New to .44 Rem Mag reloading

Lococop · July 10, 2010, 07:59 PM

I just got my hands on a Llama Super Commanche 44 Mag and will start re-loading the 44 mag round. I've been reloading for about a year, mainly 460, 454, and 45 LC but this will be the first time for the 44 Mag.

Any pointers, suggestions, advice, etc. before I start. It would be a great help. Thanks.

oldscot3 · July 10, 2010, 10:41 PM

Load yourself some "spagnum" rounds ( about 1000fps) using any 240 gr. jacketed bullet and blue dot. ( see numerous threads here) Using that as a baseline, decide what you want to do, and go up or down. 44s rule, they're wonderful.

Teuthis · July 10, 2010, 11:03 PM

Work your loads up carefully. Any mistakes with the 44 mag tend to be big ones. I always worked my up incrementally by the 10th grains to find the most accurate and efficient load for a particular revolver.

Lococop · July 11, 2010, 02:26 AM

Thanks guys. Good info so far.

dmazur · July 13, 2010, 07:09 AM

I believe a "standard" full-house load for .44 Magnum is 24.0gr of H110 with CCI350 primers and 240gr JSP bullets. (This gets you around 1300fps out of a 7-1/2" SBH revolver and as much as 1800fps out of a Ruger carbine.)

As you've been loading big revolver stuff, you're probably aware of the need for a firm roll crimp to prevent bullet pull and promote proper ignition of the slow powders which are often used.

You can also load something like a "powder puff" load with 6.3gr of W231, CCI300 primers and 185gr XTP bullets. (This gets you around 900fps out of a revolver, kind of like a .44 Special.)

It it hard to find "low end" .44 Magnum loads, possibly because shooters don't generally buy a .44 Magnum to download it. I read that some reloaders use "high end" .44 Special loads in .44 Magnum brass as a starting point if they are pursuing this goal.

As you know, you can shoot .44 Specials in .44 Magnum revolvers without safety concerns. However, if this is done extensively a "crud ring" can form in the chambers which can make subsequent use of .44 Magnum difficult. Some download in .44 Magnum brass to avoid this.

Lococop · July 14, 2010, 07:13 PM

Thank you so much. Excellent insight.

Powderman · July 14, 2010, 07:42 PM

The best load I have found for mid-range .44 Magnum is one of Elmer Keith's old loads: 250 grain LSWC, sized to .430, on top of 8.5 grains of Unique, with a good roll crimp.

Doodlebugger45 · July 14, 2010, 08:02 PM

For full power loads, the H110/296 is a great powder but you can't reduce those loads much at all. For almost the same velocity, but a bit more flexibility on slightly tamer loads, use the 2400 powder. It's great stuff. For even tamer loads, use the 231/ HP38 powder. It burns clean and is very flexible, delivering anything from powderpuff loads to mid-range loads. I have only used 240 gr bullets, either cast or jacketed. the 44 mag seems to prefer that bullet weight.

nefprotector · July 14, 2010, 08:58 PM

"Llama Super Commanche 44 Mag" Would you believe me if I told you I blew one of these up? Blowed the top half of the cylinder and top strap right off my gun. Myself and another heard metal whiz by.

bluetopper · July 14, 2010, 11:54 PM

[/QUOTE]"Llama Super Commanche 44 Mag" Would you believe me if I told you I blew one of these up? Blowed the top half of the cylinder and top strap right off my gun. Myself and another heard metal whiz by.
[/QUOTE]

I wouldn't doubt you one bit.

Edward429451 · July 15, 2010, 12:40 AM

I wouldn't use H110/296 if I had a Llama. That's a Ruger powder cough cough

July 10, 2010, 07:59 PM	#1
Lococop Member Join Date: May 28, 2010 Location: Miramar, Florida Posts: 28	New to .44 Rem Mag reloading I just got my hands on a Llama Super Commanche 44 Mag and will start re-loading the 44 mag round. I've been reloading for about a year, mainly 460, 454, and 45 LC but this will be the first time for the 44 Mag. Any pointers, suggestions, advice, etc. before I start. It would be a great help. Thanks.

