44 mag loads (Hornady)

[big26john]

I am new to loading 44 mag and just ordered 240 grain xtp bullets for hunting. Can someone with a hornady manual please scan the page of their reloading manual with 44 mag 240grain xtp bullets please?
I curious to see what works. I probably want to work up a few different loads with various powders.
Thank you!

[RWNielsen]

This guy has some decent loads that I've tried:

http://www.reloadammo.com/44loads.htm

you can also navigate your way through here;

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

I have the Hornady books but no scanner, sorry

[TimSr]

I've shot 1000s of rounds from my 7 1/2" Redhawk and taken sveveral whitetails with it.

22.5-24.5 H110 or W296 will get you around 1400 fps with excellent accurracy. These work best for top end magnum loads. Use magnum primers with these powders. Blue Dot wasn't bad, but inferior to these two. Its better for moderate mag traget loads. I also use Unique whcih works fine for cast bullet light mag target loads, but nowhere near the accurracy and performance in jacketed hunting loads.

Hornady XTP is an excellent bullet, and 240gr is the best choice. I tried some 300gr and they shoot so high that if I sight them in, I won't be able to shoot anything else. My best group was 7" at 100 yards with iron sights with 240gr in front of 24.7gr 296.


Also, what gun are you shooting these in? Rugers tend to be able to digest loads that other guns can't handle. 24.7gr was max listed charge, but I've loaded 240gr cast bullets as high as 26.5gr H110. I wouldnt shoot those in a S&W though.

[rg1]

just some info from Hornady's 9th Edition manual:
44 Magnum in Ruger Redhawk 7 1/2" barrel
case used Hornady--primer WLP
240 gr. XTP--oal 1.600"
Unique start 9.5-1100fps---max 10.7-1200
LIL-Gun start 14.6-1100----max 22.2-1400 fps
AA#9 start 16.3-1100---18-1200---19.6-1300---max 21.3-1400
2400 start 17.4-1100---18.9-1200---20.4-1300----max 21.2 1350fps
____________________
Winchester recommends to not reduce charges of Win 296 and Hodgdon H110 is supposed to be the same exact powder. I wouldn't reduce 296-H110 more than 22 grains myself and they recommend a magnum primer with 296-H110.
___________________
Hornady data starting at 22 grains.
Win 296 22 grains-1200 fps---23.3-1300--23.9-1350----max 24.5-1400
H110 22.1-1200----23.5-1300---24.1-1350----max 24.8-1400 fps
I use 23 grains in both pistol and rifle with CCI 350 primers and it's a good load. I've tested using from 22-24 grains with no problems. Use a heavy roll crimp on your cases matching the crimp on factory rounds for comparison.

[big26john]

Thanks everyone! This information is very helpful.

I will be shooting a Ruger Super Redhawk 7.5" barrel (44mag). I have H110 already so I will probably try to load 23 grains of H110 with a Mag primer at least to start.


One more question: HOW HEAVY OF A CRIMP DOES THIS NEED?

I have hornady new dimension II dies. I have a 4 die set so i will be seating the bullet in the "third stage" and using a ROLL crimp in the 4th stage. I was just planning on setting the die (roll crimp) so it touches the brass and then going 1/4 turn until there is a nice little Roll at the top of the brass.

[AlaskaMike]

It needs a full roll crimp. I actually prefer the Redding Profile Crimp for magnum revolver cartridges, but a normal full roll crimp will work fine.

Equally important, perhaps even more, is adequate case tension though.

Mike