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I have just gotten a Ruger Blackhawk 44 Spl w/ a 5.5� barreland I'm looking for a whitetail deer and hog load.

thanks for the help guys.

Try a 250 gr Keith hardcast and 8.0 gr Power Pistol; you may never want to shoot another load in the .44 Spcl

Can I buy 250 gr Keith hardcast bullets?

.44 Special model 696 Smith & Wesson


S&W 696 3" barrel .44 Special Cartridge - mid-range loads, defensive loads

powder grains veloc - fps fps (avg) Recoil, Extraction Notes
(low to high)

2400 12.0 804-859 834 mild, easy

2400 13.0 905-938 923 medium, easy

Unique 7.5 914-945 938 mild, easy

W231 6.0 794-827 809 mild, easy





THESE WORKED IN MY GUN. BE CAREFUL. Moyers 0.430� 240 gr. hard-cast bullets
Five rounds fired for each test.
cartridge OAL = 1.470� New Hornady cases, WLP primer,
All powder loads measured within +/- 0.1grain using RCBS digital scale, verified with Ohaus balance scale.

2400 12.0 859, 841, 858, 804, 809
2400 13.0 924, 938, 924, 905, 926
Unique 7.5 945, 940, 914, 945, 945
W231 6.0 824, 794, 827, 798, 801



Smith model 696 (3� barrel) Cast-bullet loads
(December 2009) (mid-range and heavy)
Some of the following loads are well above SAAMI levels.
Use at your own risk.
IF THESE LOADS LOOK HIGH TO YOU�DON�T USE THEM.
YOU SHOULD STAY UNDER STANDARD SAMMI PRESSURES.

Powder grains avg veloc Veloc Spread MAD Recoil
(fps) (low to high) (perceived)

Alliant 2400 12 gr 844 fps 799-888 2.6% 6.0
13 923 905-938 0.82% 7.0
14 957 945-975 1.02% 8.2
15 1021 1008-1040 0.84% 8.6
16 1055 1034-1065 0.82% 8.7

Unique 7.5 938 914-945 1.00% 7.0
7.8 949 936-962 0.88% 7.0
8.0 960 945-976 0.81% 7.4
8.5 993 983-1019 1.00% 7.6

HS-6 7.7 731 704-755 2.63% 6.0

H-4227 17 1002 962-1049 2.67% 8.0

Power Pistol 9.0 1007 984-1023 0.95% 8.0

W-231 6.0 809 794-827 1.66% 7.0

MAD = Mean Absolute Deviation
WLP primers used for all loads.
253 grain hard-cast, Keith design, used in all loads. Leadheads Bullets, Kansas.
All cases new Hornady or new Starline.
Five cartridges used with each new loading.
No significant difference in velocity between case manufacturers.
Powder charges weighed desired weight, +0.1/-0.1 grain.
Some loads based on the .44 Special article by Brian Pearce,
in Handloader magazine #236, August 2005, by Wolfe Pub. Co.
Perceived Recoil: 6.0-7.90 = mild, actually pleasant,
8.0-8.90 begins to feel heavy
9.0-9.9: heavy recoil
10+: severe recoil
All extraction, five cases, easy; one palm-push on extractor rod, no primer flattening noted.
Some of the following loads are well above SAAMI levels.
Use at your own risk.

These loads will go about 100 fps faster in your gun due to longer barrel. The 7.5 grains of Unique behind a 240-260 grain hardcast lead bullet will do the job very nicely, as long as you put the bullet where you are supposed to. Be careful.

Brian Pearce also wrote a recent article in HANDLOADER mag specifically about YOUR gun and with his recommended loads. Call Wolfe Publishing in Arizona and order the back-copy for around $8.00. Do it.

Here's an article for you, NOT written by me.
The Lipsey's .44 Special Flattops
As I've previously noted, Lipsey's managed to convince Ruger to produce 2000 New Model Blackhawk Flattops in .44 Special. These are built on the same frame as the 50th Anniversary .357 Magnum Flattop Blackhawk. I've wanted one for a long time and it is beyond me why Ruger was so slow to produce this gun when all the parts are readily produced with minimal tooling changes. Dittos for a .45 Colt version (which I will also buy should they become available).

This frame is what some refer to as the "medium" frame which is more the size of the Colt Single Action and noticeably smaller than the .44 Magnum frame. Closely approximating the original flattop frame the revolvers now use the "new model" lockwork which utilizes a transfer bar and permits safe carry of six rounds in the six chamber cylinder. Also, the steel (rather than aluminum as with the original flattops) grip frame is of the old XR3 shape and makes the the gun feel more like the Colt Single Action (note the new grip frame also contains a lock which you can ignore). Many, myself included, prefer this grip frame. I also like the black composite/plastic stocks. You might notice that Ruger is abandoning the long time use of wood for this type stock on many of the Blackhawk models. At least 1000 each of the 4-5/8" and 5-1/2" barreled guns will be produced and marketed through Lipsey's. After that who knows but I bet that if there is demonstrable demand there will be product to satisfy that demand.

Brian Pearce recently had an article published in Handloader magazine (#260) and in that article we learn that he and Lipsey's had been trying since 2005 to get Ruger to produce these guns. I have no doubt that John Taffin put in his two cents worth as well! Announced in late 2008, I immediately put in my order, as did many others. While these guns began shipping in mid-January 2009 many enthusiasts have had difficulty getting "theirs". Ruger announced in their first-quarter 2009 stockholder's report that they are/were 455,000+ units back ordered. Likely some of those guns are the Lipsey's flattops. Interestingly, some are resting unnoticed on dealers shelves. Look around, you might find one languishing forgotten in a dealer's display case.

