.44mag loads: 240gr cast @ 1000fps from a 4"?

MP-44 · February 3, 2013, 10:12 AM

Recommendations?

jj320 · February 3, 2013, 10:19 AM

look at load swap on bear tooth web site they have quite a few recipes

spacecoast · February 3, 2013, 10:58 AM

Hodgdon shows several .44mag loads up to 1300 fps with a cast bullet. These are tested using a 8-3/8" barrel, but the faster powders, particularly Titegroup, shouldn't be reduced that much by the shorter barrel. I would definitely make sure I have a strong gun before going anywhere near 10.0 grains of Titegroup, and work up slowly. 8.0 grains makes a good mid-range plinking load under a 225 gr. cast bullet from my 6" 629.

Only a chronograph will tell you for sure what velocity you are getting from your gun.

http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp

jmortimer · February 3, 2013, 11:03 AM

10 grains of Unique should get you there.

SSA · February 3, 2013, 01:28 PM

7.5 gr Unique, 240 gr cast, seated deep (crimped over the front shoulder) in a 44 Special case.
Hits about 1050 fps from my 6" Super Blackhawk.

MP-44 · February 3, 2013, 04:20 PM

I have a 4" 29-2 on the way.

I didn't think I really needed too many full blown magnum loads but thought a 240gr @ 1000 fps would give a nice thump but wouldn't beat the gun to death.

black mamba · February 3, 2013, 04:33 PM

Seated to a nominal 1.6" (in crimp groove) 8.5 to 9.0 grains of HP-38 or W231 should put you right at 1000 fps in a 4" and be very accurate.

Dan Newberry · February 3, 2013, 10:11 PM

Just be ready for some high impacts at 25 yards, unless your sights will crank down really low...

I shoot light loads in my Blackhawks (44 mags) and until you get the speed up there pretty good, you'll have issues getting the sights to set where you want them.

The muzzle flip will be well under-way before the bullet exits, leading to high impacts...

Dan

shootniron · February 3, 2013, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Just be ready for some high impacts at 25 yards, unless your sights will crank down really low...

Shoot'em out of my 4 5/8 all of the time and never have this problem. I love those 1000fps loads, great hunting rounds.

reloader28 · February 4, 2013, 09:07 AM

7.5gr Clays puts me at 1000fps average with my Vaquaro and 245g SWC.
Very nice load to shoot and the bullets all go in the same hole at 15yds.
The holes are all overlapping with my other 44.

AlaskaMike · February 4, 2013, 11:26 AM

10.5 to 11 grains of Power Pistol will also do it. It's one of my favorite .44 mag loads.

GeauxTide · February 4, 2013, 09:50 PM

The above mentioned Unique or Power Pistol will get you there. Use Standard primers, however. My most accurate load in 44 SPL or Mag is 9.0gr of Unique.

Tennessee Jed · February 5, 2013, 06:41 PM

I use a load very close to GeauxTide in a 4" barrel 629 with a 240 grain LSWC. Don't have a chronograph, but it is very accurate and controllable.

Texas Range Ammo · February 5, 2013, 07:52 PM

Well, my favorite powder in large magnums is 2400,

old school,,

regarding recipe's,,, I discourage relying solely on forum suggestions,,,, use manuals, and manufacturers webpages,,, be safe.

You probably already know all that,,,

PawPaw · February 6, 2013, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SSA

7.5 gr Unique, 240 gr cast, seated deep (crimped over the front shoulder) in a 44 Special case. Hits about 1050 fps from my 6" Super Blackhawk.

That's Skeeter's Load and I shoot a bunch of it. Out of my 7.5" Super Blackhawk it gives me 970 fps and punches through like gangbusters. It works for just about 95% of everything I want a .44 handgun to do.

I save my 2400 for the magnum cases.

February 3, 2013, 10:12 AM	#1
MP-44 Senior Member Join Date: January 1, 2000 Location: VA Posts: 396	.44mag loads: 240gr cast @ 1000fps from a 4"? Recommendations?

