Questions about my .44 mag loads...

Red Label · June 26, 2002, 12:08 AM

Some great advice here on .44 mag loads.

I am relatively new to reloading and I do not own a crono, so of the 500-1000 reloads I have shot, I don't have a clue as to what the velocities are. I plan on getting one eventually, but right now I am just trying to get more consistant with my accuracy (or inaccuracy as it were). I do check the primers and cases after firing each time to make sure there are no obvious pressure problems, but other than that it's just me taking the standard load data from Lee and Hodgdon and coming up with my own loads.

As I discussed in another thread, I have been using 90% loads with mostly 240 gr JHP's and some 240 gr LWSC's. But this time a noticed that I am "supposed" to use a minimum of 97% of their posted H110 loads.

So I worked up a 1 box of 97%, 1 of 98%, and 2 of 99%. All of these were the Speer 200 gr JHP's (which I have never used before -- only 240 gr before now).

I fired the whole box of 97% the other night and it seemed kind of "stiff" out of my 4" ported Taurus M44. Accuracy was no better than with 90% 240 gr loads. But my accuracy is not yet consistant and thus suspect. I inspected the cases and primers and all seems well.

The loads I have loaded are:

gr of H110
27.7 ... 97%
27.9 ... 98%
28.2 ... 99%

I will shoot the 98% the next time I go out, and maybe some of the 99%. I just wanted to run this past you guys and see if you had any concerns over my loads.

Thanks!

sricciardelli · June 26, 2002, 05:51 AM

I have loaded without any problems at all, in a Ruger SBH, 240 grains jacketed bullets with H-110 from 19.3 grains to 25.9 grains and a CCI-350 primer.

The same goes for 265 grain jacketed bullets with H-110 from 17.9 grains to 23.4 grains and CCI-350 primer.

Hell, I've even used 180 grain jacketed bullets with H-110 from 24.3 grains to 32.3 grains and CCI-350 primers.

PALongbow · June 26, 2002, 09:05 AM

I use 23.5 grains of H-110, Hornady 240 gr. XTP, and CCI350 primer. The other night I shot a 10 shot group through the Chrony and the average shot string equaled 1,401 FPS using this combination.

I was using a scoped Ruger Super Redhawk with a 7 1/2 inch barrel. I can shoot 1/2 inch to 1 inch groups off the bench at 50 yards and 2 inch groups at 100 yards.

Ron

Red Label · June 26, 2002, 10:12 AM

Thanks for the replies guys. I am in totally unknown (to me) territory here, as I have no friends who reload. So I am putting my total trust in books, and that always makes me nervous. Good thing I didn't have to learn to fly that way! LOL Anyways... it's nice to have people's practical experience to back it all up.

keano44 · June 27, 2002, 01:29 PM

I was where you are, a few years ago. Not knowing bothered the heck out of me. Guessing is not the way to go in reloading, especially when you are loading this close to published maximum loads. My point: Get a chronograph. You'll be glad you did. Midway has the PACT Model 1 on special right now. You can get the chronograph with the optional 24" mounting bar and case for the chrono thrown in for $129. This is a good deal for a great peice of equipment. All you will need is a tripod. What I like best about the Model 1, is that the electronics sit on the bench next to you, instead of in front of the muzzle. Many, better shots than me, have shot their chrono's.

My favorite, most accurate loads from my Ruger SBH, 7 1/2", are:
240 gr. Hornady HP/XTP, 24.3 gr. H110, WLP; and
210 gr. Sierra JHP, 22 gr. AA#9, WLP.

Poodleshooter · June 27, 2002, 03:07 PM

Shoot them over a chronograph. Honestly, loading Win296/H110 is pretty safe as long as you take it slow, and use several references. I find that they vary quite a bit from source to source, and with the "don't reduce below 3%" rule, that can sometimes make loading a pain. Shoot a variety of different loads, and you'll get a feel for how accurate the various references are with respect to your gun. My guns and loads tend to run under pressure and low on velocity compared to available data. The chronograph really helps, as there tends to be a plateau in velocity gains right before pressure gets too high.

Red Label · June 27, 2002, 03:38 PM

Roger that guys. Will invest in a chrono asap. Been wanting to anyways... this just gives me the push to do it.

