44 mag loads?

Arrowhead · February 16, 2011, 12:53 PM

Hello all, I am just getting into reloading with a Hornady lnl ap and had a few questions. I purchased some 240 grain lazer cast bullets and some LBT 300's as well and was looking for some load recommendations. BTW these will be shot through a 629 classic 5".

woody wood · February 16, 2011, 02:51 PM

beside books i have used this web site http://www.reloadammo.com

AlaskaMike · February 16, 2011, 03:52 PM

With the 240 grainers, it's hard to beat 20 grains of 2400. I also like 10 grains of Power Pistol for a midrange load, and 7.5 grains of 231 for a light load.

I'm not familiar with the LBT bullets, so I won't guess on loads for those. I do have favorite loads for 300 grain cast bullets, but mine are probably significantly different than your LBTs.

It's always worth mentioning that you should verify load data from untrusted sources. Both Alliant and Hodgdon have online load data accessible via their websites, so you can verify my load suggestions there. If you don't already have at least two manuals you should pick up a couple. I prefer at least three because sometimes you get into a situation where two manuals seem to contradict one another.

totaldla · February 16, 2011, 04:42 PM

See load data section

S&W329pd information

Arrowhead · February 16, 2011, 09:54 PM

Bump

cornbush · February 17, 2011, 12:26 AM

For the 240's the 20gr of 2400 works good, h110 and 4227 also work great.
With 4227 I always used 22gr of IMR 4227, my dad loved unique and H110.

Al Norris · February 17, 2011, 01:29 PM

While the 19-20gr of 2400 or 21-22gr of IMR4227 are good hunting loads for the 240gr LaserCast RNFP, is that what you are looking for? I don't normally shoot 300 grainers, so I won't comment on those.

Kinda hard to give a recommendation when we don't know what type of shooting you are wanting data for!

General plinking? W231/HP38 will do nicely.

Cowboy Action? IMR TrailBoss is the way to go.

Self Defense loads? Lots of choices for light - intermediate loads. But lead is not (IMHO) generally the way to go. (See specs for 44S&W Special)

Full Bore/Hot as Hell loads? 24gr of W296/H110 is the only way to go. (Note that the Hodgdon website has removed W296/H110 for 240gr Lead loads)

So it really matters what you want to do with your reloads.

amamnn · February 17, 2011, 06:32 PM

My first thought was that it would be a good idea to get gas checks and the appropriate installer for them. Personally I don't use lead in the larger calibers I shoot unless they are gas checked...............300 grain bullets will be hard recoil for most folks no matter what powder used.

Faster powders may reduce perceived recoil, but they increase the chances of a double charge, which is one thing you MUST avoid in that .44 mag. cartridge.

AlaskaMike · February 17, 2011, 07:01 PM

Some guns may require gas checked bullets, but all of my .44s work beautifully with plain base (or bevel base, in the case of the Lasercast 240 grain SWCs) bullets. I get virtually no leading, whether at 800 fps with my 231 loads, or at 1400+ fps with my full house loads.

Saint Dennis · February 17, 2011, 07:25 PM

The beauty of reloading is the ability to DOWNLOAD. Load up you hand slapping, fire breathing loads and have fun. When you get over that, try trailboss or W231 and make some target loads. I really like 185 gr DBBWC over trailboss. Very accurate and have the same POI at 25 yds as 240 SWC at full house velocity (at least in my Bisley). I have shot a bunch of 240 SWC with trailboss or W231 also. Save the hot ones for hunting and get GOOD with your wheel gun.

Arrowhead · March 2, 2011, 12:57 PM

So Hornady is sending me 500 180gr XTP's free with the purchase of my new press. Any recomendations for those using Unique and 2400?

Shootest · March 2, 2011, 04:46 PM

One of my favorite loads is 25.5gr of 2400 with 180gr XTP’s. But I just don’t like Unique.

February 16, 2011, 12:53 PM	#1
Arrowhead Member Join Date: January 28, 2011 Posts: 33	44 mag loads? Hello all, I am just getting into reloading with a Hornady lnl ap and had a few questions. I purchased some 240 grain lazer cast bullets and some LBT 300's as well and was looking for some load recommendations. BTW these will be shot through a 629 classic 5".

