New Reloader

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gunslinger

Bearcat
Joined
Apr 21, 2010
Messages
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I am new to reloading, I just bought a Lee Deluxe Turrent Press and all the carbide dies I am going to need.
I got the book and been reading it I was thinking about buying a good digital scale,what's a good one? I will be loading 44mag for my Super Redhawk and Super Blackhawk pistols both 7.5 inch barrels. The load been looking at 180 grain XPT, 29.0c
1714 FTPS for deer hunting. Most Deer are shot within 70 yards anyhow.
I put scopes on both pistols and think 240 grain to heavy for deer hunting. Any help would be welcome.
Thanks
gunslinger :D
 
Welcome to RugerForum.com gunslinger !!!!

& welcome to the world of ammo independence !!!

Your reading first , that is a good thang !!!

When ya get ready to start I suggest using your press in single stage mode so you can understand & set up the dies 1 at a time !

When ya get ready , go slow & any question is a good question !!

Starting loads are just that starting loads & that`s where to start for each revolver , even though both of your supers are in the same configuration there different entitys !!

What works in 1 may not work in the other !!

My Redhawk wears a burris 1.5X4 & I found it very "finicky" with the lighter bullets , never found "the" load for 180s.
 
Hi,

Welcome to a new addiction (er, hobby!)

Whether the 180 or 240 is a better choice for Bambi is probably something each person's gotta learn based on his own experience. For example, the scrawny little guys (various kinds of mulies) around here are a whole lot different than big fat corn fed Midwestern whitetails and so forth...

However, one will usually find a "best range" for bullet weights in any given caliber, rifle or pistol. These will generally offer the most recipes, and sometimes are the most "universal" in the sense that a single load will work quite well w/ many guns in the caliber.

So, for example, you'll find 158 gr bullets quite popular in .38s and .357s, 150-168 gr offerings in .30 caliber rifles, and so on. For your .44 Mag, the 240 gr fills that bill.

Suggest working up a jacketed load around 1200-1250 fps for starters, maybe a hard cast around 1100 fps or so. The world's a big place from there, but you want to keep in mind a certain "progression" as a new reloader:

First, you want to make safe and dependable ammo.

Second, you want to make accurate ammo (remember, Bambi's gotta be hit in the right spot to end up on your table.)

Lastly, you'll want to experiment from there to "fine tune" your ammo
so you can improve accuracy, get more velocity/power, all the little things that WILL become of interest along the way.

Reloading "development" is a lot like human development: crawl first, walk next, then run, and finally (maybe), train for that marathon you've always wanted to enter.

Good luck!

Rick C
 
Thank's Guys
I am going to take it very slow on the reloading for sure, I have been deer hunting with my 308 bolt action 150 grain, seems to be knocking down, we have large white tail and muleys . You only get one shot otherwise I wouldn't take the shot period.!!! This next year I going to hunt with my 44 mag probably the Super Redhawk stainless with my Leoupld 4x power fixed.
I noticed a big difference in kick from the Blackhawk verses the Redhawk. According to the book most guys shy away compressin loads. :?:
I just want to reload and enjoy the hobby and be very very safe because I know diddly squat and will be asking a lot of questions from you guys later on.
Thanks For your Support :D

gunslinger
 
gunslinger said:
I just want to reload and enjoy the hobby and be very very safe because I know diddly squat and will be asking a lot of questions from you guys later on.
Click to expand...

Hi,

It's been said hundreds or thousands of times, but the advice never gets old: try to obtain as many different loading books as you can.

A couple of reasons come to mind straight off: you want to compare/double check any load from one book against at least one other book to make sure there isn't a misprint and to help determine "good" loads to learn on.

You won't often find exactly the same load in Book A as Book B, but if you find a load in one that calls for 18 gr of powder as a max, and another says 18.2, that's ok. However, if one says 21 gr but you check several others and they're all in that 18 gr "range", your ears should perk up...

The other thing to look for is similarities from book to book. There are untold numbers of "tried and true" loads in most any popular calibers. When you find pretty much the same load in book after book, your confidence level should rise that "This is a good one to try."

