Load Recipe Help For 44spl

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dwpmusic

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Not a complete beginner but I always like to seek advice from people who know. I'm pretty knew to reloading for 44mag/44spl. I acquired a Ruger .44spl Blackhawk and have been loading 200gr RNFP with 5.6/5.7gr HP238. That's the only weight bullet I've loaded for it. I came by some Berry's 240gr FP. Can't seem to fine a good recipe for that weight bullet using HP238. Could I get some input from you experts on a good load for that including COAL? Not trying to load anything hot, just something that's fun to shoot. Thanks for anyone's help.
 
That Berry's 240gr FP... that's cast lead? The three powders I'd recommend... Clays, Unique, and 2400.

Clays... best I remember, depending on the lot number, a .7cc Lee dipper will put you somewhere in the middle of the published acceptable range.

Unique works nicely. I recall something like 6grs. 7.5-8.5grs is .44mag and .45Colt stuff, but then again...

2400... Elmer Keith loaded 18grs with a 250gr Keith bullet. I loaded 13grs with a 240gr SWC and it's still kinda warm.

I suggest referring to Hodgdon's website and the Hornady manuals.
 
I've tried the Extreme plated 240gr in 44 mag and could not find a good load with those for a Ruger Redhawk.
For a S&W 696 with 200gr RNFP, Penn 205gr TCFP and MBC # 20 my favorite powders for upper end loads are WSF and VV n-340, great accuracy with these bullets at around 7.8gr of either powder with a velocity of around 980-1000 FPS in the 3" barrel.
 
Accuracy load in Lyman 50th manual is 12 Gr. 2400 with a Winchester primer for 44 special. Works for me.
That load is accurate in my S&W 624 and Charter Arms 44 bulldog. 200 gr. lead bullet.
 
My 431 shoots to point of aim at 25 yards with 200 grain bullets. Obviously Taurus meant this to be used with the advanced 200 grain self defense loads on the market. My normal 44 Special loads with 240 grain bullets shot quite high. I was able to purchase 200 grain LSWC bullets, at an advertised brinell hardness of 13.

I used Unique as that is an exceptionally flexible powder, something I normally use in 44 Spl, and it did not let me down.

Since I got light leading at 6.0 grs Unique, and it shoot to point of aim with excellent accuracy, and it is the lightest recoiling of the test sequence, that is what I use in practice. I suspect I was pushing the pistol on the heavier loads.

Taurus 44 Spl M431 3" Barrel

240 LSWC 5.0 grs Red Dot thrown, Midway Brass CCI 500

Ave Vel = 684.1
Std Dev =17.11
ES =57.84
Low = 654.1
High =712
N =16

Shoots way high


205 LSWC 6.0 grs Unique thrown, Midway Brass WLP
T = 54 °F 11-Dec-04

Ave Vel = 789.6
Std Dev = 27.18
ES = 96.54
Low = 724.1
High = 820.6
N = 30

Accurate, shoots point of aim, light leading.


205 LSWC 6.5 Unique thrown, Midway Brass WLP
T = 54 °F 25-Nov-04

Ave Vel = 866
Std Dev = 16
ES = 52
Low = 839
High = 891
N = 11

Elevation good, but left; more leading



205 LSWC 7.0 grs Unique thrown, Midway Brass WLP
T = 57 °F 25-Nov-04

Ave Vel = 906
Std Dev = 16
ES = 56
Low = 876
High = 932
N = 15

elevation good but left: worst leading

ihGgls8.jpg
 
for my mid range 44 mag I used unique works great and have also had good results with be 86 I am sure either of these powders would do well for a 44 spl mid range target load ,
 
Not trying to load anything hot, just something that's fun to shoot. Thanks for anyone's help.
2400 is too slow for standard pressure .44 Spl.

The .44 Spl loves 700X and lead, so assume it would do well with coated as well.

Clays should do well. Unique is an old stand by.

W-231 is good as well, used to use it in .44 Spl until 700X beat it out, nothing but lead back then.

You can use jacketed W-231 or HP 38 data if you have HP38.

Here is what Berrys is saying about their bullets these days.

From the website:
Question: Where can I find load data for your bullets?

Load data from any load manual or website can be used. Full-metal jacketed, lead bullet, or plated bullet load data can be used as long as the following standards are adhered to:

  • The data contains the correct grain weight of bullet.
  • Berry's max recommended velocity is not exceeded. (This info is displayed on bullet boxes and product webpages.)
    • Standard Plate Bullets Max Velocity: 1,250 fps.
    • Thick-Plate Bullets (TP) Max Velocity: 1,500 fps.
  • Do not over-crimp the bullet. Crimping so tight that bullet deformation occurs, or plating is separated causing visible exposure of the lead core will cause tumbling, key-holing, and reduced accuracy.
  • Both a taper crimp and a roll crimp can be used as long as the amount of crimp does not cause plating and core separation.
https://www.berrysmfg.com/faq
 
My 431 shoots to point of aim at 25 yards with 200 grain bullets. Obviously Taurus meant this to be used with the advanced 200 grain self defense loads on the market. My normal 44 Special loads with 240 grain bullets shot quite high. I was able to purchase 200 grain LSWC bullets, at an advertised brinell hardness of 13.

I used Unique as that is an exceptionally flexible powder, something I normally use in 44 Spl, and it did not let me down.

Since I got light leading at 6.0 grs Unique, and it shoot to point of aim with excellent accuracy, and it is the lightest recoiling of the test sequence, that is what I use in practice. I suspect I was pushing the pistol on the heavier loads.

Taurus 44 Spl M431 3" Barrel

240 LSWC 5.0 grs Red Dot thrown, Midway Brass CCI 500

Ave Vel = 684.1
Std Dev =17.11
ES =57.84
Low = 654.1
High =712
N =16

Shoots way high


205 LSWC 6.0 grs Unique thrown, Midway Brass WLP
T = 54 °F 11-Dec-04

Ave Vel = 789.6
Std Dev = 27.18
ES = 96.54
Low = 724.1
High = 820.6
N = 30

Accurate, shoots point of aim, light leading.


205 LSWC 6.5 Unique thrown, Midway Brass WLP
T = 54 °F 25-Nov-04

Ave Vel = 866
Std Dev = 16
ES = 52
Low = 839
High = 891
N = 11

Elevation good, but left; more leading



205 LSWC 7.0 grs Unique thrown, Midway Brass WLP
T = 57 °F 25-Nov-04

Ave Vel = 906
Std Dev = 16
ES = 56
Low = 876
High = 932
N = 15

elevation good but left: worst leading

View attachment 850467
Thanks for your excellent in-depth reply. I found it excellent and quite informative. I will learn from it. Thanks again!
 
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