Best target loads: .44 Mag. New Model Revolver

rockyrider · January 25, 2013, 08:25 AM

Just acquired a .44 Mag. New moded revolver. I would like to start reloading for target shooting. I have .44 special cases mostly, but some magnum cases. The powders I have available are: Red dot, Blue dot, Bullseye, Unique and 231. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Rifleman1776 · January 25, 2013, 09:41 AM

I used a lot of 231 reduced loads in my .44 mag. Redhawk for competitive target shooting. Test as you reduce charges. Let no one else shoot this ammo as you must develop the technique of going 'primer up' or 'primer down' with light charges. Not doing this will produce some unpleasant surprises.

rodfac · January 25, 2013, 10:13 AM

Plus one on the use of Winchester 231 with the .44 magnum or .44 special and target velocity rounds. Check Hodgen's site for current loading data...but I will share that 6.5 gr of Winchester 231, Missouri bullets' 240 gr LSWC sized .430", in .44 Special brass with Winchester Lg Pistol primers is a big winner for me in either my 4-5/8" bbl'd Ruger .44 Special or its big brother, a Flat Top Anniversary Model .44 Magnum. You may find that new manufacture, Unique will do as well in 7.5 gr charges (with the remaining components as above), but for me does not meter nearly as well as Win 231 or its twin, HP38.

The above Win 231 load will give < 1.5" gps at 25 yds in any of my .44 caliber guns, both S&W and Ruger and chronographs at 954 fps from the 4-5/8" barreled Special. In the pic below, that group consists of 10 shots of the load above, through my then new .44 Special Flat Top...and you may have correctly guessed that I've cursed that single flyer repeatedly....ah to have a 30 year old's eyes again.

As always, this load is safe in my guns, as I load it...you should consult a good manual, and work up slowly, looking for pressure signs.

Best Regards, Rod

rclark · January 25, 2013, 10:17 AM

With a 240g SWC and CCI-300 (regular primers) in .44Mag case

8.0g Red Dot for 1080fps;
8.5g Unique/Universal 1053fps;
10.0g Unique 1136fps (current go to load)

Didn't care for Blue Dot for reduced loads and never tried any Bullseye (yet) in .44Mag

With a 240g SWC and CCI-300 (regular primers) in .44 Special case

7.5g Unique/Universal for 1033fps (Classic Skeeter Load)
6.0g Red Dot for 950fps
5.5g Bullseye for 893fps

Safe in my revolvers and were accurate. Work up your loads and take your time and acquire plenty of reloading manuals. Not sure of your reloading experience. YMMV.

Rod has covered the W231 very well

.

Tennessee Jed · January 25, 2013, 04:48 PM

RClark, can I ask what length barrel you used with those velocities?

I ask because I'm using the same bullet and dose of Unique out of a 4" 629, but I don't have a chronograph yet, and wondered what velocity to expect. Thanks.

rclark · January 25, 2013, 06:07 PM

5 1/2" barrel for the 44 Special (Ruger .44Spec Flattop)
6 1/2" barrel for the .44 Mag (Ruger .44Mag Flattop 50th Anniversary)

Sorry should have mentioned that!

Tennessee Jed · January 28, 2013, 12:22 PM

Very good, thanks so much!

hdbiker · January 28, 2013, 02:50 PM

My favorite .44 hard cast midrange loads are 10 gr. of unique,or 13 gr. of Blue Dot under a 240 gr. hard cast,non gascheck bullets.They both run just over 1200 F.P.S. out of my 7 1/2 Blackhawk,with very minimal leading.I also shoot softer .240 grain wheel weight bullets that I cast myself with 7 gr. of unique that run around 1000 F.P.S .great accuracy with these loads.It's all fun. biker

January 25, 2013, 08:25 AM	#1
rockyrider Junior Member Join Date: January 24, 2013 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 11	Best target loads: .44 Mag. New Model Revolver Just acquired a .44 Mag. New moded revolver. I would like to start reloading for target shooting. I have .44 special cases mostly, but some magnum cases. The powders I have available are: Red dot, Blue dot, Bullseye, Unique and 231. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

