reloading for hogs

[barrycarraway]

I am new to the ruger forum. I'm shooting a redhawk stainless 7.5" 44 mag. Right now I load accurate arms #9 21.5 grains/ hornandy XTP 240 grains bullets. I want to load a little stiffer so bought some 310 grain wfngc cast bullets. I'm having a hard time finding any load data. I did go to the Accurate chart online but I think their lawyer had to preview everything before AA was allowed to post data. I say this because the accurate max charge for hornandy 240 grn is 20.5 but lyman has it listed for max charge 22 grains. Any ideas?

 

[WIL TERRY]

NEVER but never discount the loading data from a propellent or projectile company. They above all others know PRECISELY what their products will do and WHY.
And so it goes...

 

[contender]

Welcome to the Forum!
First,, you are going in the right direction by changing bullets. The Hornady's are excellent for deer,,, yet may be marginal on hogs with a less than optimal angle & bullet placement.
As for data,,, you need to get more manuals,, & study a bit deeper,, as the bullet you are choosing may have not been available to Accurate to test. I'd start with the maker of the bullet to see what they recommend. And you may need to switch powders,,, according to what you learn.
As always,,, SAFETY first,,,, and start lower & work up to accurate loads with a selected bullet. A different powder may cost you $20-$30 a pound,,, and that is CHEAP compared to a blown gun & possible injury.

 

[Jimbo357mag]

From the website. http://www.accuratepowder.com/load-data/

The newer and more accurate PSI data has forced many companies to re-evaluate older data.

...for the 44magnum using #9 powder with a 320gr WFNGC bullet they have 16.3gr max. 1,216fps at 34,626psi.

 

[Clovishound]

Check out the data for H110. You might find a heavier hitting load with it.

Alternately, you could get some Buffalo Bore factory loads. Not cheap, and they are HOT. Lots of folks refuse to run then in their weapons, but they advertise some of the highest MVs around. Their 44 mag +p+ are smoking hot. 1478 fps from a 7.5" Redhawk with a 340 grain bullet. They even have a list of weapons they are authorized for. Too hot for me. YMMV.

.38 and .357 data was drastically scaled down a while back. Some of the old recipes are quite a bit higher than max with current data. I understand that this was more than the new technology available to measure peak pressures. There were issues with some weapons encountering accelerated wear from the max loadings of the day.

 

[Aqualung]

NEVER but never discount the loading data from a propellent or projectile company. They above all others know PRECISELY what their products will do and WHY.
And so it goes...

+1 on this.

I made the assumption that one manufacturer's 125grain bullet was the same as another in load data.

I loaded some 125grn SST loads in my .300 Blackout using data from the Hodgdon website (using BLC(2) powder) for a 125grn Sierra bullet. My test loads showed excessive pressures (blown primers, split cases). Then, I got the Hornady #9 manual and found that my test loads, even reduced, were just over max loads.

Aqualung

 

[terryjulie]

Another source of data would be loadswap.com.

 

[tsubaki]

For what it's worth, Lyman's 4th Edition lists a 310gr Lee C430-310-RF with 15.8gr (922fps) to 17.5gr (1066fps) of Acc. #9.
Velocity was from a 4" Universal Receiver.

 

[29aholic]

I know from experience you do NOT want to use a bullet that expands rapidly. Not on big hogs any way. Years ago I was hunting with hollow point (don't remember the brand now) and got into it with a big boar. The hog took five rounds and kept coming...after me. I lucked a head shot that went through his eye on the last round in the gun. When we cut him open we found the bullets had expanded and quit penetrating well before they got to the vitals.

 

[barrycarraway]

Thanks everybody. All good advice. I have shot several hogs with a rifle but never a pistol. I do have a healthy respect for them; the first one I shot was a dead on face shot from 20 yards with 12 guage buckshot and he hollered and ran off. Won't do that again. I'm going to buy some double tap 320 grain WFNGC preloaded 44s to hunt with for now until I work up a load. I live in rural FL and have a farmer that is going to let me hunt hogs. PS---if y'all like reading bout guns check out Amazon---Big Bore Revolvers by Max Prasac. He is funny and has photos--a lot of custom big bore revolvers for hunting including Rugers.
Thanks!
Barry

 

[SweetWilliam]

If you switch to H110/296 you will find more online data with a goggle search.
You can use 300gr. jacketed bullet data for that 310gr. cast bullet with no problems.
http://sixguns.com/tests/tt44mag.htm

http://www.handgunsmag.com/ammo/ammunition_44mag_081005/

 

[gramps]

Barrycarraway, welcome to the forum. FWIW Max frequents our forum. 8) I use 2400 with my 310gr wfn lead cast. Shoot them in a SBH 4 3/4 inch barrel and. RH with a 4 inch barrel. Good luck.
gramps

 

[barrycarraway]

Thanks again all. I did find some data from my bullet manufacturer.
AA 9 16.6 1172 18.5 1285 1.639 OAL tested in a Ruger Vaquero.

I got some other powders in the barn to try also. Got a lot of good data from y'all.
I'm going to get some double tap 320 grn factory loaded for a base to test against and hunt with them if they shoot good while I play with load data. I've heard a lot of good stuff about double tap .44s in 320 grn.

I need to shoot me a hog!

Barry

 

[Aqualung]

NEVER but never discount the loading data from a propellent or projectile company. They above all others know PRECISELY what their products will do and WHY.
And so it goes...

+1 on this.

I made the assumption that one manufacturer's 125grain bullet was the same as another in load data.

I loaded some 125grn SST loads in my .300 Blackout using data from the Hodgdon website (using BLC(2) powder) for a 125grn Sierra bullet. My test loads showed excessive pressures (blown primers, split cases). Then, I got the Hornady #9 manual and found that my test loads, even reduced, were just over max loads.

Aqualung

Oh, CRAP! Just realized my mistake...

W296, not BLC (2)...

Another reason to check data you get on internet forums...

Apologies

Aqualung

 

[Clovishound]

Oh, CRAP! Just realized my mistake...

W296, not BLC (2)...

Another reason to check data you get on internet forums...

Apologies

Aqualung

Heck, I sometimes check stuff that is published. I was making some yeast rolls the other day. The recipe called for 2 3/4 cups of flour. I was skeptical based on the amount of liquid called for. Sure enough it was soup in the bread machine. Had to add another cup or so of flour to get the proper consistency. This was from the manual that came with the machine.

When in doubt check it out with alternate sources. I wasn't worried about some bread dough. I could easily add more flour. When we are talking smokeless powder and controlled explosions, you can't just add or subtract something at the range. If you fire it, you own it. Or, rather, it owns you.

 

[mikewriter]

I keep my hog loads with heavy hard cast to 1000 fps or less. Gives all the (close range) penetration I need, doesn't beat eh gun - or me - up too much.

Mike