February 3, 2013, 10:11 PM	#8
Dan Newberry Senior Member Join Date: October 3, 2012 Location: Wytheville, VA Posts: 216	Just be ready for some high impacts at 25 yards, unless your sights will crank down really low... I shoot light loads in my Blackhawks (44 mags) and until you get the speed up there pretty good, you'll have issues getting the sights to set where you want them. The muzzle flip will be well under-way before the bullet exits, leading to high impacts... Dan __________________ *www.BANGSTEEL.com* Practical Long Range Rifle Courses... Optimal Charge Weight handload consulting

February 5, 2013, 07:52 PM	#14
Texas Range Ammo Member Join Date: January 23, 2013 Location: North Central Texas Posts: 18	my favorite Well, my favorite powder in large magnums is 2400, old school,, regarding recipe's,,, I discourage relying solely on forum suggestions,,,, use manuals, and manufacturers webpages,,, be safe. You probably already know all that,,,

February 3, 2013, 10:19 AM	#2
jj320 Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2013 Location: hobart,in Posts: 119	look at load swap on bear tooth web site they have quite a few recipes

February 3, 2013, 10:58 AM	#3
spacecoast Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 2009 Location: Sunshine and Keystone States Posts: 4,461	Hodgdon shows several .44mag loads up to 1300 fps with a cast bullet. These are tested using a 8-3/8" barrel, but the faster powders, particularly Titegroup, shouldn't be reduced that much by the shorter barrel. I would definitely make sure I have a strong gun before going anywhere near 10.0 grains of Titegroup, and work up slowly. 8.0 grains makes a good mid-range plinking load under a 225 gr. cast bullet from my 6" 629. Only a chronograph will tell you for sure what velocity you are getting from your gun. http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp

February 3, 2013, 11:03 AM	#4
jmortimer Junior member Join Date: January 24, 2010 Location: South West Riverside County California Posts: 2,763	10 grains of Unique should get you there.

February 3, 2013, 01:28 PM	#5
SSA Senior Member Join Date: August 1, 2010 Posts: 641	7.5 gr Unique, 240 gr cast, seated deep (crimped over the front shoulder) in a 44 Special case. Hits about 1050 fps from my 6" Super Blackhawk.

February 3, 2013, 04:20 PM	#6
MP-44 Senior Member Join Date: January 1, 2000 Location: VA Posts: 396	I have a 4" 29-2 on the way. I didn't think I really needed too many full blown magnum loads but thought a 240gr @ 1000 fps would give a nice thump but wouldn't beat the gun to death.

February 3, 2013, 04:33 PM	#7
black mamba Senior Member Join Date: September 13, 2011 Location: SW Florida Posts: 890	Seated to a nominal 1.6" (in crimp groove) 8.5 to 9.0 grains of HP-38 or W231 should put you right at 1000 fps in a 4" and be very accurate.

February 4, 2013, 09:07 AM	#10
reloader28 Senior Member Join Date: October 13, 2009 Location: nw wyoming Posts: 1,061	7.5gr Clays puts me at 1000fps average with my Vaquaro and 245g SWC. Very nice load to shoot and the bullets all go in the same hole at 15yds. The holes are all overlapping with my other 44.

February 4, 2013, 11:26 AM	#11
AlaskaMike Senior Member Join Date: September 26, 2005 Posts: 941	10.5 to 11 grains of Power Pistol will also do it. It's one of my favorite .44 mag loads.

February 4, 2013, 09:50 PM	#12
GeauxTide Senior Member Join Date: April 20, 2009 Location: Helena, AL Posts: 4,424	The above mentioned Unique or Power Pistol will get you there. Use Standard primers, however. My most accurate load in 44 SPL or Mag is 9.0gr of Unique.

February 5, 2013, 06:41 PM	#13
Tennessee Jed Member Join Date: July 14, 2010 Posts: 92	I use a load very close to GeauxTide in a 4" barrel 629 with a 240 grain LSWC. Don't have a chronograph, but it is very accurate and controllable.