favorite regular .44spl loading

JERRYS. · January 19, 2015, 02:28 PM

I've been playing around with some 240 swc over 5.3 grains of unique. this gives me a fairly accurate load from my Rossi 720 and just enough thump for me to know it has some authority so to speak..... this load is a bit stout in my Charter Arms Bulldog though but that might be because of the slick factory wood grips.

whats you favorite all around "normal" .44 spl load?

WIL TERRY · January 19, 2015, 05:42 PM

ALL of my 44SPL loads are heavier than that, even the lightest of them !!

Have you read SIXGUNS BY KEITH and wrapped your mind around his historically correct 44SPL loads from light to heavy !!

And so it goes...

JERRYS. · January 19, 2015, 05:59 PM

ok....... so whats your favorite and why?

Real Gun · January 19, 2015, 06:42 PM

I use only 200 gr bullets, sharing my 44-40 supply. I use the 240 gr for 44 Magnum. 7.5 gr Unique didn't excite me, so I am ready to test fire 8.0 gr using my Ruger NMBH .44 Special 4 5/8". Bullets are coated Missouri SWC.

I do own Sixguns but haven't read it yet.

**Unclenick** · January 19, 2015, 06:47 PM

Depends on the purpose. If I am just trying to shoot targets and plink with my old 3" fixed sight Charter, 3.9 grains of Bullseye under a swaged 240 grain LSWC's is just fine. Years ago I got a pair of Mustang wood grips that extend below the frame and add a small finger purchase. It's not as good for concealment, but a great improvement for target shooting. (Yes, I can hear the snickers, but this inexpensive fixed sight gun has consistently shot under 2" at 25 yards with that hiccup load. That was always the funny thing about the early Charters. You either got one that shot well or you got one that shot low and left and couldn't stay on a dinner plate at 25 feet, much less 25 yards.)

Over the years I've made snake loads with bird shot capsules and shot my own cast bullets through it. The heaviest load was 13.3 grains of 2400 under a 240 grain Hornady JHP. Back then (early 80's), in the old Hornady 2nd edition manual that was the starting load, but it stung smartly enough, and though case extraction was not sticky, the cases were pretty completely expanded. So, given it was less pleasant to shoot than my Dad's Super Blackhawk, I stopped right there and never worked up toward the old book's maximum, which I don't even want to quote here. The reason is, today, looking at Alliant's site, a cast 250 grain Keith bullet has a maximum load of 13.0 grains of 2400. So I think I made the right choice in thinking that old book's "starting" load was maximum for the light gun.

They didn't measure actual pressures for loads published in manuals back then, but just took the load up to whatever their test gun could stand. In that case it was an S. A. Colt. This presumably would have been as heavy in the cylinder as Elmer Keith's famous No. 5 Single Action Colt. Hence, it's starting load could very well have been maximum for the Charter.

zeke · January 19, 2015, 07:24 PM

Have all the 44 specials owned sighted in for 200 gn bullets at between 800-900 fps. Target load 6.2-6.4 gns hp-38 under 200 lrnfp. Load the 200 gn gdhp's to 900 fps for same poi. Chrono'd from 3 in 696.

Not real worried about using the 44 special for hunting, as have 44 mags for that.

Certainly not going against the heavier bullets, but prefer the older 44-40 velocitys, especially for the smaller revolvers.

sawdustdad · January 19, 2015, 07:56 PM

I load 5.5g of Red Dot under a 240g plated Xtreme bullet for plinking. I like it..well, I like it 'cause I do.

rclark · January 19, 2015, 08:31 PM

My load for my Charter .44Spec Bulldog is 6.0g of Unique under 240g bullet. This is my light load... I feel the Bulldog just isn't up to standard .44Spec loads so this is as far as I go with this gun. Good enough for me.

What I consider 'standard' is the Skeeter load which is 7.5g Unique under 240g SWC. Works well in all the rest of my .44Specials. This is my 'general' purpose load. I've also shot the Keith load, but would only load that for the woods. Need to go more than that then the .45 Colt will get the call with some Linebaugh loads (some guys will grab their .429 Magnums instead ).

codefour · January 20, 2015, 02:45 AM

I only have Ruger .44 Mags. In fact, between my dad and I, I think there are five Rugers, all .44 Mag. Our favorite plinking load that is moderate is 7.6 grains of Unique with a MBC 240 grain TCFP. Very accurate in all the Rugers from 2.75 to 7.5 inch.

I have learned to love .44 Special. It is my favorite plinking round. I'm looking for a good .44 Special Blackhawk next.

Taroman · January 21, 2015, 11:35 AM

This:

**Mike Irwin** · January 21, 2015, 11:43 AM

I shoot exclusively Trail Boss in my 6.5" Model 24-3.

Load comes very close to original factory specifications and it is turbo accurate.

