.44 Magnum loads

Merad · August 13, 2014, 10:55 AM

Getting started in .44 Mag loading this afternoon, looking for some input on loads. Shooting from a 6.5" SBH.

I have some 240gr plated bullets from Xtreme that I'd like to use for a more mid-range plinker load. Xtreme recommends not pushing their bullets much past 1200 fps. Also have some 180gr XTPs that I want to use for "hot" loads. I have IMR4227, HP38 and Titegroup available.

My Lee manual has a starting load for 240gr lead with 19.4gr 4227 giving just under 1200 fps. And for the XTPs it lists a starting load of 27.5gr 4227 @ 1575 fps max load 29gr @ 1700 fps.

Any tips or thoughts on those loads?

buck460XVR · August 13, 2014, 11:12 AM

Low charges of IMR4227 gives for a "dirty" burn. I would try the Titegroup or HP38 for the plated. IMR4227 should give you decent performance with the 180 jacketed, but it tends to work better with heavier bullets in my experience. I tend to stick with jacketed 240s in .44 and IMR4227 works very well for them when pushed hard.

black mamba · August 13, 2014, 01:19 PM

9.0 gr of HP38 will give you a great midrange load with the plated 240s. Should be around 1125 fps in your SBH.

zxcvbob · August 13, 2014, 01:39 PM

About 10 grains of Unique, or 11 to 12 of Herco. (verify this with a load book)

buck460XVR · August 13, 2014, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by zxcvbob:

About 10 grains of Unique, or 11 to 12 of Herco. (verify this with a load book)

...but the OP states,

Quote:

I have IMR4227, HP38 and Titegroup available.

Merad · August 13, 2014, 02:06 PM

Yep.. LGS has tons of rifle powders but is strangely low on pistols. I will try the HP38 load with the plated rounds.

BigJimP · August 13, 2014, 02:07 PM

Xtreme is a soft plating....and do what they recommend / keep them below 1200 fps...or I've seen them fracture and spray the plating a little...

One of my buddies - had a small piece of the plating hit him in the cheek .../ and he was running them right at 1200 fps...( he said anyway ).../ he was shooting a 3" S&W model 629...

Merad · August 13, 2014, 09:16 PM

Question... The IMR4227 loads for 180gr are all compressed, first time I've dealt with that. How important is COL with compressed loads? The manual gives a min COL of 1.6 for that load, I was doing 1.61 to crimp on the cannelure of the XTPs. Test loads shot fine but it just occurred to me that changing the COL would change the compression of the powder and might do weird things to the pressure curve.

black mamba · August 14, 2014, 10:36 AM

With 4227 there is no problem with "uncompressing" a load by a small amount. It will result in slightly lower pressure. If you look at 45-70 loads with 4227, you'll find published loads as low as 55% fill, and some hot handgun loads go as high as 110%. It's versatility is one of 4227's strengths.

**44 AMP** · August 14, 2014, 11:14 AM

Quote:

The manual gives a min COL of 1.6 for that load,

I've been loading for decades, and only recently, on the internet have I found people worried about minimum loaded overall lengths.

If your bullet has a cannelure, seat to the cannelure. If you are doing proper work up of your loads, you will be safe seating like that, no matter what powder you are using.

Yes, there are certain circumstances where one does not want to seat a bullet too deeply, for pressure reasons, but these seldom occur with the "normal/usual" seating depth.

Also remember that the data in reloading tables are what they got, with what they used, including the gun. Our components (including the gun) are going to be slightly different, and therefore their results are guidelines for us to follow, not "chiseled in stone, always works just like this" rules.

madmo44mag · August 14, 2014, 12:04 PM

One thing to remember with 44mag is it performs better the more the case is filled. Fast burning powders with low volume weights tend to not perform as well.
Not much worry with a compressed load crimped in the canalure with listed weight charges.
Even though it looks like the case is full and the bullet is compressing the load, its not.
Once the powder settles the case will only be about 85% filled.
IMR 4227 work very well.
If down loading IMR 4227 to say 20.0 gr I will seat at the top of the canalure.
This loading has served me well with plated bullets.

If you have some 44 spl brass and just want good warm range rounds work up a hot 44spl.
It is cheaper to shoot and still a lot of fun.

One other thing and I may get blasted for this but the SBH is one tough gun.
I've put them through some horrid abuse and not had an issue with one.
All my 44 magnum now are Rugers.
The Colt and S&W boys can say they want about Rugers but their cylinders will be blown open and the top strap cracked when that Ruger is still shooting.

