44 mag primer question

msokad · August 7, 2013, 11:48 AM

I preloaded about 200 cases with large pistol mag primers with the intention of using them with full 44 mag loads. I ended up getting some Berrys 350 gr fp bullets instead and can't use them with full loads due to the 1200 fps limit.

The load I would like to use from Hodgdon website calls for W231 6.8-9.4 gr and a large pistol primer. Would I run into any issues using the large pistol mag primers?

spacecoast · August 7, 2013, 12:05 PM

Working up from the low end of the range, you likely wouldn't have a problem with the magnum primers, all else being within spec (see below).

Regarding the 1200 fps limit, keep in mind that the 355 gr. .44 mag Hodgdon loads are from a 8.275" barrel. Since yours may be shorter, you won't see 1200 fps and your plated bullets may be OK with "magnum" class loads using H110 or W296.

NOTE - The W231 6.8-9.4 load on the Hodgdon web site appears to be for a 220 gr. bullet, and may NOT be appropriate for your 350 gr. bullets. Bullet weight is the single greatest factor in determining min/max loads. Generally speaking, heavier bullets = less powder (to keep pressures in line with what the chambers will handle). Looks as if the max for a 355 gr. bullet is 8.8 grains of W231 (recommended starting load is 7.8 grains).

msokad · August 7, 2013, 12:09 PM

My bad, I meant to type 220 gr, but wrote 350 gr by mistake.

Constrictor · August 7, 2013, 02:03 PM

I use all winchester primers, and their large pistol primers are both standard and magnum together. never had any issues. always work up the load from the lower to middle load range.

Nick_C_S · August 8, 2013, 12:07 AM

You'll be fine. Just start low and work up as you always do. There's not that much difference in my 29 years of experience. I have, on one occasion loaded identical loads (357 Mag) except one was with CCI 500 standard primers, and the other with CCI 550 magnum primers. I didn't have a chronograph, but I put them in the cylinder in every-other order. Shooting one shot after the other back-n-forth, I could tell no difference. It's just not that critical.

Mike / Tx · August 10, 2013, 04:50 AM

Some powders work better with mag primers some it doesn't matter. As mentioned start low and work up and any issues you might have see will probably be negated by the lower end loads.

You might also find better performance using 2400 verses 231. Not that 231 won't work, it just has a smaller window to do so with. If you don't have any 2400, AA-5 or 7 will also work out well with cast loads.

Good luck hope this helps.

Nick_C_S · August 10, 2013, 11:34 PM

I'm with Mike / TX: 231 is great powder (one of my all-time favorites), but it's a bit fast for large caliber magnums.

231 is a good choice for light bullet/short barrel applications for 44 Mag, but loses it's usefulness very quickly after that. I have a specific short barrel load: Using Speer 200g GDHP SB bullets (HUGE hollow cavity on these things, if you've never seen them. They're designed to expand reliably as low as 800 FPS), I load 10.0g W231, CCI 300 primer (non-mag).

Other than that, I'm using at least HS6 or Power Pistol; or for long barrels, W296. I have an 8 3/8" S&W 629 I've had since 1984. I can't count the thousands of 240g JHP 22.7g W296 CCI 350 (mag) I've put through that thing. I actually used to load it more than the 22.7g's (not saying how much more), but I got older and wiser.

(All loads listed here can be found in the Speer #14 load manual.)

Rifleman1776 · August 12, 2013, 08:22 AM

Quote:

due to the 1200 fps limit.

What limit? Who sez?
Mags should be just fine. More than needed but still OK. Do test a couple rounds before finishing the whole lot.

August 8, 2013, 12:07 AM	#5
Nick_C_S Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2013 Location: Idaho Posts: 5,523	You'll be fine. Just start low and work up as you always do. There's not that much difference in my 29 years of experience. I have, on one occasion loaded identical loads (357 Mag) except one was with CCI 500 standard primers, and the other with CCI 550 magnum primers. I didn't have a chronograph, but I put them in the cylinder in every-other order. Shooting one shot after the other back-n-forth, I could tell no difference. It's just not that critical. __________________ Gun control laws benefit only criminals and politicians - but then, I repeat myself. Life Member, National Rifle Association

August 10, 2013, 04:50 AM	#6
Mike / Tx Senior Member Join Date: April 8, 2000 Posts: 2,101	Some powders work better with mag primers some it doesn't matter. As mentioned start low and work up and any issues you might have see will probably be negated by the lower end loads. You might also find better performance using 2400 verses 231. Not that 231 won't work, it just has a smaller window to do so with. If you don't have any 2400, AA-5 or 7 will also work out well with cast loads. Good luck hope this helps. __________________ LAter, Mike / TX

August 10, 2013, 11:34 PM	#7
Nick_C_S Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2013 Location: Idaho Posts: 5,523	I'm with Mike / TX: 231 is great powder (one of my all-time favorites), but it's a bit fast for large caliber magnums. 231 is a good choice for light bullet/short barrel applications for 44 Mag, but loses it's usefulness very quickly after that. I have a specific short barrel load: Using Speer 200g GDHP SB bullets (HUGE hollow cavity on these things, if you've never seen them. They're designed to expand reliably as low as 800 FPS), I load 10.0g W231, CCI 300 primer (non-mag). Other than that, I'm using at least HS6 or Power Pistol; or for long barrels, W296. I have an 8 3/8" S&W 629 I've had since 1984. I can't count the thousands of 240g JHP 22.7g W296 CCI 350 (mag) I've put through that thing. I actually used to load it more than the 22.7g's (not saying how much more), but I got older and wiser. (All loads listed here can be found in the Speer #14 load manual.) __________________ Gun control laws benefit only criminals and politicians - but then, I repeat myself. Life Member, National Rifle Association

August 7, 2013, 11:48 AM	#1
msokad Member Join Date: January 17, 2013 Posts: 38	44 mag primer question I preloaded about 200 cases with large pistol mag primers with the intention of using them with full 44 mag loads. I ended up getting some Berrys 350 gr fp bullets instead and can't use them with full loads due to the 1200 fps limit. The load I would like to use from Hodgdon website calls for W231 6.8-9.4 gr and a large pistol primer. Would I run into any issues using the large pistol mag primers?

August 7, 2013, 12:05 PM	#2
spacecoast Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 2009 Location: Sunshine and Keystone States Posts: 4,461	Working up from the low end of the range, you likely wouldn't have a problem with the magnum primers, all else being within spec (see below). Regarding the 1200 fps limit, keep in mind that the 355 gr. .44 mag Hodgdon loads are from a 8.275" barrel. Since yours may be shorter, you won't see 1200 fps and your plated bullets may be OK with "magnum" class loads using H110 or W296. NOTE - The W231 6.8-9.4 load on the Hodgdon web site appears to be for a 220 gr. bullet, and may NOT be appropriate for your 350 gr. bullets. Bullet weight is the single greatest factor in determining min/max loads. Generally speaking, heavier bullets = less powder (to keep pressures in line with what the chambers will handle). Looks as if the max for a 355 gr. bullet is 8.8 grains of W231 (recommended starting load is 7.8 grains).

August 7, 2013, 12:09 PM	#3
msokad Member Join Date: January 17, 2013 Posts: 38	My bad, I meant to type 220 gr, but wrote 350 gr by mistake.

August 7, 2013, 02:03 PM	#4
Constrictor Member Join Date: February 19, 2013 Posts: 49	I use all winchester primers, and their large pistol primers are both standard and magnum together. never had any issues. always work up the load from the lower to middle load range.