JERRYS. · January 21, 2015, 12:40 PM

Quote:

My load for my Charter .44Spec Bulldog is 6.0g of Unique under 240g bullet. This is my light load...

rclark, this seems a little stout for the little C.A. gun, for me anyway. I ordered some pachmayr compacts to replace the nice looking but not very comfortable slick wood grips it wears now. I think this will make a difference in how my hand feels when shooting.

TimSr · January 21, 2015, 11:00 PM

I load for a friend's Bulldog. He loves the 5.0gr Red Dot under a 240gr hard cast SWC.

hartcreek · January 22, 2015, 12:20 AM

JERRYS

Speer number 11 shows 5.8-6.3 of unique with a 240 grain bullet.

You load is a bit weak for even your gun.

My load IS ABOVE PUBLISHED DATA being 7.5 grains of Unique with a 240 grain bullet "Skeeter Load" but then I shoot a S&W 624.

Paul B. · January 22, 2015, 07:47 PM

First I cast my own bullets. So 5.0 gr. under a 180 gr. Wadcutter for the Charter Arms I loaded for a friend for his defense load. For my S&W 624, 7.5 gr. of Unique and a 250 gr. cast semi-wadcutter. I'd use that last load in a Colt single action as well except it NIB so I've held off shooting it. That may soon come to an end,

I'm not familiar with your other handgun so I won't recommend that second load until I know more about it.
Paul B.

GeauxTide · January 22, 2015, 07:53 PM

8.0gr of Unique or 8.0gr of Power Pistol in Starline cases, CCI300, 240 SWC from Missouri Bullets. Easy, but powerful.

Ozzieman · January 22, 2015, 08:36 PM

You guys should give Herco a try. Some of the most accurate loads I have ever put together for my 4 inch 24's and 3 inch Lew Horton's.
And I have seen it available lately. I shot nothing but Penn 240's
For my Bull Dog W231 and 200 Penn bullet

January 19, 2015, 02:28 PM	#1
JERRYS. Senior Member Join Date: September 23, 2013 Location: Alabama Posts: 2,969	favorite regular .44spl loading I've been playing around with some 240 swc over 5.3 grains of unique. this gives me a fairly accurate load from my Rossi 720 and just enough thump for me to know it has some authority so to speak..... this load is a bit stout in my Charter Arms Bulldog though but that might be because of the slick factory wood grips. whats you favorite all around "normal" .44 spl load?

January 19, 2015, 06:47 PM	#5
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,063	Depends on the purpose. If I am just trying to shoot targets and plink with my old 3" fixed sight Charter, 3.9 grains of Bullseye under a swaged 240 grain LSWC's is just fine. Years ago I got a pair of Mustang wood grips that extend below the frame and add a small finger purchase. It's not as good for concealment, but a great improvement for target shooting. (Yes, I can hear the snickers, but this inexpensive fixed sight gun has consistently shot under 2" at 25 yards with that hiccup load. That was always the funny thing about the early Charters. You either got one that shot well or you got one that shot low and left and couldn't stay on a dinner plate at 25 feet, much less 25 yards.) Over the years I've made snake loads with bird shot capsules and shot my own cast bullets through it. The heaviest load was 13.3 grains of 2400 under a 240 grain Hornady JHP. Back then (early 80's), in the old Hornady 2nd edition manual that was the starting load, but it stung smartly enough, and though case extraction was not sticky, the cases were pretty completely expanded. So, given it was less pleasant to shoot than my Dad's Super Blackhawk, I stopped right there and never worked up toward the old book's maximum, which I don't even want to quote here. The reason is, today, looking at Alliant's site, a cast 250 grain Keith bullet has a maximum load of 13.0 grains of 2400. So I think I made the right choice in thinking that old book's "starting" load was maximum for the light gun. They didn't measure actual pressures for loads published in manuals back then, but just took the load up to whatever their test gun could stand. In that case it was an S. A. Colt. This presumably would have been as heavy in the cylinder as Elmer Keith's famous No. 5 Single Action Colt. Hence, it's starting load could very well have been maximum for the Charter. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

January 19, 2015, 08:31 PM	#8
rclark Senior Member Join Date: February 12, 2009 Location: Butte, MT Posts: 2,622	My load for my Charter .44Spec Bulldog is 6.0g of Unique under 240g bullet. This is my light load... I feel the Bulldog just isn't up to standard .44Spec loads so this is as far as I go with this gun. Good enough for me. What I consider 'standard' is the Skeeter load which is 7.5g Unique under 240g SWC. Works well in all the rest of my .44Specials. This is my 'general' purpose load. I've also shot the Keith load, but would only load that for the woods. Need to go more than that then the .45 Colt will get the call with some Linebaugh loads (some guys will grab their .429 Magnums instead ). __________________ 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.

