44 mag hunting loads

[Catpop]

I have a friend that wants to get into reloading his 44 mag S&W (29 I think) for hunting bears and hogs. I told him I would help him get started, but did not have a clue as to what are the best powders and bullets he should use as I do not load 44 mag yet. (have the dies, but been to busy with 9mm and 45 acp to start a new cal; I have a 629)
So I'm asking the forum, what are your pet combinations, before I go out and buy powder and bullets for him (and me)
Of course if loads are given they will be reduced by the standard 10% and worked back up. All loads will be chronoed and results posted back here later.
Thanks in advance, Catpop

 

[Jitterbug]

I think a good hardcast from 240-280 grains would be just the ticket. I like Beartooth Bullets and load a 280 gr. WFNGC over AA9 it gives about 1150 fps from a 4" 629. This is my "bear & moose" load for personal protection carry out west.

250 gr. Beartooth WFNGC (mine weighed in at 260 gr.) over 2400 from 1150-1250 fps.

250 gr. Ledhead Keith over 2400 from 1150-1250 fps, again all out of a 4" 629. This might be just the ticket for your purpose and the Ledheads might be easier to obtain. There is plenty of data available for 2400 and the Keith bullet.

The last two should be plenty adequate for bear and hogs in the east. I tried plenty of workups with H110, but AA9 and 2400 gave me better accuracy and are easier to work with in my opinion.

I used new Starline brass and CCI-300's except the H110 loads where I used 350's.

Load data for the 280 gr. was scarce, I had to extrapolate from jacketed and 275 grain data.

 

[oldpapps]

Can't argue with what Jitterbug says.

I use StarLine brass and Missouri Bullet 240 grain bullets. I have and used 231/HP-38 for light loads and worked up a health load that pushed the same velocity as my preferred 2400 powder but the fast powder was at it top end and gave no leeway. Other powders: H110/296 - great for full-house loads but a small load window. Lt'Gun - I like it but some have reported excessive top-strap burning, I've never seen anything conclusive. Olin 630 - obsolete but I have some and love it. 2400 - I think one of the best if not the best for the 44.

There are many, many other powders that are excellent and some that will do. Having or finding one is more of a problem.

Many like the heavier bullets. I have no problem with them but can't justify the added weight. I get great penetration with 240s. Maybe if I were to be in big bear country.

The 44 is very versatile. Start with a light loading and work up till you find the energy load your weapons likes. Safety first.

 

[Salmoneye]

I only have one hunting load for my Super Blackhawk and Marlin 1894S...

265gr Hornady Flat Point over 22gr of H110 with a magnum primer...

1300+fps from the SBH, and 1650+fps from the 1894S...

This load is from the Hornady 4th edition, and is not max in either the Pistol or Rifle sections of that edition...This load is safe and accurate in my guns, but as with all loads, refer to current manuals...

 

[zerobarrier]

This was a thread I started awhile ago, it should have some info for you. http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=735766

I settled on 240gr xtp with h110 or w296 with 25gr( a litle above max according to lyman, but its a ruger and I see no signs of over pressure), Used on my ruger 77/44 and super blackhawk

I use starline brass with cci#350. I have also used nosler 200gr and 240gr hp with good success, I forgot the amount of powder but it was imr 4227

 

[TooManyToys]

240 SWC (Keith style) or, 240 JHP's over a load of IMR 4227.
Good performer & much more flexible than H110/296

 

[mnhntr]

240gr hardcast Keith over some Tightgroup or a 240gr JSP over some H110

 

[rondog]

Just don't go TOO LIGHT on the powder charges. Magnum powders can be dangerous if loaded too lightly. Stick with established recipes.

And be careful, some books have separate .44 mag RIFLE and PISTOL sections. Recipes are different.

 

[horsemen61]

Thank you guys for the info

 

[AZ Desertrat]

A 240gr SWCGC with AA#9 or IMR4227 should do the trick.

 

[gamestalker]

I've been loading full tilt 44 mag for a long time, and in my opinion, H110/296 is the ticket, at least for me. I like JHP bullet weights between 200 gr. and 225 gr.. But with 296 or H110 you don't work up from a 10% reduction, you use published charges with this powder. It doesn't perform well at all when taken down, and it requires a magnum primer to ignite it consistently. Very little work up is needed, and IMO, it doesn't really need to be worked up at all, just pick published start to mid table charge for the weight bullet being used, and you'll be fine. Be sure to use a full roll crimp, or you'll have bullets jumping clean out of the case mouths as they approach battery, and powder every where.

GS

 

[hartcreek]

H110/296 is a powder that you have to load maximum charges. There are posts all over the web...somehow I missed them when loading 296 and I had major pressure spikes trying to work up loads for a 624. Air pockets are you enemy with this powder.

