.44 Rem Magnum load?

vbk1969 · May 29, 2009, 10:23 PM

I have just orderd a set of 44 mag dies. Have been looking up in the books at the loads for a 44 mag with powder??? and 200gr hp/xtp hornady bullet with cci large pistol primer. I need some suggestions on powder that is about the only thing i have not decided completely on. Unique,Blue Dot,Lil -Gun and Titegroup are available in my area unless i order online. Any input would be helpfull. Oh yea will be shooting these out of a Ruger Super Blackhawk Hunter model. Thanks Brent

zxcvbob · May 29, 2009, 10:32 PM

With those light bullets, I'd go with the Unique or Blue Dot. Look for some 240 grain cast bullets; they'll be a lot cheaper than the XTP's and will make better use of slower powders like Lil'gun.

Herco is a really nice powder for magnum loads with cast bullets (I haven't tried it with j-bullets.) It measures easy, and it fills the cases pretty good; I don't know why it's not more popular.

Sevens · May 29, 2009, 10:32 PM

If you want some decent light-medium loads that are easy on the recoil and DON'T take full advantage of the caliber, Unique will likely work fine if you don't have trouble metering it. Titegroup can also make light-medium loads and meters very well.

Of the powders you listed, Lil Gun is probably the best bet for .44 Mag, with Blue Dot coming in next.

If you can get other powders, H110 or W296 is your best bet for .44 Magnum, full power, full velocity loads. 2400 will also work pretty well.

zxcvbob · May 29, 2009, 10:35 PM

He'll need different primers for 296, H-110, and maybe Lil'gun. Magnum primers, or maybe regular Winchesters will do it.

HiBC · May 29, 2009, 10:44 PM

Its not hard to find boxes of 500 cast,lubed .44 bullets.I use the non-gas checked versions,and like the 240 something grains.However,if you are feeding a levergun,some of these bullets are too long and will tie up the rifle.

If you are loading full power Magnum loads,H-110-ww296 are hard to beat.

Long term,if prices stay high,start stashing wheelweights 5 gallons at a time.Get a mold,sizer luber,and a lead pot.Wheelweights will do anything a .44 will do.

I just do not bother with jacketed bullets in my .44 and I have experience that some jacketed bullets are shaky in the penetration department on game.

vbk1969 · May 30, 2009, 06:46 AM

well thanks for the reply guys. I am just starting with reloading and was kinda confused will the lead cast bullets. thats why i was just going to use the jacketed bullets. Where could i find some lead cast for the 44. Also where could i find some good reads on cast bullets? Would like to learn more about them as u say they would be cheaper and the way times are now that is a must sometimes. oh yea and what are these gas check things i have read about on here also? thanks Brent

mikld · May 30, 2009, 11:32 AM

Lyman publishes a great manual for cast lead boolits; Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook (duh!). Excellent info on casting, sizing, and loading cast bullets. If you don't cast your own but buy cast lead bullets you still need the info on correct bullet size/diameter to eliminate leading the bore of your gun. Of my .44 Mag guns the bores run; one at .4295", two at .430", and one at .432". Beartooth Bullets, Montana Bullet Works, Oregon Trails are just a few manufacturers/casters. I sometimes buy cast bullets on Auction Arms reloading component auctions. Google "cast lead bullets" for a few more lead bullet casters.

Gas checks are little brass cups attached to the base of lead bullets to stop bore leading and allow higher velocities.

James R. Burke · May 30, 2009, 11:46 AM

If you can get it as stated prior W-296 is a great full power load. I use it in a .357Mag, .41Mag, and the 44Mag. Works great.

IamLegend · May 30, 2009, 11:50 AM

I have used IMR 4227 and 2400 in the 44 with great success. But I use bluedot mostly due to being able to use it in most if not all my handguns. The only drawback to me is it burns a little dirty.

Russ5924 · May 30, 2009, 12:45 PM

Just started reloading for .44 Mag and like Titegroup using cast 200G bullet I settled on 5.4G. Is just a very easy shooting load I don't shoot to inflict pain on myself, but is quite accurate

mavracer · May 30, 2009, 01:01 PM

IIRC 8.0 of unique and a 240 cast lead bullet is magic.unique is a little dirty and does not meter quite as well as ball powder.
I switched to Hodgdon HS6.

