Need powder puff load .44 mag

[ghh3rd]

I'm looking for a load suggestion for a 'powder puff' load for my Ruger SBH .44 mag under either a 245 or 265 gr boolit. The kids want to use the mag handgun, but have quickly tired from its kick.

I was thinking of 2400 powder, but if someone has a different suggestion, I'm all ears.

By the way, should I expect the POA to shift significantly up to 25 yds?

Thanks

Randy

[wiljen]

I'd just use 44 special data and the lightest boolit you have for the 44. that should produce a nice soft load.

[the_ursus]

Consult your reloading manual but Unique in the neighborhood of 8 grains for the 245gr slug makes a good plinker.

I've also used 7grains of Bullseye with the 245gr with good enough accuracy for cans at 25yds.

(note, my 245's come out 253 with lube and gas check)

[AlaskaMike]

Trail Boss would be ideal for this, although I've used 6 grains of Clays with 200 grain Lasercast RNFPs for light plinkers with good results. Personally, I'd stick with powders like 231 or faster.

You might want to use .44 special brass because they'll be a little more efficient with light powder charges.

Mike

[cptinjeff]

Consult your reloading manual but Unique in the neighborhood of 8 grains for the 245gr slug makes a good plinker.

)

YES!! 8.0-9.5g unique will most likely be a keeper!

Since you have two boolits to try you will just have to try em and see how the POI shifts. Hopefully with a least one of your boolits the change will only be a couple of inches vertically. It all depends on your current load, bbl length, and other factors I don't understand fully. So you will have to just have to try it and see.

[45 2.1]

7.0 gr. of Green Dot........... give it a try...........you'll be surprised how nice and accurate it is, and suitable for kids (I believe).

[MtGun44]

Those 7-8 gr of Unique will be a good bit of a thump for a kid. I'd be much more
inclined to use a 180 gr and about 4 gr to 5 gr of Titegroup or Bullseye or Red Dot, something
fast and very insensitive to position in the case. Make it very light, the kid will NOT miss
recoil and blast, and WILL enjoy it more if it is like a popgun. Less is more in this case.

Bill

[Lead Fred]

I think we used 11gr green dot with a 240gr FN and it was boring at 1100fps

[Doc Highwall]

I agree with MtGun44 on less is more. I would be inclined to try some Trailboss or use this as an excuse too get a 22lr revolver and pistol.:drinks:

[Tom-ADC]

Check http://www.alliantpowder.com under hangun data and Unique powder there are some reall nice loads there, I shoot the 225 gr cast bullet with 11 grs of Unique.
In my Marlin 1894 this is a fun plinking load and very accurate.

[ghh3rd]

Doc, I agree that .22's are great for kids (have some - kids and .22's) but they want to use the BIG GUN. Only problem with the BIG GUN is the big recoil :-) My 12yr old son was getting interested in what I was doing in the garage (casting/loading) and even cast about 50 '38's, but never loaded them with me.... unfortunately XBox 360 came around. Now he's interested in my 44 Mag, so I want to start him off light and see if he wants to spend more time with me casting and or loading his own.

[buck1]

I broke my hand years ago. I shot a 240 gr boolit over the starting load of 2400 for a 44 spl. in a redhawk. I CANT RECALL the charge! 10-12 gr of 2400 or something like that. It shot well and mild. LOOK IT UP it should be easy to find.

[buck1]

""unfortunately XBox 360 came around""

I HEARD THAT ONE!

[AZ-Stew]

First, reduce boolit weight. Use 180 - 200 grains at most.

Second, use .44 Spl. brass to make best use of the powder. Magnum brass requires more powder to achieve the same velocity as book-listed .44 Spl. loads.

Third, study your manuals for a powder that gives the velocity you want with the smallest charge. Powder weight adds to the projectile weight when computing recoil.

Those three things together will give you the lightest recoil.

Regards,

Stew

[Tom-ADC]

I agree with the chief, I also have a 205 gr swc I cast up years ago very nice in the 44 spl or mag
ghh3rd PM me your address and I'll send you a hundred or so to try out.

[sundog]

yeppers, Green Dot and a 200 grainer.

[JIMinPHX]

The older Speer manuals (like #11) used to list gallery loads that used a lead round ball & a small charge of fast powder, like 231 or Bullseye. They were real powder puffs. I think that muzzle velocity was around 650fps when I tried them.

[Doc Highwall]

Try this link. http://www.castpics.net/ and look under under articles contributed by members.

[Dick Dastardly]

44 Cal Mav Dutchman Big Lube®LLC boolit over a compressed charge of FFFg Holy Black. It won't jar yer hand, it'll shoot great all day and it gives a true "Old West" feeling.

Come to the Darkside friend. The rewards are great.

DD-DLoS

[stubshaft]

I agree with MtGun44 on less is more. I would be inclined to try some Trailboss or use this as an excuse too get a 22lr revolver and pistol.:drinks:

+3 On using TrailBoss. No chance of double charging and you can't overload it.

