3 disappointing loads... :-P

[phungus]

I have been experimenting with these Lead RNFP's I purchased from T&T Reloading. They are sized .430 and I'm shooting them through a Super Redhawk 7.5" with a Burris 2X. All testing was done at 25 yds benched.

Loads are:

1. 44 Mag, 200 RNFP, 7.0 Universal, Fed 150, New Starline Brass
2. 44 Spcl, 200 RNFP, 6.0 Universal, CCI 300, Starline/Win Brass
3. 44 Spcl, 200 RNFP, 5.0 Titegroup, CCI 300, Starline/Win Brass

The Titegroup load was quite smoky. I didn't expect that. It was about like shooting Unique.

The two Universal Clays loads were not especially dirty or smoky, but they left unburned powder all over the barrel, table, and everywhere else.
I shot about 75 rounds and I had unburned powder all over the bench I was on.

None of these loads produced any kind of accuracy I was after. 25 yards benched with this gun should be producing nice groups. I did try out some XTP 44 Mag loads with H110 which shot a whole heck of a lot better. I just didn't want to blast away the strong stuff today.


Anyone have any idea what could be wrong? I'm using a Lee 4-die set and I'm using the FCD for a nice moderate crimp. On the 44mag rounds, I think I used a roll crimp from the seater die. In any case, it was solid.


Help? :)

[Trapp]

I use 22 grains IMR 4227 to get a good group. This is with 240 grain jsp. I get three inches off hand at 20 yards. It is a little dirty but not horrible. These contrary to what I have been told are relativly light loads. The max powder charge i've seen for it is up to 24 grains (only found that in one manual).

[Russ5924]

Never used universal but find it hard to believe that Titegroup could be that dirty I use it in .38,357,45acp and 45 colt.Looked it up in my books you are right in the ballpark for .44 special my book for MAX is 5.5 titegroup. The only time I had trouble with burnt cases was I couldn't get my normal .45s ,in the .45acp they were ok but in the .45 colt they didn't seat down into the case far so I guess my barrel pressure was low and the case wasn't seating.That was using 6.0 of titegroup

[phungus]

I couldn't understand it either. The only thing I can think is that maybe that bullet/lube is improper. Didn't seem to be too bad though. I do know that I usually shoot .429 diameter and these cast bullets are .430. Didn't think it would matter though.

I'm going to try and load up a set of XTP's or Speers or something and see if it does it still. I'm hoping it was just the lube. I've heard good things about that powder.