Mild plinking loads for .44 Mag?

[Mus408]

Have my Dillon dies coming and looking to build up some easy shooting loads.
Bullets I'm starting with are Xtreme plated 240 gr. and have found a load using 6.5 gr to 8 gr. of
Unique powder which I have a good bit of.
Also have some Red Dot I haven't used yet. Thinking 8 gr. of Unique would work well and shoot a little cleaner than at 6.5 or 7 gr.

Right now have only one revolver in .44 Mag and that is my 3 inch S&W 629-2E...a real sweetie!
Do have .44 Mag brass and some .44 Special but most is .44 Mag.

 

[Cholo]

8 grs. of Unique and a 245 SWC is the lowest I go in my .44 mags. It may shoot high and you'll run out of rear sight adj. at 25-50 yds. For target shooting I use a 6:00 hold so it doesn't matter.

 

[Jimbo357mag]

8.0 - 8.5 gr of HP-38/W231 will be very mild and fairly clean.

 

[sjs]

I am using 7.5 grains of HP38 and it works great for me.

 

[SweetWilliam]

I've used unique, HP-38, and titegroup they all work good.
A buddy of mine uses Red Dot for everything from 9mm to 45 colt. Plus shotgun loads.

 

[terryjulie]

I use 6.0 grains of Trail Boss and a 200gr fn from Missouri Bullet in my SBH and a Taurus44., in a mag case.

 

[pruger45]

I like 10 grains of Unique with Elmer's bullet.

 

[mikld]

Remember it's a Magnum, so "mild shooting plinking ammo" is a kinda an oxymoron. You can very easily use 44 Special data in .44 Magnum brass or just shoot Specials in your Magnum.

FWIW, and I tell any new reloader; I pay very little (no) attention to any forum expert, range rat, gun counter clerk, pet loads website, or gun shop guru for any load data (as an example you have everything from 6 grains of Trailboss to 7.5 of HP38/W231, to 10 grains of Unique for suggestions). While most are just being helpful, your best bet by far is published reloading manuals and powder manufacturer's website can be helpful too.

For over 30 years 98% of my load data has come from published manuals and I've had no squibs, and no KABOOMS, no erratic loads, and there are plenty of combinations so I don't run out of options...

I reload for 5, .44 Magnums and not one load came by word of mouth, forum, or magazine article. I reloaded my first .44 in 1987 and all my data has come from published manuals...

 

[SweetWilliam]

From what I've read in the above posts, all the loads listed are manual data and all the powders listed so far have plenty of published loads to use in light 44mag loads.

 

[Jimbo357mag]

Remember it's a Magnum, so "mild shooting plinking ammo" is a kinda an oxymoron. You can very easily use 44 Special data in .44 Magnum brass or just shoot Specials in your Magnum.

FWIW, and I tell any new reloader; I pay very little (no) attention to any forum expert, range rat, gun counter clerk, pet loads website, or gun shop guru for any load data (as an example you have everything from 6 grains of Trailboss to 7.5 of HP38/W231, to 10 grains of Unique for suggestions). While most are just being helpful, your best bet by far is published reloading manuals and powder manufacturer's website can be helpful too.

For over 30 years 98% of my load data has come from published manuals and I've had no squibs, and no KABOOMS, no erratic loads, and there are plenty of combinations so I don't run out of options...

I reload for 5, .44 Magnums and not one load came by word of mouth, forum, or magazine article. I reloaded my first .44 in 1987 and all my data has come from published manuals...

If you only got your loads from data in manuals then you would have to try a wide selection of loads to see what you like. An OPINION ABOUT A CERTAIN LOAD can easily set you on the right track to find a load that both you and your gun likes. ...and nobody ever said don't double check data, in fact it should be a rule you follow.

Saying I use theses powders; HP-38/W231, Universal, Blue Dot, Accurate #9, and H-110 in the 44 magnum with 240gr bullets and reasonable loads, for which there is data available, for certain purposes, is being helpful, I'm sure.

...and another favorite is just because it's in the manual doesn't mean it's a good load. Believe that.

 

[Rclark]

Since you have Unique, 7.5 - 10.0g under 240g plated or lead bullet will work just fine. 8.5 will mimic the .44 Special Skeeter load as a reference. So find a load in that range that works for 'your' gun ... and for you :) .

 

[Mus408]

I always check my loading manuals before choosing a starting load.
Yes the 8.0 or 8.5 of Unique was in my thinking. Just finished up loading a bunch of .45 Colt with that mix and 255 gr. bullets.

