Favorite Loads for .44 mag Pistol

shooterDoc · April 12, 2009, 09:32 AM

I have a .44 mag Super Blackhawk and a .44 mag Marlin 1894. I load 200 grain Hornady XTP/HP bullets on 27.5 grains of H110. Out of the carbine, these loads are FANTASTIC... tight groups pretty much out to 50 yards, even if I'm not on a benchrest... I love 'em, especially in that firearm.

But, I can't hit the broadside of a barn when I shoot them out of the pistol... wow... ride the lightning! It's fun, but not very accurate!

Has anyone found a load that they like in both pistol and rifle?

James R. Burke · April 12, 2009, 11:54 AM

Probably not the best choice but Win - 296 worked good for me. I am sure there are alot of folk out there that can give you some better choices. Worth a try if you already have some. If not see what some other posts have to say.

Bike Effects · April 12, 2009, 05:35 PM

According to the 7th Edition Hornady Handbook "During testing, our Ruger performed exceptionally well with Blue Dot and Win 296 using Hornady 240 grain Jacketed Hollow Points". I'll be trying it soon myself.

Cult .44 · April 12, 2009, 05:35 PM

Quote:

.44 mag Super Blackhawk and a .44 mag Marlin 1894.

I have the same guns and I'm getting very good results in both with a 180 gr HP-XTP behind 15.0 grains of Blue Dot ("Moonbeams" I call them, as I confessed in another topic). But as far as hunting goes, it seems more of a varmint load than something I'd want to use for deer.

I've been having a similar issue as you're talking about with 21.5 gr of 2400 pushing a 220 grain Sierra FPJ -- good in the rifle, not so good in the revolver. But I'm finding it takes time to get used to a load in my SBH. Each has a different feel, and it doesn't seem like it's just the level of recoil. I often shoot the heavier loads better. So far, I'm getting along with Blue Dot the best, but it's not really a powder that lets you pump up the velocities like H110, 296 or 2400.

crowbeaner · April 12, 2009, 06:18 PM

I posted a few good loads in another thread. Look around the site and you'll find them. CB.

shooterDoc · April 12, 2009, 08:12 PM

Thanks !

I have some Blue Dot, now if I can find the bullets (someone said Hornady is trying to catch up with demand...)

Also, I use 296 for the .357, will give that a try also.

I absolutely loved Trail Boss with the .357, but I guess I'm trying to stay with the jacketed bullets, but maybe I should try loading down to a more civilized shell...

Ozzieman · April 13, 2009, 05:45 PM

Depends on what you’re trying to get from your 44 pistol.
For mags loads there really isn’t any thing much better than H110 for the very high energy stuff.
For plinking I use faster powders like Herco and I have been trying 231 for light plinking loads.
Accurate but you will never get the velocity you can with H110.

AlaskaMike · April 14, 2009, 09:50 AM

Those are fairly light bullets for .44 magnum. My Ruger Blackhawk (anniversary flattop) does pretty well with 250 grain Keith bullets, but does even better with 300 grainers. I'd try heavier bullets and see how it does.

Mike

Sam06 · April 14, 2009, 10:39 AM

I am with Mike. I don't shoot any bullets lighter than 240gr in my 44 Mags. I mostly(95%) of the time shoot Cast lead too.

Favorite Powder in the 44 Mag
2400(all around shooting powder)
H110(Big Medicine powder for real Magnum loads)
Unique(Nice soft loads for fun shooting)
Trail Boss(works great with those soft swagged lead bullets, great for plinking)

In that order. Blue Dot is a good powder but I have not seen it around where I live lately. AA#9 is another fine powder.

I would get some heavy bullets 240-250gr Lead, sized .430 over 20gr 2400 and see what happens. Use WLP primers or LPM primers. Give them a good crimp and let her buck. That is a nice upper-mid range load and it has given me good accuracy in all of my 44 Mags(pistols that is). The Marlin should be fine with it. There is a lot of bad press out there about the micro groove barrels but I think they do fine with Lead YMMV.

