Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters .44 Special Load Question

Hi:

I'm looking for data that would allow me to push a 240 grain cast bullet 950-1000 fps out of a .44 Special. The revolver is a Ruger Bisley 5 inch (the flat top model that was a limited run a few years ago). All of the recent data I've found caps out at around 850 fps. I do have a 1970s Lyman Reloading Manual that has some data in the range I'm seeking using some powders from that era, currently manufactured cans of which I have on my shelf, so if all else fails I can start there. But I'd be happier with data that isn't 50 years old.

Can anyone point me to a current source of data that will get me to where I'd like to be?

Thanks.

This article is a good place to start:

https://www.gunsamerica.com/digest/ross-seyfried-lipseys-ruger-flattop-44-special-bisley-revolvers/

I have one of the 4 5/8" Bisley flattops. I will have to look up my load notes since it has been a few years but, IIRC, H-110 with a magnum primer and a heavy crimp was the way to go.

If I can find any good data, I will post it. Those Rugers are strong guns.

NAGW, but I can tell you what a gunwriter Shot. Skeeter Skelton, Border Patrol Agent, County Sheriff, and Gunwriter of some renown loaded 7.5 gr. of Unique partnered with 240 / 250 gr. cast bullets in 44 Special for the velocities you are looking for. Works well in my GP 100 five shot and my 5.5” Bisley Flattop.

anther vote for skeeters load

Here is data from a post I made in 2011. Revolver is a Flattop Blackhawk with 4 5/8" barrel, bullet is the Lyman 429421 which is 250 grains. Primers would be CCI-300.

14.0 2400 - 977 fps
15.0 2400 - 1058 fps
16.0 2400 - 1126 fps

14 and 15 grains both gave very good accuracy with 15 giving the best but might be a bit too much. When you get to 16 grains recoil in those Blackhawks gets frisky.

I cant give you any published data, but I have loaded 15.0 gr. of 2400 behind a 240 gr. hardcast .429 dia. bullet and large pistol primer for over 25 years and have shot it in both my Ruger SBH 7 1/2 and a Taurus 441 4 inch without any signs of cratering or case sticking. I chrono'd it many years ago and forget what the numbers were but I am remembering they were 1050 or so. A little more recoil than the factory round nose ammo, but very comfortable to shoot in appropriate guns. I might not like it in a Charter Bulldog. Also, this is the most accurate load I have for the SBH. Consistent 2 inch groups off a sandbag at 25 yards. For comparison, I load 20.5 gr. of 2400 under the same bullet in 44 Mag for about 1300. Not a max load, but plenty stout for me. Good luck.

This^^^

No need to reinvent the wheel.

Looking at one of John Taffin's books from 2002 I see he shows 15.5 grains of 2400, 17.5 grains of H4227 and 8.5 grains of Unique all pushing a Lyman 429421 out of a 6" Smith about the speed you're looking for.

Has anyone ever reloaded for revolvers without using Unique at some point? (I like it, by the way.)

I have only used W231 in my .38 Specials. No other powder.

I certainly have burned a lot of Unique over the years.

"At some point" - no. Like the .30-06, Unique is never a wrong answer. But anywhere one would use Unique you can use Ramshot True Blue and I've found it to burn cleaner and generally give better accuracy, plus it measures like water.

Accurate loads in several revolvers, all giving between 950-1050 fps:
7.0 True Blue with a 158 gr. cast in the .357
9.0 True Blue with a 200 RNFP in the .44 Spl
11.0 True Blue with a 250 SWC in the 45 Colt

Plus it's an excellent powder for 124 grain bullets in the 9mm, 6.0 grains gives right at or slightly less than factory velocities.

FYI. OP is posting same question on the handgun reloading forum.

I like True Blue with 150 or 158 casts in the .357 as well.

As mentioned above, my choice would be 7.5 - 8 grains of Unique or Universal.
But if you want more data try this.

https://www.handloadermagazine.com/44-s-w-special-p

Looked up my old notes. I developed three loads in this revolver:

250gr WFNGC (.432")
19gr. H-110

240gr. Nosler JHP
18.5gr. H-110

250gr Keith SWC
6.0gr. Unique

I didn't write down the velocities for some reason but my notes indicate that all of the cases ejected easily with no sign of excessive pressure. Your results may vary...

I still have my never-published article about loading the .44 Special with powders less than a century old. Shoot me a PM with your email addy and I'll send it to you.

But as a summary, I've settled on ONE powder and charge for all normal bullet weights, both cast and jacketed in the Ruger 44 Blackhawk, It is 6.0 of American Select. It gives almost exactly 900 fps with a 240 cast bullet, btw.

Ya know, Elmer about wrote the book on .44 Spec loads.

But, like reading Water's Pet Loads, etc. Good stuff but with old powders.

I always liked Unique in those rounds. Burned hot, it's not so dirty.

BUT, with these new powders, I'd go with more recent load development, later published data, new stuff.

Most of my experience, like many who've posted here, is from years gone by using older stuff.

DF

Add me to the list on approval of Skeeter's load.
Paul B.

Thanks to all of you for your suggestions. There's enough data there to keep me experimenting for a long time. I really appreciate it.