Temperature vs Velocity vs Pressure - Handloader Mag Article

[Doc_Stihl]

I was looking over the April issue of Handloader Magazine.

The +p .44 Magnum article surprised me. +p 44 magnum load data that lists a varety of charges that are over manufacturers published load data.

Then I noticed the Notes. 7.5" Redhawk, Starline Cases and 20 Degrees Fahrenheit.

20 Degrees!

I'm surprised they'd list such hot load data and then test at 20 degrees. If someone takes some of those start charges and goes out in 100+ degree weather, I'd be expecting some substantial differences. (Possibly scary differences)

[44man]

I agree, some powders get funny. I don't get the idea of plus P loading anyway. For accuracy loadings none of my loads are ever max and the .44 will do anything needed without pushing pressures high.
But there is always somebody that loads only for speed, the word "magnum" just has to be proven.
I can shoot my same loads all year in any weather. If a guy wants more power, buy a bigger gun.

[nicholst55]

I also don't see the point in loading the .44 Magnum to "+P" pressures. Buy a bigger gun; not that I can really think of a personal need for one. But then, I don't hunt dangerous game with a revolver, either.

I just don't understand why a ,250 grain bullet at XXXX velocity won't kill something DRT (Dead Right There), but loading the same bullet to XXXX+ 100 FPS will work better. Maybe somebody needs to 'splain it to me...

[mooman76]

I can't comment too much on the artical yet. It seems that I am always last to get the magazine so I haven't got it yet. I too have never understood trying to push guns beyond their limit. You need something bigger ana badder. Get a bigger and badder gun!

[archmaker]

Agreed! I just finished the article this morning. I always figured a load that was good enough to take steel rams at 200meters was powerful enough for hunting at the ranges I am likely to shoot (under a 100yds).

Favorite load 255gr cast SWC at about 1050fps. Fun to shoot and powerful enough to get the job done. I like to shoot, and I like to hit the target. This load I can shoot all day long and it hits the target, only time I miss it is because of my fault, not the gun or load.

If I felt the need to hunt bigger game then I MIGHT go with a bigger bullet.

[Doc_Stihl]

Beyond the +p or hot loads issue. A load developed and published in a magazine that was tested at 20 degrees farenheit isn't going to be a good representation of what most people will actually see.

[mnzrxer]

I didn't get the +P 44 Magnum thing either. I have been hoping Handloader (or any other mag for that matter) would do a heavy bullet 44 Magnum article since I like the +300 grain boolits in my gun, but then they went and did +P loads with those heavy bullets. Oh well.

[kmag]

I was disappointed that the article took up so much space in my magazine. All about volocity and little about accuracy. I've never found a need for +p loading in any caliber. Seems to me that it is just harder on the guns and compontents. I seem to find the best accuracy at slightly below max levels in the loading manuals. ( My opinion)

[Thumbcocker]

Never saw the point in trying to make a ".44 Swift". I guess I'm just not that enlightened.

[NSP64]

It's called big gun envy. Someone always has to have bigger faster.:(

I like mine 310gr @ 1100 fps.

[cbrick]

I haven't seen the article yet, who was the author?

Rick

[Doc_Stihl]

Brian Pearce was the author.

[runfiverun]

my 445 is still laughing at the +p44 mag.
you'll never get 35 grs of powder in a 44 mag case [i've tried :lol:]

[Frozone]

I develop 2 different ( but equivalent) loads for my 454.
I'm waiting for summer to finish up my work on a 365g cast using W296.

At 20* and below I'm using 28.5g - that is Well above published maximums, and above freezing that is far to hot. But at the intended temps, it's a little light.
Yesterday the temp was in the 40s and 25g was about max. I would be worried about that load at 80*.
It would seem 296 is rather temp sensitive, but then we knew that.

[44mag1]

It's called big gun envy. Someone always has to have bigger faster.:(

I like mine 310gr @ 1100 fps.

Exactly what I think. I shot a mule deer quartering away from me at 80 yards with that exact load. went in behind the liver and came out in the front of the front shoulder. I couldent have asked for better performance from a 30-06. the boolit went on into never never land and could probably have gone through another deer.

[a.squibload]

10-4 on 310 at 1100. Freind who got me into IHMSA long ago would load 310s much hotter,
didn't shoot that well. Gotta be able to hit something with it, otherwise sell gun & buy
firecrackers.

[Village Idiot]

Reminds me of what my father used to say. “You can use a dump truck to go to the store for a box of cookies but you can’t get a load of gravel with a sedan”.

In other words you can usually ask a product to do less than what it was intended for but to ask a product to do more than it was designed for isn't to bright. That usually ends up with a broken product and possible injury to the operator.

V.I.