44 REM MAG target load

bkhann · January 20, 2012, 09:46 AM

I am new to the wonderful world of 44 Magnum having just purchased a S&W 629 5" Classic revolver. In looking at the factory loads in 240 grain, they all seem to be around the 1100-1200 FPS range which yields a power factor of 264-288. Compaired to my 357 (power factor of 131-150), this has to be a pretty big boom.

Could someone suggest a good load for 44 REM MAG.

I will be using Berry’s Plated 240 gn HP (.429) and Alliant 2400 powder. Primary use will be target and plinking. Looking for a load that is a “magnum” (no poof loads) load without beating me up, but as I am only trying to shoot through paper, I do not need a “bear” load. I do not want to use the shorter 44 SPL cases in this firearm.

Your suggestions are appreciated.

jaguarxk120 · January 20, 2012, 10:21 AM

Go to the Hodgdon web site and the reloading center. There they have listed many proven loads that can be used.

You can use a 44 special load in the magnum case.

Edward429451 · January 20, 2012, 11:40 AM

If you have 2400 then 18.0 to 18.5 should be good.

Slamfire · January 20, 2012, 11:41 AM

2400 is more flexible than some other magnum powders, I have shot thousands of rounds with 240 Lead bullets and 17.5 grain 2400 in a 44 Magnum case, but even in that reduced load, I would not consider those target loads. Elmer Keith’s full power load was a 250 L with 22.0 grains 2400.

I tried 8.5 grains Unique, it was accurate, but it was still very powerful with a lot of kick.

I have target loads in the 44 Special with bullseye, but sorry, don’t have any with the 44 Mag.

S&W M629-4 Stainless, 5" Barrel

240 LSWC 8.5 grs Unique thrown, Midway Brass WLP
25-Nov-04 T = 58 °F

Ave Vel = 1023
Std Dev = 25
ES = 99
Low = 958
High = 1057
N = 30

240 LSWC Valiant 20.0 grs 2400 thrown, lot 406 Midway cases, Wolf primers
T ≈ 60-65 ° F 19-Apr-09

Ave Vel = 1155
Std Dev = 32
ES = 128.4
High = 1213
Low= 1084
N = 30

BigJimP · January 20, 2012, 11:52 AM

Just look for a powder ...that will let you back the velocity down to around 1,000 fps ....like Hodgdon Universal ...or any number of other powders.

But I like Hodgdon Universal in a .44 mag ( and other calibers ) but according to the Hodgdon website....min is 8.0gr at 1018 fps ...and max is 10.2 gr at 1246 fps.

Berry's website says....on velocity ...
" FAQ: How fast can I shoot these bullets?
Velocities depend on the caliber, but as a rule of thumb, we recommend you don't shoot our plated bullets over 1200 feet-per-second. Our 44's actually shoot best around 1150 fps. 45's are generally good at 850-900 fps. Our bullets are not recommended for magnum velocities."

and I like the .44 mag load at around 1150 fps or about 9.2 gr of Hodgdon Universal behind that Berry's bullet.

chiefr · January 20, 2012, 12:59 PM

I have always produced superior with cast bullets over the jacketed variety with 44 Mag handguns. I have tried many different powders in the 44 Mag and always returned to 2400. 296 is my second choice.

AlaskaMike · January 20, 2012, 02:06 PM

I think this is one of those situations where if you ask 10 different handloaders what they prefer, you'll get 10 different answers.

Personally, with a cast 240 or 250 grain SWC I like 10 grains of Power Pistol for a 1000 fps load, or 7.5 grains of 231 for a nice soft target load.

PawPaw · January 20, 2012, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chiefr

I have always produced superior with cast bullets over the jacketed variety with 44 Mag handguns. I have tried many different powders in the 44 Mag and always returned to 2400. 296 is my second choice.

Yep. After years of playing with that caliber, I have just exactly two loads for my .44 Ruger SBH. The magnum load is 19.0 grains of 2400 with a 240 cast bullet. The not-magnum load uses .44 special brass, that same bullet, and 7.5 grains of Unique for 950 fps. That Special load is easy to shoot, very accurate, and is more powerful than the powderpuff factory loads we find in the .44 special. That load was originally propounded by Skeeter Skelton and I call it Skeeter's load. It's good for about 95% of the work I require that revolver to do.

Old Grump · January 20, 2012, 02:49 PM

8.5 grains of unique, very accurate and velocity just under a 1000 fps, similar to Paw Paws load. Most accurate load in my 44 mag and good enough for small game hunting and up close and personal SD if needed but won't beat your hand to death. At 15 yards I can make a jagged hole and at 25 yards I stay under 2" with 6 shots.

My hunting load uses 240 gr LSWC bullets at 1500 fps, not grizzly bear power but good enough for deer at 100 yards and still accurate. That is 21 gr of #9.

rclark · January 20, 2012, 06:55 PM

8.5g Unique or Universal.... Nice accurate target loads. 7.5g in .44Spec.

bkhann · January 20, 2012, 08:19 PM

Thank you for all the responses.

I do have Unique powder which I use to load a "mild" 454 Casull load for a friend. It shoots nicely, but meters not so well. I end up throwing the powder, then weighing each load, adding or dedicting with a trickler. Not a big deal for 50 loads or so, but I expect to load a little larger volume with the 44 MAG....... I have heard that 2400 meters nicely, so I bought 1 lb to try out. It looks like I can safely load down to 950 fps to 1000 fps. I have a message in to Allient Tech Support to verify so we will see.

