.44 Special Load Recommendation

[Cedar Creek]

I have a Ruger Sheriff's Model .44 Special in stainless - so far I have only shot a load consisting of a 240 grain cast bullet with 5 grains of Trail Boss. I am looking for a load recommendation to use as a field and personal defense round with a 240 grain cast bullet or 240 grain Hornady XTP.

Thanks!

Cedar Creek

 

[Rclark]

7.5g of Unique pushing 240g bullet. Lead or Jacketed.

Repeat thread here : .44 Special powder

 

[pistoleer44]

I am not where I can double check but I believe that the Speer book sez 6.9 Unique is max load.

RClark may be right but double check the load books before you follow any advice given on the computer.

For the 240gr bullet, I like 5.0 of W231

 

[contender]

I don't use the Speer books often, but I do recall that 7.5 grns of Unique is a common load for the 44 spl.

 

[Rclark]

Yes, 7.5 is over what the 'book' says.... But the Skeeter load (7.5g of Unique pushing a 240-250g bullet) is a 'standard' general purpose load in the .44Spec world . Any body that is into the .44 Spec is familiar with this load.

 

[pistoleer44]

I see now that Alliant powder sez 6.3gr with the 240gr cast bullet.

I also know that some folks are jumping off a cliff but why take chances.

If you want a 44 mag load then use a 44 mag. Keep the 44 special within the specs. and power level that it is designed for.

 

[Chief 101]

For a few years the only revolver manufactured in 44s was the Charter Arms Bulldog thus the lightweight loading data. Check some older books and you come up with some Smith and Wesson loadings of up to 8 grs of Unique with the 240. I think the Rugers do fine with S&W and Colt SAA loads. JMHO tho you can surely disagree.
Chief aka Maxx Load

 

[Swampman]

7.5g of Unique pushing 240g bullet. Lead or Jacketed.

Repeat thread here : .44 Special powder

Even this is not a max load in the Lyman 45th edition.

 

[Rclark]

I also know that some folks are jumping off a cliff but why take chances.

If you want a 44 mag load then use a 44 mag. Keep the 44 special within the specs. and power level that it is designed for.

The Skeeter load is not even close to .44Mag loads. Now the Keith load ... that is pushing the 'bottom end' of Mag loads (around 1200fps)! And there is 'no taking chances' here. These loads have been used for many years, and will continue to be used . Look up John Taffin, Brian Pearce, Lane Pearce, Ross Seyfield, Keith, Skeeter, etc... All respected in this field. You need to get a 'feel' for the potential of the .44Spec. I know that is what I did, and enjoy the .44Spec all the more for it.

As for .44Mag loads you bet! Keep the +1200-1500fps loads out of the .44Spec. Playing with fire here.... Absolutely agree!

 

[Cedar Creek]

Thanks for all the great input! The Unique load sounds like what I'm looking for - 7.5 grains is still under the 8 grain max in my old Lyman manual. (Old meaning 1960's.) Just needed to confirm that it was OK for the current Ruger production revolvers.

Thanks again!

Cedar Creek

 

[EDK]

While the SKEETER LOAD is widely accepted...and tested by a jillion hand-loaders, data from OLD LYMAN LOADING MANUALS...like 60s and 70s...is to be questioned. The pressure testing equipment then wasn't near as sophisticated as what is used now. Some of those old loads will rattle your fillings loose! I witnessed one gun blow up at a Cowboy Action Shooting match and don't care to experience it myself.

 

[Lee Martin]

6.0 of Green Dot with a 240 - 250 grain cast slug.

 

[WESHOOT2]

Under jacketed I suggest Power Pistol or HS6; for defense ammo most highly recommend N350 and 3N37 (for their extremely low flash signature and ultra-clean non-fouling burn).

 

[Cedar Creek]

Thanks, guys! I need to get started case prepping and will try to have some shooting reports ths weekend.

Cedar Creek