Smokeless load for .44 Colt

Creek Walker · January 14, 2009, 04:11 PM

Was wondering if 5 grains of Alliant Red Dot would be a good smokeless load for the .44 Colt cartridge. My pistol is a Cimmaron 1872 Open Top. Been shooting the "real stuff" in it, but there's an indoor shoot coming up where they won't allow it. Guess they don't appreciate the smell of sulphur in the morning

. Or, how about the same load (5 gr.) of Unique?

CraigC · January 14, 2009, 06:49 PM

What bullet are you using? I've all but settled on a 240gr commercial cast or swaged SWC over 4.0gr Titegroup for both my 1871-1872 Open Top and 1860 Richards Type II cartridge conversion from Cimarron. Unique at 5.0gr is a good one too but Titegroup meters better in smaller charges. Either is close to starting charges for the .44Spl so your 5.0gr Red Dot would probably be okay too. Definitely with a 200gr cast bullet. These guns should be perfectly safe up to the 15,500psi industry standard for the .44Spl.

Creek Walker · January 14, 2009, 10:18 PM

Sorry I forgot to mention the bullet in my first post. It's a 200 gr. RNFP. Sounds like either load would work. Thanks for responding.

Hawg · January 15, 2009, 05:45 AM

Not an open top but I use 7.0 grs. of W231 with a 200 gr. RNFP in my 73 SAA's in 44-40.

Bootsie · January 15, 2009, 07:26 AM

As a general purpose CAS loads in my OTs, conversions, SAA's or rifles I use 200 gr. bullets over 3,8 - 4,4 gr of Vihtavuori/Kemira 310
An "advanced" CAS load for pistols but particularly in my AS 92 short rifle is a hollow based 200 grainer over 4,4 gr of Vihtavuori/Kermira 320 or 3,8 gr of Vihtavuori/Kemira 310
As a long-range accuracy load for my Uberti Henry 1860 I use a 230 gr bullet over 4,4 gr of Vihtavuori/Kemira 320 or 4,3 gr of Solo 1000
Bootsie

CraigC · January 15, 2009, 10:13 AM

7.0gr 231 looks to be a little too hot for a topless .44Colt. A lot less capacity in the .44Colt compared to .44-40.

Wleoff · January 15, 2009, 01:39 PM

Plus one on what CraigC said on Titegroup. Titegroup is not position sensitive, so one can shoot a reduced load with it, without worrying about detonation or bad ignition. I've used it for about 10 0r 15 years now.

long rider · January 15, 2009, 07:55 PM

You may want to try trailboss, makes good for
down loading.

Creek Walker · January 15, 2009, 10:37 PM

Some good suggestions there. Thanks to all. Will have to pick up some Trailboss next time I get to the candy store.

Don't have much smokeless stuff on hand, except the Red Dot & Unique. Usually use Goex. Makes it more fun & keeps the 'skeeters at bay.

CraigC · January 15, 2009, 11:51 PM

5.0gr Unique works great, my Uniflow powder measure just doesn't dig on charges below six grains. Which is why I prefer Titegroup for the .44Colt and .38Spl.

January 14, 2009, 04:11 PM	#1
Creek Walker Junior Member Join Date: January 13, 2009 Posts: 13	Smokeless load for .44 Colt Was wondering if 5 grains of Alliant Red Dot would be a good smokeless load for the .44 Colt cartridge. My pistol is a Cimmaron 1872 Open Top. Been shooting the "real stuff" in it, but there's an indoor shoot coming up where they won't allow it. Guess they don't appreciate the smell of sulphur in the morning . Or, how about the same load (5 gr.) of Unique?

January 15, 2009, 07:55 PM	#8
long rider Senior Member Join Date: January 8, 2008 Posts: 669	You may want to try trailboss, makes good for down loading. __________________ Sod Buster Tried To Pull On Willson.

January 14, 2009, 06:49 PM	#2
CraigC Junior member Join Date: November 28, 2001 Location: West Tennessee Posts: 4,300	What bullet are you using? I've all but settled on a 240gr commercial cast or swaged SWC over 4.0gr Titegroup for both my 1871-1872 Open Top and 1860 Richards Type II cartridge conversion from Cimarron. Unique at 5.0gr is a good one too but Titegroup meters better in smaller charges. Either is close to starting charges for the .44Spl so your 5.0gr Red Dot would probably be okay too. Definitely with a 200gr cast bullet. These guns should be perfectly safe up to the 15,500psi industry standard for the .44Spl.

January 14, 2009, 10:18 PM	#3
Creek Walker Junior Member Join Date: January 13, 2009 Posts: 13	Sorry I forgot to mention the bullet in my first post. It's a 200 gr. RNFP. Sounds like either load would work. Thanks for responding.

January 15, 2009, 05:45 AM	#4
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,190	Not an open top but I use 7.0 grs. of W231 with a 200 gr. RNFP in my 73 SAA's in 44-40.

January 15, 2009, 07:26 AM	#5
Bootsie Senior Member Join Date: April 30, 2007 Location: Hofheim/Germany Posts: 102	As a general purpose CAS loads in my OTs, conversions, SAA's or rifles I use 200 gr. bullets over 3,8 - 4,4 gr of Vihtavuori/Kemira 310 An "advanced" CAS load for pistols but particularly in my AS 92 short rifle is a hollow based 200 grainer over 4,4 gr of Vihtavuori/Kermira 320 or 3,8 gr of Vihtavuori/Kemira 310 As a long-range accuracy load for my Uberti Henry 1860 I use a 230 gr bullet over 4,4 gr of Vihtavuori/Kemira 320 or 4,3 gr of Solo 1000 Bootsie

January 15, 2009, 10:13 AM	#6
CraigC Junior member Join Date: November 28, 2001 Location: West Tennessee Posts: 4,300	7.0gr 231 looks to be a little too hot for a topless .44Colt. A lot less capacity in the .44Colt compared to .44-40.

January 15, 2009, 01:39 PM	#7
Wleoff Senior Member Join Date: June 6, 2008 Location: North AL Posts: 380	Plus one on what CraigC said on Titegroup. Titegroup is not position sensitive, so one can shoot a reduced load with it, without worrying about detonation or bad ignition. I've used it for about 10 0r 15 years now.

January 15, 2009, 10:37 PM	#9
Creek Walker Junior Member Join Date: January 13, 2009 Posts: 13	Some good suggestions there. Thanks to all. Will have to pick up some Trailboss next time I get to the candy store. Don't have much smokeless stuff on hand, except the Red Dot & Unique. Usually use Goex. Makes it more fun & keeps the 'skeeters at bay.

January 15, 2009, 11:51 PM	#10
CraigC Junior member Join Date: November 28, 2001 Location: West Tennessee Posts: 4,300	5.0gr Unique works great, my Uniflow powder measure just doesn't dig on charges below six grains. Which is why I prefer Titegroup for the .44Colt and .38Spl.