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SL1 · November 3, 2011, 07:12 PM

The SAAMI peak pressure limit for .44 Specials is 15,500 psi.

Many large-framed guns were subjected to higher pressures by "experimenters" before the .44 magnum was introduced. And some of those experiments damaged guns.

Recently, Ruger introduced a .44 Special model on a medium-sized (.357 Magnum) "Flat-top" frame, and loads have been published for it that go up to 25,000 psi. For example, see Handloader #260 (June 2009) page 38, where Brian Pearce lists loads for that particular gun. Pearce did include loads with AA-9, 2400 and even H-110, but notably NOT Lil'gun, which is even slower.

Of course, the powder's vendor, Hodgdon, doesn't list .44 Special loads over SAAMI specs and does not include Lil'gun for that cartridge. All of the .44 Magnum start loads listed by Hodgdon for Lil'gun have pressures above 27,000 CUP.

Given this powder's somewhat dubious pressure predictability, I would strongly suggest NOT experimenting with it in a gun that is not suitable for .44 magnum pressures.

SL1

November 3, 2011, 07:12 PM	#4
SL1 Senior Member Join Date: November 8, 2007 Posts: 2,001	Not even for a Ruger The SAAMI peak pressure limit for .44 Specials is 15,500 psi. Many large-framed guns were subjected to higher pressures by "experimenters" before the .44 magnum was introduced. And some of those experiments damaged guns. Recently, Ruger introduced a .44 Special model on a medium-sized (.357 Magnum) "Flat-top" frame, and loads have been published for it that go up to 25,000 psi. For example, see Handloader #260 (June 2009) page 38, where Brian Pearce lists loads for that particular gun. Pearce did include loads with AA-9, 2400 and even H-110, but notably NOT Lil'gun, which is even slower. Of course, the powder's vendor, Hodgdon, doesn't list .44 Special loads over SAAMI specs and does not include Lil'gun for that cartridge. All of the .44 Magnum start loads listed by Hodgdon for Lil'gun have pressures above 27,000 CUP. Given this powder's somewhat dubious pressure predictability, I would strongly suggest NOT experimenting with it in a gun that is not suitable for .44 magnum pressures. SL1 Last edited by SL1; November 4, 2011 at 09:15 AM.