Moving into 44 Mag

[Buckeye Bill]

I have loaded 44 mag in the past but in a very limited number for a friend that has a Dan Wesson 44. I loaded middle of the road powder charge and we shot it together. It fired great and he was very satisfied with my work.

So, I have purchased a Smith and Wesson 629.

Today I purchased 500 Hornady XTP 240 gr bullets.

CCI 350 primers

Winchester and Starline brass (200 each)

Win 296 powder.

Lee factory crimp die.

I am going to be using Hornady 10 edition manual.

I think that I am all set to get started.

Any advice from experienced loaders on the 44 mag round?

Plinking and target work is my purpose.

Bill

 

[Rumrunner]

Think you are starting out pretty good. I load 240 grain XTP's with CCI 350 primers and H-110. I have used 23 grains and 23.5 grains of powder and settled on 23.5. I have used most common brands of brass but now use Starline for my hunting loads. For plinking I use Rem, Fed, and Win brass with cast bullets and different powders.

My hunting loads shoot great out of my 5" Super Redhawk. My 12" Encore, my 77/44, and a Redhawk that I no longer own. My Encore will put 3 into 1" at 100 yards where they drop 2 inches from a 50 yard zero.

 

[Ka6otm]

Sounds like you're good to go.

I've been reloading .44 Magnum since 1970.

 

[Mobuck]

"Plinking and target work is my purpose."

Masochist? Just kidding but that set of components adds up to some heavy duty plinking.

 

[Jimbo357mag]

Using H-110/W296 you will only be able to load magnum velocities. That is great with that bullet if you like full house loads but I have found my hand can take only so many of those type loads. I prefer reduced loads in the 44 magnum using #9, Blue Dot or Universal. I usually take 10% off the max load for the first two and as much as 20% off the max load of Universal for a comfortable shooting load. Of course I also use cheaper plated bullets.

 

[Mus408]

I've started loading .44 Mag and Special also and found that for .44 Mag plinking loads 9 gr. of Unique
with a 240 gr. Xtreme plated bullet works well giving 870-890 FPS out of my S&W 629 with 3 inch barrel.

 

[Chief 101]

when I am assisting somebody that wants to shoot a heavy recoiling revolver I always steer them towards low recoiling rounds. A flinch is easy to acquire and difficult to get rid of. Other than that, you have a nice revolver and fairly popular components for making ammo. Good luck

 

[daveg.inkc]

My accurate loads are 10 grs Unique, 23 gr of IMR 4227 Those are very accurate in my Super Blackhawks

 

[Buckeye Bill]

Thanks for the responses.

Chief 101,

I see your point. I have set myself up for loading some hot loads. Looks like I can load Win 296 to lower levels and produce a lower recoiling round.

Mus408,

I have loaded Xtreme plated bullets in other calibers. I noted that they limit FPS. I might end up going down that path. I have some Unique on the shelf.

Jimbo357mag,

I selected the W296 because it offered the same lower range of velocity but also offered the capability for top end performance. I am starting to see a trend here. You guys are telling me that those hot loads are not that fun for plinking. I hear you.

Mobuck,

I will load those XTP's at about 1100 to 1200 FPS and evaluate. I am shooting a 6.5 inch 629 so I do have the benefit of some weight. Hornady manual lower end velocity for 44 mag seems to be about 1100 FPS.

Ka6otm,

Good to go!

Rumrunner,

Looks like 23.5 is a nice 1300 FPS load.

Well guys, looks like most of you are telling me to consider a slower velocity option. I hear you.

Bill

 

[Chief 101]

Mr Bill, do some research before you download WW296, I don't use much 296/H110 these days but in years past it was recommended to not go anything other that full-house loads with it. Again, have fun and shoot straight...

 

[loaded round]

Just make sure you use a tight crimp, especially with WW 296.

 

[mikld]

First, I'd say put the FCD in a drawer somewhere and ferget about it...

