.44 Special loads

Grayfox · October 16, 2004, 08:23 PM

I'm finding published data for the .44 Special to be a bit anemic. I know the round has never been a speed demon, but the data I'm finding barely makes 800 fps.

I was hoping that some of you have some pet loads to help me save on time and experimentation.
The bullets I'm using are a 240gr LSWC and a 200 gr LRN. I'd like to find some good accurate loads that will push the 240s at about 850 - 900fps and the 200s at 900-950fps.
Thanks.

griz · October 16, 2004, 09:13 PM

CAUTION: The following post includes loading data beyond currently published maximums for this cartridge. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. Neither the writer, The Firing Line, nor the staff of TFL assume any liability for any damage or injury resulting from use of this information.

This data comes from a Brian Pearce article in the June 2004 issue of Handloader magazine. He said all the loads were tested and were within the SAMMI pressure limits, but some were right at the max. Anyway some of the loads are hotter than what I see in the books, so I just posted my first ever over max warning.

He doesn't list loads for anything below 240 grains, and all are lead bullets.

245gr LRN, 6.5 gr. of Unique for 902 FPS, 7.0 gr. for 936.
250gr SWC, 6.7 gr. of Universal for 875 FPS, 9.3 gr. of AA#5 for 929 FPS, 7.5 gr. of Power Pistol for 921 FPS, and 8.0 gr. of Power Pistol for 978 FPS.

The velocitys are from a 6.5 inch barreled S&W triple lock. I've tried the max load of Power Pistol from a 4 inch Taurus, and still got well over 900 FPS.

Again these are right at the maxium, and you can tell the difference when comparing the recoil to the typical 750 FPS load.

LAH · October 16, 2004, 09:35 PM

I have a 44 Special converted from a M-28 S&W. The cylinder was bored and I furnished an orginal 1950 S&W Target barrel. All work done by MMC in the mid 70's and the owner at that time, suggested

Leftoverdj · October 17, 2004, 07:42 AM

CAUTION: The following post includes loading data beyond currently published maximums for this cartridge. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. Neither the writer, The Firing Line, nor the staff of TFL assume any liability for any damage or injury resulting from use of this information.

The gun you are using is important. The little Charter Bulldogs are delightful and plenty strong, but somewhat delicate. I wore two out in about 1500 rounds each. Their weakness is the very small area to prevent cylinder endshake.

Assuming you are using a heavier, more durable pistol, the classic .44 Special load is 17.5 grains of 2400 behind a 240 grain cast SWC. A Hodgdon booklet from 1987 shows the following loads:

240 Cast

H 4227 15.0 1148 fps
H 110 15.5 1227
HS-6 9.5 1070

200 Cast

H 4227 16.5 1142 fps
H 110 16.0 1256
HS-6 10.5 1086

Paul B. · October 17, 2004, 02:18 PM

. . .

pwiz · October 20, 2004, 12:23 PM

If your gun can handle it, the old Keith 2400 loads with the 250/240 gr bullets are heavy

October 16, 2004, 08:23 PM	#1
Grayfox Senior Member Join Date: December 17, 1998 Posts: 1,885	.44 Special loads I'm finding published data for the .44 Special to be a bit anemic. I know the round has never been a speed demon, but the data I'm finding barely makes 800 fps. I was hoping that some of you have some pet loads to help me save on time and experimentation. The bullets I'm using are a 240gr LSWC and a 200 gr LRN. I'd like to find some good accurate loads that will push the 240s at about 850 - 900fps and the 200s at 900-950fps. Thanks.

October 16, 2004, 09:35 PM	#3
LAH Senior Member Join Date: March 22, 2002 Location: In The Hardwoods Posts: 736	I have a 44 Special converted from a M-28 S&W. The cylinder was bored and I furnished an orginal 1950 S&W Target barrel. All work done by MMC in the mid 70's and the owner at that time, suggested __________________ Dry Creek Bullet Works Dry Creek Firewood

October 20, 2004, 12:23 PM	#6
pwiz Member Join Date: April 23, 2001 Posts: 61	44 Special loads If your gun can handle it, the old Keith 2400 loads with the 250/240 gr bullets are heavy

October 16, 2004, 09:13 PM	#2
griz Senior Member Join Date: August 1, 2000 Location: Middle Peninsula, VA Posts: 1,394	CAUTION: The following post includes loading data beyond currently published maximums for this cartridge. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. Neither the writer, The Firing Line, nor the staff of TFL assume any liability for any damage or injury resulting from use of this information. This data comes from a Brian Pearce article in the June 2004 issue of Handloader magazine. He said all the loads were tested and were within the SAMMI pressure limits, but some were right at the max. Anyway some of the loads are hotter than what I see in the books, so I just posted my first ever over max warning. He doesn't list loads for anything below 240 grains, and all are lead bullets. 245gr LRN, 6.5 gr. of Unique for 902 FPS, 7.0 gr. for 936. 250gr SWC, 6.7 gr. of Universal for 875 FPS, 9.3 gr. of AA#5 for 929 FPS, 7.5 gr. of Power Pistol for 921 FPS, and 8.0 gr. of Power Pistol for 978 FPS. The velocitys are from a 6.5 inch barreled S&W triple lock. I've tried the max load of Power Pistol from a 4 inch Taurus, and still got well over 900 FPS. Again these are right at the maxium, and you can tell the difference when comparing the recoil to the typical 750 FPS load.

October 17, 2004, 07:42 AM	#4
Leftoverdj Senior Member Join Date: October 15, 2004 Posts: 934	CAUTION: The following post includes loading data beyond currently published maximums for this cartridge. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. Neither the writer, The Firing Line, nor the staff of TFL assume any liability for any damage or injury resulting from use of this information. The gun you are using is important. The little Charter Bulldogs are delightful and plenty strong, but somewhat delicate. I wore two out in about 1500 rounds each. Their weakness is the very small area to prevent cylinder endshake. Assuming you are using a heavier, more durable pistol, the classic .44 Special load is 17.5 grains of 2400 behind a 240 grain cast SWC. A Hodgdon booklet from 1987 shows the following loads: 240 Cast H 4227 15.0 1148 fps H 110 15.5 1227 HS-6 9.5 1070 200 Cast H 4227 16.5 1142 fps H 110 16.0 1256 HS-6 10.5 1086

October 17, 2004, 02:18 PM	#5
Paul B. Senior Member Join Date: March 28, 1999 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 2,233	. . . __________________ COMPROMISE IS NOT AN OPTION!