44 Mag Load suggestions

vranasaurus · November 19, 2008, 02:25 PM

I am going to be reloading 100 240 gr GDHP for hunting whitetail. I was planning to use 2400 as I have a new pound of it on hand.

They will be fired in a SRH 6" and a S&W 629 8" both in excellent condition.

Anyone have any suggestions for a charge weight that will work well in these guns? The manual says between 19 and 21 grains.

I know this has probably been addressed 100 times but the search feature doesn't work very well for me.

66GTO · November 19, 2008, 02:46 PM

The Lyman Pistol and Revolver Handbook (3rd Edition) lists a beginning load (240 gr. JHP) of 18.4 grains @1028 fps (4" barrel) and a max load of 20.5 grains @1154 fps using an OAL of 1.61" .

kametc · November 20, 2008, 12:15 AM

Please note that in .44 cal some bullets are .429 and some are .430. that .001" makes an enormous difference in pressure. Make sure the load data your using is correct for bullet dia. Try the load data tables from Hodgdon. http://www.hodgdon.com/

Ken

Sam06 · November 20, 2008, 08:44 AM

2400 is a great powder in the 44Mag. They changed 2400 a few years ago so make sure you have the newest data for it. Between 19 and 21 grains is where I would stay. You could maybe push it in the SRH but I would not. The deer don't feel the difference but you will with the recoil. I like 19.5 gr of 2400 under a 245 KT sized to .430. That load shoots good in my guns and is a killer on deer. Use the newest data for jacketed bullets and you will be fine.

Good luck hunting!

WESHOOT2 · November 20, 2008, 09:04 AM

-new sized case
-CCI300 / WLP
-19.8g 2400
-Redding Profile Crimp Die; "firm"

aerod1 · November 21, 2008, 03:48 PM

I am using 19.7 grains of 2400 for the 180 grain JHP.

44Magnum · November 21, 2008, 04:31 PM

20 grains of 2400 works well under a 240 grain bullet for hunting. I use 17 grains for plinking at the range. My manual has 21.2 grains listed as max.

2400 is my favorite .44 Magnum powder. It is more versatile than a slower powder (such as H110) and yet can still deliver that healthy "crack" when you need it.

gobysky · November 23, 2008, 07:15 PM

Got back into reloading after being away from it for 6 years.

Noticed this thread about 44 mag max loads. Would it be safe to fire 20 grains of 2400 with wc lead bullets, using Magnum primers?

The local sporting good store had this 2400 but was sold out of the Unique. Didn't have the standard primers either. So I loaded a few rounds with the above loads, but after reading a few threads about magnum primers and 2400, not sure about pulling the trigger on this load with non-jacketed bullets.

What say you?

kametc · November 24, 2008, 12:15 AM

When I load cast bullets much over 1100 fps I get bad barrel lead. Does'nt seem to matter who made them. I usually load cast with Unique or Green dot, or light charges of Blue dot.

Ken

AlaskaMike · November 24, 2008, 02:09 PM

kametc wrote:

Quote:

When I load cast bullets much over 1100 fps I get bad barrel lead. Does'nt seem to matter who made them.

That's most likely either a rough barrel, undersized bullet, oversized bore, or chamber throats slightly smaller than the bore. In all of my magnum revolvers I can push plain based cast bullets faster than 1400 fps with little or no leading.

Mike

kraigwy · November 24, 2008, 02:28 PM

I cast my bullets, 240 grainers, using [AMOUNT DELETED] of 2400. It cronies at 1328 out of my 6 in model 29 Smith.

It acually seems like a mild load, very little leading that I wipe out afte each shooting session. Zero pressure signs and highly accurate.

BUT this is my gun. I'd recommend starting some where along 18 grns and work up and down until you get an accurate load in your pistol with no signs of pressure.

STAFF EDIT: See REQUIRED READ if you want to post loads beyond published maximums.

vranasaurus · November 24, 2008, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Got back into reloading after being away from it for 6 years.

Noticed this thread about 44 mag max loads. Would it be safe to fire 20 grains of 2400 with wc lead bullets, using Magnum primers?

The local sporting good store had this 2400 but was sold out of the Unique. Didn't have the standard primers either. So I loaded a few rounds with the above loads, but after reading a few threads about magnum primers and 2400, not sure about pulling the trigger on this load with non-jacketed bullets.

What say you?

From what I understand magnum primers are only necessary with certain powders/loads. I don't think magnum primers are necessary or recommended with 2400.

I don't kjnow if there is any negative to using them with 2400.

WESHOOT2 · November 24, 2008, 04:55 PM

Published data which primer was used in development; use that.

In general, many folks find fine ignition (and better accuracy) with non-magnum primers behind 2400.

But not always....

