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44 Mag reloads
264fan
Member Posts: 81 ✭✭
Just getting back into using cast bullets. Used to load with Unique but looking for something that will take up more space in the case and burn slower. 1200 fps is where I would like to be. Any suggestions?
Comments
I used Winchester large pistol with 2400. Only used mag. with H-110.
I used a lot of IMR 2400.
+1
I've always been told that, to reduce leading, keep velocities below 1,000 fps. Are there any leading issues at 1,200?
If the bullets are the correct hardness, sized properly, and a good lube 1200 is no problem. I always break a new bore in with at least 300 jacketed before using cast.
quote:Originally posted by Colonel Plink
I've always been told that, to reduce leading, keep velocities below 1,000 fps. Are there any leading issues at 1,200?
If the bullets are the correct hardness, sized properly, and a good lube 1200 is no problem. I always break a new bore in with at least 300 jacketed before using cast.
Thank you.
As for the primer question; powders like the H110, yes , I'd use magnum primers. With 2400 I get great results with either. Velocity with 240 grain hard cast is basically identical with 21 grains and CCI 350's as it is with 22 grains and CCI 300's. Always bugs me that so many writers will quote favorite handgun load without specifying the primer used. If my memory serves me well I once read that Elmers well known load of 22 grains of 2400 with a 240 hard cast was with regular primers but that's rarely mentioned in articles citing that load.
+1 264fan,
As for the primer question; powders like the H110, yes , I'd use magnum primers. With 2400 I get great results with either. Velocity with 240 grain hard cast is basically identical with 21 grains and CCI 350's as it is with 22 grains and CCI 300's. Always bugs me that so many writers will quote favorite handgun load without specifying the primer used. If my memory serves me well I once read that Elmers well known load of 22 grains of 2400 with a 240 hard cast was with regular primers but that's rarely mentioned in articles citing that load.
I could never get 22 grains without a super compressed load!
Interesting. My powder is more than a few years old. I wonder if the new lots are bulkier? What kind of brass do you use? I load a mixture of Rem., W-W and Federal and never felt near to capacity with my own favorite, which was the 21 grains.
Getting older I guess. I've decided that I don't need that much oomph anymore and load to about 1,000 fps for my deer and general purpose loads. Self imposed maximum range of 50 yards with iron sights. The extra velocity was nice back in the day when I was knocking down steel rams at 200 meters.
Thought I saw some published loads but can't lay my hands on them at the moment. Anyone?
I could never get 22 grains without a super compressed load!
Interesting. My powder is more than a few years old. I wonder if the new lots are bulkier? What kind of brass do you use? I load a mixture of Rem., W-W and Federal and never felt near to capacity with my own favorite, which was the 21 grains.
Getting older I guess. I've decided that I don't need that much oomph anymore and load to about 1,000 fps for my deer and general purpose loads. Self imposed maximum range of 50 yards with iron sights. The extra velocity was nice back in the day when I was knocking down steel rams at 200 meters.
I shoot either a 245 or 255 SWC and there is a lot of bullet in the case.
You got my curiousity up, so I tried a little experiment.
Grabbed 3 random .44 cases; a W-W, an R-P and a PMC.
By weight they scaled out at 112.2, 114.2 and 114.7 respectively.
I took the heaviest of the 3, the PMC and weighed out 22.1 grains of Alliant 2400. With a standard short funnel I filled the case. A jacket 240 grain bullet (Hornady XTP) or a hard cast 240 SWC (Carrolls) would seat in the case all the way to cannelure or crimping groove with NO compression. Not much if any air space, but no compression.
Granted these were fired, not yet resized cases, which would reduce the internal capacity a bit, but IMHO not enough to result in anything more than slight compression.
Just noted a couple of references to IMR 2400. Could this be the source of our discrepancies? I'm using Alliant or Hercules 2400. Not familiar with IMR 2400.