44 Magnum is most likely my favorite round and I've reloaded it with everything from 123 gr. balls up to 310 T-Rex killers. I had "Magnumitis" when I got my first .44 (a 629) and used some H110/W296 for near max loads, but I've recovered and only use "hot" loads in my Contender. Depending on the gun (I have 5, 44 magnums) I like to load a 250 gr. LSWC to medium, maybe upper medium velocities and there's no pain after 40 or so rounds. For your Hornady bullets I's suggest the starting loads listed in your Hornady manual and think about other powders (you'll have much more "wiggle room") and use a good solid roll crimp. I have been using a Redding Profile Crimp for a few years and am very happy with it...

 

[mikld]

oops!

 

[WAYNO]

I think your mind is already made up, but I will also comment on the use of 296. Great for hot loads, but in spite of your manual suggesting lighter loads with it, I would not. 296 is difficult to completely burn well, and has a tremendous muzzle flash.

The shotgun powders are for me, a better choice for slightly milder loads.

WAYNO.

 

[Buckeye Bill]

Hello,

I am listening!

I got 3 pounds of W296.

2 pounds of HS6 and 2 pounds of Unique.

Also has some IMR 800X and 2400.

Did not know that about W296 and lighter loads. Research confirms everything stated.

Interesting information. That is why I asked.

 

[WAYNO]

Hello,

I am listening!

I got 3 pounds of W296.

2 pounds of HS6 and 2 pounds of Unique.

Also has some IMR 800X and 2400.

Did not know that about W296 and lighter loads. Research confirms everything stated.

Interesting information. That is why I asked.

I have loaded a lot of 296 over the years, and sticking with true magnum loads, it is still a great choice. But if ya want to back the load down just a tad, which is my choice, I've settled on Blue Dot. 2400 and/or the other slower shotgun powders also are very useful in a .44 mag.

I think what I learned over many years is a 240-300 grain bullet at 1100 fps is still quite potent, and is much easier to shoot.

WAYNO.

 

[Buckeye Bill]

Going to load up 25 test rounds today.

I am going to load 22.0 grains of W 296. Published FPS will be approximately 1200. We will see how these feel.

Bill

 

[Chief 101]

:mrgreen:
it will make you smile!

 

[protoolman]

Just one more thing to do. Sell that Smith and get a Redhawk or Blackhawk so you can have some real fun!

 

[Buckeye Bill]

Just got back from test fire.

Shot 30 rounds.

6 rounds of Factory Winchester White Box. Small cut on right thumb from cylinder release. HOT! HOT! HOT!

I put that box of WWB back in my range bag.

Next, I fired 24 rounds of my reloads with 22.0 grains of W296.

Not as hot as WWB for sure but still an attention getter.

Think I will drop down to 21.0 grains and see how it feels. Published Hornady data reports 20.7 grains for 1100 FPS. Lowest charge for W296. I will not drop below that mark with the W296.

Wow, you guys were on the mark. I would be OK to shoot a few of the HOT ones but a study diet would result in a flinch for sure.

Protoolman,

I have owned a few Ruger 44's over the years. My last one was a Hunter model with 7.5 inch barrel. That gun did not jump with factory loads the way this Smith did today. Still kind of like the Smith.

Bill

 

[Rick Courtright]

Mr Bill, do some research before you download WW296, I don't use much 296/H110 these days but in years past it was recommended to not go anything other that full-house loads with it. Again, have fun and shoot straight...

Hi,

Yes, one needs to check around when seeking to make "plinkers" using 296, but I've found some big changes in the "recommendations" for reducing 296 loads since Hodgdon's entered the distribution game for Winchester powders.

Originally, when Winchester was in charge, for years the word on 296 was "Thou shalt not reduce these loads!" Then Hodgdon's came into the picture and it became ok to download it 3%, while I think H-110 was ok'd for 5%. I'd have to look at Hodgdon's site to see what their limits are now, but I know today they use exactly the same recipes for the two powders, supporting what's been the word on the street for years that they're the same powder wearing two labels (another change from when Winchester was in charge.) I've also found some current info for 296 which allows up to the normal 10% "starting load" reduction we've used in so many areas for decades (I'd have to check, but I believe both Speer and Hornady show some reduced recipes in their recent editions.)