Cult .44 · May 30, 2009, 02:23 PM

15 grains of Blue Dot behind that 200gr hp/xtp should make for a good moderately powered round.

Winterhawk56 · May 30, 2009, 07:17 PM

I like to load my heavy bullets with H110 or AA#9. WIN 296 is also a great all arond powder but I prefer the H110. Funny thing about powder my Ruger and TC Contendor love H110 and 296 but my SW 29 has better accurace with 2400. GO figure

bluetopper · May 31, 2009, 09:56 AM

2400 powder is a stellar performer in 44 Mag with both jacketed and cast bullets with great accuracy. Meters like sand and can be loaded down some unlike other powders.

crowbeaner · May 31, 2009, 02:18 PM

That 200 grain XTP over 26.0 of H110 is a rip snorter, but they don't penetrate well on deer. If you want to hunt with the elongated 44 Russian, use a 240 grain or heavier bullet. I shot thousands of RCBS 44-245-KT boolits over 21.0 of Alliant 2400, and the RCBS 44-240-SWC gaschecked one over 24.0 to 25.0 of WW 296. For a plinking load, try the plainbased one over 8.0 of Red Dot; sized to .430" and standard primers.

GeauxTide · May 31, 2009, 09:26 PM

I've used Unique for light loads and H-110 for heavy loads for many years. The old 240 Rem Jkt SP is cheap and utterly reliable.

May 29, 2009, 10:23 PM	#1
vbk1969 Member Join Date: May 3, 2009 Location: North MS Posts: 58	.44 Rem Magnum load? I have just orderd a set of 44 mag dies. Have been looking up in the books at the loads for a 44 mag with powder??? and 200gr hp/xtp hornady bullet with cci large pistol primer. I need some suggestions on powder that is about the only thing i have not decided completely on. Unique,Blue Dot,Lil -Gun and Titegroup are available in my area unless i order online. Any input would be helpfull. Oh yea will be shooting these out of a Ruger Super Blackhawk Hunter model. Thanks Brent

May 29, 2009, 10:32 PM	#2
zxcvbob Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2007 Location: S.E. Minnesota Posts: 4,720	With those light bullets, I'd go with the Unique or Blue Dot. Look for some 240 grain cast bullets; they'll be a lot cheaper than the XTP's and will make better use of slower powders like Lil'gun. Herco is a really nice powder for magnum loads with cast bullets (I haven't tried it with j-bullets.) It measures easy, and it fills the cases pretty good; I don't know why it's not more popular. __________________ "Everything they do is so dramatic and flamboyant. It just makes me want to set myself on fire!" —Lucille Bluth

May 29, 2009, 10:32 PM	#3
Sevens Senior Member Join Date: July 28, 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 11,755	If you want some decent light-medium loads that are easy on the recoil and DON'T take full advantage of the caliber, Unique will likely work fine if you don't have trouble metering it. Titegroup can also make light-medium loads and meters very well. Of the powders you listed, Lil Gun is probably the best bet for .44 Mag, with Blue Dot coming in next. If you can get other powders, H110 or W296 is your best bet for .44 Magnum, full power, full velocity loads. 2400 will also work pretty well. __________________ *Attention Brass rats and other reloaders:* I really need .327 Federal Magnum brass, no lot size too small. Tell me what caliber you need and I'll see what I have to swap. PM me and we'll discuss.

May 29, 2009, 10:35 PM	#4
zxcvbob Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2007 Location: S.E. Minnesota Posts: 4,720	He'll need different primers for 296, H-110, and maybe Lil'gun. Magnum primers, or maybe regular Winchesters will do it. __________________ "Everything they do is so dramatic and flamboyant. It just makes me want to set myself on fire!" —Lucille Bluth

May 30, 2009, 11:32 AM	#7
mikld Senior Member Join Date: February 7, 2009 Location: Southern Oregon! Posts: 2,891	Lyman publishes a great manual for cast lead boolits; Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook (duh!). Excellent info on casting, sizing, and loading cast bullets. If you don't cast your own but buy cast lead bullets you still need the info on correct bullet size/diameter to eliminate leading the bore of your gun. Of my .44 Mag guns the bores run; one at .4295", two at .430", and one at .432". Beartooth Bullets, Montana Bullet Works, Oregon Trails are just a few manufacturers/casters. I sometimes buy cast bullets on Auction Arms reloading component auctions. Google "cast lead bullets" for a few more lead bullet casters. Gas checks are little brass cups attached to the base of lead bullets to stop bore leading and allow higher velocities. __________________ My Anchor is holding fast! I've learned how to stand on my own two knees...