And ask all the questions you can! Some of 'em WILL sound stupid to you at first, but none of us was born smart: we've all probably asked some of the very same ones along the way!

Rick C
 
gunslinger said:
What is VMD :?:

gunslinger
Click to expand...

It is Lee Speak.

VMD (Volume Measure Density) is the volume of one grain (by weight) of gunpowder expressed in cubic centimeters. To determine the volume of a powder charge in cc's multiply the grains of powder by the VMD. The VMD is helpful in calculating the yellow Lee dipper, or Lee Perfect Powder Measure setting required to obtain a desired weight of a specific powder.

Also, the 180gr XTP is too light for anything other than broadside shots that hit no bone. Stay with the 240gr XTP.
 
Congrats on starting a most enjoyable hobby, reloading. I enjoy it a lot and time flyes when I get in my groove.

I'd like to caution you about using the much exalted XTP's in any bullet weight. I've had dismal results with the 240 gr and have seen about 20+ other deer shot in my mid TN deer club that they had to chase over copious amounts or real estated tracking deer that were well hit. Don't expect them to expand much if any out of a handgun. I've never seen signs of expansion with XTP's shot at modest velocities that you'd get out of a handgun or smoke pole. Maybe they're just not driven fast enough.

I know I'm in a minority in not liking the performance of the XTP's on deer sized game, but my sampling is about 25 that failed miserably. They are quite accurate though!

Here's a similar recent thread you might be interested in. Others seem to have great results with the XTP and I can't argue with their success. Just trying to give you some food for thought as to my thoughts on the bullet. I think there's much better choices.

JMHO--YMMV...

http://www.rugerforum.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=102483&highlight=
 
@ RedFalcon, I was just kinda mesisn with ya, it wasn't that bad...

The XTP has served me well out of the 44 and 41 mags. the 210 in the 41 and the 200 and 240 in the 44. (I have had dead deer at 1000fps with the 240) That was muzzle velocity. Admittedly I cast my own now but not because the XTP did not serve me well, it was dollars and cents (sense).

I am not arguing the other poster but I cannot believe a "well hit" deer with a 44 caliber foreign object at ANY WEIGHT (assuming vitals) did not die.
 
Congratulations on a fine new hobby! I have watched this thread, and am 100% with Rick Courtright - slow and easy is the way to go.

I noticed that you started with a bit of a made-up mind on bullet weights. I hope that by now you may have reconsidered. There are so many factors involved in this that an open mind is a valuable asset.

Handloading will give you the power to experiment. That's the way to make progress. Also, it gives your brain and hands something to do. An idle mind is the Devil's playground.

One thing I can say for sure: There is a lot of satisfaction in being successful in any shooting sport using loads you put together.
 
Hi Val :D
No, I not set on a bullet grain yet, I have fired Hornady ammo XPT in the 240 grain bullet with good results. I figured on the lower CUP would be easier on my new gun plus at a higher
veocity it would drop less at longer ranges , such as 100 yards etc.
I will definately take it slow and ask a lot of questions before o choose one of many loads . I would like to load the correct ammo for deer hunting with good impact and less drop. I am still collecting all my pieces, rotary tumbler , walnut shells , primer sealer, case trimer , digital scale and reloading trays etc.

Thank Guys
gunslinger
 
At longer distances one might prefer a heavier bullet that retains more momentum at impact for more potential penetration.
One would then sight in that load at 100 yds with the understanding that at closer range the bullet might be a couple inches high.
One might begin those 100+ yd experiments with a 300g XTP-HP.
 
Gunslinger, I think you should start with an easy to load bullet/powder combination that is less critical. I would suggest Hodgdon Universal Clays and any popular jacketed 240gr bullet like XTP's or Remington or Winchester. This load with a standard for caliber bullet and more versatile powder will give you many more options from 'mild to wild' in the 44mag. :D

...Jimbo
 
COR said:
@ RedFalcon, I was just kinda mesisn with ya, it wasn't that bad...

The XTP has served me well out of the 44 and 41 mags. the 210 in the 41 and the 200 and 240 in the 44. (I have had dead deer at 1000fps with the 240) That was muzzle velocity. Admittedly I cast my own now but not because the XTP did not serve me well, it was dollars and cents (sense).