I've loaded a bit of that "seriously" reduced 296 data, and find it rather pleasant to shoot compared to the normal full house 296 loads which were, to be polite, uncomfortable to shoot even in my 7 1/2" Redhawk. The recipes using Unique are still nicer to shoot, but the difference isn't automatically painful like it used to be.

Read, research and test is about all I can suggest! And don't send the Smith down the road too soon... it'll be great insurance if you choose to add a BH or RH to the stable until we find out if the new CEO at Ruger believes the first thing you should be able to do with a gun you just bought is shoot it, or follow tradition and send it back right away to learn about the company's fantastic "customer service!" ;)

Rick C

 

[Mobuck]

"Also has some IMR 800X "

I've used 800X and 200 HP for an every day load with good results. Enough power for most anything less than big bears but not unpleasant to shoot as much as you want. My normal 44 mag is a 4 5/8" SBH so recoil is a big factor in my ammo choices.
AA#9 is another good option as it will load to lower velocities than H110/WW296 but come close to them on the high end.

 

[daveg.inkc]

Try 11 grs of HS-6 pleasant load for .44 M and .45 C one of my favorites

 

[Jimbo357mag]

Hodgdon has 23.0gr as the start load for H-110/W296 with a Max of 24.0gr with a Nosler 240gr bullet.
I would not go below 22.0gr.
http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/data/pistol

 

[Buckeye Bill]

Thanks Jimbo357mag,

I have seen that number used.

I have a Speer manual and it uses 22 grain as the low mark.

My Hornady Edition 10 states 20.7 as the low mark.

I think I will be safe to load some test rounds at 21.2 to 21.7.

The 22 grain loads I fired yesterday were hot but not too bad.

Bill

 

[mikld]

Go with the Unique. You won't be sorry and you'll be able to get loads from mild to wild...

 

[Rick Courtright]

I think I will be safe to load some test rounds at 21.2 to 21.7.

The 22 grain loads I fired yesterday were hot but not too bad.

Hi,

Remember to put a VERY firm crimp on any 296 loads, and watch what primer the recipe calls for. Magnum primers (or the "std/mag" large pistol version from Winchester) are almost universally called for with 296, so you should be good to go with the CCI 350, and the heavy crimp helps get stuff lit off well.

Rick C

 

[Buckeye Bill]

Rick,

Thanks for your clear advice on how to proceed. I appreciate all of the information that has been provided. Shooting and reloading is one of those things that create vast pools of knowledge. This forum gives me a chance to tap into this knowledge and move to the next level.

I am going to keep working these lower level W296 loads. I am going to load a few with Unique also and see how that feels.

I have not mentioned it yet, but I have another 44 Mag that is heading my way and I plan to load for it also. I was fortunate enough to purchase a No.1 in 44 Mag from a fellow forum member.

Yes, I will be loading for my 629 and a No.1.

So, my wheels have been turning. Wouldn't be nice if I could find a load that I could shoot in both. I am thinking that the low end W296 might be just right in the No.1. But, there might be more to this picture than I can currently see. I have been comparing Hornady 44 Mag load data for rifle and pistol. The low end load with the pistol data is middle of the spectrum for rifle length barrels.

I might end up walking away from my W296 and finding a better selection.

Bill

 

[Jimbo357mag]

H-110/W296 as well as Accurate #9 are the best powders in my 44mag rifles unless you want plinking rounds. Would love to hear about your shooting that #1 in 44mag.

...as far as making up loads for both guns what I have found is that you can go either way, make strong loads for the rifle that you can use once in a while in the handgun or make moderate loads for the handgun that you use occasionally in the rifle. The chances of finding one load that is perfect for both is slim.

 

[Tom W]

I never fired anything but cast in my SRH. Never any factory loads either. Most of my loads were H110 or 2400 with various weight bullets. It's accurate and fun. As soon as I recover from my cancer and chemotherapy I'm going back to the range for some more fun.