June 26, 2002, 12:08 AM	#1
Red Label Senior Member Join Date: February 6, 2001 Location: Urban Montana? Posts: 304	Questions about my .44 mag loads... Some great advice here on .44 mag loads. I am relatively new to reloading and I do not own a crono, so of the 500-1000 reloads I have shot, I don't have a clue as to what the velocities are. I plan on getting one eventually, but right now I am just trying to get more consistant with my accuracy (or inaccuracy as it were). I do check the primers and cases after firing each time to make sure there are no obvious pressure problems, but other than that it's just me taking the standard load data from Lee and Hodgdon and coming up with my own loads. As I discussed in another thread, I have been using 90% loads with mostly 240 gr JHP's and some 240 gr LWSC's. But this time a noticed that I am "supposed" to use a minimum of 97% of their posted H110 loads. So I worked up a 1 box of 97%, 1 of 98%, and 2 of 99%. All of these were the Speer 200 gr JHP's (which I have never used before -- only 240 gr before now). I fired the whole box of 97% the other night and it seemed kind of "stiff" out of my 4" ported Taurus M44. Accuracy was no better than with 90% 240 gr loads. But my accuracy is not yet consistant and thus suspect. I inspected the cases and primers and all seems well. The loads I have loaded are: gr of H110 27.7 ... 97% 27.9 ... 98% 28.2 ... 99% I will shoot the 98% the next time I go out, and maybe some of the 99%. I just wanted to run this past you guys and see if you had any concerns over my loads. Thanks!

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June 26, 2002, 05:51 AM	#2
sricciardelli Senior Member Join Date: August 13, 2001 Location: Montana Posts: 489	I have loaded without any problems at all, in a Ruger SBH, 240 grains jacketed bullets with H-110 from 19.3 grains to 25.9 grains and a CCI-350 primer. The same goes for 265 grain jacketed bullets with H-110 from 17.9 grains to 23.4 grains and CCI-350 primer. Hell, I've even used 180 grain jacketed bullets with H-110 from 24.3 grains to 32.3 grains and CCI-350 primers.

June 26, 2002, 09:05 AM	#3
PALongbow Senior Member Join Date: December 30, 2001 Location: SE Pennsylvania Posts: 103	I use 23.5 grains of H-110, Hornady 240 gr. XTP, and CCI350 primer. The other night I shot a 10 shot group through the Chrony and the average shot string equaled 1,401 FPS using this combination. I was using a scoped Ruger Super Redhawk with a 7 1/2 inch barrel. I can shoot 1/2 inch to 1 inch groups off the bench at 50 yards and 2 inch groups at 100 yards. Ron

June 26, 2002, 10:12 AM	#4
Red Label Senior Member Join Date: February 6, 2001 Location: Urban Montana? Posts: 304	Thanks for the replies guys. I am in totally unknown (to me) territory here, as I have no friends who reload. So I am putting my total trust in books, and that always makes me nervous. Good thing I didn't have to learn to fly that way! LOL Anyways... it's nice to have people's practical experience to back it all up.

June 27, 2002, 01:29 PM	#5
keano44 Senior Member Join Date: June 12, 2001 Location: Lafayette LA Posts: 177	I was where you are, a few years ago. Not knowing bothered the heck out of me. Guessing is not the way to go in reloading, especially when you are loading this close to published maximum loads. My point: Get a chronograph. You'll be glad you did. Midway has the PACT Model 1 on special right now. You can get the chronograph with the optional 24" mounting bar and case for the chrono thrown in for $129. This is a good deal for a great peice of equipment. All you will need is a tripod. What I like best about the Model 1, is that the electronics sit on the bench next to you, instead of in front of the muzzle. Many, better shots than me, have shot their chrono's. My favorite, most accurate loads from my Ruger SBH, 7 1/2", are: 240 gr. Hornady HP/XTP, 24.3 gr. H110, WLP; and 210 gr. Sierra JHP, 22 gr. AA#9, WLP.

June 27, 2002, 03:07 PM	#6
Poodleshooter Senior Member Join Date: August 8, 2000 Location: Floating down the James River in VA Posts: 2,599	Shoot them over a chronograph. Honestly, loading Win296/H110 is pretty safe as long as you take it slow, and use several references. I find that they vary quite a bit from source to source, and with the "don't reduce below 3%" rule, that can sometimes make loading a pain. Shoot a variety of different loads, and you'll get a feel for how accurate the various references are with respect to your gun. My guns and loads tend to run under pressure and low on velocity compared to available data. The chronograph really helps, as there tends to be a plateau in velocity gains right before pressure gets too high.

June 27, 2002, 03:38 PM	#7
Red Label Senior Member Join Date: February 6, 2001 Location: Urban Montana? Posts: 304	Roger that guys. Will invest in a chrono asap. Been wanting to anyways... this just gives me the push to do it.