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Old June 23, 2012, 03:15 PM   #1
TNT
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.44mag or 44 special loads

I was just curious if any one had used cast bullets 200gr. for 44 mags or specials I just ant them for plinking and want to avoid leading. I got some 240gr and some 200gr both cast bullets and was trying to find a good combo to use with Unique if possible if not then its not meant to be. Thanks in advance
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Old June 23, 2012, 05:42 PM   #2
Edward429451
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I have a 200 gr round nose flat point that I load for my Charter Bulldog 44 Special. I load it with only 7.0 gr of Unique for plinking and to take it easy on the light weight Bulldog. Its a great plinking round and gets 769 fps from my 2.5" bbl.

Trailboss works even better for 44 Special plinking loads. Its so accurate that you almost have to shoot over your shoulder to miss (sic). 5.0 gr of TB gave me 686 fps from the Bulldog. Very mild and accurate. I actually havent finished working this load up a little more but its so accurate that I'm tempted to stay at 5.0 grains.
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Old June 23, 2012, 08:03 PM   #3
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My 431 Taurus in 44 Spl shoots to point of aim at 25 yards with 200 grain bullets. Obviously Taurus meant this to be used with factory advanced 200 grain self defense loads. My normal 44 Special loads with 240 grain bullets shot quite high. I was able to purchase 200 grain LSWC bullets, at an advertized brinell hardness of 13.

I used Unique as that is an exceptionally flexible powder, something I normally use in 44 Spl, and it did not let me down.

Since I got light leading at 6.0 grs Unique, and it shoot to point of aim with excellent accuracy, and it is the lightest recoiling of the test sequence, that is what I use in practice. I suspect I was pushing the pistol on the heavier loads.

Code:
Taurus M431 3" Barrel	
			
240 LSWC 5.0 grs Red Dot  thrown, Midway Brass CCI 500
			
Ave Vel =	684.1		
Std Dev =	17.11		
ES =	57.84		
Low = 	654.1		
High = 	712		
N =	16		
		Shoots way high

			
					
205 LSWC 6.0 grs Unique  thrown, Midway Brass WLP		
				T = 54 °F	11-Dec-04
Ave Vel =	789.6				
Std Dev =	27.18				
ES =	96.54		 		
Low = 	724.1				
High = 	820.6				
N =	30				
Accurate, shoots point of aim, light leading. 
					
					
					
205 LSWC 6.5 Unique  thrown, Midway Brass WLP		
				T = 54 °F	25-Nov-04
Ave Vel =	866	 	 	 	 
Std Dev =	16				
ES =	52				
Low = 	839				
High = 	891				
N =	11				
Elevation good, but left; more leading		
					
			
					
205 LSWC 7.0 grs Unique  thrown, Midway Brass WLP		
				T = 57 °F	25-Nov-04
Ave Vel =	906				 
Std Dev =	16				 
ES =	56				 
Low = 	876				 
High = 	932				
N =	15				
 elevation good but left: worst leading 	 	 	 	
		 	 	 	
 

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Old June 23, 2012, 08:19 PM   #4
Red Eye
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i use 7.5 gr of Unique in a 44 mag case with a 200 gr RNFP lead bullet. Great plinking load out of my RSR, accurate too. Haven't noticed any issue with leading.
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Old June 24, 2012, 06:18 AM   #5
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I used to shoot 8.0gr of unique with a 240. LSWC, it's a great shooting load. Since I now have a couple dedicated 44 specials I've been loading 7.5gr of unique with a 200gr LRNFP and bumped my mag load to 10.0gr to avoid a little redundancy.
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Old June 24, 2012, 06:25 AM   #6
youngunz4life
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I like 44 magnum

I buy 300gr 44 magnum ammo but only the 300gr hollowpoints (not the flatnose)
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Old June 24, 2012, 06:39 AM   #7
TNT
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I did some looking online as well and even off of Alliant's website they are showing between 7-8.5 grains of Unique I was hoping that someone had a few formula's that worked for them and this answers my question
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Old June 24, 2012, 01:12 PM   #8
mavracer
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there's a reason Skeeter and Elmer burned up a ton of unique in 44s it just works good.
I have yet to run across a 44 that wouldn't group well with it.
you will like the way it shoots and it's not that bad to clean up.
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Old June 24, 2012, 02:05 PM   #9
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I run Skeeter's Load in the .44 special. That takes 7.5 grains of Unique under a 240-250 grain cast bullet. It gives me 950 fps from my Super Blackhawk and is good for about 99% of the shooting I do with that revolver. All the fun of big bores and less recoil and powder. It's a win-win.
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Old June 24, 2012, 02:52 PM   #10
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Quote:
I did some looking online as well and even off of Alliant's website they are showing between 7-8.5 grains of Unique I was hoping that someone had a few formula's that worked for them and this answers my question
For years, Alliant published a paper reloading 'manual':

http://glarp.atk.com/2004/2004Catalo...ntPowderSM.pdf

Pages 43-44 have .44 Mag, then .44 Special...
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Old June 24, 2012, 08:30 PM   #11
TNT
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Salmon that is some of the data I was looking for and it truly answers all the questions I ever had thanks for posting it. Thank you all for the input as well It truly is a treasure trove of information
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Old June 25, 2012, 06:51 AM   #12
Salmoneye
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Seems as since Alliant jumped in bed with Sierra, they only 'publish' data for Sierra bullets...

As with any load data, start low and work your way up...

I do love that 2004 manual for the across the board coverage of calibers by powder...
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Old June 25, 2012, 08:32 AM   #13
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Thanks, Salmoneye! That is a nice download, and one that I've added to my collection. I like the format.
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Old June 25, 2012, 03:05 PM   #14
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I have loaded and shot thousands of rounds of hard cast Keith style SWCs in 180, 215 and 245 gr. weights. Lighter loads can be used happily. But do test. Too light and you get into strange high pressure country. Yes, you read that correctly. Don't go TOO light.
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