44 mag rifle with lead bullets.

02bigdogs17 · November 29, 2013, 06:44 PM

I have some hard cast 240gr lead semi wadcutters I would like to load and shoot out of my single shot 44 rifle. I want to use Alliant Unique with these. I know there are better powders for rifle but this is what I have. My books are not listing Unique for the rifle does anyone have some load data for this? Thanks

rodfac · November 29, 2013, 09:05 PM

Any of the handgun listings will be safe to use in your rifle...leading may be an issue however. So long as you don't push the envelope, you'll do all right. You can expect a cpl hundred feet per second jump in muzzle velocities from the hand gun data figures. Size makes a big difference, and your bullets should be 0.001"-0.002" over groove diameter.

Best Regards, Rod

NWPilgrim · November 29, 2013, 11:07 PM

I shot my favorite medium load through my new Marlin 1894 just fine: 240 gr LSWC over 10.0 gr Unique and standard LP primers.

tomingreeneco · November 30, 2013, 12:25 AM

I have a .44 Big Boy and any of the handgun loads work well in it. For best performance choose one of the slower burning handgun powders.
Winchester 296/Hodgdon H110 have worked well for me.

buck460XVR · November 30, 2013, 09:30 AM

Unique will work OK in a rifle, but is not optimal. One reason you can't find recipes in most published sources. Light loads of fast burning powders that shoot well in handguns, tend to stick bullets in rifles. Loads that produce more than 850 FPS outta a handgun should be safe.

totaldla · November 30, 2013, 11:55 AM

Same as the pistol - no difference.

Clark · November 30, 2013, 08:15 PM

I shot cast bullets from my old Ruger 44 carbine and then jacketed. The muzzle peeled back like a banana.

Some old guy that collects 44 carbines tells me there are no carbine barrels left.

I got a new old stock 444 marlin lever action barrel from Numrich, cut the rear of the chamber off, revealing a 44 mag chamber. I drilled a gas hole, TIG welded in a gas fixture, and now I have the heaviest and most accurate 44 carbine around.

The moral is that old 44 carbine barrels are thin, and can make real trouble if they get Lead in the bore.

November 29, 2013, 06:44 PM	#1
02bigdogs17 Senior Member Join Date: November 25, 2012 Location: Indiana Posts: 138	44 mag rifle with lead bullets. I have some hard cast 240gr lead semi wadcutters I would like to load and shoot out of my single shot 44 rifle. I want to use Alliant Unique with these. I know there are better powders for rifle but this is what I have. My books are not listing Unique for the rifle does anyone have some load data for this? Thanks

November 29, 2013, 09:05 PM	#2
rodfac Senior Member Join Date: January 22, 2005 Location: Kentucky Posts: 3,623	Any of the handgun listings will be safe to use in your rifle...leading may be an issue however. So long as you don't push the envelope, you'll do all right. You can expect a cpl hundred feet per second jump in muzzle velocities from the hand gun data figures. Size makes a big difference, and your bullets should be 0.001"-0.002" over groove diameter. Best Regards, Rod __________________ Cherish our flag, honor it, defend it in word and deed, or get the hell out. Our Bill of Rights has been paid for by heros in uniform and shall not be diluted by misguided governmental social experiments. We owe this to our children, anything less is cowardice. USAF FAC, 5th Spl Forces, Vietnam Vet '69-'73.

November 29, 2013, 11:07 PM	#3
NWPilgrim Senior Member Join Date: September 29, 2008 Location: Oregon Posts: 2,346	44 mag rifle with lead bullets. I shot my favorite medium load through my new Marlin 1894 just fine: 240 gr LSWC over 10.0 gr Unique and standard LP primers.

November 30, 2013, 11:55 AM	#6
totaldla Senior Member Join Date: August 10, 2009 Location: SW Idaho Posts: 1,295	Same as the pistol - no difference. __________________ Lee Auto Bench Prime Castor Oil Case Lube

November 30, 2013, 12:25 AM	#4
tomingreeneco Member Join Date: November 15, 2013 Posts: 24	I have a .44 Big Boy and any of the handgun loads work well in it. For best performance choose one of the slower burning handgun powders. Winchester 296/Hodgdon H110 have worked well for me.

November 30, 2013, 09:30 AM	#5
buck460XVR Senior Member Join Date: December 28, 2006 Posts: 4,342	Unique will work OK in a rifle, but is not optimal. One reason you can't find recipes in most published sources. Light loads of fast burning powders that shoot well in handguns, tend to stick bullets in rifles. Loads that produce more than 850 FPS outta a handgun should be safe.