Reloading the .44 Rem. Mag.

[tailchain]

Hey guys,
Reloading for my Ruger .44 carbine (the original). I am using H-110 and a 200 gr. Jacketed bullet. Hodgson says 27.5 is minimum but I was considering using only 24 grs.for reasons relating to my Lee auto powder dumper. Call me lazy but I hate to go back and forth between my real powder measure and my press. Is 24 grs. safe.

[mikejonestkd]

The short answer to your question is NO.

a slightly longer answer is NO, H110 and Win 296 do not ignite well with reduced charges.

Pick another powder if you want to shoot reduced loads in the 44 mag

[Real Gun]

24 grains is the highest rating of the auto disk set, but if you get the double disk kit, you can go up to twice that measure and all combinations in between. Mine works fine, as long as close to what I had in mind is good enough.

H110 I understand is erratic, if not close to full power, and thus the very narrow load weight/cc range.

Note that the newer "auto drum" measure will allow what you need using the "large" drum provided.

[mehavey]

Hodgdon says 27.5 is minimum but I was considering using only 24 grs....

As others have noted: "NO"

If you're looking for something that measures out -- by volume -- similar to that 24gr/H110 (but is more appropriate), try HERCO.

[Reloadron]

As a side note I have the same rifle. I never had much luck loading 180 grain and 200 grain bullets, my best results always came with the 240 grain bullets. As to powders I always liked Win 296 and Aliant 2400 both used with a magnum primer.

I also do not suggest light loads in the 44 Remington Magnum, especially for the Ruger 44 Carbine gas guns.

Ron

[g.willikers]

How about using .44 Special load data with your Magnum cases?
Some of those approach what you are looking for.
Lots of good choices there.
Assuming, like Reloadron sez, it works your rifle.

[Don Fischer]

NO! Great answer!

[mikld]

I haven't seen any load data using H110/W296 in .44 Special. I too would recommend another powder and .44 Magnum being my favorite cartridge, I've used a lot of 2400, Unique/Universal, and Blue Dot for less than real "Magnum" loads...

[SHR970]

How about using .44 Special load data with your Magnum cases?

ABSOLUTELY NOT! The Ruger carbines require near to full throttle loads to work correctly. Follw this advice and you have a straight pull rifle at best... Jam-O-Matic if you are less lucky....and stuck bullets at worst.

Hornady #4 used an original Ruger Carbine for their testing and they show 25 gr. to be the bottom. This is from a time when H110 was usually slightly faster than W296 (lot to lot differences mostly) So I wouldn't even think of going lower considering current distributor data shows a higher starting point.

[Hanshi]

I load H110/296 and get fine accuracy with max powder charges recommended. In the SuperBH 200 grain JHP work great on deer and 240 grain JHP is perfect in the Marlin. With cast bullets 250 to 265 swc 2400 can't be beat. DON'T reduce those H110/296 charges.

[SHR970]

Another case where most posters have neglected to even read sentance 1 of the post.\\

This is for a Ruger Carbine first edition. PLEASE pay attention since your "advice" to the OP is REALLY dependant upon the weapon he is using! Your hand gun advice is not necessarily relevant here and can actually be dangerous should the OP follow it.

This is not to FLAME people but to EDUCATE them. Please pay attention.

[Reloadron]

To stress again what I mentioned back in post #5, The Ruger 44 Mag Carbine is one really ice little 44 Magnum gas operated rifle. The rifle was designed with shooting full house loads in mind and that is how it cyckes, While the rifle will shoot the lighter 180 grain and 200 grain bullets it was designed for the standard jacketed 240 grain bullets and the 300 grain bullets tend to beat the gun up.

If you plan to take the little rifle out on warm sunny days wearing a T-Shirt you may want to rethink this and wear a shooting jacket with a padded shoulder. Designed for full house 44 Remington Magnum rounds the rifle can be a little punishing or maybe stout is a better word. The Ruger Owners Manual can be found here and covers quite a bit, including ammunition and rolling your own ammunition. These rifles thrive on full house loads to function properly. I do not suggest looking for a light load.

Pictured in the foreground the resemblance to a 10/22 is apparent right till we look down the bore, the business end,


Enjoy as since my first one in 1966 I have really loved those little guns,

Ron

[mehavey]

This is for a Ruger Carbine first edition. PLEASE pay attention since your
"advice" to the OP is REALLY dependant upon the weapon he is using!

Again, for what he wants and why he wants it (volumetric measure/carbine pressure function/moderate load), go with HERCO.