Suggestions for .44 cal 240g cast LSWC's?

[tjhands]

I bought a big box of these suckers the other day. I've never loaded cast lead bullets before and would like some suggestions. I have W231, Unique, AA#5, and H110. I'm looking for light loads as well as full-power for target shooting. Thanks!

I'll be shooting them out of a Ruger SRH.

[tjhands]

Also, I'll be using .44 mag brass regardless of powder load. Do I need to NOT use magnum primers when dipping below a certain load level? Is it OK to use magnum primers when loading at .44 Special levels? Or should I switch to large pistol primers for those?

[Edward429451]

I've never used a mag primer in my life and don't miss them. Elmer Keith never used mag primers either, even for his full house loads.

For light to medium loads, I've found Unique to be good. Full house loads are not suited to Unique ime.

H110 is generally for full house loads with jacketed bullets, as far as I know. I hardly ever use it.

2400 is good for anything from light to OMG type loads and is very consistent in its performance and is the best reccommendation for powder that I have. No mag primers needed.

I've just recently tried 231 in some 44 special loads but only a limited amount to date. So far so good.

Try some 2400 it was made for lead 44 loads. I guarentee you'll like it, and welcome to lead 44 country! Careful, its addicting. Soon you'll be buying moulds.

[tjhands]

Thanks Ed. I'll pick up some 2400 next time I'm out and about. In the meantime I think I'll try Unique. I've searched this site for loads to use with 240g LSWC's and found that 7.0g of Unique should render some worthy target loads. Keep the suggestions coming, though!

[Al Norris]

I'm a fan of TightGroup, for all my lead shooting. From very mild 4.5gr loads to sub-magnum 9.2gr loads. My Hornaday book says I can use up to 10gr, but my Vaquero leads up to much with that much powder.

2400 and unique left to much residue for me... Well, so does H110, but the real reason I like TG is that it is consistent throughout the temperature range where I shoot. South Central Idaho. Subzero winters and scorching summers.

Oh, and I use Winchester Large Pistol primers.

[Edward429451]

I agree, 2400 & Unique leave some residue. From the performance & consistency I get though...I say, so what it's worth it!

I use fed LP primers or winchester LP.

[tjhands]

Thanks. I should probably get some Tightgroup eventually.

So, is there anything detrimental in using magnum primers for lighter .44 loads?

[Edward429451]

I wouldn't think so but better defer to someone who uses them. Of course if you work up a load with one type and then switch later on, you should start over in your load delevopment.

[WESHOOT2]

Look for 'Cowboy' loads with W231 and Unique.

AA5 can fit nicely in the 'medium' range, can be very accurate.

H110 is all you'll need for "full power"; all.

Got manual?

Or got pamphlet?

[LAH]

YOU SAID: I have W231, Unique, AA#5, and H110.

Something like 8-10 grs. of Unique. With H-110 I use 23 grs. I like WLP primers from Winchester. They work for everything.

[snuffy]

Having loaded many rounds with blu-dot, I can say it's better than 2400. Cleaner, you use less, BUT it won't do the OMG loads, too fast. For the OMG, Holy ***t loads, I use H-110.

I also don't like magnum primers, at least not in .44 mag. I did a test once using WW 296, everything the same EXCEPT using standard and magnum primers. Shooting groups while shooting over a chronograph, showed me a vast difference in ES,(extreme spread). The standard primers had very low ES, the magnum primers had very high ES! Groups also showed a big difference. The magnum groups showed vertical stringing, while the std. groups were rounder and smaller.

WW 231 for 800-900 fps loads with lead SWC bullets.

[Edward429451]

Reeallly. I may have to try some blu dot myself. Lately I'm loading lighter just to work on my trigger control in DA.

For the OMG, Holy ***t loads, I use H-110.

With lead?

[snuffy]

Sure h-110 loads can be used with lead bullets, if the lead bullets are hard cast. Since I cast my own, I can determine what hardness they are. Lyman #2 mix is hard enough for 240 grainers at max velocity in a .44, with a proper lube and the right sizeing.

Since I just got my SBH back from Ruger after a new barrel was installed, I'll report back on whether the new barrel will stay as clean as it did before. The old one would stay lead free at 1400 fps with the Lee 90342 250 SWC.



I have to crow a bit, Ruger did a super job of rejuvinating my SBH. This revolver is 30 years old, it has fired many thousands of rounds. I bought it used in 1975 to shoot handgun silhouette,(SP?), wore out the original 7.5 inch BBL, had a 10.5" bbl installed in 1978. The BBL extension was cracked, requiring a new BBL.

A fee of $136.00 to replace the barrel, polish, re-blue, and return postage. A list sent along with the gun listed the folowing parts. New ejector rod, ejector rod housing, cly. base pin and base pin catch and screw, new rear site, barrel, cyl. pawl, all new screws, and un-named internal parts. Oh and they left the hammer and trigger sear alone, (I had it honed to a crisp 3#).

[Edward429451]

Whoa! Look at that barrel! Thats the gun the Joker pulled out of his pants and shot down the Batcopter with, isn't it?

I got me a 7.5" SBH. Those grips kind of jump out at me. Love the way they wrap the inside of the square triggerguard. Might shoot mine more if I had some of those to protect me middle finger...

What are they and how much? I want some.

[snuffy]

Ed429451, those are pachmayr rubber grips. They tame the recoil to where it's not a bother. Midway has them here

[Edward429451]

Thanks Snuffy.