July 13, 2010, 07:09 AM	#5
dmazur Senior Member Join Date: July 5, 2007 Location: Pacific NW Posts: 1,310	I believe a "standard" full-house load for .44 Magnum is 24.0gr of H110 with CCI350 primers and 240gr JSP bullets. (This gets you around 1300fps out of a 7-1/2" SBH revolver and as much as 1800fps out of a Ruger carbine.) As you've been loading big revolver stuff, you're probably aware of the need for a firm roll crimp to prevent bullet pull and promote proper ignition of the slow powders which are often used. You can also load something like a "powder puff" load with 6.3gr of W231, CCI300 primers and 185gr XTP bullets. (This gets you around 900fps out of a revolver, kind of like a .44 Special.) It it hard to find "low end" .44 Magnum loads, possibly because shooters don't generally buy a .44 Magnum to download it. I read that some reloaders use "high end" .44 Special loads in .44 Magnum brass as a starting point if they are pursuing this goal. As you know, you can shoot .44 Specials in .44 Magnum revolvers without safety concerns. However, if this is done extensively a "crud ring" can form in the chambers which can make subsequent use of .44 Magnum difficult. Some download in .44 Magnum brass to avoid this. Last edited by dmazur; July 14, 2010 at 09:42 PM.

July 14, 2010, 07:42 PM	#7
Powderman Senior Member Join Date: September 7, 2001 Location: Washington State Posts: 2,166	The best load I have found for mid-range .44 Magnum is one of Elmer Keith's old loads: 250 grain LSWC, sized to .430, on top of 8.5 grains of Unique, with a good roll crimp. __________________ Hiding in plain sight...

July 10, 2010, 10:41 PM	#2
oldscot3 Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2007 Location: texas Posts: 997	Load yourself some "spagnum" rounds ( about 1000fps) using any 240 gr. jacketed bullet and blue dot. ( see numerous threads here) Using that as a baseline, decide what you want to do, and go up or down. 44s rule, they're wonderful.

July 10, 2010, 11:03 PM	#3
Teuthis Senior Member Join Date: April 9, 2008 Location: Southern Arizona Posts: 537	Work your loads up carefully. Any mistakes with the 44 mag tend to be big ones. I always worked my up incrementally by the 10th grains to find the most accurate and efficient load for a particular revolver.

July 11, 2010, 02:26 AM	#4
Lococop Member Join Date: May 28, 2010 Location: Miramar, Florida Posts: 28	Thanks guys. Good info so far.

July 14, 2010, 07:13 PM	#6
Lococop Member Join Date: May 28, 2010 Location: Miramar, Florida Posts: 28	Thank you so much. Excellent insight.

July 14, 2010, 08:02 PM	#8
Doodlebugger45 Senior Member Join Date: April 15, 2009 Location: Wyoming Posts: 1,717	For full power loads, the H110/296 is a great powder but you can't reduce those loads much at all. For almost the same velocity, but a bit more flexibility on slightly tamer loads, use the 2400 powder. It's great stuff. For even tamer loads, use the 231/ HP38 powder. It burns clean and is very flexible, delivering anything from powderpuff loads to mid-range loads. I have only used 240 gr bullets, either cast or jacketed. the 44 mag seems to prefer that bullet weight.

July 14, 2010, 08:58 PM	#9
nefprotector Junior member Join Date: December 3, 2009 Location: SE Alabama Posts: 701	"Llama Super Commanche 44 Mag" Would you believe me if I told you I blew one of these up? Blowed the top half of the cylinder and top strap right off my gun. Myself and another heard metal whiz by.

July 14, 2010, 11:54 PM	#10
bluetopper Senior Member Join Date: December 17, 2005 Location: Northeast TX Posts: 1,214	[/QUOTE]"Llama Super Commanche 44 Mag" Would you believe me if I told you I blew one of these up? Blowed the top half of the cylinder and top strap right off my gun. Myself and another heard metal whiz by. [/QUOTE] I wouldn't doubt you one bit.

July 15, 2010, 12:40 AM	#11
Edward429451 Junior member Join Date: November 12, 2000 Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado Posts: 9,494	I wouldn't use H110/296 if I had a Llama. That's a Ruger powder cough cough