Moderate 44 mag loads

[Kosh75287]

You're correct, I misstated my load data. I'm embarrassed and apologize to the forum for passing potentially dangerous misinformation along. I am loading 25 grains H110 under a cast bullet dropping at 212.5 grains.
You have a keen eye. Again i apologize.

You're not the first, you won't be the last. Good to know that you take things like that seriously, but give yourself a break. By inadvertently misstating reloading data, you've become the member of a not-at-all exclusive club among reloaders.

[Swineherd]

Appreciate it, Kosh75287.

[Dom]

My mid range load is a home cast ( 10.5 BHN ) 280 gr @ about 1100 fps. Powder used is, Win 540/HS-6. This is out of my Ruger Redhawk 7 1/2" Bbl. . Quite accurate. Very manageable. Bullet on the left, 280 gr NOE mold. Bullet on the right ,Lee 310gr.

[megasupermagnum]

While Bluedot is fantastic for upper end loads, it is one of the best there is for moderate loads too. 1050 fps and 240gr I'd consider low end for 44 mag, especially with a 7.5" barrel, but it's worth trying anyway. Based on what I've tried, and 44 special data, I would try 9 to 12 gr Bluedot.

[Cosmic_Charlie]

12 grains of HS-6 under a 240-250 grain boolit works well for me. Look at Alliant 2400 too. Plenty of good load data in the Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook, 4th addition.

[44MAG#1]

Here are two loads in a M69 Smith 4.2 inch and one with a Smith M69 2.75 inch I chronoed.

7.5 Unique with a 250 Keith seated in MAGNUM cases to 1.590" OAL. 938 FPS. 4.2 inch
5.2 gr Bullseye 250 Keith at 1.545" OAL in MAGNUM cases. 782 FPS. 4.2 inch.
16.2 grain 2400 at 1.590" OAL with the 250 Keith in MAGNUM cases from a 2.75 inch M69 at 1086 FPS.
The primers used were CCI 300 on the 7.5 grain Unique.
The primers on the 5.2 grain Bullseye were WLP.
The primers used in the 16.3 grain load were CCI 300.

[racepres]

While Bluedot is fantastic for upper end loads, it is one of the best there is for moderate loads too. 1050 fps and 240gr I'd consider low end for 44 mag, especially with a 7.5" barrel, but it's worth trying anyway. Based on what I've tried, and 44 special data, I would try 9 to 12 gr Bluedot.

11.6 behind a 255 SWC is pleasant..

[farmbif]

when I first got into 44 mag I loaded both 44spl and 44 mag with blue dot. it works well. these days I use be-86 or unique for milder loads and 296, no9, 4227 or 300mp for full power loads. there are many powders that work well in 44mag I just use what I have the most of.

[RJM52]

Looking on hodgdons website 9gr of 231 seems like a good load. How's the recoil on these? Is it something you can shoot a fair amount of without discomfort?

..it is one of those "all day long" loads...

[Edward429451]

It's all about the barrel length with a 44 Mag. I have a 7.5" so of course I use 2400. This can be loaded up from nice midrange loads to the range of not fun to shoot at all! And there's always been something about mid range loads and Unique, it just works great.

I've tried Trailboss, 231 and a couple others over time, eh. Some work some don't. 2400 & Unique always work well though.

[44MAG#1]

It's all about the barrel length with a 44 Mag. I have a 7.5" so of course I use 2400. This can be loaded up from nice midrange loads to the range of not fun to shoot at all! And there's always been something about mid range loads and Unique, it just works great.

I've tried Trailboss, 231 and a couple others over time, eh. Some work some don't. 2400 & Unique always work well though.

I don't really see anything wrong with 1086 FPS from a 2.75 inch barreled M69 Smith with a 250 Keith and 16.2 grains 2400.

[Edward429451]

I don't really see anything wrong with 1086 FPS from a 2.75 inch barreled M69 Smith with a 250 Keith and 16.2 grains 2400.

I ran some 245 Keith bullets with 18.0 of 2400 in my sons mdl 29 4" barrel and there was lots of unburnt powder on the table. If you had a longer barrel it could use the extra powder and keeps getting better. As it is, Unique loads would be a good choice for shorter barrels.

[44MAG#1]

I ran some 245 Keith bullets with 18.0 of 2400 in my sons mdl 29 4" barrel and there was lots of unburnt powder on the table. If you had a longer barrel it could use the extra powder and keeps getting better. As it is, Unique loads would be a good choice for shorter barrels.

I don't look for unburned power. If you would up the load of 2400 it will clean up some.
I go by performance of the load overall not the unburned powder part of it.

[trapper9260]

I don't look for unburned power. If you would up the load of 2400 it will clean up some.
I go by performance of the load overall not the unburned powder part of it.

I do the same when I load, I let the load tell me what is liked in the gun.

[44MAG#1]

I do the same when I load, I let the load tell me what is liked in the gun.

I think, after long thought over many years, many of us overthink things to a strenuous degree to make us think we are doing something worthwhile.
It makes us feel we have accomplished something.

[Cap'n Caveman]

My pet (moderate) load is 7.5gr of Bullseye ignited with a standard large pistol primer pushing a bevel based 245gr SWC. 12 BHN and sized at .4315" for my 6" stainless Super Blackhawk. It chrono's at 1000-1050 fps and is easy to handle. This load isn't shown in modern manuals but I assure you it is more than safe. I have put at least 6500 of these through my SBH and your wheel gun is even stronger yet.

[paul edward]

I have had good luck using 10 grains of Win-231 (same as HP-38) with a cast 225 grain gas check bullet (RCBS 44-225) sized .430 in a Ruger SBH with 7.5" barrel. Do not have chronograph so estimate this load to produce about 1,000 fps. This has proven to be a very accurate load. This load should work in your Redhawk with a 240 Cast plain base bullet.

Note: When the RCBS 44-225 bullet is crimped in the crimp groove, the overall length is too long to work through the action of an 1894 Marlin.

My original light loads back in the sixties were 6 grains of Bullseye with a 250 grain cast, plain base bullet from Lyman mold 429336. Eventually I moved on to Win-231 as it meters better than Bullseye through my Redding powder measure.

[ShooterAZ]

My go to powder for "moderate" 44 Mag loads is Unique. 8.5 grains for boolits weighing 240-250 grains is what I use. The above mentioned load of 6 grains of Bullseye is another winner. 231 works pretty well too, but I personally prefer Titegroup over 231 using 9 grains with the afore mentioned boolit weights.

[44MAG#1]

8.5 gr Unique in Magnum cases is roughly equal to the Skelton load of 7.5 gr in the 44 Special.
While NOT IDENTICAL it is very close.

[Mauser48]

The 9gr of w231 worked out well. Right about the power I was looking for. I did have leading all through the barrel with the missouri coated bullets. Might have to go back to casting and powder coating myself.