.44 mag load

wisconsinjim · April 10, 2013, 12:08 AM

I just got a .44 mag rifle,Henry big boy.I would like some load advice on a plinking load.It has been awhile since I have put together any .44 mag loads.Thanks for the help.

Boomer58cal · April 10, 2013, 02:08 AM

What powder, bullets and primers do you have or prefer?

I've have good luck with alliant 2400. With 180-240g JHP's and 240g laser cast Oregon trail silver SWC's. I have a 94 win in 44mag not a Henry but they are similar.

Boomer

NWPilgrim · April 10, 2013, 02:40 AM

I have three target loads, all with 240 gr lead bullets and near max COL. These are shot out of 4" barrel:

- 5.5 gr Unique is very light, easy accurate load
-7.5 gr Unique is still mild but a little more zip
- 7.0 gr W231 is a mild side of medium load.

wisconsinjim · April 10, 2013, 06:00 AM

For bullets I have a variety of JHP's from 180 to 240 grains and I have both magnum and regular primers.Powder is kind of hard to come by lately,I do have H110 and blue dot on hand.I do have a good supply of AA#5 but am not sure if that would be a good choice.Do the Ranier plated bullets in 240 gr. hold up at rifle velocities if loaded low? Again thanks for the input.

eldermike · April 10, 2013, 07:31 AM

I found blue dot to be a very good powder for full house 44 mag loads. However, it's not very good for reduced loads. You can find data on specific 44 mag loads with Blue Dot on Alliant's website.

RCL · April 10, 2013, 08:30 AM

I found a load on Handloads.com for a 240 JHP that uses #5...

14.4 grains of AA #5 with a CCI 300 primer....suggested starting load of 13.0 grains.

Also a load for a 240 grain Lead SWC using #5...

14.0 grains of AA #5 with a CCI 300 primer...suggested starting load of 12.6 grains.

The upper end loads may be a little fast for what you want (aprox. 1400 fps), but the starting loads may do it.

chiefr · April 10, 2013, 08:35 AM

For cheap plinking, I would go with hard cast bullet loads. You pick powder. I like 2400. Be sure to watch for leading.

mxsailor803 · April 10, 2013, 10:31 AM

Has anyone tried Trailboss in a rifle? I use it now in a 6" 629 and am thinking about getting a Henry Big Boy as well.

Salmoneye · April 10, 2013, 10:43 AM

I use Red Dot for plinking with cast...Usually use .44 Special data, or there-abouts...

http://glarp.atk.com/2004/2004Catalo...ntPowderSM.pdf

B.L.E. · April 10, 2013, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Has anyone tried Trailboss in a rifle? I use it now in a 6" 629 and am thinking about getting a Henry Big Boy as well.

It works very well. I've used in in .44 magnum out of a pistol, .357 out of a pistol and a rifle, and for .45-70 plinking loads with 300 grain lead bullets.

Because of it's bulk, only 9 oz fits in a normal "1 lb" can and the retail price reflects the fact that you only get 9 ounces.
With this powder, you can switch from magnum loads to plinking loads and not readjust your powder measure, just change powder.

oldpapps · April 10, 2013, 12:17 PM

For a 'plinking' load (or heavy load), my advise is a 240 grain lead SWC, the 250 grain Keith type. For very soft loads, run softer lead, for heavy loads go with harder bullets, that way they will.... I can't pronounce the word but the butt end swells out to seal the barrel, and give better accuracy with less leading.

My loading, powder puff, is 5.6 grains of 231 over a standard LPP and under a 240 grain Lead SWC for an easy to shoot 650 FPS or so velocity. (Oh, I only use Mag length brass and shoot from a 6 and a 6 1/2 inch revolver barrel.) I use 231 for light loads but not heavy. 2400, 296/H110 and many others do much better in heavy loadings but not so well in light. As you are looking for a light load, look at 231/HP38 and similar powders. Lots of them to chose from.

There are many, many good loads that will do what you are asking. To me, 'plinking' is cheap and not taxing on the shooter but should be reasonably accurate. Pick your components and adjust to need.

Enjoy,

OSOK

mikld · April 10, 2013, 01:04 PM

My .44 Mag. carbine likes round nose flat point bullets, and feeds them flawlessly. I've had a bit of trouble with my favorite, 429421, but can make it work if I use Special brass, but it's easier to use Ranch Dog's 240 gr, RNFP. A good easy load is about 7.0 gr. Trailboss or 9.0 or so gr. Unique under Ranch Dog's 240.

rclark · April 10, 2013, 02:04 PM

Lots of good plinking loads for .44Mag.

7.5g of Unique under 240g SWC is a very easy handled puff load. (950fps)
8.5g of Unique under 240g SWC duplicates the 'skeeter .44 Spec load' (1050fps)

8.0g of Red Dot under 240g SWC is another accurate load (around 1050fps)

8.0g of Trail Boss under 240g SWC is another accurate load (around 900fps)

A bit more serious load, but still is a 'light' .44Mag load.

10.0g of Unique under 240g SWC is my current go to load. (1100fps)

GeauxTide · April 10, 2013, 10:27 PM

I'm with RClark on Unique. I've used 8.0gr under 240s for a long time. Mild and extremely accurate.

April 10, 2013, 12:08 AM	#1
wisconsinjim Junior Member Join Date: April 23, 2011 Posts: 5	.44 mag load I just got a .44 mag rifle,Henry big boy.I would like some load advice on a plinking load.It has been awhile since I have put together any .44 mag loads.Thanks for the help.

