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Need Bullseye Load for 44mag. Part 2
travis3
Member Posts: 341 ✭✭✭
Want to thank everyone for their help. Alliant Powder did contact me and said I could use 8.0gr of Bullseye with my 255gr bullet but be sure to use a heavy crimp. Now I am confused.
I grew up reading Kieth, O'Connor, Pete Brown , Cooper etc.
Bill
I grew up reading Kieth, O'Connor, Pete Brown , Cooper etc.
Bill
Comments
To help you understand a bit more I will place the analogy to a car. You can put a Blown Hemi into a Ford Focus but it is a mismatch. you can put a chain saw motor into a semi truck, it too is a mismatch.
Using Bullseye in a 44 mag is a mismatch too. On the other scale. You are putting a minuscule amount of a very HOT powder into a huge case. Any problem, issue or boo-boo can create havoc. I would imagine the 44 mag case could hold up to 30 grains of bullseye powder. Loading that much places a bomb in you hand very close to your face.
There is also a little understood phenomenon of detonation in larges cases using small amounts of very fast powder. The theory is that the primer flame passes across the top of the powder and ignites the it from both ends; it meets in the middle creating a huge pressure spike blowing the gun up. This theory has illustrated some valid concerns about using fast powders in big cases. Just because there is a load listed for it does not make it wise or good to use it. There are many great powders for the 44 mag. If you are looking for low charge weights to reduce costs look at Blue Dot. You get lots of go fast with a medium charge weight. The case is full enough to instantly see a double charge. Getting the Lyman Cast Bullet handbook and reading it will give you a lot greater understanding of the math behing all of this stuff. I have shot thousands of 44 rounds using Unique for plinking at 800 to 900 FPS, 2400 in large amounts with 240 JHP's for serious work and even larger amounts for gas checked linotype cast bullets driven at the upper ends of sane reloading practices.
Again, you can use Bullseye Powder for the 44 mag.but all things considered it may be unwise to do so.
Bill
Get the Lyman manual and use what they show. They have researched the loads for many years.
I am going today to get a lb of Unique for the 44mag. Can I use the Bullseye in the 45acp with 230 to 250gr cast bullets? Once again want to thank everyone for thier help it means a lot to this old man.
Now you are talking! Use the Bullseye with a middle of the road load for the 230 grain bullets in the 45 and you duplicate the orginial factory load.
Sitting at my table with my Unique and primed brass. I think 8.5 gr shoulkd give me the load I am looking for. Thanks for the 45acp suggestion this I will do. How about a 9mm load with a 150gr bullet with the Bullseye. Just want a plinking load or soda can killer for my Ruger and its 9mm cylinder.
I load 9mm using 146 grain jacketed bullets frequently. This load is shot through semi-auto pistols. The longer bearing surface of these heavy for caliber bullets seem to enhance accuracy as far as my guns are concerned.
My standard powder is AA 2, which is a fast burning powder in the same class as Bullseye. Since your using a Ruger revolver, you don't have to worry about the slide functioning. Start at 2 1/2 grains and slowly work up at 2 2/10 grain intervals until you achieve the accuracy your seeking.
As far as fast burning powder detonating in large capacity cases. I have been loading this same AA 2 powder for awhile now in .45 LC. The 45 LC has a case capacity as great or greater then .44 Mag. I have had good results with this powder using moderate loads and lead bullets. I believe the threat of detonation give by others, is overstated and alarmist to say the least.
Bill