44 Special Loads for GP-100

[ddixie884]

Just to be clear, The 2400 and WW-231 loads I listed are Level II loads, as is the Skeeter load (max pressure of ~22,000.). The Power Pistol Load is supposed to be Standard velocity, (<15,000psi,) suitable for all 44 specials.

In my experience 8gr of PP and a 240swcbb gives so little pressure that it leaves smoke residue on the front half of the outside of cases.

[Dale53]

I have been a long time fan of most anything .44 Special. One of my favorite revolvers is a 4" 624 Smith. It has been on my hip just roaming around the farms as well as Grouse hunting in Eastern Ohio and the UP in Michigan. My favorite field load is the Skeeter load which is a bit over SAAMI, but not outrageous. Another load, if I was hunting these days, which would work well is the group buy 200 gr. Dbl Ended W/C (200 grs) ahead of 5.0 grs. of Red Dot. That chronographs just under 900 fps. and with that large meplat, it would hit hard! 4.0 grs. would be a nice soft target load.

Those loads also shoot really well out of my SS Flattop Ruger Blackhawk, too! Since I have .44 Magnums too, I only use the .44 Special for edible small game and snakes (both the curly ones as well as the two legged ones). Just so we are clear, only legal self defense. I am NOT one of these nuts we have been seeing on the TV these days.

FWIW
Dale53

[Cosmic_Charlie]

I would try some of that longshot powder under a 240 grain boolit.

[smkummer]

I am reading the comments here as I have a target bulldog 4” in 44 special. Love the lightweight and it sits in my center console of my truck as I type. It has the federal factory 225 gr. soft hollowpoints in it as if I need it, hopefully the opposing party looking at hollow points sticking out at them complies with my orders to cease. The tier 1 loads are about all I care to shoot out of it for comfort. The skeeter load is my cutoff. Maybe I should look for some pachmayr grips for it to see if I can comfortably shoot the skeeter loads. The 15.5 grains 2400 out of the GP100 44 special? Dang, my hand almost hurts from reading that.

[nhithaca]

I too have a Charter Arms 44 w/ the 2" barrel and factory supplied CTC laser. Have shot factory Winchester cowboy loads and a few of my Level 1 240 grain lead HP Hornady loads and I agree, Level 1 is all you need in such a light gun. Have cast a number of 250 grain gas checked Lyman bullets that actually weigh about 260+ grains but I hesitate to load these for the Bulldog even at starting loads due to the recoil. Really want some 165-185 grain plated Berry's bullets to try, but as we all know supply is "Out of Stock" everywhere. Considering that this is a 15 yd and under weapon, a 180 grain 0.43" bullet @ 650-700fps will knock the wind out of any bad guy you may run into so Level 1 loads are plenty.

[onelight]

Summers Enterprises has Hi-tek 180 rnfp and 240 swc and SNS has Hi-Tek 200 rnfp and 240 swc .
I have shot quite a few of all of those . Not the quality you can get casting your own but fine for defense practice and plinking .
https://www.snscasting.com/ was/is one of our sponsors , have always had great service on my orders.
https://summersenterprisesllc.com/ he is out now but tells you on his web sight when he will be taking orders again I have had great service from him .

[winelover]

I too have a Charter Arms 44 w/ the 2" barrel and factory supplied CTC laser. Have shot factory Winchester cowboy loads and a few of my Level 1 240 grain lead HP Hornady loads and I agree, Level 1 is all you need in such a light gun. Have cast a number of 250 grain gas checked Lyman bullets that actually weigh about 260+ grains but I hesitate to load these for the Bulldog even at starting loads due to the recoil. Really want some 165-185 grain plated Berry's bullets to try, but as we all know supply is "Out of Stock" everywhere. Considering that this is a 15 yd and under weapon, a 180 grain 0.43" bullet @ 650-700fps will knock the wind out of any bad guy you may run into so Level 1 loads are plenty.

Have the same Bulldog and grip, but with the shrouded hammer. It's gets mostly level 1 loads. Because of the fixed sights, I stick with bullets in the 240- 250 weight range. I shoot a lot of the Lyman 429667 bullet. It drops close to 250 grains, with my alloy. I like W-231 powder. Data can be had in Lyman's Cast Bullet Manual for that exact bullet. Recoil isn't that bad with that powder, at or near the minimum starting load.

For a few 44 Special performance loads, I do use 2400 powder, but mostly reserve that for my magnums.

Winelover

[sharps4590]

In my S&W 696 I'm shooting the 429421 over 5.8 grs. of WW-231. Superbly accurate at 25 yards, sub 2 inch, rested. 10 grs. of Blue Dot isn't bad either.

[onelight]

If any ones curious the Underwood 44 special loaded with the 200 grain gold dot runs 850 FPS from my 3" gp100 the Speer Blazers 200 jhp run 800 FPS .

[Pavia]

Not quite a thread resurrection, but I’m running a 240gr Keith bullet at 850fps using Auto Comp and the same bullet at 900fps with H110. No issues for the Ruger. I’d be using the Skeeter load, but can’t get Unique.

[slughammer]

.....I’d be using the Skeeter load, but can’t get Unique.

If you can't find Unique, keep your eye out for Power Pistol. I use it in 38+P and 44spl. Burn rate is very similar to Unique, just a touch slower; its smaller and denser size meters really nice. I'm away from my 44spl load data, but in 38spl, I'm launching the 164gr Saeco #382 at 890fps with 5.5gr of Power Pistol out of a 4" 686.

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