.44 DEERSTALKER QUESTION

[cruzerlou]

I have a 1965 Deerstalker and have been using Winchester White Box 240gr S.J.H.P.'s in it with great results.It will print 3" 3 shot 100 yard groups when toped with my Weaver K-4 4x38 MM scope when benchrested.I've been loading 240gr XPT's over 23.4 gr,s of H-110 for my 6" M-29 and my 7 1/2" SBH .Is this too hot a load for my Deerstalker? I don't wan't to overdrive the action on this gun ,it's in 95-98% and would hate to break it.I don't have balstic figures for the WWB ammo,but it dosn't seam to overdrive the gun .Do y'all think my hand load would be too stuot for my rifle? I really like the XPT's performance Out of my handguns and even use it in my inline blackpowder .My moneys real tight right now and useing my handgun loads would save me a few bucks ,but I don't want to break my rifle just to save a little money.Y'all really helped me out with my M1A ,so I'm hoping y'all can help me with this also .
Thanks,
Lou

 

[don44]

I wish I could help, but all I ever shoot in mine are factory or loads that equal factory. Sorry

 

[clem dog]

The only handloads that I "spice up" are for my revolvers & bolt actions.
NEVER, for any of my auto-loaders!

 

[cruzerlou]

Well thats my point .I don't want to shoot a "hot' loadin my deerstalker I'm just trying to find a load that is push a 240gr XPT at around 1200 FPS .I have H-110 and Universal Clays but the U.C. is somewhat dirty powder so if someone has a load for the H-110 that won't overdrive my action That would be a big help. That way I can just load one round for the Deerstalker, M-29 and SBH .
Lou

 

[clem dog]

Sorry, I should of expanded my post.
My Deerstaker dates as 1962. First, I replaced ALL of the springs in it and cleaned it out.
I only use jacket factory ammo in it. I can't help you on handloads for it but, you could start out real low with 2100 and work up 1/2 gr untill your carbine cycles. That should tell you that you're about where you want to be.
Now for "knock em" on their heals, I use a Marlin 1895 GG in .45-70.

 

[cruzerlou]

Thanks Clem,
I guess I'll have to buy a pound of 2100 and work up a load ,I know that H-110 is a "hot" powder And I've loaded up some real cookers with it ,My SBh only load is a 300gr XPT over 22.7 gr's of H-100 and it's a STOUT load . Way too hot for the carbine .I guess I could just go ahead and spend the money and get some WWB 240gr S.J.H.P's just for the carbine ,but I Know there has to be a handload that will work in my gun without breaking it up .And like I said I really like the XPT bullet .It is far supieor to a standard S.J.H.P. . They hold togather on a close in shot and still expand good at 150 yards .
Lou

 

[Ruber]

Lou,

I was waiting for Jimbo to hop in, I think we've had these discussions before and he's got more experience than me.

Hornady 7th Ed lists 23.5 gr h110 behind a 240 XTP at 1700 fps and 24.8 gr of h110 at 1800 fps, both from a Ruger Carbine. I needed to get up to the 24.0+ grain range with H110 behind the 240 Xtp in order to cycle the action, so I would not think your loading which is well below max would beat up the action (but every gun is different, so working up from where your at may be prudent if it's not cycling initially).

I too like those XTPs and go back and forth between those and the 300 grain XTPs or hard cast in my Supers, but that 240 xtp over W296 or H110 has been a staple in my carbine.

 

[cruzerlou]

Yea Ruber,
I think we did too and I believe I wrote the loads down but I can't find them I've got to load up a bunch of .44's up for the East Coast forum meet .I don't handload for my .40 & 45 I just buy that ammo So I can't really afford to buy .44;s too when I have everything I need to reload them .I'll start out with 23.5 and see how they do and just work up from there .Thanks for the info . I'll get etarted on them tomorrow and let you know how they do.
Thanks again,
Lou

 

[Jimbo357mag]

The 23.5gr load of H-110 with the 240gr XTP should be fine in your Deerstalker. When I was working up loads for my Deerfield I could not get reliable cycling till I got to 24.2gr. and the WWB and Federal soft points would cycle it every time. Later I was able to come down to 24.0gr with the 240 XTP I guess because the gun got better broken-in or it was a little hotter weather-wise.

In any event that 23.5gr H-110 load should be less hard on the gun than the factory ammo. H-110 powder is slower than the factory powder for sure, just by felt recoil, more of a push. BTW I am using WLP primers which are half-way between regular and magnum primers.

