Reloading EverythingMidSouth Shooters SupplyTitan ReloadingLee Precision
Load DataInline FabricationRotoMetals2Wideners
Repackbox
Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast
Results 1 to 20 of 58

Thread: Mid-Range loads for 44 Mag

  1. #1
    Boolit Master

    dale2242's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Location
    SW Oregon
    Posts
    2,466

    Mid-Range loads for 44 Mag

    What powder are you using for your mid-range loads in your 44 Magnum revolvers with 240-250 gr bullets?

  2. #2
    Boolit Master

    pworley1's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Location
    Mississippi
    Posts
    3,253
    Unique
    NRA Benefactor Member NRA Golden Eagle

  3. #3
    Boolit Master RKJ's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Posts
    1,119
    Quote Originally Posted by pworley1 View Post
    Unique
    Yep, 10.0 grains is snappy enough but doesn't beat you up.

  4. #4
    Boolit Buddy
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    Vermont
    Posts
    111
    I too prefer 10 grains of Unique, however 9 grains of BE-86 also works well.

  5. #5
    Boolit Master Targa's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2020
    Location
    Unfortunately, Colorado
    Posts
    521
    The only powders I have used for my mid-range .44 mags are Win231 and Universal so I certainly can’t say they are better than another powder but they work well enough that I never felt the need to try a different powder.

    I chronograph’d 240 grain SWC bullets with 10 grains of Win 231 at an average of 1164 fps and 9 grains of Universal at 1089 fps out of a 5.5” Ruger SBH.

  6. #6
    Boolit Master derek45's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Posts
    739
    10gr UNIQUE

    9gr UNIVERSAL

    win231/HP38
    Power Pistol
    HS-6
    .


    NRA LIFE Member

    USPSA/IPSC

  7. #7
    Boolit Buddy
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    Ball Ground, GA
    Posts
    415
    I have used about every fast and medium burn pistol powder made. Like the guys above said the 10.0 Unique is around the top of what I consider a mid-range load but very accurate. It is actually my hunting load in the Ruger Redhawk.
    For plinking steel and punching paper I have settled on Tightgroup around 800 fps in handguns and usually will pick up 200 fps in a levergun.
    I have used to good accuracy Bullseye, Red and Green Dot, 700X, Clays, and some reduced Unique loads 6.5 to 8.0 depending on the what the gun likes. The only one I did not like was HP-38, never could find a sweet spot, but I never pushed it up "Targa's load of 10.0.
    Just for clarification, Mid-range for me is 900/1100 give or take.
    Tony

  8. #8
    Boolit Buddy Pereira's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Location
    "central" West TN
    Posts
    419
    9.0-10.0 grs unique has worked well.
    Several years ago I took a small forkhorn with a 240 gr RFN over 10.0 grs. of Unique with my Vaquero.
    What about Red dot? I've thought about it but haven't tried it though.
    I've used it in 45 colt with 250 & 255 gr cast, 6.0 -6.5 is a very pleasant load.

    RP

    RP


    Monte Walsh "You have No idea how little I care".

  9. #9
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Posts
    1,152
    Hi...
    As others have indicated, 10 gr of Unique with a 240gr LSWC.
    That load has shot very well in all six of my .44Magnum revolvers and my Marlin lever action rifle.
    Doesn't beat you up and enough power to make you realize you are shooting a powerful big bore handgun.

  10. #10
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Location
    Central Texas
    Posts
    1,910
    I have used 15.0 grs of Blue Dot behind a 245 gr SAECO Keith style SWC for close to 40 years. It's on the hotter end of the "mid-range" spectrum but a tack driver in my M29.

  11. #11
    Boolit Master
    405grain's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2012
    Location
    Modesto, Ca.
    Posts
    1,213
    Like others, 10 grains of Unique under a 245 grain SWC has been one of my staple 44 mag loads for decades. I've shot two hogs with that load. I also like 13.0 grains of HS-6 because it burns cleaner than Unique, and the performance is similar.

  12. #12
    Boolit Grand Master Outpost75's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2013
    Location
    over the hill, out in the woods and far away
    Posts
    10,158
    7.5 grains of Bullseye.
    The ENEMY is listening.
    HE wants to know what YOU know.
    Keep it to yourself.

  13. #13
    Moderator Emeritus


    JonB_in_Glencoe's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Location
    Land of 10,000 Lakes
    Posts
    15,832
    I use Red Dot (data in Lyman manual), cuz I have a lifetime supply of it, due to a estate purchase many years ago.
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    “If someone has a gun and is trying to kill you, it would be reasonable to shoot back with your own gun.”
    ― The Dalai Lama, Seattle Times, May 2001

  14. #14
    Boolit Buddy
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    Ball Ground, GA
    Posts
    415
    Quote Originally Posted by JonB_in_Glencoe View Post
    I use Red Dot (data in Lyman manual), cuz I have a lifetime supply of it, due to a estate purchase many years ago.
    I thought I had a lifetime supply but it works in so many things now I don't. I did get quite a bit of 700X at a local gun auction so it is standing in for the RD. (for now)
    Tony

  15. #15
    Super Moderator


    ShooterAZ's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2012
    Location
    Flagstaff, AZ
    Posts
    12,064
    I use 8.5 grains of Unique for 240-250 grain cast boolits. It's a decent mid range load, and very accurate in my Ruger Blackhawk.

  16. #16
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    Jan 2018
    Location
    North Central
    Posts
    2,514
    HS-6 works very well in my .44's
    "If everyone is thinking the same thing it means someone is not thinking"

    "A rat became the unit of currency"

  17. #17
    Boolit Buddy Pereira's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Location
    "central" West TN
    Posts
    419
    Quote Originally Posted by JonB_in_Glencoe View Post
    I use Red Dot (data in Lyman manual), cuz I have a lifetime supply of it, due to a estate purchase many years ago.
    I have a Lyman Cast bullet handbook 4th edition, and a Lyman load data Popular Revolver Calibers book, and
    I've yet to see any published Red dot data in either.
    Haven't looked on line, is that where you found it.

    RP


    Monte Walsh "You have No idea how little I care".

  18. #18
    Boolit Master
    Ed_Shot's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Location
    North Texas
    Posts
    1,116
    Quote Originally Posted by Pereira View Post
    I have a Lyman Cast bullet handbook 4th edition, and a Lyman load data Popular Revolver Calibers book, and
    I've yet to see any published Red dot data in either.
    Haven't looked on line, is that where you found it.

    RP
    Look at the Alliant web site under Product: Red Dot
    COME AND TAKE IT
    Let’s Go Brandon!!!!

  19. #19
    Boolit Grand Master
    rintinglen's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Location
    Orange, VA NOW
    Posts
    6,492
    6.0-7.5 grains of Red Dot with a 429-421. Somewhere in that range will be a load that will make you smile. My Redhawk likes 6.5 grains.
    _________________________________________________It's not that I can't spell: it is that I can't type.

  20. #20
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Spokane, Wa.
    Posts
    2,636
    Green Dot
    It's all chicken, even the beak!

Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check