Red Dot in .44 Mag with 310 Grain Hardcast

tapehoser · March 2, 2006, 11:54 AM

I was on a powder manufacturer's site last week and found a recipe for 5.6 grains of Red Dot for use in the .44 Mag with a 310 grain hardcast lead projectile.

Problem is, I can't find the site again and don't know if that 5.6 grains was the low or high end of the suggested powder charge. I don't think it was Alliant's site....don't think they had listings for 310 grainers.

Any information you can provide would be great.

[edit:clarification]

Sport45 · March 2, 2006, 01:10 PM

This one? 5.8 is a maximum load. You should start 10% lower and wok your way up.

Welcome to The Firing Line!

tapehoser · March 2, 2006, 01:55 PM

Thanks. Reason I can't look is because of firewall restrictions at work.

What is the bottom load for that powder and that bullet? Minus 5% or something?

1tomcat · March 2, 2006, 03:16 PM

The table doesnt show but most manuals recommend a 10% reduction as a starting load
Bob

Sport45 · March 2, 2006, 03:38 PM

Is this better?

Not bad for an old fart, eh?

tapehoser · March 2, 2006, 06:53 PM

Sport45, you rock! Thank you!

I will start with 4.2 grains.

918v · March 2, 2006, 08:46 PM

Be careful with the superlight loads. Sometimes they detonate instead if igniting and you'll see pierced primers. Find out whose LSWC they used.

DiplomaticBlackHawk · March 2, 2006, 11:39 PM

I'm with 918v , he is %100 correct.

tapehoser · March 3, 2006, 05:53 PM

So, might it behoove me to start at 4.4 grains instead of 4.2? I am using a gas check if that matters at all.

918v · March 3, 2006, 10:38 PM

I'd go with the 10% rule. Still, find out whose bullet they used, because the position of the crimp grove and the profile of the nose will affect case volume, and pressure. Not all SWC are the same. RCBS and NEI make 310gr molds. Check into it.

tapehoser · March 4, 2006, 02:21 AM

Well, if it makes any difference, the ones I am using are from a Hornady mold....I believe. Have to ask the bullet guy when I pick up some more next week.

Sport45 · March 4, 2006, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Be careful with the superlight loads. Sometimes they detonate instead if igniting and you'll see pierced primers. Find out whose LSWC they used.

I respectfully disagree with this. While the 10% rule is always safest (that's what I recommended in the first place), Red Dot is a very fast powder and I believe the real danger to small charges is squib loads, not detonation. You can get into trouble quick if you don't load enough to get the bullet out of the bore EVERY time. Even a squib load can have devastating effects when the bore is plugged....

The "detonation effect" comes into play when you try light loads of the slower powders. The faster powders like Bullseye can be loaded down as far as you like with the only documented danger being the sqib load. Titegroup is billed as not being position sensitive and is my powder of choice for the popcorn loads in revolvers. I've used it as low as 3.5 grains in .375win begind a 200gr cast bullet. Talk about powder getting lost in a big case! Just be careful not to double charge when using loads that don't fill the case very well.

Here is a powder burn rate chart so you can see how they stack up. 700X is as slow as I go for reduced loads.

March 2, 2006, 11:54 AM	#1
tapehoser Member Join Date: March 2, 2006 Location: Utah Posts: 17	Red Dot in .44 Mag with 310 Grain Hardcast I was on a powder manufacturer's site last week and found a recipe for 5.6 grains of Red Dot for use in the .44 Mag with a 310 grain hardcast lead projectile. Problem is, I can't find the site again and don't know if that 5.6 grains was the low or high end of the suggested powder charge. I don't think it was Alliant's site....don't think they had listings for 310 grainers. Any information you can provide would be great. [edit:clarification]

March 2, 2006, 01:10 PM	#2
Sport45 Senior Member Join Date: May 26, 1999 Location: Too close to Houston Posts: 4,196	This one? 5.8 is a maximum load. You should start 10% lower and wok your way up. Welcome to The Firing Line! __________________ Proud member of the NRA and Texas State Rifle Association. Registered and active voter.

March 2, 2006, 03:38 PM	#5
Sport45 Senior Member Join Date: May 26, 1999 Location: Too close to Houston Posts: 4,196	Is this better? Not bad for an old fart, eh? __________________ Proud member of the NRA and Texas State Rifle Association. Registered and active voter.

March 2, 2006, 01:55 PM	#3
tapehoser Member Join Date: March 2, 2006 Location: Utah Posts: 17	Thanks. Reason I can't look is because of firewall restrictions at work. What is the bottom load for that powder and that bullet? Minus 5% or something?

March 2, 2006, 03:16 PM	#4
1tomcat Senior Member Join Date: June 27, 2005 Posts: 147	The table doesnt show but most manuals recommend a 10% reduction as a starting load Bob

March 2, 2006, 06:53 PM	#6
tapehoser Member Join Date: March 2, 2006 Location: Utah Posts: 17	Sport45, you rock! Thank you! I will start with 4.2 grains.

March 2, 2006, 08:46 PM	#7
918v Junior member Join Date: September 25, 2005 Posts: 1,372	Be careful with the superlight loads. Sometimes they detonate instead if igniting and you'll see pierced primers. Find out whose LSWC they used.

March 2, 2006, 11:39 PM	#8
DiplomaticBlackHawk Member Join Date: August 2, 2005 Posts: 87	I'm with 918v , he is %100 correct.

March 3, 2006, 05:53 PM	#9
tapehoser Member Join Date: March 2, 2006 Location: Utah Posts: 17	So, might it behoove me to start at 4.4 grains instead of 4.2? I am using a gas check if that matters at all.

March 3, 2006, 10:38 PM	#10
918v Junior member Join Date: September 25, 2005 Posts: 1,372	I'd go with the 10% rule. Still, find out whose bullet they used, because the position of the crimp grove and the profile of the nose will affect case volume, and pressure. Not all SWC are the same. RCBS and NEI make 310gr molds. Check into it.

March 4, 2006, 02:21 AM	#11
tapehoser Member Join Date: March 2, 2006 Location: Utah Posts: 17	Well, if it makes any difference, the ones I am using are from a Hornady mold....I believe. Have to ask the bullet guy when I pick up some more next week.