April 10, 2013, 02:08 AM	#2
Boomer58cal Senior Member Join Date: February 18, 2013 Location: closer than you think Posts: 967	What powder, bullets and primers do you have or prefer? I've have good luck with alliant 2400. With 180-240g JHP's and 240g laser cast Oregon trail silver SWC's. I have a 94 win in 44mag not a Henry but they are similar. Boomer __________________ The number one cause of death in the 20th century. 290,000,000 citizens were first disarmed and then murdered by their own governments. This number does not include those killed in war. We're from the government, we're here to help

April 10, 2013, 02:40 AM	#3
NWPilgrim Senior Member Join Date: September 29, 2008 Location: Oregon Posts: 2,346	.44 mag load I have three target loads, all with 240 gr lead bullets and near max COL. These are shot out of 4" barrel: - 5.5 gr Unique is very light, easy accurate load -7.5 gr Unique is still mild but a little more zip - 7.0 gr W231 is a mild side of medium load.

April 10, 2013, 06:00 AM	#4
wisconsinjim Junior Member Join Date: April 23, 2011 Posts: 5	.44 mag load For bullets I have a variety of JHP's from 180 to 240 grains and I have both magnum and regular primers.Powder is kind of hard to come by lately,I do have H110 and blue dot on hand.I do have a good supply of AA#5 but am not sure if that would be a good choice.Do the Ranier plated bullets in 240 gr. hold up at rifle velocities if loaded low? Again thanks for the input.

April 10, 2013, 10:31 AM	#8
mxsailor803 Senior Member Join Date: February 8, 2010 Location: SC Posts: 1,344	Not to Hi-Jack or anything Has anyone tried Trailboss in a rifle? I use it now in a 6" 629 and am thinking about getting a Henry Big Boy as well.

April 10, 2013, 07:31 AM	#5
eldermike Senior Member Join Date: January 24, 2013 Location: NC Posts: 545	I found blue dot to be a very good powder for full house 44 mag loads. However, it's not very good for reduced loads. You can find data on specific 44 mag loads with Blue Dot on Alliant's website.

April 10, 2013, 08:30 AM	#6
RCL Member Join Date: April 30, 2005 Location: Western New York Posts: 39	I found a load on Handloads.com for a 240 JHP that uses #5... 14.4 grains of AA #5 with a CCI 300 primer....suggested starting load of 13.0 grains. Also a load for a 240 grain Lead SWC using #5... 14.0 grains of AA #5 with a CCI 300 primer...suggested starting load of 12.6 grains. The upper end loads may be a little fast for what you want (aprox. 1400 fps), but the starting loads may do it.

April 10, 2013, 08:35 AM	#7
chiefr Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2010 Location: AR Posts: 1,401	For cheap plinking, I would go with hard cast bullet loads. You pick powder. I like 2400. Be sure to watch for leading.

April 10, 2013, 10:43 AM	#9
Salmoneye Senior Member Join Date: December 31, 2011 Location: Vermont Posts: 2,076	I use Red Dot for plinking with cast...Usually use .44 Special data, or there-abouts... http://glarp.atk.com/2004/2004Catalo...ntPowderSM.pdf

April 10, 2013, 12:17 PM	#11
oldpapps Senior Member Join Date: September 22, 2011 Location: Middle America Posts: 518	For a 'plinking' load (or heavy load), my advise is a 240 grain lead SWC, the 250 grain Keith type. For very soft loads, run softer lead, for heavy loads go with harder bullets, that way they will.... I can't pronounce the word but the butt end swells out to seal the barrel, and give better accuracy with less leading. My loading, powder puff, is 5.6 grains of 231 over a standard LPP and under a 240 grain Lead SWC for an easy to shoot 650 FPS or so velocity. (Oh, I only use Mag length brass and shoot from a 6 and a 6 1/2 inch revolver barrel.) I use 231 for light loads but not heavy. 2400, 296/H110 and many others do much better in heavy loadings but not so well in light. As you are looking for a light load, look at 231/HP38 and similar powders. Lots of them to chose from. There are many, many good loads that will do what you are asking. To me, 'plinking' is cheap and not taxing on the shooter but should be reasonably accurate. Pick your components and adjust to need. Enjoy, OSOK

April 10, 2013, 01:04 PM	#12
mikld Senior Member Join Date: February 7, 2009 Location: Southern Oregon! Posts: 2,891	My .44 Mag. carbine likes round nose flat point bullets, and feeds them flawlessly. I've had a bit of trouble with my favorite, 429421, but can make it work if I use Special brass, but it's easier to use Ranch Dog's 240 gr, RNFP. A good easy load is about 7.0 gr. Trailboss or 9.0 or so gr. Unique under Ranch Dog's 240. __________________ My Anchor is holding fast! I've learned how to stand on my own two knees...

April 10, 2013, 02:04 PM	#13
rclark Senior Member Join Date: February 12, 2009 Location: Butte, MT Posts: 2,622	Lots of good plinking loads for .44Mag. 7.5g of Unique under 240g SWC is a very easy handled puff load. (950fps) 8.5g of Unique under 240g SWC duplicates the 'skeeter .44 Spec load' (1050fps) 8.0g of Red Dot under 240g SWC is another accurate load (around 1050fps) 8.0g of Trail Boss under 240g SWC is another accurate load (around 900fps) A bit more serious load, but still is a 'light' .44Mag load. 10.0g of Unique under 240g SWC is my current go to load. (1100fps) __________________ A clinger and deplorable, MAGA, and life NRA member. When guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns. Single Action .45 Colt (Sometimes colloquially referred to by its alias as the .45 'Long' Colt or .45LC). Don't leave home without it. That said, the .44Spec is right up their too... but the .45 Colt is still the king.

April 10, 2013, 10:27 PM	#14
GeauxTide Senior Member Join Date: April 20, 2009 Location: Helena, AL Posts: 4,424	I'm with RClark on Unique. I've used 8.0gr under 240s for a long time. Mild and extremely accurate.