Bottom line, if 23.5gr works the action it will be much easier on the gun. 8) 8)

...my opinion, Jimbo

 

[cruzerlou]

Thanks Jim,TheWWb 240 run the gun fine J'm just scard to death to break the gun ,thats why i want to be really carful about handloading for it'The guns almost mint and it's by far my favroite deer rifle .So long as 23.5 cycles the gun and it still shoots 3" 3shot groups at 100 yards i'll be happy as a clam .If I need to up the load a little thats cool I just wanted some sound advice on where to start .Thanks again everybody for all the help.
Loading for auto loaders is new to me ,I'm working up a target load for my M1A too And have to back off of the specs for the .308 ,because the published stuff is for bolt guns and quite a bit hotter that what the service rifle loads are .The starting load of 41.5gr's of IMR 4064 for a bolt gun is .5 gr's over max for the M1A . The starting load with a 168gr Serria Matchking is 36.1 and the max load is 41.6 A big diffrence.
Lou

 

[ddartman]

Lou,
Sorry for the late reply but, I just joined the forum tonight. I too have one of the original .44 carbines and LOVE IT! Mine is stamped "Made in the 200th year of American Liberty"...so that puts mine as being made in 1976. Anyway, I _have_ loaded for this rifle and would HIGHLY recommend a Hornady reloading manual, since their 44 rifle loads we worked up FOR the Ruger carbine! My rifle seemed to like 24.5gr of H110 in Winchester brass using Federal 155 Match primers. It was shooting ~2" groups at 100 yards and averaged 1794 fps. Cycled without a hitch!

With your current load of 23.5gr H110, the Hornady book puts you right at 1700fps. One thing to consider when loading for these rifles is they do NOT like other brand bullets very much. Hornady bullets are 0.430" while other manufacturers measure 0.429"...and the Ruger barrel measures 0.430". I found this out the hard way when trying to load Barnes bullets...would not group AT ALL and key-holed like crazy. I call Barnes and talked to the owner of the company...and he just so happened to HAVE a Ruger carbine so he brought it in and tested/measured. His results were the same and apologized for the problem...even offering to exchange the bullets I bought for some I COULD use in my other guns. Top notice customer service if you ask me!

Back to the Hornady XTP's....in talking to Hornady they didn't really recommend anything lighter than 240's at the time since they don't handle the added velocity well (even though they do have load data for them). I also loaded some 300's but stuck with the 240's since I could push them faster and they packed more energy muzzle AND 100 yards! Needless to say they are down right NASTY on whitetail!!! I recently picked up some of their 225 FTX's to see how they do with H110 and Lil'gun. Only time will tell on the FTX's but, they are going to have to do miracles to beat the 240 XTP's!!!

-Phil

(edit/ps....A couple of things NEED to be noted! Hornady list 24.8gr H110 as a MAX load, so if trying 24.5, you would want to work your way up slowly just to be safe! AND...double check the rilfe MAX loads with the pistol load data. Some of the rifle loads are slightly hotter than what's listed for pistol so if using MAX loads, make SURE you check and/or keep them separate!)

 

[sailorb]

I have a '74 vintage . 44 Carbine that has lived a hard life in the hands of my uncle in Alaska. He gave it to me a few years ago when pistol caliber rifles became legal for deer here in Indiana. I have used Hornady 240 gr XTPs with 22.8-24.0 gr of H110 with no signs of over pressure. 22.8 was always the most accurate. I switched to Speer 270 gr Gold Dots with 17.0 gr of 2400 and got even better results. The bottom line is your loads should be safe. All my manuals show a max of about 24+ gr. Just be careful of the guns. They are not delicate, but if something does break, there are a lot of the parts no longer available. I have a threaded stud with a piece of an old cleaning rod for a charging handle!

 

[ddartman]

If anyone is considering factory FTX's...I'd recommend you forget about it! I tried some out this weekend and they were pushing 1675...slower than even the factory 240 XTPs! Not impressed...so much so, I'll probably be giving Hornady a call to see if I can find out why.

 

[gunhaus]

I believe that H110 was originally developed as a powder for loading the 30 carbine in military configuration, and was designed to produce a longer, less damaging pressure curve than the then currently available non-canister versions of 2400. This was to make it less stressful on the little carbine action, as well as cleaner burning, while creating higher velocities, and producing higher energy. In most straight wall cartridges the basic pressure curve conscept will likly apply. Meaning that H110 - 296 are actually pretty good choices for the autoloading carbines.
-John

 

[mattsbox99]

If anyone is considering factory FTX's...I'd recommend you forget about it! I tried some out this weekend and they were pushing 1675...slower than even the factory 240 XTPs! Not impressed...so much so, I'll probably be giving Hornady a call to see if I can find out why.

They might be slower but they are very accurate in my Deerfield, my normal load for that gun is 23.5 of H110 with a XTP. I don't have a Deerstalker but really believe that it would be safe in that gun.

 

[glfisherman]

Hi,

I have been working with two Ruger 44s. One a new bolt action and one is a auto loader (carbine).

For the carbine I found that 25 gr 110 with 225 FTX shot good. 2" groups at 100 yds. My eyes are not the best. Three shots of this load through the crony averaged 1903 fps. 1-4 X scope Excellent cycling through gun!

The bolt seems to like a little more powder. 26.1 H110. 1915 fps. 2-7X scope. On a good day I can get the bullets in a minute of an angle.

The FTX have some tricking things when getting consistency in bullet seating depth. I have not worked this out completely.

Fun guns to shoot. I am thinking of getting a revolver 44 and am hoping I can use the 25 gr. H110 load with 225 in it.

Have a great hunting season guys!