44 spl loads

[Olsherm]

Just got a 44 special (flat top) couple weeks ago. Have a question as I am new to the 44spl. What size bullet seems to work best in it for mild mid range loads. I have tried some 200 gr lrnfp bullets in .429 dia that I use for my 44/40 but just seemed to shoot fair. Does the 240 gr swc work best? If so what diam works best? Sorry for all the questions but figured I would ge the answer here. Thanks[/b]

 

[David LaPell]

The often touted and listed as THE load is 7.5 grains of Unique and a 250 grain cast bullet Lyman mould #429421. This one was developed a long time ago, was highly thought of by Skeeter Skelton and John Taffin. I load this one almost exclusively and it is about 1000 fps or so in my 6 1/2 barrel Smith 24-3 and my Ruger 50th Anniversary Blackhawk Flat Top.

 

[Yosemite Sam]

I use a 240gr LSWC with 4.8gr of HP-38 for a nice, clean, accurate target load.

-- Sam

 

[Marshal Buckshot]

I've shot .429, .430, .431 diameters in my two 44 Specials. Of course each gun could be different, but the .431 shot best in both of mine. The bullet is 240 SWC made by Laser Cast. Shoots very well.

 

[DeletedMember275]

Ideally you should measure the ID of your chamber throats, and then slug your bore. Cast bullet diameter should match the cylinder throats, as long as they're the same diameter, or larger than, your groove diameter.

Both of my .44 Mag SBHs have .432" throats, and .430" groove diameters. I size my cast bullets at .432". My Winchester 94 Trapper has a .432" groove diameter, and it's a bit troublesome getting any bullet to fit the groove diameter and still seal against gas.

 

[Yosemite Sam]

The 240gr LSWCs I use are .430", fwiw.

-- Sam

 

[Bucks Owin]

The RCBS 250K worked well in the .44's for me at a wide range of velocities. The 225 SWC GC too...

 

[sixshot]

Its almost difficult to find a bad load in the Lipsey's 44 specials. They just seem to shoot about anything you throw at them but bullet size is always a consideration. Its a rare 44 that doesn't prefer .430"-.431", those that are .429" will shoot OK but very seldom up to par with the bigger slugs. My play around load is the 250 gr Keith with 5.5 grs of 231, sized .431", they shoot awesome. My "hammer" load is the old Skeeter load of 7.5grs Unique with the Keith slug, knocked off a whitetail with that load last fall, complete penetration & down in 4-5 seconds. You can shoot heavier loads in these 44's but thats what we have 44 magnums for, mine will stay a 44 "special".

Dick

 

[Hammer]

.


Sixshot,


In Soda Springs...

Which load due y'all use on those monster rockchucks ?


.

 

[sixshot]

Hammer, these Idaho rock chucks are mean as badgers......well, almost. If you really want to "hammer" them with a sixgun nothing works better than a softnose cast slug, they will flip them like they've been popped with a rifle. Even a 327 slug thats been softnosed will warp their lips! :lol:

Dick

 

[t-reg]

This past week I recieved 100 each of .430" and .431" dia 240 gr hard cast commercial LSWC. In side by side testing of my favorite load, I was unable to see a difference in accuracy.

CCI 300, 6.0 gr. WW231, 4 5/8" Lisey / Ruger flattop .44 special, 60' range

More testing to follow when I get time.

 

[jerry b]

I have had nothing but success with 240 gr SWCs from MidStates Cast Bullets, sized .430", in .44s of many persuasions:

http://www.bulletsdirect.com/

 

[Sonnytoo]

Ideally you should measure the ID of your chamber throats. Cast bullet diameter should match the cylinder throats, as long as they're the same diameter, or larger than, your groove diameter.

You can check your cylinder throats by just taking a cast bullet and see whether it will finger-push through the throats. Jeff Quinn's testing on GunBlast showed that chamber throats are sized perfectly for a .430" diameter bullet. This should be a good starting place.
And yes, use 240-250 grain cast SWC @ around BHN 11-12, which is what Elmer used. Don't go too hard in BHN or you'll get leading and inaccuracy. The old standard is 7.5 grains of Unique for about 950 fps in the .44 Special. Let us know what you find out on the range.
Sonnytoo

 

[Dale53]

The cylinder throats in my .44 Lipsey Special 5½" is .431" and shoots .430" bullets in excellent fashion.

My standard Keith bullet is a home cast MiHec mould clone of the H&G #503 (258 grs in my alloy). My most used load is 7.5 grs of Unique behind this bullet.

VERY good combination!

Dale53

 

[WESHOOT2]

HS6 is great for more oomph....

 

[ShortBBL]

Is the 7.5 gr of Unique load also safe in modern Colt SAA's or is that a Ruger Only Load?