Need 44 mag. Load

rick983 · September 27, 2010, 01:38 PM

I'm looking for a 1000 fps load with Berry's 240 gr. plated bullets in my Dan Wesson 8" barrel revolver. These would be primarily used for plinking and informal target shooting. I've tried slower loads and the cases came out sooty because there wasn't enough pressure to cause them to seal the chamber. I'm thinking maybe 231, TiteGroup or something similar. Any thoughts on clean burning powder? Thanks.

AlaskaMike · September 27, 2010, 07:05 PM

I really like Power Pistol for .44 mag loads in the 1000 - 1200 fps range with 240 or 250 grain bullets. 10 grains of Power Pistol would probably give you slightly faster than 1000 fps in that gun.

Just fyi, 1000 fps is about the max you want to push plated bullets because the plating starts coming off if you go much faster.

BigJimP · September 27, 2010, 07:45 PM

I use Hodgdon TiteGroup in my .44 mag loads .... Hodgdon TiteGroup will easily get you up around 1,100 fps ...and its clean and meters very accurately. Max for Titegroup on a .44 mag 240gr JHP is 10.0gr at 1292 fps ... so you'll want to back off that max for any plated bullets.

Berry's website says - in FAQ's ...
" FAQ: How fast can I shoot these bullets?
Velocities depend on the caliber, but as a rule of thumb, we recommend you don't shoot our plated bullets over 1200 feet-per-second. Our 44's actually shoot best around 1150 fps. 45's are generally good at 850-900 fps. Our bullets are not recommended for magnum velocities."

I have not used a lot of Berry's bullets - although I do have 20 boxes of .357 mag loaded right now that have performed very well. I usually prefer Montana Gold - a real jacketed bullet - especially in magnum calibers like .357 mag and .44 mag....

September 27, 2010, 01:38 PM	#1
rick983 Member Join Date: May 24, 2008 Location: Indiana Posts: 47	Need 44 mag. Load I'm looking for a 1000 fps load with Berry's 240 gr. plated bullets in my Dan Wesson 8" barrel revolver. These would be primarily used for plinking and informal target shooting. I've tried slower loads and the cases came out sooty because there wasn't enough pressure to cause them to seal the chamber. I'm thinking maybe 231, TiteGroup or something similar. Any thoughts on clean burning powder? Thanks.

September 27, 2010, 07:05 PM	#2
AlaskaMike Senior Member Join Date: September 26, 2005 Posts: 947	I really like Power Pistol for .44 mag loads in the 1000 - 1200 fps range with 240 or 250 grain bullets. 10 grains of Power Pistol would probably give you slightly faster than 1000 fps in that gun. Just fyi, 1000 fps is about the max you want to push plated bullets because the plating starts coming off if you go much faster.

September 27, 2010, 07:45 PM	#3
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	I use Hodgdon TiteGroup in my .44 mag loads .... Hodgdon TiteGroup will easily get you up around 1,100 fps ...and its clean and meters very accurately. Max for Titegroup on a .44 mag 240gr JHP is 10.0gr at 1292 fps ... so you'll want to back off that max for any plated bullets. Berry's website says - in FAQ's ... " FAQ: How fast can I shoot these bullets? Velocities depend on the caliber, but as a rule of thumb, we recommend you don't shoot our plated bullets over 1200 feet-per-second. Our 44's actually shoot best around 1150 fps. 45's are generally good at 850-900 fps. Our bullets are not recommended for magnum velocities." I have not used a lot of Berry's bullets - although I do have 20 boxes of .357 mag loaded right now that have performed very well. I usually prefer Montana Gold - a real jacketed bullet - especially in magnum calibers like .357 mag and .44 mag....