So maybe I ain't crazy.....

[tek4260]

When it comes to 44 magnum loads. Most books show 21-22gr max loads with H110 for 300gr bullets. When I listed my loads, which are more in line with this, folks acted like I was crazy/stupid. Well I finally found it in print, from 2005 Guns and Ammo.

He was talking about working up a load behind the then new Belt Mountain Punch bullet. It is like the Lee and the Mihec in that it has 2 crimp grooves, allowing a longer OAL for revolvers like Rugers.

 

[loaded round]

All well and good. Just start at 10% lower and work up to that load. All 44's aren't spec'ed the same and that published load is quite a bit over listed maximum loads. Be cautious and safe.

 

[mattsbox99]

I'd call you crazy for wanting to load them that hot...

 

[stevemb]

The published data is using standard OAL. I understand if you are using the lower cannelure, everything changes. Went thru the same with the XTP's with two cannelures. Everyone quotes their books which do not take into account the added case volume. I have data from a magazine article showing a 25gr max of WW296 with a 300gr XTP seated out, using lower crimp groove. Load was worked up in a SBH. I recall stopping a full grain short myself on that loading. So many variables, be safe folks. YMMV. stevemb

 

[Lee Martin]

Steve is right. Overall length and seating depth dictates how hard you can push it. Not all 300 grain slugs are created equal.

 

[Hammerdown77]

It mentions a "Bowen custom Blackhawk" in the article. That isn't a 5-shot, is it?

It's all just guessing unless you have pressure testing equipment :mrgreen:
An educated guess maybe, but still a guess...

 

[dixie884]

Brian Pearce wrote some things in Handloader, about heavy bullets with multiple grooves. The powder charges were a good bit heavier than normal. The data is above my skill level.....

 

[pbslinger]

That's 445 Supermag territory.

 

[stevemb]

About the whole crazy thing, get a second opinion, and the wife's doesn't count. stevemb

 

[6gun]

That load in the article sounds about right to me, I use 28 grs. of Win. 296 behind 240 gr. bullets, so 25 grs. behind a 300gr. bullet sounds safe.

 

[Hammerdown77]

28 grains???

 

[WIL TERRY]

That load in the article sounds about right to me, I use 28 grs. of Win. 296 behind 240 gr. bullets, so 25 grs. behind a 300gr. bullet sounds safe.

OH MY !!! DO NOT copy nor use this data folks. I know for an absolute fact that the 44MAG-240JHP-24.0GRS 296/H110 can touch 40Mpsi depending upon which 240GR bullet you're using, and is almost always right at SAAMI MAX otherwise. ALL this from the pressure gun I might add. BE careful out there !!!
And so it goes...

 

[6gun]

28 grains???

Let me double check that to make sure..... that was wrong I used 28grs. with 200 gr. bullet not 240gr. this is a max. load in Speer manual just checked my load data, my memory is not good as it once was, these are fun to shoot.

 

[WIL TERRY]

28 grains???

Let me double check that to make sure..... that was wrong I used 28grs. with 200 gr. bullet not 240gr. this is a max. load in Speer manual just checked my load data, my memory is not good as it once was, these are fun to shoot.

OH GOODY, thank you for checking, Sir !!!

 

[Lee Martin]

It mentions a "Bowen custom Blackhawk" in the article. That isn't a 5-shot, is it?

It's all just guessing unless you have pressure testing equipment :mrgreen:
An educated guess maybe, but still a guess...

Looks to be a six-shot.

 

[Jimbo357mag]

I have that article also and they are talking about very specialized guns and cartridges. Included in the text are sayings like "pushing the envelope" and "the outer limits of big bore fun". This loading extra-long more powerful cartridges isn't for amateurs.

 

[Paul B]

All well and good. Just start at 10% lower and work up to that load. All 44's aren't spec'ed the same and that published load is quite a bit over listed maximum loads. Be cautious and safe.

H110 and Winchester W296 are just diferent lots of the same powder. Winchester puts out a little boklet with loading data for their powders. In the case of W296, they state, "to use the load exactly as printed"

240 gr. lead SWC 25.0 gr.
240 gr. jacketed HSP 24.0 gr.
Just below that data, "Do not reduce powder charges with 296 powder. Any further reduction in powder charge or change in componenets can cause dangerous pressures.
Only Winchester brass and Winchester standard ot magnum primer are recommended.

My cast bullet, a 250 gr. version of #429241, Elmer Keith's bullets id a bit heavier so I only use 24.0 gr. of W296. and that's hot enough for me. It's a vicious load but it is a killer on deer.
Paul B.