January 20, 2012, 09:46 AM	#1
bkhann Member Join Date: August 5, 2009 Location: Grand Rapids MI Posts: 98	44 REM MAG target load I am new to the wonderful world of 44 Magnum having just purchased a S&W 629 5" Classic revolver. In looking at the factory loads in 240 grain, they all seem to be around the 1100-1200 FPS range which yields a power factor of 264-288. Compaired to my 357 (power factor of 131-150), this has to be a pretty big boom. Could someone suggest a good load for 44 REM MAG. I will be using Berry’s Plated 240 gn HP (.429) and Alliant 2400 powder. Primary use will be target and plinking. Looking for a load that is a “magnum” (no poof loads) load without beating me up, but as I am only trying to shoot through paper, I do not need a “bear” load. I do not want to use the shorter 44 SPL cases in this firearm. Your suggestions are appreciated.

January 20, 2012, 11:41 AM	#4
Slamfire Senior Member Join Date: May 27, 2007 Posts: 5,261	2400 is more flexible than some other magnum powders, I have shot thousands of rounds with 240 Lead bullets and 17.5 grain 2400 in a 44 Magnum case, but even in that reduced load, I would not consider those target loads. Elmer Keith’s full power load was a 250 L with 22.0 grains 2400. I tried 8.5 grains Unique, it was accurate, but it was still very powerful with a lot of kick. I have target loads in the 44 Special with bullseye, but sorry, don’t have any with the 44 Mag. S&W M629-4 Stainless, 5" Barrel 240 LSWC 8.5 grs Unique thrown, Midway Brass WLP 25-Nov-04 T = 58 °F Ave Vel = 1023 Std Dev = 25 ES = 99 Low = 958 High = 1057 N = 30 240 LSWC Valiant 20.0 grs 2400 thrown, lot 406 Midway cases, Wolf primers T ≈ 60-65 ° F 19-Apr-09 Ave Vel = 1155 Std Dev = 32 ES = 128.4 High = 1213 Low= 1084 N = 30 __________________ If I'm not shooting, I'm reloading.

January 20, 2012, 06:55 PM	#10
rclark Senior Member Join Date: February 12, 2009 Location: Butte, MT Posts: 2,619	8.5g Unique or Universal.... Nice accurate target loads. 7.5g in .44Spec. __________________ A clinger and deplorable, MAGA, and life NRA member. When guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns. Single Action .45 Colt (Sometimes colloquially referred to by its alias as the .45 'Long' Colt or .45LC). Don't leave home without it. That said, the .44Spec is right up their too... but the .45 Colt is still the king.

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January 20, 2012, 10:21 AM	#2
jaguarxk120 Senior Member Join Date: February 28, 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 2,619	Go to the Hodgdon web site and the reloading center. There they have listed many proven loads that can be used. You can use a 44 special load in the magnum case.

January 20, 2012, 11:40 AM	#3
Edward429451 Junior member Join Date: November 12, 2000 Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado Posts: 9,494	If you have 2400 then 18.0 to 18.5 should be good.

January 20, 2012, 11:52 AM	#5
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	Just look for a powder ...that will let you back the velocity down to around 1,000 fps ....like Hodgdon Universal ...or any number of other powders. But I like Hodgdon Universal in a .44 mag ( and other calibers ) but according to the Hodgdon website....min is 8.0gr at 1018 fps ...and max is 10.2 gr at 1246 fps. Berry's website says....on velocity ... " FAQ: How fast can I shoot these bullets? Velocities depend on the caliber, but as a rule of thumb, we recommend you don't shoot our plated bullets over 1200 feet-per-second. Our 44's actually shoot best around 1150 fps. 45's are generally good at 850-900 fps. Our bullets are not recommended for magnum velocities." and I like the .44 mag load at around 1150 fps or about 9.2 gr of Hodgdon Universal behind that Berry's bullet.

January 20, 2012, 12:59 PM	#6
chiefr Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2010 Location: AR Posts: 1,401	I have always produced superior with cast bullets over the jacketed variety with 44 Mag handguns. I have tried many different powders in the 44 Mag and always returned to 2400. 296 is my second choice.

January 20, 2012, 02:06 PM	#7
AlaskaMike Senior Member Join Date: September 26, 2005 Posts: 941	I think this is one of those situations where if you ask 10 different handloaders what they prefer, you'll get 10 different answers. Personally, with a cast 240 or 250 grain SWC I like 10 grains of Power Pistol for a 1000 fps load, or 7.5 grains of 231 for a nice soft target load.

January 20, 2012, 02:49 PM	#9
Old Grump Member in memoriam Join Date: April 9, 2009 Location: Blue River Wisconsin, in Posts: 3,144	8.5 grains of unique, very accurate and velocity just under a 1000 fps, similar to Paw Paws load. Most accurate load in my 44 mag and good enough for small game hunting and up close and personal SD if needed but won't beat your hand to death. At 15 yards I can make a jagged hole and at 25 yards I stay under 2" with 6 shots. My hunting load uses 240 gr LSWC bullets at 1500 fps, not grizzly bear power but good enough for deer at 100 yards and still accurate. That is 21 gr of #9. __________________ Good intentions will always be pleaded for any assumption of power. The Constitution was made to guard the people against the dangers of good intentions. There are men in all ages who mean to govern will, but they mean to govern. They promise to be good masters, but they mean to be masters. --Daniel Webster--

January 20, 2012, 08:19 PM	#11
bkhann Member Join Date: August 5, 2009 Location: Grand Rapids MI Posts: 98	Thank you for all the responses. I do have Unique powder which I use to load a "mild" 454 Casull load for a friend. It shoots nicely, but meters not so well. I end up throwing the powder, then weighing each load, adding or dedicting with a trickler. Not a big deal for 50 loads or so, but I expect to load a little larger volume with the 44 MAG....... I have heard that 2400 meters nicely, so I bought 1 lb to try out. It looks like I can safely load down to 950 fps to 1000 fps. I have a message in to Allient Tech Support to verify so we will see.