.44 special

[ruger skip]

Just starting to load for my .44 flat top. I found a bunch of sr4756 does anyone use this powder for the .44 special and a 240 grain lead bullet? Thanks Skip

 

[contender]

According to my Hodgdon manuel,, it only lists a max load of 7.5 grns under a hornady LSWC. My Hornady manuel lists a range of 6.3 to 7.7 grns with the same bullet. My Lyman manuel lists from 6.4 to 8.0 for a 245 grn lead slug, using mold 429383 & a charge of 6.8 to 8.1 with the 429421 245 grn slug. Both Lyman bullets use a #2 alloy.

 

[Dale53]

The #14 Speer Manual shows 7.3 grs of 4756 behind an RCBS 44-250-K gives a velocity in a 5½" Cimarron SAA of 917 fps.

8.0 grs. of 4756 behind the same bullet gives 1014 fps.

These loads are within the industry standard pressure limit for a .44 Special of 15,500 fps, acording to Speer.

In my own copy of a 5½" .44 Lipsey Special, 7.5 grs of Unique (the old Skeeter load) behind a H&G #503 250 gr Keith bullet gives 950+ fps.

FWIW
Dale53

 

[sourdough44]

I bought some 4756 about 20 yrs ago. I may still have a little left. I tried to use it up in 357 mag loads. I had 1st tried it with the 9mm but at the charges I was loading it wouldn't cycle reliably. My last 44 spcl loads I used H Universal.

 

[ruger skip]

Thanks for the info. I think I'll go ahead and try a few light loads and go from there. Skip

 

[ChuckS1]

I've used 8.2 grains in both me Lipsey's Blackhawk and my S&W pre-24. Very accurate but stout, IMO.