310g Truecast from Oregon Trail

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paleocaver

Bearcat
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Aug 20, 2007
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71
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I filled out an order from Midway USA with a box of 310g gas-checked. Been hearing about 300+g loads in the .44 and thought I'd give them a try for the heck of it and maybe hog hunt later in the spring with what I come up with. Will be shooting these out of my 50th Ann. BH. I've found several sources on the web that use a starting load of 21g of H110, so I'll begin with this. I also use 2400 (my favorite) but haven't found a load with this powder. Anyone have a suggested starting point with 2400?
 

c.r.

Single-Sixer
Joined
Apr 23, 2008
Messages
436
Location
Texas
i just grabbed two of my manuals for a quick look. I chose my Oregon Trail reloading manual and my lyman 49th.

the Oregon Trail manual lists a MAX load of H-110 for their 300 gr flat point bullet of 20 grains of h-110

the lyman manual lists a max load of H-110 for a 300 gr bullet at 18.5 grains.

i'm just going to suggest maybe verifying that 21gr of h-110. From what I see so far, I'd be hesitant to use the 21 grains.

BTW the OT manual using 2400 and their 300 gr flat point the max is 16.2 (starting is 13).................lyman for a 300gr/2400 combo lists max of 15.7 and starting of 14

and before using any of the data i posted, please verify it as well. just in case I can't see straight.

~c.r.
 

c.r.

Single-Sixer
Joined
Apr 23, 2008
Messages
436
Location
Texas
Carl, that's interesting.

From my very limited reloading experience, it seems that quite often you see "confusing" data for the .44 mag when cross referencing between loading manuals. I haven't noticed the same variances for .357 or .45 Colt.

I ran into the exact same thing with 240 grain jacketed bullets and 2400.

~c.r.
 

Bucks Owin

Hunter
Joined
Mar 22, 2004
Messages
3,196
Location
51st state of Jefferson
Personally, I'd go with the H-110 (or W-296) over 2400 with the heaviest bullets in any full tilt load. More stable, less sensitive in regard to seating depth, more velocity with less pressure. 2400 is a fine OLD powder but not always the best choice these days...JMO, Dennis
 

flatgate

Hawkeye
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Jun 18, 2001
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6,784
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Star Valley, WY
pvtschultz":1vrijcp5 said:
Hodgdon lists 22.0 gr of H110 as max for a 325 GR. BTB LFN GC (starting at 20.0 gr), but 19 gr max for a 300 GR. HDY XTP.

Which makes perfectly good sense, to me.

Cast vs. Jacketed......

My "standard" full power .44 mag load is a LBT designed 300 grain GC bullet loaded over 21.5 to 22.0 gr. of WW-296...... right out of Taffin's Tests. It's a "Tack Driving/Barn Burner".

flatgate
 

Sturgell

Bearcat
Joined
Nov 14, 2009
Messages
32
I did a little experimenting with the Lee 310-430-RFNGC bullet and settled on 21.5g H110 for 1250 fps. I did this with CCI STANDARD large pistol primers, I got up as high 23.5g in a 7.5 Redhawk which was 1440fps where I stopped. The gun could take more but I really didn't see a point.

I would describe the recoil from the 23.5g load as "lively."
 

marlin1881

Single-Sixer
Joined
Apr 25, 2002
Messages
124
Location
Colorado Front Range
pvtschultz":258wtilo said:
Hodgdon lists 22.0 gr of H110 as max for a 325 GR. BTB LFN GC (starting at 20.0 gr), but 19 gr max for a 300 GR. HDY XTP.

Carl, take a look at the overall length, as I believe there is quite a difference in seating depths, resulting in different powder capacities. I know the Hornady XTP 300gr bullet has dual crimp-grooves, but the data supplied is for it being seated deep into the 2nd groove. I've gone carefully through the exercise of seating it out to the 1st groove and working up the load carefully with H110. It is a stout load for a 44 Mag.

Marlin
 

Bucks Owin

Hunter
Joined
Mar 22, 2004
Messages
3,196
Location
51st state of Jefferson
According to John Linebaugh, in a 10" pressure barrel, 21 grs of H-110 behind a 318 gr LBT GC gives 1354 fps at 44,000 PSI in the .44 mag! (Don't think I'd wanna put much more powder in there!!!) Dennis :shock:
 

paleocaver

Bearcat
Joined
Aug 20, 2007
Messages
71
Location
Madison County, AL. USA
I'm going to start at 18g of H110 and work up slowly. Of course went to load some tonight and found that I don't have enough H110 to really get started. Might use W296, which I have plenty of.

Thanks for all the input here. It's appreciated.
 

marlin1881

Single-Sixer
Joined
Apr 25, 2002
Messages
124
Location
Colorado Front Range
Hodgdon has some loading data specifically for the LBT bullets. Take a close look at that data, as the OAL length is for those bullets only, and not to be interchanged with other similar-weight bullets. There is a difference in case capacity, depending on where the bullet is seated according to OAL. Both H110 and W296 work very well with this bullet weight.
 

BIgMuddy

Blackhawk
Joined
Feb 15, 2007
Messages
556
Location
Linn Creek MO
marlin1881":3c6qc1n8 said:
Hodgdon has some loading data specifically for the LBT bullets. Take a close look at that data, as the OAL length is for those bullets only, and not to be interchanged with other similar-weight bullets. There is a difference in case capacity, depending on where the bullet is seated according to OAL. Both H110 and W296 work very well with this bullet weight.

Very True....LBT design bullets are made to allow more case capacity. If the Oregon Train bullet you have is the same one that I do, they are very short in the nose and a LOT of the bullet is down inside the case.

I would use the OT data for their bullet, and do not substitute other 300 gr bullet data. How much extra velocity would you gain, and to what advantage?
 

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