January 25, 2013, 10:13 AM	#3
rodfac Senior Member Join Date: January 22, 2005 Location: Kentucky Posts: 3,623	Plus one on the use of Winchester 231 with the .44 magnum or .44 special and target velocity rounds. Check Hodgen's site for current loading data...but I will share that 6.5 gr of Winchester 231, Missouri bullets' 240 gr LSWC sized .430", in .44 Special brass with Winchester Lg Pistol primers is a big winner for me in either my 4-5/8" bbl'd Ruger .44 Special or its big brother, a Flat Top Anniversary Model .44 Magnum. You may find that new manufacture, Unique will do as well in 7.5 gr charges (with the remaining components as above), but for me does not meter nearly as well as Win 231 or its twin, HP38. The above Win 231 load will give < 1.5" gps at 25 yds in any of my .44 caliber guns, both S&W and Ruger and chronographs at 954 fps from the 4-5/8" barreled Special. In the pic below, that group consists of 10 shots of the load above, through my then new .44 Special Flat Top...and you may have correctly guessed that I've cursed that single flyer repeatedly....ah to have a 30 year old's eyes again. As always, this load is safe in my guns, as I load it...you should consult a good manual, and work up slowly, looking for pressure signs. 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.

January 25, 2013, 10:17 AM	#4
rclark Senior Member Join Date: February 12, 2009 Location: Butte, MT Posts: 2,619	With a 240g SWC and CCI-300 (regular primers) in .44Mag case 8.0g Red Dot for 1080fps; 8.5g Unique/Universal 1053fps; 10.0g Unique 1136fps (current go to load) Didn't care for Blue Dot for reduced loads and never tried any Bullseye (yet) in .44Mag With a 240g SWC and CCI-300 (regular primers) in .44 Special case 7.5g Unique/Universal for 1033fps (Classic Skeeter Load) 6.0g Red Dot for 950fps 5.5g Bullseye for 893fps Safe in my revolvers and were accurate. Work up your loads and take your time and acquire plenty of reloading manuals. Not sure of your reloading experience. YMMV. Rod has covered the W231 very well . __________________ 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. Last edited by rclark; January 25, 2013 at 10:28 AM.

January 25, 2013, 06:07 PM	#6
rclark Senior Member Join Date: February 12, 2009 Location: Butte, MT Posts: 2,619	5 1/2" barrel for the 44 Special (Ruger .44Spec Flattop) 6 1/2" barrel for the .44 Mag (Ruger .44Mag Flattop 50th Anniversary) Sorry should have mentioned that! __________________ 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.

January 28, 2013, 02:50 PM	#8
hdbiker Senior Member Join Date: December 19, 2012 Posts: 297	.44 mid range loads My favorite .44 hard cast midrange loads are 10 gr. of unique,or 13 gr. of Blue Dot under a 240 gr. hard cast,non gascheck bullets.They both run just over 1200 F.P.S. out of my 7 1/2 Blackhawk,with very minimal leading.I also shoot softer .240 grain wheel weight bullets that I cast myself with 7 gr. of unique that run around 1000 F.P.S .great accuracy with these loads.It's all fun. biker

January 25, 2013, 09:41 AM	#2
Rifleman1776 Senior Member Join Date: April 25, 2010 Location: Arkansas Posts: 3,309	I used a lot of 231 reduced loads in my .44 mag. Redhawk for competitive target shooting. Test as you *reduce* charges. Let no one else shoot this ammo as you must develop the technique of going 'primer up' or 'primer down' with light charges. Not doing this will produce some unpleasant surprises.

January 25, 2013, 04:48 PM	#5
Tennessee Jed Member Join Date: July 14, 2010 Posts: 92	RClark, can I ask what length barrel you used with those velocities? I ask because I'm using the same bullet and dose of Unique out of a 4" 629, but I don't have a chronograph yet, and wondered what velocity to expect. Thanks.

January 28, 2013, 12:22 PM	#7
Tennessee Jed Member Join Date: July 14, 2010 Posts: 92	Very good, thanks so much!