That was my experience. Harassing my boss/employer starting as soon as I knew about the guns resulted in Lipsey's shipping a 5-1/2" gun (rather than the requested 4-5/8" gun). I immediately reordered and strongly reiterated that I wanted a 4-5/8" gun. It took awhile but another dealer, Jim Engel of the Great Outdoors Gun Shop in Atwood, KS, came through with a 4-5/8" gun before Lipsey's could ship. Despite the slightly higher cost to me, I was thrilled to get the second gun.

I knew, too, that quality holsters would be necessary to carry these fine revolvers in the field. I felt that they should be a Tom Threepersons type and since I didn't have any by El Paso Saddlery I ordered matching holsters for these two revolvers. Although the estimated wait was 8 weeks both holsters arrived together a mere 3 weeks after I placed my order.

Both holsters are beautiful. Lined and with border tooling they both perfectly fit their respective guns. To my mind this is about the best way to carry a revolver in the field.

Ammunition was not a problem despite the current ammunition shortages. I'd laid in some brass and bullets as well as powder and primers in anticipation of the release of these revolvers. I quickly loaded over 200 of the old Skeeter Skelton load of 7.5 gr. Unique under the 250 gr. Keith bullet from Mount Baldy Bullets. I expect that a wide range of bullets could be used, but one must ensure that the cartridge overall length doesn't exceed about 16.30". Brian Pearce says no longer than 1.637". This is due to the non-counterbored cylinder's 1.6120" length and allows for some bullet slippage or creep due to recoil. Additionally, Tim Sundles of Buffalo Bore Ammunition kindly sent me a box of his carefully crafted .44 Special item 14B. Buffalo Bore produces some mighty fine ammo and I carry is item 20C in my Colt Cobra. I know I can count on Buffalo Bore ammunition.

It has been difficult lately for me to find the time to go shooting. However, I was so excited that I did some impromptu shooting with these guns at my Mom's place. The targets were some discarded 8" cinderblock which had been painted white on one face. Used now to inhibit erosion on the bank above our farm pond, the white faces provided high contrast targets at 80 yards. After some off the cuff sight adjustments (neither gun came with the rear sight blade centered), I preceded to make little pieces of the big blocks. The guns were fun to shoot and recoil was not objectionable.

I'd like to note that I have no desire to shoot jacketed bullets in these revolvers. I see these as my personal means for a trip to the shooting past and experiencing what Elmer Keith experienced in using .44 Special guns. At least, in as much as I can given today's limitations, that is what I'll do.

Handloads for the .44 Special (as always the reader is responsible for the proper use of this data and I assume no responsibility for the actions of others. These loads are safe in my revolvers.)
Bullet Powder Charge Velocity Energy
250 gr. Keith W231 6.0 gr. 850 fps
250 gr. Keith Unique 7.5 gr. 950 fps
250 gr. Keith Power Pistol 9.0 gr. 1100 fps
250 gr. Keith 2400 16.5 gr. 1200 fps
Labels: Handguns, Ruger

Sonny123

Not that I'm aware of, gotta cast your own...
Barring that, look for a good 240-250 grain commercial hard cast in a Semi-wadcutter design...kinda close enough to the same that a deer won't notice


Ingwe

Here is a link that might help:
Note the picture comparison (driving band width & square base).

http://www.handloads.com/articles/default.asp?id=11

Haven't ordered for awhile, still got 4 boxes, and did not check to see if still avaiable.

Edit: The 7.5 Unique load Sonny123 above mentioned works in my 3 inch Smith.

http://www.beartoothbullets.com/bulletselect/index.htm

https://secure25.securewebsession.com/proshootpro.com/order.htm

Thanks for the info guys.
I just ordered some of the Beartooth 250 gr Keith bullets.

These are very nice also.

http://www.blackriverbullet.com/index.html

Well...there ya go..lots of sources for Keith type bullets!

Sometimes, the internet is a beautiful thing!


+1 in the 7.5 grain Unique load..

Ingwe

If a handloader finds a forgotten box of 44 Specials with "Skelton load" written on the outside he'll know what's inside.

I used 8 grains of Universal Clays and Lyman 429421 cast from wheel weights and hollow pointed to take this little button buck last fall. I have also used the oft-mentioned 7.5 grains Unique and am now working with Power Pistol. This last powder, if I can find an accurate load, may be best as it works at lower pressures for similar velocities as the other powders.

This next photo shows a loaded round and the drilled hollow point. The bullet on the left was recovered from the soil beyond the little buck. Not much expansion, but it seems to improve the accuracy a bit. Penetration was all anyone could want.

I have loaded this bullet all the way up to 1200 fps in my little Flat Top, but about 1,000 fps is enough for all-round use.

I shot a deer years ago w/a 240 SWC atop 10.5 Unique in my M29 4".......magnum cases. Clocked 1050.

Later used 9 gr of Universal Clays for similar speed, cleaner burning and metering in a Ruger SBH 4 5/8.

I can tell you when I had the 29, I shot a willow tree on the banks of the Red River here, sailed right thru slamming the water at an impact that one would NOT want to have hit them. That tree was around 8-10" thick....

SO, as above, when you get around 1k, you will have PLENTY penetration w/a hard cast at nominal handgun distances IMHO.

I'd look at U. Clays personally for your Special.