heavy bullets in 44 Special

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xtratoy

Buckeye
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I have several hundred 300 grain 44 caliber hard cast bullets I would like to load in 44 Special. Not looking to push the limits but havent had any luck finding loads using a 300 grain bullet. It seems to me if the "skeeter" load does 1000 FPS with a 240 grain bullet, 700-800 FPS might be reasonable with 300 Grain bullets. Anyone here have any suggestions?
 
Joined
Dec 8, 2005
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Lemont, PA, USA 16851
Lyman #49 has a number of loads for the 300 grain but these are for a .44 magnum case. A few from the book:

296 Min 18.2 max 19.0 min load 982fps max load 1064fps (use magnum primers)
H-110 Min 17.7 max 18.5 976, 1036 (use magnum primers)
2400 Min 14.0 max 15.7 857, 1001
AA#9 Min 15.3 max 18.0 875, 1075
Herco Min 8.1 max 9.0 793, 850
800X Min 8.5 max 10.5 794, 948

IIRC There were 12 different powder loads total

There are also loads for the 300 gr in the T/C Contender/Encore section - a bit hotter though
 

rmc25

Single-Sixer
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VA
http://stevespages.com/429p_4_300.html. I have found that some of his caliber/load data is beyond my comfort zone. His intro pages say he is not liable for anything data you use and it is all at your own risk.
 

Rclark

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For the .44 SPECIAL, I looked in Lyman 49th, 50th, The Cast handbook and it was only up to 255g lead bullet. I saw NO loads for 300g bullets (.44 MAGNUM yes, No with .44 SPECIAL). RonInPA might want to re-verify those loads you quoted.... I will stick with 240g SWC myself. I am sure you can shoot 300g bullets, just not much data to do so with the .44 Special.

After loading will the cartridge be to long for the cylinder? Just something do check if shooting in a .44 Special revolver.
 

paul105

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Oct 6, 2005
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Montana
RoninPAs data is for the .44 Magnum.

It depends on what .44 special revolver the OP has

Here's an article by Brian Pearce = the last load table (25K PSI loads) has H110 data for a couple of 300gr + bullets.

https://www.handloadermagazine.com/44-s-w-special-p

FWIW,

Paul
 

Johnnu2

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NYS
I would suggest you call Hodgdon and ask about a load using Trail Boss powder. I did that a few years ago when I found some extra heavy .45 cal bullets that I wanted to load in 45Colt. They gave me a simple formula over the phone and it worked well. I find trail boss to be an amazing powder, effective and low recoil as well.

J.
 
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Those that commented, yes you are correct, those were for a 44 magnum case, sorry for my error.

Hornady #10 only shows up to a 240 gr lead, Speer #12 only shows up to a 240 gr lead, Barnes #3 and Sierra Edition V show no lead loads at all for the .44 Spl.

Hogdons 2019 annual manual only shows up to a 240 gr lead load, but as said you might want to call them.

(I edited my first post)
 

Paul B

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Tucson, AZ
Methinks I'll just stick to Skeeter Skelton's pet load for the .44 Spl., 7.5 gr. Unique and a 250 gr. SWC. It'll do anything I want a sixgun to do and my S&W 624 absolutely loves that load.
Paul B.
 

mikld

Blackhawk
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Apr 22, 2009
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In my 40+ years of reloading, I have found there is usually a good reason for a component combination not being listed in a manual. Besides a new component, perhaps the combination is not tested because they aren't popular, not practical, and just plain won't work...
 

Biggfoot44

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Hey , the new format now listing " similar threads " under a thread is going to lead to necro posts like this .

Yes , it can be done , I've done it . In particular a load @ 750 fps from 4 inch . Excellent for bowling pins , and I carried it In the woods , but Bambi didn't cooperate .

The big caveat is that you won't have useful velocities with SAAMI pressures . Depending upon your concept of appropriate pressure and your gun , it's doable .

My load worked fine in S&W M624 . But I won't give it here , as I now would use different powders to achieve same results . Today I would recommend 4227 , AA-9 , or 5477 to achieve 750- 800 fps with 300gr , at lower pressures than my original load .
 

Simmonsburg

Single-Sixer
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Dec 28, 2021
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TN
I use the obsolete and long discontinued Lee 429-255 SWC. It drops at 265+/- from my select alloy for 44 Special in 3 different guns. Works well.
 
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