44 Mag. Load Questions

[actionflies]

I just bought a Ruger super blackhawk hunter 7.5" barrel for target/plinking at the range and looking for a load recommendation. I am using Rem. 240gr. JHP and currently have Unique, HS-6, Win 231, Titegroup, and Clays powder. A friend recommended me to use a slower burning powder for revolvers and faster burning powder for semi auto. What are your thought and how much crimping do I need for 44 magnum load?

 

[zxcvbob]

About 10 grains of Unique should be a good load. HS-6 might be better but don't have the load data handy.

Moderate crimp. You need a heavier crimp with the really slow powders (H110, 296, etc) to get a good burn, or with stout charges of really fast powders (Red Dot, Titegroup, etc) to keep the bullets from jumping.

 

[Hutch]

The heavier the load, the tighter the crimp, generally. Slower burning powders, usually found in heavier loads, appreciate a good crimp, and you really, really don't want the bullets to back out of the cases during recoil. IMHO, the bestest powder for full-tilt magnum revolver loads (357 and 44 in my case) is H110. Don't go below minimum suggested charge.

 

[evan price]

I am loading .44 magnum 240-gr HCL-SWC with Titegroup. Max is 10 grains, I am loading with the Lee disk just under that (9.5? 9.7? I'm about 3000 miles from my gear right now) and they are great in my Ruger Super Redhawk 7.5 barrel. I use enough crimp to roll the case into the crimp groove, not much more than that.

 

[Barr]

Alliant 2400 will give you good velocity and accuracy and is one of the most common powders used in .44 Magnum. Elmer Keith swore by this powder and John Taffin does as well.

 

[TexasSkyhawk]

Alliant 2400 will give you good velocity and accuracy and is one of the most common powders used in .44 Magnum. Elmer Keith swore by this powder and John Taffin does as well.

HUGE Amen to 2400--especially for .44 magnum and .357 magnum. Best groups I get from any of my reloads come from the 2400 recipes.

Outstanding powder!

Jeff

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I am using Rem. 240gr. JHP and currently have Unique, HS-6, Win 231, Titegroup, and Clays powder.

Of the powders you have on hand the only one that will give you Magnum power and velocity is HS-6. Hodgdon recommends a charge of between 12.0gr and 15.1gr of HS-6 for that weight bullet.

If you are thinking about buying a different powder Lil'Gun will give you the best performance in the .44 Magnum with a 240gr Jacketed bullet. H110/W296 and 2400 are all time tested Magnum powders and any one of them will do a good job with that round.

 

[Hook686]

I load 9.4 - 10.4 grains Unique (1.600" OAL, WLP primer, 240 grain JSP) and get crimp jump in my 329PD, but not my 629 Classic, with a moderate crimp.

 

[Quigley]

44 Mag loads

I have a 8" Colt, it loves the 240 grain HP sat atop 21 grains of Accurate #9

 

[Galil5.56]

All the powders you list will provide great plinker loads (expensive with JHP's)

If you like to plink with your 44 mag, might look into buying or making your own bullets. My home cast bullet loads work out to less than $2.00/50 . If going for the best load density, Clays would have the highest load density. Many, many commercial loaders use W231 for economical cast bullet loads that still have plenty of thump.

Good luck!

 

[Walkalong]

I load 240 Gr JHP's & JSP's with 19.9 Grs AA #9 with WLP primers and it shoots real well.

 

[Mike 3-4]

I also have loaded Rem.240 grn. SJHP with 7.6 grn. of H-Universal Clays & Fed. 150 primers in Starline brass. It cronographed 901fps, 9.9sd and good accuracy out of a Ruger 4 5/8" Bisley Vaquero.