.44 magnum/.45 colt

Bezoar · November 11, 2013, 06:28 PM

Is there a universal load in either of these calibers that in a full size gun a normal human being can sit down and shoot like its the ubiquitous 148 grain wadcutter out of a kframe?

g.willikers · November 11, 2013, 07:29 PM

Are you asking the equivalent of how to make a GT Mustang drive like a Subaru?
If so, the .44 mag is easy to do.
Just shoot .44 Special ammo in it.
Or reload light loads, for both the calibers in the question.

mikejonestkd · November 11, 2013, 09:24 PM

There are many fine mild loads for both the 44mag and the 45 colt.

two of my favorites are :

44 mag 5.5 gr trailboss, 215 gr mastercast.net SWC, 1.595"
45 colt 5.5 gr trailboss 225 gr mastercast.net RN FP, also at 1.595"

You can shoot them all day and not get tired.

Poindexter · November 12, 2013, 01:50 AM

My steel target load for 45 Colt is a 230gr Truncated cast bullet over I think 7.8 grains of Universal Clays with a regular primer. Chronos 750-800fps out of my 4" bbl Redhawk.

Might be 7.6 grains, it is definitely seven point an even number, less than 8.0, greater than 7.0.

It essentially duplicates a reasonable 230gr load for .45ACP.

I like TiteGroup loaded to the same velocity/ same bullet, but I got a deal on a big jug of Universal Clays and am trying to burn that off at the steel target range so I will still have TiteGroup on the shelf.

Clark · November 12, 2013, 03:49 AM

At my house the 44 mag [240 gr JHP H110]from an N frame, 45 Colt [250 gr JHP H110] from a SAA repro, and 45acp [230 gr FMJ H110] from an N frame, all make the same stiff recoil.

The Rem 148 gr wadcutter is anything BUT ubiquitous, and only gets into those old Remington Target 38 Special Wad Cutter Brass with 2.9 gr Bullseye when my [don't scratch the Python] brother comes over for some reloading.

dahermit · November 12, 2013, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Is there a universal load in either of these calibers that in a full size gun a normal human being can sit down and shoot like its the ubiquitous 148 grain wadcutter out of a kframe?

No such thing as a "universal" hand load. If you want a hand load that is comfortable to shoot in the .44 Magnum, try 7 grains of Alliant Unique under a cast 245 lead bullet. For the .45 Colt, try 9 grains of Unique under a 255 grain cast bullet. These loads will give you the pleasant plinking loads I think you are looking for.

Swampman1 · November 12, 2013, 08:15 AM

I reload 44 mag cases using 8 gr of HP-38 with a Hornady 200 gr XTP. My Dad says now his Ruger Super Blackhawk shoots very well, and with much less kick than the 44 mag load.

Real Gun · November 12, 2013, 08:53 AM

Trailboss is a good candidate because it fills those big cases like the magnum powders do.

ljnowell · November 12, 2013, 02:26 PM

I load a 200gr RNFP over 5.6gr of WST in 45 colt. Super accurate, very light recoil.

NWPilgrim · November 12, 2013, 05:03 PM

I have three load llevels for .44 mag that seem pretty accurate with several guns:

Light target: 5.5 gr (very light) or 7.5 gr Unique and 240 LSWC
Medium load: 7.0 gr W231, or 10 gr Unique with 240 gr LSWC (my most used load)
Heavy load: 22 gr W296 and 240 LSWC

November 11, 2013, 06:28 PM	#1
Bezoar Junior member Join Date: October 19, 2004 Location: michigan Posts: 578	.44 magnum/.45 colt Is there a universal load in either of these calibers that in a full size gun a normal human being can sit down and shoot like its the ubiquitous 148 grain wadcutter out of a kframe?

November 11, 2013, 07:29 PM	#2
g.willikers Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2008 Posts: 10,442	Are you asking the equivalent of how to make a GT Mustang drive like a Subaru? If so, the .44 mag is easy to do. Just shoot .44 Special ammo in it. Or reload light loads, for both the calibers in the question. __________________ Walt Kelly, alias Pogo, sez: “Don't take life so serious, son, it ain't nohow permanent.”

November 11, 2013, 09:24 PM	#3
mikejonestkd Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2006 Location: Brockport, NY Posts: 3,717	There are many fine mild loads for both the 44mag and the 45 colt. two of my favorites are : 44 mag 5.5 gr trailboss, 215 gr mastercast.net SWC, 1.595" 45 colt 5.5 gr trailboss 225 gr mastercast.net RN FP, also at 1.595" You can shoot them all day and not get tired. __________________ You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.

November 12, 2013, 03:49 AM	#5
Clark Senior Member Join Date: December 4, 1999 Location: WA, the ever blue state Posts: 4,678	At my house the 44 mag [240 gr JHP H110]from an N frame, 45 Colt [250 gr JHP H110] from a SAA repro, and 45acp [230 gr FMJ H110] from an N frame, all make the same stiff recoil. The Rem 148 gr wadcutter is anything BUT ubiquitous, and only gets into those old Remington Target 38 Special Wad Cutter Brass with 2.9 gr Bullseye when my [don't scratch the Python] brother comes over for some reloading. __________________ The word 'forum" does not mean "not criticizing books." "Ad hominem fallacy" is not the same as point by point criticism of books. If you bought the book, and believe it all, it may FEEL like an ad hominem attack, but you might strive to accept other points of view may exist. Are we a nation of competing ideas, or a nation of forced conformity of thought?

November 12, 2013, 05:03 PM	#10
NWPilgrim Senior Member Join Date: September 29, 2008 Location: Oregon Posts: 2,346	I have three load llevels for .44 mag that seem pretty accurate with several guns: Light target: 5.5 gr (very light) or 7.5 gr Unique and 240 LSWC Medium load: 7.0 gr W231, or 10 gr Unique with 240 gr LSWC (my most used load) Heavy load: 22 gr W296 and 240 LSWC __________________ "The ultimate authority ... resides in the people alone. ... The advantage of being armed, which the Americans possess over the people of almost every other nation ... forms a barrier against the enterprises of ambition." - James Madison

November 12, 2013, 01:50 AM	#4
Poindexter Senior Member Join Date: September 2, 2009 Location: Interior Alaska Posts: 154	My steel target load for 45 Colt is a 230gr Truncated cast bullet over I think 7.8 grains of Universal Clays with a regular primer. Chronos 750-800fps out of my 4" bbl Redhawk. Might be 7.6 grains, it is definitely seven point an even number, less than 8.0, greater than 7.0. It essentially duplicates a reasonable 230gr load for .45ACP. I like TiteGroup loaded to the same velocity/ same bullet, but I got a deal on a big jug of Universal Clays and am trying to burn that off at the steel target range so I will still have TiteGroup on the shelf.

November 12, 2013, 08:15 AM	#7
Swampman1 Senior Member Join Date: February 17, 2013 Location: South Louisiana Posts: 432	I reload 44 mag cases using 8 gr of HP-38 with a Hornady 200 gr XTP. My Dad says now his Ruger Super Blackhawk shoots very well, and with much less kick than the 44 mag load.

November 12, 2013, 08:53 AM	#8
Real Gun Senior Member Join Date: May 19, 2004 Location: SC Posts: 2,743	Trailboss is a good candidate because it fills those big cases like the magnum powders do.

November 12, 2013, 02:26 PM	#9
ljnowell Senior Member Join Date: January 5, 2009 Posts: 274	I load a 200gr RNFP over 5.6gr of WST in 45 colt. Super accurate, very light recoil.