For safest reloading to avoid concerns and eliminate doubts:
If you want reduced 44 magnum loads only use 44 mag data for light loads, period.
If you want even milder loads, switch to 44 Special cases and loads.
Tip: for light loads use a bulky powder to better fill cases. Trail Boss powder is made specific for this purpose for cowboy action shooters who prefer low recoil. Buy their loading manual.
Tip #2: steer clear of Bullseye powder, especially for light loads for two reasons:
1. It's a high pressure powder and therefore very small volume powder which makes it more difficult to recognize a double charge when reloading, especially in a large case like 44 cases.
2. Small loads will spread out along the bottom side of the case when in the chamber. So instead of ignition and controlled combustion the result is detonation when the full surface of the powder ignites at once. This can be more destructive than an overload.
For those two reasons Bullseye loads especially light Bullseye loads are associated with more mishaps than other powders.
I disagree with your assertion regarding Bullseye. It is not a "higher pressure" powder at all unless it is misused, same as any powder. Yes, it (and other powders) can easily be double-charged in some cases, but handloading is not for idiots or careless individuals.
With the cost of powder lately as well as the uncertainty of its availability, I've begun using faster burning powders such as Bullseye and its twin and now discontinued, IMR-Target, because one can achieve the same velocities as with slower burning powders but with much lighter charges. I've been using these two in .38 Special, .357 Magnum, .44 Special, .44 Magnum and 45 Colt.
As to your point #2, I'd like to see some first-hand evidence of detonation. Here's mine for lack of problems-
A dozen years ago I began competing in our local High Power matches (reduced course) with one of my Swiss K-31's. Seeing no need in burying 30¢(at the time) Matchkings in a 100 yd. berm, I developed a very accurate load consisting of a cast 145 gr. FP over 6.7 gr. of Bullseye in the 7.5x55 case. I used that load for 10 months worth of 80 round matches which would've meant, not counting load development and practicing, about 850-900 rounds of this very light load of Bullseye fired....with no detonation. More recently I fire-lapped my Flat Top .44 Special as well as a '94 Winchester 30-30 using a .5 Lee Dipper about 2/3 full of Bullseye which would be around 3 grs. 70-80 rounds through the .44 with 255 gr. bullets and another 20 with 220 gr. bullets through the 30-30 and again, not a single problem.
I understand encouraging caution, but some of these nanny-like warnings do nothing but cause confusion for new handloaders. So instead throwing some random, ambiguous warning out there, how about we just encourage them to follow the powder manufacturers data?