I am not arguing the other poster but I cannot believe a "well hit" deer with a 44 caliber foreign object at ANY WEIGHT (assuming vitals) did not die.
Click to expand...

COR, I don't see where anyone wrote that the deer didn't die, but I guess you're referring to me because noone else in this thread posted about poor results with the XTP's. I was only giving my experiences and what I wittnessed with others on the lease. The deer were recovered, but we had to track a few that went at least 300 yds with solid hits.

I'm just talking my experiences with the bullet so the OP can read and decide what's best for him. I was also careful to say "Others seem to have great results with the XTP and I can't argue with their success."
 
Did you get the Lee kit that includes the Lee Safety Scale? The reason I ask is, lots of people hate that flimsy-feeling little beam scale, but it's accurate and the next step up is about five times the price. Between that and warnings I've read about digital scales being affected by fluorescent lights and such, I've stuck with the Lee scale and been happy. But I'm not in a hurry.

I too have the Lee turret press. Got it in March of '09 and am very happy with it, with one small exception that you should watch out for: make sure you lift the handle before you turn the turret by hand, or you'll bend that little square nylon ratchet that makes the press auto-index. Then you'll know why Lee sends you an extra one. And if you call them you'll send you more for free under the warranty. Seems like lots of guys breaks this part early on, replace it and then learn not to break it anymore.

Anyway have fun making your .44s! (I only do puny little .38s & .357s myself.) Like Pal Val says, one of the great things about handloading is being able to experiment.
 
Gunslinger and others.

I would suggest this forum for reloading discussions. This is not to suggest that you're going to get bad advice here.

www.ammosmith.com

They have lots of free videos on reloading as well. Great group of guys and gals. The hosts are also frequent guests on the personal armamnet podcast if you're into that kind of thing.

Cheers!
 
I did get the deluxe turrent press, I didn't think much of the scale. As for the little plastic sq thing that runs the turrent , I think they should have made that part out of bronze. I did buy another a scale from Hornady. I like there ammo XPT. I am looking at different powders now and the burn rate. From the fastest to the slowest. Can we discuss the burn rate on powders for the 240 grain 44 mag 7.5 barrel. 1 in 20" twist, flake , ball, extruded etc? I did get another handbook Hornady and they discuss Blue Dot and WIN 296 performed exceptionally well on there test. primer Winchester WLP, what about CCI primers? :D

Thanks
gunslinger
 
My favorite powders for the 44mag are from fastest to slowest:
HP-38/W231, ------(ball powder) good for medium to reduced loads, down to cowboy loads.
Universal, ---------(flake powder) good for medium to reduced loads, down to cowboy loads.
Alliant Blue Dot, --(flake powder-big grains) good for medium to heavy loads.
Accurate #9, -----(ball powder) good for heavy loads.
H-110/W296. -----(ball powder) best for heavy loads only, do not reduce more than 5% from max.
WLP primers work well with all loads for me.

...Jimbo
 
Why does Lee warn against powder being reduced such as Winchester 296 powder?

Thanks
gunslinger
 
gunslinger said:
Why does Lee warn against powder being reduced such as Winchester 296 powder?

Thanks
gunslinger
Click to expand...
This is what Hodgdon says:

http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp

quote>
For those loads listed where a starting load is not shown, start 10% below the suggested maximum load and then approach maximums carefully, watching for any sign of pressure (difficult extraction, cratered and flattened or blown primers, and unusual recoil). H110 and Winchester 296 loads should not be reduced more than 3%.

Reduce H110 and Winchester 296 loads 3% and work up from there. H110 and Winchester 296 if reduced too much will cause inconsistent ignition. In some cases it will lodge a bullet in the barrel, causing a hazardous situation (Barrel Obstruction). This may cause severe personal injury or death to users or bystanders. DO NOT REDUCE H110 LOADS BY MORE THAN 3%. <end

Basically slow powders should not be reduced because of poor ignition and the possibility of too rapid ignition or detonation. :shock:

...Jimbo
 
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