 

[mikld]

FWIW, (and I often get flack about my "don't trust just anybody" attitude as far as load data for new reloaders), but I've been reloading for 30+ years and have been able to find enough combinations in my reloading manuals to suit every gun, and every need I have. I have "extrapolated" load data, but I don't recommend that to a new reloader at all. I've seen some questionable load data on forums and at least one outright dangerous load (a load was suggested for a 38 Special, but the load listed was a slightly over max load for 357 Magnum. The load stayed on the forum for over 24 hours before the poster came back and corrected it. How many new reloader could have taken that load and used it?).

I've been reloading for .44 Magnum since '87 and when I tried "light plinking loads" I use heavy Special or light Magnum loads of W231 (I use lead load data for plated bullets)

 

[daveg.inkc]

I like 10 grains of Unique with Elmer's bullet.

This is one of my favorites. It shoots most excellent !!

 

[sliclee]

408--I think you said your using plated bullets. If so, be aware the bulets are softer than many of the other shooters are using, including me. You will be better off buying hard cast lead bullets in .430-.431 diameter BH of 16-18 the most common weight
may be 150-180 or 200 grain hard cast nothing on the bullet, noted crap, etc.
Buy from a seller who advertises cowboy action shooters who gives deals, try out 50 or a hundred of each at the same time.
Get a log book to keep track of your work. Make up about 20 of one kind each one weight bullet, ex; 4.5 grains 150-4,
4.7 grains-4, 5.0grains-4, 5.3 grains-4 got the idea, try remembering each one you shoot, enter in log your comments, what
you like and don't like, etc.READ READ READ----WRITE-HAVE FUN PLAYING the more you read more fun for you to play.

 

[375supermag]

Hi...
I have been using 10.0gr of Unique with a 240gr LSWC for decades in four different .44Mag revolvers with excellent results for a target/plinking/general purpose load.

I use 2400 or W296/H110 for higher velocity loads with Hornady 240gr HP/XTPs.

I have some Herco that I think I will be trying for some loads later this year just as a comparison/test to evaluate its use in .44Mag and possibly .45Colt.

 

[snakeeyes4445]

I for one, appreciate the forum members here, volunteering to recommend their favorite loads.
Unless you have your own farm and a bech rest right outside your reloading room door, it is time consuming to work up one powder and one bullet for one firearm. Cross checking with my manuals and using your experiences saves me lots of time.
If you are like me, you sometimes come home from the range with more questions than answers. Not much we can do about that.
For my four inch Annaconda, I am going to start with ten grains of Unique and work down from there. That is the load most mentioned here and other places.
My eight inch Realtree with optics does 2.25" at 100yds with Speer 270 gr. and 16.6 to 18.3 gr. AA #9. Equal accuracy in that range.

 

[spittinfire]

Hi...
I have been using 10.0gr of Unique with a 240gr LSWC for decades in four different .44Mag revolvers with excellent results for a target/plinking/general purpose load.

I use 2400 or W296/H110 for higher velocity loads with Hornady 240gr HP/XTPs.

I have some Herco that I think I will be trying for some loads later this year just as a comparison/test to evaluate its use in .44Mag and possibly .45Colt.

This is basically my go to load for just messing around. Unique has served me well over the years for medium range loads in magnum revolvers.

 

[ph_redhawk]

9 grains of unique and 200 grain cast bullet from 6-hole Lee mold produces an light recoil and accurate load for my Redhawk.

 

[Mus408]

Well I loaded some with 9 gr. of Unique with the 240 gr. Xtreme bullet and they shoot very well giving 870-895 FPS out of my 3 inch S&W 629.

 

[chuck]

I like 10 grains of Unique with Elmer's bullet.

ME 2 Very acc in my ruger blk hawk hit bowling pins at 100 yards.

 

[Ka6otm]

I like 10 grains of Unique with Elmer's bullet.

ME 2 Very acc in my ruger blk hawk hit bowling pins at 100 yards.

You can add me to the list of fans of this load.

 

[mikld]

One of my favorite loads for my Ruger SBH is a .432" ball rolled in 45-45-10, loaded over 4.0 gr Bullseye. Seat the ball to just below center and lightly roll crimp.

