.44 Special powder

[dougader]

I'm new to the 44 Special, don't want to hot-rod it too much. Don't see a need for a 44 maggie as the Bisley 45 Colt will do all I need in that area.

So far, 2 loads out of my FT Bisley (4-5/8" barrel). Both with 240 grain swc hardcast bullets; you know, the inexpensive stuff with beveled bases.

Load 1:
6.2 grains WW231. Federal 150 primers. 6 shots averaged 785 fps.

Load 2:
10.2 grains Hercules Blue Dot. Fed 150 primers. 6 shots averaged 917 fps

 

[sailorb]

10 gr of Blue Dot with a Hornady 240 gr XTP is one of my favorites in .44 Spec

 

[Rodfac]

I do like 231 or HP-38...will give you 1000 fps with any 240 gr LSWC and at least 4-5/8" of barrel length, and are superbly accurate. Rod

 

[Tellico]

Since you don't want to hotrod the 240 gr SWC, take a look at Trail Boss. Fills the case better than anything else ( double charge goes all over the bench!) Measures nicely too. I use it a lot.

 

[Bucks Owin]

I do like 231 or HP-38...will give you 1000 fps with any 240 gr LSWC and at least 4-5/8" of barrel length, and are superbly accurate. Rod

10X...At that velocity level, I'd pick the faster powders too...
(I kinda like Green Dot)

 

[Hammerdown77]

I've used a 6.5 grain load of HP38 under a 240 to 250 grain bullet that Rodfac recommended once, and it is a nice shooting load.

Everyone knows I love Power Pistol in the 44 Special.

I've run 17 grains of 2400 under a 250, as well as 16 to 16.5 grains of AA9. These give close to 1200 fps out of a 5.5" tube. Not fun to shoot all day in the flat top with the XR3 grip, though.

Sadly, I am without a 44 Special to shoot at the moment, as my flat top got burgled.

<sniff>

 

[hudlow]

No one mentions Red Dot currently for the.44 spl....? I am going to start reloading for my New Vaquero .44 spl (3.75" bbl) and reading up a little on loads I see a lot of folks like Red Dot with somewhere in between 5.5 and 6.5 grains and a 240 gr LSWC.

Not looking for anything real hot, just wanting some good all around ammo. Will Red Dot do what I want?

hud

 

[dougader]

Red Dot is a good powder IMO. I'm surprised there isn't more data with Red Dot in 44 Special. Speer lists their 240 grain LSWC with 5.0 grains Red Dot as MAX for a 15k psi load.

Brian Pearce in Handloader listed 5.5 grains Red Dot under a 200 grain RNFP for an accurate target load.

 

[WASATCH CHARLIE]

SHOOTING 14 GR OLD IMR4227 POWDER. 220GR. HOME CAST LEE MOLD SWC. CCI STANDARD LPP. VERY ACCURATE LOAD IN MY OMSBH. LIKE SHOOTING 38SPL IN MY S&W 28 357.

 

[Rclark]

Red Dot is a good powder IMO. I'm surprised there isn't more data with Red Dot in 44 Special.

Looks like I'll get to do more testing..... Just tried some in .45 Colt. Shot very well howbeit in the 8xxfps range. Just loaded up some in .45 ACP this afternoon.... See how that goes.... Have to give .44Special a try too .

 

[Lee Martin]

Ya, 15.0 of 2400 is as high as I'll go with a 250 grain Keith. Really no need to push it any harder.

BTW, I've tried Herco too but find Green Dot to be cleaner burning.

 

[Lee Martin]

Here's a group I shot off the bench at just over 50 yards (6.0 of Green Dot with a 250 gr Keith):

Doesn't look world class, but it measures just over an inch.

 

[Bucks Owin]

Damn fine 50 yd group amigo! :shock: 8)

Another Green Dot fan... :wink:

 

[Lee Martin]

Thanks. I'm surprised Green Dot is used more for reduced handgun.

 

[Rclark]

Nice group for 50 yards! I don't think I've actually shot at a formal target at that distance.... 15Y and 25Y have been my 'setup a target' distances.

I've tried Green Dot in .45 Colt and .44Spec. Found nothing wrong with it.... nor did I find anything magical about it other than as Lee has pointed out it may be a bit cleaner burning and does use about a grain less powder than Unique. I've settled on 6.5g GD under 240SWC as my GD load for .44Spec and will definitely keep a bottle on my shelf (and use it occasionally too!) .

Lee, thanks again for the 15g 2400 load tip. A keeper. Will keep a box of it around I think.

 

[Bucks Owin]

No, not magical, but good accuracy and steady ballistics considering the "pinch" used in the big case. Doesn't seem position sensitive..
(And squeaky clean vs Obsolique IMO! :lol: )

 

[Rclark]

...but good accuracy

I meant to imply that! However, I didn't see the groups 'magically' shrink to .452 on the target :lol: , but stayed the same as the 7.5g Unique load (ie. I sure couldn't tell any difference) ... no better, no worse. Just a good accurate load. A keeper so to speak.

 

[PO2Hammer]

Doesn't look world class, but it measures just over an inch.

Bench or no bench, that's fine shooting and load crafting.

 

[kelbro]

Indeed!

 

[Major T]

I bought eight or ten pounds of 4198 about 25 years ago at a good deal even then. Best I remember the whole box cost less than one can does today. Got to use it up and get some fresh powder. jack