January 21, 2015, 11:35 AM	#10
Taroman Senior Member Join Date: January 15, 2010 Posts: 166	This: __________________ -jwk- Si vis pacem, para bellum

January 21, 2015, 11:43 AM	#11
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,390	I shoot exclusively Trail Boss in my 6.5" Model 24-3. Load comes very close to original factory specifications and it is turbo accurate. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

January 19, 2015, 05:42 PM	#2
WIL TERRY Senior Member Join Date: July 6, 2000 Location: BLACK HILLS Posts: 1,322	ALL of my 44SPL loads are heavier than that, even the lightest of them !! Have you read SIXGUNS BY KEITH and wrapped your mind around his historically correct 44SPL loads from light to heavy !! And so it goes...

January 19, 2015, 05:59 PM	#3
JERRYS. Senior Member Join Date: September 23, 2013 Location: Alabama Posts: 2,969	ok....... so whats your favorite and why?

January 19, 2015, 06:42 PM	#4
Real Gun Senior Member Join Date: May 19, 2004 Location: SC Posts: 2,743	I use only 200 gr bullets, sharing my 44-40 supply. I use the 240 gr for 44 Magnum. 7.5 gr Unique didn't excite me, so I am ready to test fire 8.0 gr using my Ruger NMBH .44 Special 4 5/8". Bullets are coated Missouri SWC. I do own Sixguns but haven't read it yet.

January 19, 2015, 07:24 PM	#6
zeke Senior Member Join Date: November 17, 1999 Location: NW Wi Posts: 1,671	Have all the 44 specials owned sighted in for 200 gn bullets at between 800-900 fps. Target load 6.2-6.4 gns hp-38 under 200 lrnfp. Load the 200 gn gdhp's to 900 fps for same poi. Chrono'd from 3 in 696. Not real worried about using the 44 special for hunting, as have 44 mags for that. Certainly not going against the heavier bullets, but prefer the older 44-40 velocitys, especially for the smaller revolvers.

January 19, 2015, 07:56 PM	#7
sawdustdad Senior Member Join Date: August 2, 2014 Location: Virginia Posts: 484	I load 5.5g of Red Dot under a 240g plated Xtreme bullet for plinking. I like it..well, I like it 'cause I do.

January 20, 2015, 02:45 AM	#9
codefour Senior Member Join Date: April 2, 2012 Posts: 114	I only have Ruger .44 Mags. In fact, between my dad and I, I think there are five Rugers, all .44 Mag. Our favorite plinking load that is moderate is 7.6 grains of Unique with a MBC 240 grain TCFP. Very accurate in all the Rugers from 2.75 to 7.5 inch. I have learned to love .44 Special. It is my favorite plinking round. I'm looking for a good .44 Special Blackhawk next.

January 21, 2015, 11:00 PM	#13
TimSr Senior Member Join Date: March 8, 2013 Location: Rittman, Ohio Posts: 2,074	I load for a friend's Bulldog. He loves the 5.0gr Red Dot under a 240gr hard cast SWC.

January 22, 2015, 12:20 AM	#14
hartcreek Junior member Join Date: April 22, 2014 Location: Washington Posts: 1,549	JERRYS Speer number 11 shows 5.8-6.3 of unique with a 240 grain bullet. You load is a bit weak for even your gun. My load IS ABOVE PUBLISHED DATA being 7.5 grains of Unique with a 240 grain bullet "Skeeter Load" but then I shoot a S&W 624.

January 22, 2015, 07:47 PM	#15
Paul B. Senior Member Join Date: March 28, 1999 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 3,802	First I cast my own bullets. So 5.0 gr. under a 180 gr. Wadcutter for the Charter Arms I loaded for a friend for his defense load. For my S&W 624, 7.5 gr. of Unique and a 250 gr. cast semi-wadcutter. I'd use that last load in a Colt single action as well except it NIB so I've held off shooting it. That may soon come to an end, I'm not familiar with your other handgun so I won't recommend that second load until I know more about it. Paul B. __________________ COMPROMISE IS NOT AN OPTION!

January 22, 2015, 07:53 PM	#16
GeauxTide Senior Member Join Date: April 20, 2009 Location: Helena, AL Posts: 4,424	In My 44 Special Bisley 8.0gr of Unique or 8.0gr of Power Pistol in Starline cases, CCI300, 240 SWC from Missouri Bullets. Easy, but powerful.

January 22, 2015, 08:36 PM	#17
Ozzieman Senior Member Join Date: December 14, 2004 Location: Northern Indiana Posts: 6,117	You guys should give Herco a try. Some of the most accurate loads I have ever put together for my 4 inch 24's and 3 inch Lew Horton's. And I have seen it available lately. I shot nothing but Penn 240's For my Bull Dog W231 and 200 Penn bullet __________________ It was a sad day when I discovered my universal remote control did not in fact control the universe. Did you hear about the latest study.....5 out of 6 liberals say that Russian Roulette is safe.