Its time to start reloading for my 44 mag and I am looking for a good load.
This is what I have Winchester LPM primers, H110, and 240gr. SWC (Brinell 18).
What are some good loads you guys can suggest for me? I can get other powders but would like to use what I have right now.
About 23.5grs, H110 needs to run full throttle.
What kind of speed out of a 6" barrel would one expect for that load?
Not sure I ever clocked one, but @1400 would be a safe bet. I prefer Unique and 2400 with cast bullets in the 44.
Back when SAAMI allowed for higher pressures in the .44 Mag, I loaded and shot several tens of thousands of rounds using various 245 to 250-grain gas checked bullets. My load was 24.5 grains of H110/W296 and federal magnum primers, which gave around 1400 FPS depending on the gun. I personally would use a gas check and magnum primer with H110 or 296. Also, I never found a double action that would stand up to the pounding of several thousand H110 loads without shooting loose, but a Ruger Super Blackhawk or Freedom Arms will.
If shooting a flat base cast bullet, like Steelhead, I would go Unique or 2400 and a standard (NOT magnum) primer. I also would forgo using H110, except on a very limited basis, in most any double action, especially a S&W.
Are these the commercial bevel base ones?
Guyz why not H110? Thinking I've used that for a long time with no issues...? (both hard cast and CNC's)
Thx
Dober
I like H110/296 a lot for heavy loads and have probably burned 100s of pounds of it in handguns, but have always found: a.) it seems to recoil pretty hard compared to other powders AND b.) it seems harder on plain-base bullets and has a greater tendency to lead than 2400 or Unique.
K-thx I have 6 or 7 pounds on the shelf and was hoping it was good to go as I don't want to buy anymore for a while for my .44
I like Beartooth Hard cast 250 Keiths what do you use?
Thx
Dober
I have used Beartooth, I believe. Used to cast all my own out of a wheel weight and tin mixture, but haven't in a while.
I would load them up with 24.5 grains and mag primers and see if it leads in your gun. I have found getting bullets that fit the exit holes of your cylinder as closely as possibe to be one key to minimizing leading. If it shoots well and doesn't lead too much, no reason not to use it, unless you are using an S&W in which case I would mainly stick to lighter loads than what you will need to do with H110.
I have a Ruger Old Vaquero Stainless 44 Mag with5.5" barrel and have loaded 300 grain cast slugs with 21.5 of W296 for 1372 fps through a chronograph. Plenty of poop and plenty of recoil!!!
Also pushed 240 grain cast over 24.1 grains of W296 for a velocity that was up there but have lost the data.
Both loads were accurate for about 6 shots and then the recoil accumulation began to be a factor for me.
Are these the commercial bevel base ones?
Yes they are. They're from Mossuri Rifle Bullets.
Back when SAAMI allowed for higher pressures in the .44 Mag, I loaded and shot several tens of thousands of rounds using various 245 to 250-grain gas checked bullets. My load was 24.5 grains of H110/W296 and federal magnum primers, which gave around 1400 FPS depending on the gun. I personally would use a gas check and magnum primer with H110 or 296. Also, I never found a double action that would stand up to the pounding of several thousand H110 loads without shooting loose, but a Ruger Super Blackhawk or Freedom Arms will.
If shooting a flat base cast bullet, like Steelhead, I would go Unique or 2400 and a standard (NOT magnum) primer. I also would forgo using H110, except on a very limited basis, in most any double action, especially a S&W.
Its a Ruger Super Black Hawk.
Those probably aren't the best for a full snort H110 load.
Unless Ruger tightened their 44 throats, those bullets are two or three thousandths undersize. A bevel base, undersized bullet lubed with a hard lube whose primary virtue is that it isn't sticky, is not a recipe for success.
Those probably aren't the best for a full snort H110 load.
Unless Ruger tightened their 44 throats, those bullets are two or three thousandths undersize. A bevel base, undersized bullet lubed with a hard lube whose primary virtue is that it isn't sticky, is not a recipe for success.
Yep.
If I run 110/296, it is with a gaschecked bullet. My SBH goes .431 at the throat, and Beartooth .432 gaschecked do a good job.
The SBH Hunter seems to have tighter throats.
Load them up with Steelheads load and try them out. If they lead badly then try something else, if they don't then you have a good load for anything you want to shoot. Being a bevel base bullet I'd say they will leave some lead in your barrel. One of my favorite loads for commercial bevel base SWC's is 18.5 grains of 2400. It's accurate in both of my Super Blackhawks and my Model 29. It dosen't lead and recoil isn't bad either.