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Old August 15, 2013, 05:15 PM   #1
tollys103079
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.44 mag 240 SWC and 240 Hornady

Ok so I finally decided to start reloading for my .44 mag. I have been reloading for my .45acp, 6mm and .223 for a long time now and now I want to shoot the .44 some more so here is what I have coming already.

240 SWC from MO Bullet Elmer K I got these for practice rounds, but I want them to punch a little bit so we are not practicing with too light of load. The question is what powder I know I will get a lot of opinions, but it looks like from other post etc unique is a good midrange powder for the .44 starting in the 8 grain range and going up? What primers should I use? Thoughts on the powder or primers?

Second load hunting 240 XTP Jacketed Hollow Point Using 2400 is there something better? What primers? Mag or Large pistol

Can I load the lead with 2400? Still Keeping them below 1400fps?

Smith and Wesson 629 Classic 6.5 inch barrel

Any thoughts are appreciated.

Thanks
Steven
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Old August 15, 2013, 06:59 PM   #2
GeauxTide
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8-10 grains of Unique works great in my SBH with the MO bullet. I've loaded the MO bullet over 2400 in my 44 Special to 1200fps without leading. Standard primers. H110 is the preferred powder for HP loads in the 44Mag. Magnum primers, only.
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Old August 15, 2013, 07:08 PM   #3
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The same 8-10 grains of W231/HP-38 work even better for me, and shoots cleaner as well using standard primers. For the jacketed 240s, 14.2 grains of HS-6 has been super accurate for me, with loads around 1300 fps. These hit hard and won't stress the S&W like full blown loads will. CCI-350 magnum primers for the HS-6.
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Old August 16, 2013, 04:49 AM   #4
dhom
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240

Most S&W shooters I know seem to like 9 gr Unique with a cast bullet. My Ruger Bisley hunter loves 10 gr with the Missouri SWC and standard primers. I have also shot this SWC with 20 gr/2400 but, this is a heavy load to be approached cautiously. work up to it. As for the 240 Hornady I usually switch to H110 with mag primers.
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Old August 16, 2013, 08:35 AM   #5
tollys103079
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Is h110 the same as win296 and does it have the same small safe range of powder? I noticed win296 has only one grain of room from low to high end at least in my manual.
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Old August 16, 2013, 08:54 AM   #6
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110 and 296 are the same powder. They/it is for magnum loads. I've owned several 44mags over the last 40 years and I've tried every powder and bullet combination there is. I've found that 296 and Hornady XTP's were always my most accurate load in all my guns....Rugers as well as the S&W's. Use a mag primer and a good crimp.
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Old August 16, 2013, 09:14 AM   #7
rg1
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23 to 24 grains of Win 296 with a CCI 350 Mag primer and the Hornady 240 gr. XTP bullet shoots good for me in both rifle and pistol. You're not supposed to reduce the charge of Win 296/H110 and I wouldn't go lower than 22.5-23 grains. Use a heavy roll crimp to get good ignition and to keep bullets from moving forward under recoil. Check your manuals for comparison.
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Old August 16, 2013, 11:15 AM   #8
AlaskaMike
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If you want a practice load with cast SWCs that closely duplicates your hunting load using the JHP, then you really don't want midrange loads using something like Unique, unless of course your hunting load is also a midrange load.

If you have 2400, then it'll work fine for both the cast bullets and the jacketed. 19-20 grains of 2400 using standard large pistol primers would probably be my recommendation, for both types of loads. You'll probably get slightly more velocity out of the SWCs, and you can vary the charge weight accordingly if you want to keep velocity as close as possible.

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Old August 16, 2013, 02:57 PM   #9
tollys103079
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I might have to do it with 2400, because both of the local places are out of Unique. I have some bullseye and I noticed some books list it for a light load anyone else try it.

I like the idea of using regular primers for my plinking and hunting loads I have not seen any mag primers around for a bit and only have large pistol on hand.
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Old August 16, 2013, 03:12 PM   #10
rclark
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Remember to look for Universal when you are looking for Unique as they are almost identical in use.

Looking at my loads table, I haven't tested Bullseye in the .44Mag. That is going to have to be 'rectified'!!! . I've tested it in .44Spec with very good results, so I am sure it would work fine in the Magnum case too.

I've Tested 2400 from 16g (1116fps) to 20g (1333fps) in the .44Mag. That is one thing nice about 2400 is you can load it up and down. I standardized on 19.0g (1265g) under 240g SWC bullet as I felt it was the most accurate. 16g almost matches the 10g load of Unique. You'll need to test and see what works for you accuracy wise.
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Old August 16, 2013, 03:57 PM   #11
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Rclark were using magnum or large pistol primers with your 2400 loads? If I can load the 2400 down is there any reason I need the unique besides the fact I can get by with less powder and save money?

Thanks for all the info guys I like to read as much as I can before I start a new load and then figure out what works from there.
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Old August 16, 2013, 04:06 PM   #12
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For the Hornady full-power jobbie-doo's, I use W296 (H-110). I have an 8 3/8" Smith, but It'll do just fine in your 6.5" too. I load 22.7g with a CCI 350 Magnum primer (used to load it hotter, but I backed it down a little).

If you don't want to go full-power-hot with those Hornady's, HS-6 in about the 13.0g range would be good (I think that was already mentioned in a previous post). I always use CCI 350 magnum primers for HS-6, btw. It just seems to burn cleaner. HS-6 is a great powder, but it does tend to be dirty - especially if loaded weak. So I've just gotten in the habit of using mag primers with it. Unique in about the 9.0g range (and then work up, maybe) would work too.

On the cast lead side, your Missouri Elmer K's are an excellent choice. They're good and hard (don't go there) and will stand up to a little bit of heat. You're Unique load in the 8.0g range should do the trick nicely. I use the Elmer K myself; but I prefer to load it w/ 44Spl brass and it's a different recipe (6.0g W231).
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Old August 16, 2013, 04:21 PM   #13
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I'd shy away from using 2400 for your Elmer K lead bullets. It's a bit slow. Yes, you can power it down, but doing so usually results in dirty burning and inconsistent ballistics.

I think this issue has been talked to death on other posts: but try, if you can (I know powers are hard to find right now), to use the RIGHT powder for your application. IMO, simply "powering down" loads is not something I would do.

Along those lines: If you can find Unique, GET Unique. It's excellent powder. Not the cleanest stuff in the world, but it is highly versatile - especially in the revolver world - and you'd do well to grab some if you can find it. Heck, send it my way if you don't want it lol.
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Old August 18, 2013, 12:10 AM   #14
Armed_Chicagoan
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tollys103079
Is h110 the same as win296 and does it have the same small safe range of powder?
Absolutely. A few months ago I bought some H110 at Cabela's, then a week or so later bought a can of W296 at Bass Pro Shops, and when I got home I noticed that they both even have the same lot number on them!
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Old August 18, 2013, 12:29 AM   #15
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Interesting observation Armed. Good to know.
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Old August 18, 2013, 09:53 AM   #16
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Load the Missouri Bullets with 2400. 20gr gives me 1200 from my 4" barrel, so it would be right at 1400fps with your 6.5". Standard primer.

The 240gr XTP is a fine bullet and you can push it plenty fast with 2400 as well.
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Old August 18, 2013, 02:51 PM   #17
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Quote:
Rclark were using magnum or large pistol primers with your 2400 loads?
Standard Primer.
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