February 16, 2011, 02:51 PM	#2
woody wood Senior Member Join Date: January 13, 2010 Location: minnesota Posts: 271	beside books i have used this web site http://www.reloadammo.com __________________ nra member proud father and patriot

February 16, 2011, 04:42 PM	#4
totaldla Senior Member Join Date: August 10, 2009 Location: SW Idaho Posts: 1,294	See load data section S&W329pd information __________________ Lee Auto Bench Prime Castor Oil Case Lube

February 17, 2011, 12:26 AM	#6
cornbush Senior Member Join Date: September 29, 2008 Location: The retarded place below Idaho Posts: 1,408	For the 240's the 20gr of 2400 works good, h110 and 4227 also work great. With 4227 I always used 22gr of IMR 4227, my dad loved unique and H110. __________________ The best shot I ever made was an accident

February 17, 2011, 06:32 PM	#8
amamnn Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2006 Location: WA, the left armpit of the USA Posts: 1,323	My first thought was that it would be a good idea to get gas checks and the appropriate installer for them. Personally I don't use lead in the larger calibers I shoot unless they are gas checked...............300 grain bullets will be hard recoil for most folks no matter what powder used. Faster powders may reduce perceived recoil, but they increase the chances of a double charge, which is one thing you MUST avoid in that .44 mag. cartridge. __________________ "If the enemy is in range, so are you." - Infantry Journal

February 16, 2011, 03:52 PM	#3
AlaskaMike Senior Member Join Date: September 26, 2005 Posts: 941	With the 240 grainers, it's hard to beat 20 grains of 2400. I also like 10 grains of Power Pistol for a midrange load, and 7.5 grains of 231 for a light load. I'm not familiar with the LBT bullets, so I won't guess on loads for those. I do have favorite loads for 300 grain cast bullets, but mine are probably significantly different than your LBTs. It's always worth mentioning that you should verify load data from untrusted sources. Both Alliant and Hodgdon have online load data accessible via their websites, so you can verify my load suggestions there. If you don't already have at least two manuals you should pick up a couple. I prefer at least three because sometimes you get into a situation where two manuals seem to contradict one another.

February 16, 2011, 09:54 PM	#5
Arrowhead Member Join Date: January 28, 2011 Posts: 33	Bump

February 17, 2011, 01:29 PM	#7
Al Norris Moderator Emeritus Join Date: June 29, 2000 Location: Rupert, Idaho Posts: 9,660	While the 19-20gr of 2400 or 21-22gr of IMR4227 are good hunting loads for the 240gr LaserCast RNFP, is that what you are looking for? I don't normally shoot 300 grainers, so I won't comment on those. Kinda hard to give a recommendation when we don't know what type of shooting you are wanting data for! General plinking? W231/HP38 will do nicely. Cowboy Action? IMR TrailBoss is the way to go. Self Defense loads? Lots of choices for light - intermediate loads. But lead is not (IMHO) generally the way to go. (See specs for 44S&W Special) Full Bore/Hot as Hell loads? 24gr of W296/H110 is the only way to go. (Note that the Hodgdon website has removed W296/H110 for 240gr Lead loads) So it really matters what you want to do with your reloads.

February 17, 2011, 07:01 PM	#9
AlaskaMike Senior Member Join Date: September 26, 2005 Posts: 941	Some guns may require gas checked bullets, but all of my .44s work beautifully with plain base (or bevel base, in the case of the Lasercast 240 grain SWCs) bullets. I get virtually no leading, whether at 800 fps with my 231 loads, or at 1400+ fps with my full house loads.

February 17, 2011, 07:25 PM	#10
Saint Dennis Member Join Date: March 31, 2008 Location: Minnesota Posts: 97	The beauty of reloading is the ability to DOWNLOAD. Load up you hand slapping, fire breathing loads and have fun. When you get over that, try trailboss or W231 and make some target loads. I really like 185 gr DBBWC over trailboss. Very accurate and have the same POI at 25 yds as 240 SWC at full house velocity (at least in my Bisley). I have shot a bunch of 240 SWC with trailboss or W231 also. Save the hot ones for hunting and get GOOD with your wheel gun.

March 2, 2011, 12:57 PM	#11
Arrowhead Member Join Date: January 28, 2011 Posts: 33	So Hornady is sending me 500 180gr XTP's free with the purchase of my new press. Any recomendations for those using Unique and 2400?

March 2, 2011, 04:46 PM	#12
Shootest Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2011 Location: Just outside Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 722	One of my favorite loads is 25.5gr of 2400 with 180gr XTP’s. But I just don’t like Unique. __________________ The private ownership of firearms is an American Heritage. Anyone who disputes that is Anti-American and unpatriotic. NRA Life Member