Anyone reload .44?

eastwood44mag

Just looking to compare recipes. I'll be getting mine from Hodgdon, so don't think I'm going to make my own and lose an arm. Thanks.

O Lord,
grant me the Serenity
to accept the things
I cannot change
the courage to change the things I can,
and the supreme firepower to make the difference.

FrancF

Been a long time since I have reloaded for my Redhawk, at least 15 years. I was using 23.5 gr of 296 powder with a 240 GR JHP.

I know there are better loads out there.





NRA Life Endowment Member

bpost

Are you looking for full power loads or 1000FPS plinkers.

deputydon

I load 10gr of Unique under a 215gr SWC for target loads and 21.5grs of 2400 for smoking a 240gr hp. DO NOT start out with the smokin' load. I worked up to that carefully and slowly. -Don

When they pry it from my cold dead fingers.

Pearyw

I have used 23 gr H110 with 240 gr jacketed bullets and 8.5 gr of Unique with 250 gr lead swc for a light load. I have been using these for years in Ruger and S&W 44 mags.

vytis

Classic Elmer Keith loads are:
.44 mag 240gr. Keith cast semiwadcutter, 22grs 2400
.44 special 240gr " " " 17.5 grs 2400
Start 2grs under recommended amount and work up!
Use heavy roll crimp
Keith considered these to be MAX loads, and warned not to exceed.
He used a relativy soft cast bullet...Lyman still maufactures mold made to his design.
For more info see article in Handloader Magazine Dec/Jan 2001, p. 27

LABWILD

I use 23.8 gr. of H110, 240 gr. Hornady XTP, IMI brass, CCI magnum pistol primer.

Tailgunner1954

quote:Originally posted by vytis
Classic Elmer Keith loads are:
.44 mag 240gr. Keith cast semiwadcutter, 22grs 2400
.44 special 240gr " " " 17.5 grs 2400
Start 2grs under recommended amount and work up!
Use heavy roll crimp
Keith considered these to be MAX loads, and warned not to exceed.
He used a relativy soft cast bullet...Lyman still maufactures mold made to his design.
For more info see article in Handloader Magazine Dec/Jan 2001, p. 27


This is one good reason to verify old load data aganst a current manual, 2400 today is not the same powder as when Elmer was around. Many of the powders had there formulias/burn rates altered in the 70's due to a changes in the manfacturing process. This recipe might be OK, as IIRC Elmer used to spec a max of 25gr of 2400 "back in the day" (same caution applies when using data by Phil Sharpe, Parker Ackley, Ken Waters, Vernon Speer and other pioneers of reloading)

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Some guys like a mag full of lead, I still prefer one round to the head.

heavyiron

Check this link:

http://www.handloads.com/loaddata/default.asp?Caliber=44 Special&Weight=All&type=Handgun

They have a large database with 84 loads for the .44 Special alone. You didn't say .44 Special or Magnum but there are plenty of loads for each with all powder types. You can even calculate the recoil from your rounds with their website tools. I really like this site.

Regards,

Heavyiron[8D]


"If I don't see you nomore on this world, I'll meet you on the next one, and don't be late!" - Jimi Hendrix

greeker375

quote:quote:

---

Originally posted by vytis

Classic Elmer Keith loads are:
.44 mag 240gr. Keith cast semiwadcutter, 22grs 2400
.44 special 240gr " " " 17.5 grs 2400
Start 2grs under recommended amount and work up!
Use heavy roll crimp
Keith considered these to be MAX loads, and warned not to exceed.
He used a relativy soft cast bullet...Lyman still maufactures mold made to his design.
For more info see article in Handloader Magazine Dec/Jan 2001, p. 27

---

This is one good reason to verify old load data aganst a current manual, 2400 today is not the same powder as when Elmer was around.


I've been using 2400 powder for the past 25 or so yrs and I use a 255 cast Keith style semi-wad hard cast. Hard hitting, accurate and w/manageable recoil. Do Not use magnum primers. Gun is S&W 44 Mag made in 1958 - a pre 29 model and is still tight as a drum.





"the difference between the almost right word and the right word is like the difference between a lightning bug and a lightning bolt" - Mark Twain.

chuck

I used to use 2400 powder but it is soooo DIRTY, have gone to Winchester 296 with a 240 gr Lead bullet. [8D]

bpost

I use unique for plinkers at about 1000 FPS and 2400 for full house loads. H110 seems to give much more muzzle blast and a huge fire ball out of my 29 Classic 5".