November 19, 2008, 02:25 PM	#1
vranasaurus Senior Member Join Date: November 16, 2008 Posts: 1,184	44 Mag Load suggestions I am going to be reloading 100 240 gr GDHP for hunting whitetail. I was planning to use 2400 as I have a new pound of it on hand. They will be fired in a SRH 6" and a S&W 629 8" both in excellent condition. Anyone have any suggestions for a charge weight that will work well in these guns? The manual says between 19 and 21 grains. I know this has probably been addressed 100 times but the search feature doesn't work very well for me.

November 20, 2008, 12:15 AM	#3
kametc Senior Member Join Date: April 18, 2007 Location: S W , Montana Posts: 206	Please note that in .44 cal some bullets are .429 and some are .430. that .001" makes an enormous difference in pressure. Make sure the load data your using is correct for bullet dia. Try the load data tables from Hodgdon. http://www.hodgdon.com/ Ken __________________ "Allons" Blackhorse Troopers !

November 20, 2008, 08:44 AM	#4
Sam06 Senior Member Join Date: May 19, 2008 Location: Fayettenam Posts: 1,086	2400 is a great powder in the 44Mag. They changed 2400 a few years ago so make sure you have the newest data for it. Between 19 and 21 grains is where I would stay. You could maybe push it in the SRH but I would not. The deer don't feel the difference but you will with the recoil. I like 19.5 gr of 2400 under a 245 KT sized to .430. That load shoots good in my guns and is a killer on deer. Use the newest data for jacketed bullets and you will be fine. Good luck hunting! __________________ The two most abundant elements in the universe are hydrogen and stupidity.

November 20, 2008, 09:04 AM	#5
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	with your 240g Gold Dot -new sized case -CCI300 / WLP -19.8g 2400 -Redding Profile Crimp Die; "firm" __________________ . "all my ammo is mostly retired factory ammo"

November 21, 2008, 03:48 PM	#6
aerod1 Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2000 Location: Garland Texas U.S.A. Posts: 734	I am using 19.7 grains of 2400 for the 180 grain JHP. __________________ NRA Life Member, TSRA Life Member, C&R 03 FFL, Texas LTC Recreational Reloader U.S. Navy Veteran (USS Midway V-1 Division)

November 19, 2008, 02:46 PM	#2
66GTO Junior Member Join Date: October 4, 2008 Posts: 2	The Lyman Pistol and Revolver Handbook (3rd Edition) lists a beginning load (240 gr. JHP) of 18.4 grains @1028 fps (4" barrel) and a max load of 20.5 grains @1154 fps using an OAL of 1.61" .

November 21, 2008, 04:31 PM	#7
44Magnum Senior Member Join Date: September 29, 2008 Posts: 325	20 grains of 2400 works well under a 240 grain bullet for hunting. I use 17 grains for plinking at the range. My manual has 21.2 grains listed as max. 2400 is my favorite .44 Magnum powder. It is more versatile than a slower powder (such as H110) and yet can still deliver that healthy "crack" when you need it. __________________ "It'll all fit in there, it must be a compressed load." I never joined SAMMI.

November 23, 2008, 07:15 PM	#8
gobysky Junior Member Join Date: November 23, 2008 Posts: 1	Got back into reloading after being away from it for 6 years. Noticed this thread about 44 mag max loads. Would it be safe to fire 20 grains of 2400 with wc lead bullets, using Magnum primers? The local sporting good store had this 2400 but was sold out of the Unique. Didn't have the standard primers either. So I loaded a few rounds with the above loads, but after reading a few threads about magnum primers and 2400, not sure about pulling the trigger on this load with non-jacketed bullets. What say you?

November 24, 2008, 12:15 AM	#9
kametc Senior Member Join Date: April 18, 2007 Location: S W , Montana Posts: 206	When I load cast bullets much over 1100 fps I get bad barrel lead. Does'nt seem to matter who made them. I usually load cast with Unique or Green dot, or light charges of Blue dot. Ken __________________ "Allons" Blackhorse Troopers !

November 24, 2008, 02:28 PM	#11
kraigwy Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2008 Location: Wyoming Posts: 11,061	I cast my bullets, 240 grainers, using [AMOUNT DELETED] of 2400. It cronies at 1328 out of my 6 in model 29 Smith. It acually seems like a mild load, very little leading that I wipe out afte each shooting session. Zero pressure signs and highly accurate. BUT this is my gun. I'd recommend starting some where along 18 grns and work up and down until you get an accurate load in your pistol with no signs of pressure. STAFF EDIT: See REQUIRED READ if you want to post loads beyond published maximums. __________________ Kraig Stuart CPT USAR Ret USAMU Sniper School Distinguished Rifle Badge 1071 Last edited by Johnny Guest; December 23, 2008 at 06:46 PM. Reason: Charge given is beyond plubliished maximums

November 24, 2008, 04:55 PM	#13
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	very often Published data which primer was used in development; use that. In general, many folks find fine ignition (and better accuracy) with non-magnum primers behind 2400. But not always.... __________________ . "all my ammo is mostly retired factory ammo"