Be safe, enjoy, and never take loading advise from the interwebs with out working the load up 1st.

August 13, 2014, 10:55 AM	#1
Merad Senior Member Join Date: October 5, 2011 Posts: 350	.44 Magnum loads Getting started in .44 Mag loading this afternoon, looking for some input on loads. Shooting from a 6.5" SBH. I have some 240gr plated bullets from Xtreme that I'd like to use for a more mid-range plinker load. Xtreme recommends not pushing their bullets much past 1200 fps. Also have some 180gr XTPs that I want to use for "hot" loads. I have IMR4227, HP38 and Titegroup available. My Lee manual has a starting load for 240gr lead with 19.4gr 4227 giving just under 1200 fps. And for the XTPs it lists a starting load of 27.5gr 4227 @ 1575 fps max load 29gr @ 1700 fps. Any tips or thoughts on those loads?

August 13, 2014, 01:39 PM	#4
zxcvbob Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2007 Location: S.E. Minnesota Posts: 4,720	About 10 grains of Unique, or 11 to 12 of Herco. (verify this with a load book) __________________ "Everything they do is so dramatic and flamboyant. It just makes me want to set myself on fire!" —Lucille Bluth

August 14, 2014, 12:04 PM	#11
madmo44mag Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 2008 Location: Ft.Worth, Texas Posts: 1,522	One thing to remember with 44mag is it performs better the more the case is filled. Fast burning powders with low volume weights tend to not perform as well. Not much worry with a compressed load crimped in the canalure with listed weight charges. Even though it looks like the case is full and the bullet is compressing the load, its not. Once the powder settles the case will only be about 85% filled. IMR 4227 work very well. If down loading IMR 4227 to say 20.0 gr I will seat at the top of the canalure. This loading has served me well with plated bullets. If you have some 44 spl brass and just want good warm range rounds work up a hot 44spl. It is cheaper to shoot and still a lot of fun. One other thing and I may get blasted for this but the SBH is one tough gun. I've put them through some horrid abuse and not had an issue with one. All my 44 magnum now are Rugers. The Colt and S&W boys can say they want about Rugers but their cylinders will be blown open and the top strap cracked when that Ruger is still shooting. Be safe, enjoy, and never take loading advise from the interwebs with out working the load up 1st. __________________ Texas - Not just a state but an attitude! For monthly shooting events in DFW visit http://www.meetup.com/TexasGunOwner-DFW

August 13, 2014, 11:12 AM	#2
buck460XVR Senior Member Join Date: December 28, 2006 Posts: 4,342	Low charges of IMR4227 gives for a "dirty" burn. I would try the Titegroup or HP38 for the plated. IMR4227 should give you decent performance with the 180 jacketed, but it tends to work better with heavier bullets in my experience. I tend to stick with jacketed 240s in .44 and IMR4227 works very well for them when pushed hard.

August 13, 2014, 01:19 PM	#3
black mamba Senior Member Join Date: September 13, 2011 Location: SW Florida Posts: 890	9.0 gr of HP38 will give you a great midrange load with the plated 240s. Should be around 1125 fps in your SBH.

August 13, 2014, 02:06 PM	#6
Merad Senior Member Join Date: October 5, 2011 Posts: 350	Yep.. LGS has tons of rifle powders but is strangely low on pistols. I will try the HP38 load with the plated rounds.

August 13, 2014, 02:07 PM	#7
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	Xtreme is a soft plating....and do what they recommend / keep them below 1200 fps...or I've seen them fracture and spray the plating a little... One of my buddies - had a small piece of the plating hit him in the cheek .../ and he was running them right at 1200 fps...( he said anyway ).../ he was shooting a 3" S&W model 629...

August 13, 2014, 09:16 PM	#8
Merad Senior Member Join Date: October 5, 2011 Posts: 350	Question... The IMR4227 loads for 180gr are all compressed, first time I've dealt with that. How important is COL with compressed loads? The manual gives a min COL of 1.6 for that load, I was doing 1.61 to crimp on the cannelure of the XTPs. Test loads shot fine but it just occurred to me that changing the COL would change the compression of the powder and might do weird things to the pressure curve.

August 14, 2014, 10:36 AM	#9
black mamba Senior Member Join Date: September 13, 2011 Location: SW Florida Posts: 890	With 4227 there is no problem with "uncompressing" a load by a small amount. It will result in slightly lower pressure. If you look at 45-70 loads with 4227, you'll find published loads as low as 55% fill, and some hot handgun loads go as high as 110%. It's versatility is one of 4227's strengths.