 

[mr surveyor]

For basic plinking with the .44 mag, revolver or carbine, I'm a big fan of 7.0 gr of TrailBoss with a 240 gr lswc.


jd

 

[BucolicBuffalo]

You can also choose to use 44 Russian. Shorter than the 44 Special. On my Dillon XL650 I have to use the round nose seater in the seating die. If you flip it around to the flat nose it will hit the shellplate before it seats the bullets all the way. Have to use an aftermarket crimp die. I use an RCBS Cowboy die for 44 Russian/Special to crimp. The Dillon crimp die for the 44 Special and Magnum will not screw in far enough to crimp a Russian. Dies could be modified in a machine shop.

 

[kmoore]

I would invest in some .44 spl brass. Adjust the dies to work. Just like the .357/38.

 

[George]

Hi, got a question? We're talking about mild plunking loads for 44 Mag. Well I loaded up some unique 7 grains Behind a kieth Style Round nose flat point lead bullet 240 grain. And they seem to be light and dirty. Only 7 grains of unique Because in the manuals I looked at the company data They said Never exceed 7 grains In that load. You guys are talking 8, 9, and 10 grains of unique. Did you guys work that load up or Find Data supporting that For the current Unique Powder. Oh, running a 44 mag Ruger Super Blackhawk

Next,
I'm really asking this question because I started loading for 45 Long Colt. Again with Unique Powder. I started with a 8 grains Behind a 250 grain Round Nose flat point lead bullet and found that load okay plunking load only it shot a little high. Just high enough where I had to bring my rear sight all the way up. I tried 8.5 grains of unique. That seems to be a good in between range and possibly light working load. I liked it. Thought I would try some at 9 grains. Really nice load. Recoil was not bad on this lite gun. Shot right to point of aim With rear sight Lowered quite a bit On a 4 5/8s inch barrel length gun. Manual said I could go up To 9.4 grains.Manuel also said that was the max loadThe PSI for that load was under 14,000. on my gun.
I had posted earlier some guys point it out. That 9 grains of unique Was pushing it for my gun. My gun is a Ruger New model Mid frame 45 Colt Flat top.PSI on the gun States14000 PSI For 45 Colt And 23000 PSI For 45 ACP Max loads.I guess This is why I'm wondering amount of unique In both calibers And guns. Me thinking it became unstable or unpredictable In the 44 Mag if I exceeded their stated maximum load of seven grains in the 44. Mag.Just asking. Thanks,George
Sorry about all the typos posting this was downright painful on my phone!

 

[NikA]

George,
I'm not sure where you're getting your data (maybe Lee Modern Reloading?) but it sounds like data for .44S and not .44M. If the data is from the Lee book, there's a chance it's incorrect since the majority of their data is drawn from other sources and could easily be transposed or recorded incorrectly. At very least, it would be better to check for a more reliable data source.

Alliant's website lists the 250gr Keith maximum as 11 grains of Unique. They also list the 240gr SWC at 7 grains of Unique, which may be the source of the Lee data and also may be a much softer bullet. Some manufacturers will give the measured pressure for the maximum load, but Alliant does not, so it can be difficult to determine the reason they stopped at that number.

Lyman's Cast Bullet Handbook list the following maximums for .44M with bullets in the 240-260gr range:
Maximum Bullet
11.7 grains Lyman 429667
13.0 grains Lyman 429421
10.5 grains Lyman 429640HP
12.1 grains Lyman 429244

You can look up these bullet style online to see which is closest to the bullets you are loading. But to answer your general question, the max for .44M with Unique is definitely comfortably over 10.0 grains for bullets in the 240-260gr range.

 

[mikld]

I was concerned by George's post too, but not for the load data. I've used 44 Special data right outta my manual in .44 Magnum brass many times.

George's post talks about a "Keith style" RNFP, don't remember those. He also mentions 7 grams of Unique. Seven grams equal 108 grains... :shock: Perhaps a "spoof"???

 

[George]

MikA,
Thank you great info yes this is what I was looking for. Yes I am Looking at the data from Lee's second edition loading manual. Also from theLoads that are packed With lee's dies.So you were spot on there. You would say it would distinguish the difference And show the more powerful load for 44 Magnum And Unique Powder.Yep just checked the manual. It does list The proper Power level forUniversal powder which is very close to Unique. But going down to the unique load The maximum load does list seven grains Of powder. Yeah I'll have to get some more Manuals. Other than hornaday are there any other manuals that would be accurate that you can recommend?Thank you very much for the reply! George

mikld, Yes also thank you for the reply. I am not mixing up grains for grams Another typo With my phone. I tried to correct them all but it is one heck of a job on the cell phone. Really isn't worth using for posting. Sorry! George