.44 Mag FMJ Light Load?

[dubious]

Is there a reason I can't find very light loads for a 44 mag 240 gr FMJ with Titegroup or Unique? Can anybody point me to some good ones?

 

[zxcvbob]

Use .45 Colt data (but not "Ruger only.")

 

[dubious]

Yeah? I'm a bit hesitant to do that without some expert advice or reference. What do y'all think?

 

[campbell]

Use the .44 Special as a reference.

.44 Special lists

240 GR. CAST LSWC, 4.8 grains Titegroup, 862 fps and 13,100 CUP.

 

[evan price]

I use 9.7 gr of Titegroup for full-power 240-gr Lead SWC.
For jacketed light target load if you go about 5 grains of Titegroup you should be fine.

 

[Hook686]

http://www.alliantpowder.com/reload...gtypeid=1&weight=240&shellid=1027&bulletid=88

I prefer 2400, but have used 9.8 grains of Unique, with 240 grain SJSP bullets. I have also loaded 10.8 grains of Unique, which I found a bit much, for general practice at the range. I used WLP primers and 1.610" OAL.

 

[swoter]

I use 8 grains Unique over a 240 grain cast. Mild and easy on the hands. Not quite as low as a cowboy load though. The alliant website has a section on reloading cowboy loads.

 

[Sport45]

Is there a reason I can't find very light loads for a 44 mag 240 gr FMJ with Titegroup or Unique? Can anybody point me to some good ones?

It's the same reason you won't find low velocity loads for a .357mag. The guys that write the data figure if you're not wanting magnum performance you'll put specials in it.

Use .44spcl data in .44mag brass. It's safe with the fast powders that you'll see used with .44spcl. (Titegroup really doesn't care how much extra room is in the case.)

The bad part is you'll find your front sight isn't tall enough to really use these low velocity loads in your revolver.

 

[Walkalong]

Ditto on using .44 Spl. loads. Works just fine.

Red Dot and American Select work very well for downloading the .44 Mag to very light levels.

 

[cmidkiff]

I've been using Trail Boss for light .44mag loads at around 1000fps. Works very well. If you haven't used it before, it's a bit odd shaped, but it meters OK. I don't think it'd be possible to over load a .44mag case with this powder, and I like that extra level of safety.

I try to avoid a small charge in a big case. I'm not that worried about 'detonation', if that really exists, but it's hard to double charge a case that's over half full