May 29, 2009, 10:44 PM	#5
HiBC Senior Member Join Date: November 13, 2006 Posts: 8,283	Its not hard to find boxes of 500 cast,lubed .44 bullets.I use the non-gas checked versions,and like the 240 something grains.However,if you are feeding a levergun,some of these bullets are too long and will tie up the rifle. If you are loading full power Magnum loads,H-110-ww296 are hard to beat. Long term,if prices stay high,start stashing wheelweights 5 gallons at a time.Get a mold,sizer luber,and a lead pot.Wheelweights will do anything a .44 will do. I just do not bother with jacketed bullets in my .44 and I have experience that some jacketed bullets are shaky in the penetration department on game.

May 30, 2009, 06:46 AM	#6
vbk1969 Member Join Date: May 3, 2009 Location: North MS Posts: 58	well thanks for the reply guys. I am just starting with reloading and was kinda confused will the lead cast bullets. thats why i was just going to use the jacketed bullets. Where could i find some lead cast for the 44. Also where could i find some good reads on cast bullets? Would like to learn more about them as u say they would be cheaper and the way times are now that is a must sometimes. oh yea and what are these gas check things i have read about on here also? thanks Brent

May 30, 2009, 11:46 AM	#8
James R. Burke Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2009 Location: U.P. of Mich/Quinnesec Posts: 1,897	If you can get it as stated prior W-296 is a great full power load. I use it in a .357Mag, .41Mag, and the 44Mag. Works great.

May 30, 2009, 11:50 AM	#9
IamLegend Junior Member Join Date: May 15, 2009 Location: BlueGrass State Posts: 13	I have used IMR 4227 and 2400 in the 44 with great success. But I use bluedot mostly due to being able to use it in most if not all my handguns. The only drawback to me is it burns a little dirty.

May 30, 2009, 12:45 PM	#10
Russ5924 Senior Member Join Date: February 18, 2005 Posts: 1,874	Just started reloading for .44 Mag and like Titegroup using cast 200G bullet I settled on 5.4G. Is just a very easy shooting load I don't shoot to inflict pain on myself, but is quite accurate __________________ Russ5924

May 30, 2009, 02:23 PM	#12
Cult .44 Senior Member Join Date: January 4, 2009 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 110	15 grains of Blue Dot behind that 200gr hp/xtp should make for a good moderately powered round.

May 30, 2009, 07:17 PM	#13
Winterhawk56 Senior Member Join Date: March 9, 2008 Location: Southern California Posts: 228	I like to load my heavy bullets with H110 or AA#9. WIN 296 is also a great all arond powder but I prefer the H110. Funny thing about powder my Ruger and TC Contendor love H110 and 296 but my SW 29 has better accurace with 2400. GO figure Last edited by Winterhawk56; May 31, 2009 at 12:37 AM.

May 31, 2009, 09:56 AM	#14
bluetopper Senior Member Join Date: December 16, 2005 Location: Northeast TX Posts: 1,197	2400 powder is a stellar performer in 44 Mag with both jacketed and cast bullets with great accuracy. Meters like sand and can be loaded down some unlike other powders.

May 31, 2009, 02:18 PM	#15
crowbeaner Senior Member Join Date: June 4, 2007 Location: Upstate SC Posts: 1,943	That 200 grain XTP over 26.0 of H110 is a rip snorter, but they don't penetrate well on deer. If you want to hunt with the elongated 44 Russian, use a 240 grain or heavier bullet. I shot thousands of RCBS 44-245-KT boolits over 21.0 of Alliant 2400, and the RCBS 44-240-SWC gaschecked one over 24.0 to 25.0 of WW 296. For a plinking load, try the plainbased one over 8.0 of Red Dot; sized to .430" and standard primers. __________________ If you want your children to follow in your footsteps, be careful where you walk. Beware the man that only owns one gun; he probably knows how to use it. I just hope my ship comes in before my dock rots.

May 31, 2009, 09:26 PM	#16
GeauxTide Senior Member Join Date: April 20, 2009 Location: Helena, AL Posts: 4,423	I've used Unique for light loads and H-110 for heavy loads for many years. The old 240 Rem Jkt SP is cheap and utterly reliable.

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