light to exceeding 1400 fps with a 240 grain boolit. An you cna do it with pretty low pressures. I agree that you can ring every last fps with H110 but when I'm shooting cans I usually use a few griains of clays. There are lots of good powders for the 44 mag try one and if you don't like it you'll just have to shoot it all up and get another.

[1917]

With large pistol primers my favorite 200g frn on top of Titegroup 6gr for about 1000fps med load. 240g cast on top of 10grs runs about 1250fps which is plenty for me and get more fps per grain.

[Blammer]

plinkers, 10gr of unique and any 240-250gr boolit.

[44man]

I am curious what you guys are considering medium loads. I run just over 13 gr of Unique behind a 240 gr LRN at 1400 fps with a standard primer. Blue Dot has been very sketchy for me when used outside of any published info.

Those of you using 296, what kinds of load are you running? When I first started shooting cast .44 mag, admittedly just a short time ago, I was told 296 could not be downloaded safely.
It can be downloaded to minimum loads shown in manuals, never less. You need good neck tension and just a moderate crimp, enough to hold all boolits under recoil.
The only dies I have that give proper tension are Hornady and my special BR collar dies. Most dies expand too much and too deep. Boolits must be fairly hard to resist being sized when seating.
If you don't have tension even a standard primer can move the boolit out before ignition and that increases case capacity just like down loading and each case will be different---you can get a squib or failure to light off at all. Mag primers can blow loosely held boolits way into the bore. Why worry about downloading when primer pressure is increasing case capacity before the powder burns?
This is a problem with soft boolits and over size expanders, something you can do with a fast powder like 231 but forget it for H110 and 296. But even though you can do a soft boolit with 231, you ruin the boolit anyway from skidding and impacting the forcing cone. I make boolits HARDER for faster powders but case tension is not as important.
My accuracy loads;
Hornady 240 XTP, 24 gr 296.
Hornady 300 XTP, 20.5 gr
RD 265, 22 gr.
Lee 310, 21.5 gr.
320 LBT WLNGC, 21.5 gr
My 330 gr, 21 gr.
All use a Fed 150 primer.
None of my loads are fancy secrets. Accuracy starts with the dies you use. I can't stress this enough. All dies are good but most need expander work. That silly post of steel can ruin your best work.

My experiments with the .454 and ALL SR primers shows failure to light 296 with starting loads and ignition is only sure with max or over max loads. Cutting down .460 brass shows even a standard LP primer will light starting loads. They also light off .475 starting loads. To go farther, they even light off 45-70 loads. However, in these three cases, a mag primer has the edge on accuracy.
The .45 Colt is great with a Fed 150 and 296 but the WLP MIGHT have an accuracy edge. The Fed 155 is not as accurate.
As cases get larger, hotter primers start to work.
If you have problems with certain primers, powders and accuracy, look no farther then your dies and boolit hardness.
When someone tells you that you need a softer boolit, turn your head and cough! :bigsmyl2:
For lube---use LLA under your fenders, it can take 70 MPH without wiping off. [smilie=p:

[243winxb]

With my 250gr cast i like 10.2gr. Alliant Unique. W296 gets 23.0 Gr. ONE PRIMER FOR ALL WORKS FINE - WLP when i can get them.

[Shuz]

I use 10 Grains unique under my 429421 as a general pupose load thats still got some stuff in it but it's not over powering. 1100 is what I usually see when I run it over the chrony from my 8 3/8s M29. Haven't tested it yet in the 10" contender.

About 22 to 23 grains of 296 is what I run under the 429421 1450 is a number I see a lot of on the chrony from the smith with this load.

Planning to play some with that Lee 310 grain boolit. The mold I have has to big a shank on it to install a check! Just my luck.

Fortuneately this is a two banger so I don't have much in it. Think I'll pull the sprue plate off and mill the gas check shank off the mold and make a plain base out of it.

Might take a drill and hollow point a few as well.

Scalping or milling the gas check shank off of a 310 Lee is a good idea. You should end up with a boolit that weighs around 270g. At least that's what mine weighs out of ww+1%tin alloy.

[MtGun44]

Blammer,

I agree 100% on 10.0 Unique as a really great moderate .44 load.

Have you tried going from CCI350s with 2400 to CCI300s? I cut out quite a few
fliers when I did it. I found that Elmer recommended not using Mag primers with
both Unique and 2400.

Bill

[dualsport]

Anybody using AA#9? Does it have the 'reduced load' issues 296 has? thanks

[Blammer]

mtgun44, don't have any cci300's

I really can't complain, I don't have any fliers that I can't blame on me and a called bad shot for whatever reason. (normal excuses, wind, dust in eyes, sun in eyes, jerked trigger, etc.... :) )

[Edubya]

Anybody using AA#9? Does it have the 'reduced load' issues 296 has? thanks

No.9 200 NOS JHP 20.9 1,357 23.3 1,542 32,886 1.595
No.9 240 SIE JHC 17.8 1,214 19.8 1,380 34,800 1.560
No.9 240 RAN FP 16.7 1,220 18.6 1,386 34,800 1.575
No.9 250 SIE FPJ 17.6 1,173 19.5 1,333 34,104 1.600
No.9 300 SIE JSP 15.9 1,018 17.7 1,156 34,800 1.735
No.9 300 HDY XTP 14.8 1,031 16.5 1,172 33,338 1.595

http://www.accuratepowder.com/data/Acc%20Guide%20v3.3%20version.pdf
You can reduce AA9
EW

[nockhunter]

W296 and H110 are the same powder, so there is no real difference in loads, except from lot to lot. How are you guys removing the gas check hump in the Lee dies? I just got mine in the mail the other day. I got the 310g for the .44 and the 300g for the .45. I am interested in removing the one gas check from each mold.

Thanks
Mike

[testhop]

in my sbh hunter (great shooter).
iuse 3 loads for hunting 20 gr 2400-429421
practice10 unique -429215 or the 429421
plinking is 7 gr 231 anda 180 wc
have used blue dot it worked fair but not great

[MT Gianni]

Curmudgeon's 7 gr of Green dot behind a 240-250 gr boolit is 1000 fps and very accurate, I label those with green fingernail polish around the primer and my 820 loads with red polish.