Tried to use the search function here but after spending a half hour and getting no results will just put up a thread. Am trying to find some mild loads that my wife and grandchildren can enjoy shooting with mild recoil. I use a 200 grain bullet in the 44 special and a 250 grain in 45 colt. would to see some of your favorite load for either or both? Thanks Guys
With a 200 gr. bullet in .44 Special 3.5 gr. of Bullseye is about as mild as it gets. Once acclimated to 3.5 gr. the load can be stepped up to 5.0 gr. of Bullseye. I've introduced lots of young shooters and ladies to big bore handguns with those two loads. When they've mastered the bullseye loads I often let them shoot 7.5 gr. of Unique. I've shot thousands of the 7.5 gr. Unique load with 200 gr. RNFP bullet, it's become my go to load in .44 Special.
Trail Boss. A local shop even had some last week.
Hodgdon 2021 Annual says to start at 4 gr with 200 cast in 44 Spl. or 4.5gr with 250 cast in 45 Colt.
5.5 W231 with a 240 swc in .44 Special.
6.6 W231 with a 230 lrn in the 45 Colt.
I think of those two as relatively light, but still adequate for more than paper punching in a pinch.
I've also used 200 swc's in the Colt with Unique on occasion, shoot okay so long as the cylinder throats aren't way oversize.
I think I'm up to 6 gr of Trail Boss with a 200 in .44 Special. But you can use more or less if you wish - check the manuals.
Trail Boss is great with cast bullets. Seems to burn cooler which helps reduce leading.
I love Trail Boss and HS6 in those cals for low to midrange loads,