 

[Buck13]

I've shot a few hundred of these (only at paper)
http://www.westernbullet.com/ly4gr3.html
over:
-7 gr Trail Boss, very light plinker, of course
-6 gr HP-38, another plinker
-8 gr HP-38 OK, but still not very serious recoil
-14.9 gr Blue Dot, considerable leading, probably will not use this load again
-10 gr AA #5, accurate mid-power load, some leading but not too bad, Federal primers muffin-topped to 0.218"
-19 gr AA #9, Rowrr! Winchester primers measure 0.211 to 0.214"
-21 gr new IMR4227 (aka old H4227) Stout, not much leading or muzzle flash, I usually shoot these pretty well, although that could be dumb luck. I'll be loading more of these. Winchester primers measure 0.211 to 0.212"

I haven't used that bullet with 2400, but shooting plated 240 gr bullets with 19grains of 2400 generates WAY more flash and bang then the 4227 loads. It's entertaining and get people's attention at the indoor range, but for hunting, I'd prefer something less distracting.

I've shot a few of these
http://www.westernbullet.com/rc44gr.html
over:
-15.5 gr 2400
-16.7 gr #9
-20 gr 4227
Again, unless the goal was to attract attention to the muzzle flash, I'd prefer #9 or 4227.

I haven't chronographed any of these. By the book values, all but the plinkers should be pretty zippy. The 4227 loads feel softer than the 2400 but I'm sure they'd do the job. Recoil wasn't punishing in a 7.5" Redhawk.

The 250 gr Keiths are pretty long, finishing at 1.70" OAL. That's fine for a Redhawk. I don't know about an N-frame. The RCBS 300 seats deeper, at 1.685" OAL.

 

[savanahsdad]

2400 for cast and W296 for jacketed or gas-checked,
for cast I like 240gr SWC and jacketed I like 240gr Speer JFP and 300gr or 240gr XTP for the XTP's use Hornady's data they're .430 and most other jacketed bullets are .429

 

[41 Mag]

As mentioned 2400 and AA-9 fill the bill well for the upper end loads in the 44 mag. Both are easy to work with and have a bit wider spread on the load ranges.

Personally I have always used Win WLP primers in my 44 loads mostly due to the fact they are a bit hotter and can be used for standard or magnum loads. That said, and in today's mess of things, pick a primer you can get. If it's not the Winchester get the magnum version.

For bullets, you would be hard pressed to beat the WFN types poured up by several companies out there. Don't get caught up in them having to be as hard as they can be made though. I have run plenty of softer ones up into the 1200fps range with no issues. Keep in mind that FIT is King and LUBE is Queen. Something sized to .430 - .431, "should" work just fine for you, but only shooting them will tell the tale. If you find leading, look to see where it starts, if at the forcing cone, it's bullet size, if near the muzzle it is usually a lube issue. Also before shooting any lead through the barrel make real sure you have all of the copper fouling out or this in of itself will cause plenty of leading.

With a good load you might still see some lead in the groves of your barrel, but it should reach a certain level and remain constant. If it starts to fill a groove that is when you start looking at thing a bit harder.

If you want to go jacketed, the two I would go with are the Speer Gold Dot, or the Hornady XTP both in the 240gr range. Either of those loaded to 1200 - 1300fps will do all that needs to be done with deer or hogs. Also keep in mind that a hogs vital are up front and not behind the shoulder. Aim directly up the front leg, about 3" or so into the bottom of the shoulder and you will hit heart and lungs every time.

Just keep in mind even though it is a 44 Magnum, it isn't a rifle by any stretch, so keep shots close and all will be well. Most recommend keeping things to within around 50yds at most. Also you want to be a bit more picky with your shots. Nothing beats a good shot to the vital from a broadside position. A bit of patients is usually highly rewarded in a short tracking job.

 

[omnus]

240gr xtp + H110 make a great combination. Been using it for several years in a super redhawk and cant wait to see how much more I get out of it in a lever action!

 

[buck460XVR]

For Bear and Hogs, I would suggest a JSP over a JHP if using jacketed. Nosler and Remington makes good ones in 240gr as does Speer. Speer also makes a 270 gr Deep Curl which is also a excellent bullet. The 265 Hornady is also good, but hard to find. H110/W296 will give you tad more velocity, but I've found that IMR4227 is a tad more consistent. Both work well. I don't see much to be gained outta a S&W 29 and going to 300 gr, but I'm sure others may disagree.

 

[ssyoumans]

Don't flame me, I have a 629-3. I read somewhere (so it must be true) that it is best to stick with 240gr or less in the 29 / 629 models. The heavy 300gr loads will wear on them much faster. I read a good bit on this after I bought my 629-3, so I stick with the XTPs, Gold Dots. Besides, my Marlin 1894 doesn't like the heavies either, too slow of barrel twist rate.