[Bula]

12 yrs old, he'd do well with the Lee 200g rnfp over 8g of Unique. Some kick, but I bet he'll like it.

[beanflip]

Have tried 4 gr of Unique with a 200 gr boolit nice pop hardly no recoil but going to do 3 gr and stop there for the 5 and 12 year olds girls I am sure they will like it.[smilie=p: fun fun

[lwknight]

7 grains of WSF is mild. 240 grain bullet is the lightest that will be accurate and consistant.
you get about 700 fps. 10 grains is about 1000 fps. Smokey and sooty too.

[runfiverun]

in the special cases 4 grs titegroup-231 and either a 200 or 240.
4.5-5 grs of clays-red dot,or 5-6 titegroup-231, 6.5 unique-herco, in the magnum cases same 200 or 240 weight range.
i use 160's in my 45 colt [or 200's in the 44 mag] with 5 grs of clays to shoot pine grouse during deer season and it's about like a very light 38 special load.
you should see the 4 gr of titegroup in a special case in the 445 supermag, it's got good accuracy but you about fall forward when firing.

[Fugowii]

6.5gr of W231 w/240gr SWC. Works for me. Pussycat load, anyone can shoot it.

I shoot a SBHH.

[thenaaks]

7gr of titegroup under a 240gr boolit work well for me. complete powder ignition, nice and clean. real close to point of aim at 25yds out of a 4" taurus 44mag. with my ported bbl, the recoil is the same as a 38 out of my snubbie.

[R.Clem]

If your revolver isn't afraid of the water, a great kids load is 19.5 grains of FFFg over a .010 card. This does require more labor and a different lube, but my kids loved it when they were pre teen. Smokes like a real cowboy gun and pretty accurate out to 50 yards.

Ray

[340six]

Consult your reloading manual but Unique in the neighborhood of 8 grains for the 245gr slug makes a good plinker.

I've also used 7grains of Bullseye with the 245gr with good enough accuracy for cans at 25yds.

(note, my 245's come out 253 with lube and gas check)
I just loaded some 45Colt rnds with 8grains and a 250bullet.
And was thinking the same for my big 8 3/8" 44mag
The S&W 29 Classic has the lug under barrel the whole lenth as well that makes it heavy but a great shooter.
You did not say what size your 44mag is?

[JesterGrin_1]

As someone else has mentioned. Since you would like to get them into reloading I would find a powder that will fill as much of the case as you can and still be a mild load. Such as Trail Boss in a .44 Sp Case. That way if they do decide to reload it will be easy to see the powder charge in each case and to help prevent a double charge.

I myself use TightGroup in my .44 mag for basic use loads but only I will charge each case and I take my time as the TightGroup will fill so little space in the case. I like it along with other fast powders but it is not the powder I would start anyone with.

[ghh3rd]

Thanks for all of the great info!


"You did not say what size your 44mag is"
It's a heavy gun, which I'm sure absorbs a good amount of recoil... Super Blackhawk Hunter w/ 7 1/2" barrel.

[Thecyberguy]

I just did this with my Redhawk. I bought some 44 special brass to get a shorter shell. People told me I could use the mag cases though. I loaded 200 gr Wad cutters with 3 different powders. Use load data for a light 44 special load or even a 44 Russian load. Had my 44 acting like a weak 38 special. My 15 YO and his buddy went through 50 of em in no time flat....back to bench.

Have a good 'un, Guy

[Tom-ADC]

I just loaded some 45Colt rnds with 8grains and a 250bullet.
And was thinking the same for my big 8 3/8" 44mag
The S&W 29 Classic has the lug under barrel the whole lenth as well that makes it heavy but a great shooter.
You did not say what size your 44mag is?

What are you doing here sell your mopar? (69DartGT)
Funny how we run into internet friends we know on other forums.

[Greenhorn44]

Consult your reloading manual but Unique in the neighborhood of 8 grains for the 245gr slug makes a good plinker.

I've also used 7grains of Bullseye with the 245gr with good enough accuracy for cans at 25yds.

(note, my 245's come out 253 with lube and gas check)

Perfect plinker. I shoot 240RN with 8 of unique. Very nice!!:D

[flinchnjerk]

All loads chrono'd in 8" Wesson, loaded in.44 Mag hulls, very light crimp.
240 SWC 6.5 Universal Fed. 150 MV 817 ES 103
240 SWC 6.1 231 Fed, 150 MV 798 ES 60
240 Lee RN... drops at 245 grns.
240 RN 5.5 Titegroup Fed 150 MV 806 ES 47
240 RN 6.1 Trail Boss Fed 150 MV 760 ES 67
240 RN 6.1 Trail Boss WLP MV 799 ES 29
In my limited testing (2 bullet weights in both .44 mag and .45 ACP) Trail Boss shows a marked preferance for WLP.
I have it on very good authority that even an arthritic old geezer can fire a hundred of any of these loads in a day without discomfort.