April 12, 2009, 09:32 AM	#1
shooterDoc Member Join Date: April 7, 2009 Location: NE Pennsylvania Posts: 15	Favorite Loads for .44 mag Pistol I have a .44 mag Super Blackhawk and a .44 mag Marlin 1894. I load 200 grain Hornady XTP/HP bullets on 27.5 grains of H110. Out of the carbine, these loads are FANTASTIC... tight groups pretty much out to 50 yards, even if I'm not on a benchrest... I love 'em, especially in that firearm. But, I can't hit the broadside of a barn when I shoot them out of the pistol... wow... ride the lightning! It's fun, but not very accurate! Has anyone found a load that they like in both pistol and rifle?

April 12, 2009, 06:18 PM	#5
crowbeaner Senior Member Join Date: June 4, 2007 Location: Upstate SC Posts: 1,943	I posted a few good loads in another thread. Look around the site and you'll find them. CB. __________________ If you want your children to follow in your footsteps, be careful where you walk. Beware the man that only owns one gun; he probably knows how to use it. I just hope my ship comes in before my dock rots.

April 12, 2009, 11:54 AM	#2
James R. Burke Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2009 Location: U.P. of Mich/Quinnesec Posts: 1,897	Probably not the best choice but Win - 296 worked good for me. I am sure there are alot of folk out there that can give you some better choices. Worth a try if you already have some. If not see what some other posts have to say.

April 12, 2009, 05:35 PM	#3
Bike Effects Member Join Date: March 5, 2009 Location: Napa, CA USA Posts: 32	According to the 7th Edition Hornady Handbook "During testing, our Ruger performed exceptionally well with Blue Dot and Win 296 using Hornady 240 grain Jacketed Hollow Points". I'll be trying it soon myself.

April 12, 2009, 08:12 PM	#6
shooterDoc Member Join Date: April 7, 2009 Location: NE Pennsylvania Posts: 15	Thanks ! I have some Blue Dot, now if I can find the bullets (someone said Hornady is trying to catch up with demand...) Also, I use 296 for the .357, will give that a try also. I absolutely loved Trail Boss with the .357, but I guess I'm trying to stay with the jacketed bullets, but maybe I should try loading down to a more civilized shell...

April 13, 2009, 05:45 PM	#7
Ozzieman Senior Member Join Date: December 14, 2004 Location: Northern Indiana Posts: 6,117	Depends on what you’re trying to get from your 44 pistol. For mags loads there really isn’t any thing much better than H110 for the very high energy stuff. For plinking I use faster powders like Herco and I have been trying 231 for light plinking loads. Accurate but you will never get the velocity you can with H110.

April 14, 2009, 09:50 AM	#8
AlaskaMike Senior Member Join Date: September 26, 2005 Posts: 941	Those are fairly light bullets for .44 magnum. My Ruger Blackhawk (anniversary flattop) does pretty well with 250 grain Keith bullets, but does even better with 300 grainers. I'd try heavier bullets and see how it does. Mike

April 14, 2009, 10:39 AM	#9
Sam06 Senior Member Join Date: May 19, 2008 Location: Fayettenam Posts: 1,086	I am with Mike. I don't shoot any bullets lighter than 240gr in my 44 Mags. I mostly(95%) of the time shoot Cast lead too. Favorite Powder in the 44 Mag 2400(all around shooting powder) H110(Big Medicine powder for real Magnum loads) Unique(Nice soft loads for fun shooting) Trail Boss(works great with those soft swagged lead bullets, great for plinking) In that order. Blue Dot is a good powder but I have not seen it around where I live lately. AA#9 is another fine powder. I would get some heavy bullets 240-250gr Lead, sized .430 over 20gr 2400 and see what happens. Use WLP primers or LPM primers. Give them a good crimp and let her buck. That is a nice upper-mid range load and it has given me good accuracy in all of my 44 Mags(pistols that is). The Marlin should be fine with it. There is a lot of bad press out there about the micro groove barrels but I think they do fine with Lead YMMV. __________________ The two most abundant elements in the universe are hydrogen and stupidity. Last edited by Sam06; April 14, 2009 at 11:01 AM.