44mag rifle load?

[Axis II]

Seeing what you guys like for 44 mag rifles? powder, primer, bullet.

I will be loading for a 44mag H&R Handi rifle.

Would like full power loads for deer hunting.

Going to pickup lee dies this week and maybe powder and primers.

also how hard is it to find a good 100yard hunting load for 44mag in a rifle?

 

[Slamfire]

I don't know the twist rate of your H&R, but my Marlin has a 1:38 twist and it does not shoot bullets heavier than 240 grain worth a hoot. My data is therefore around 240 grain jacketed bullets. My M1894 shot best with H110/W296. It was through this sequence of cartridge testing that I determined that W296 and H110 were the same thing as the velocity difference per grain was inconsequential. Hercules, now Alliant 2400 is and was excellent powder in this cartridge. Elmer Keith used it in his super hot 44 Specials, back in the 1920's, and when the 44 Magnum was introduced in the 1950's, that is what he used in his revolvers. The classic Elmer Keith 44 Magnum load is a 240 grain bullet with 22.0 grains 2400.


Anyway, I recommend W296/H110 for rifles but understand, you can't cut the powder charge. With H110/W296 it is either full magnum loads or nothing at all. Since you will be using this in a rifle I assume you will want all the velocity you can get.

[SIZE="3"][B]M1894 Marlin Ballard Barrel[/B]
				
				
240 Speer JHP 22.0 grs 2400 CCI 500	
21-Dec-01	T = 54  °F			
				
Ave Vel =1747			
Std Dev =21			
ES =68			
Low =1717			
High =1785			
N =7			
				
240 Nosler JHP 24.0 grs W296 WLP Fed cases
23-Mar-05	T = 65° F			
				
Ave Vel =1725			
Std Dev =7			
ES =21			
Low =1715		
High =1736			
N =5		 	 
				
				
240 Nosler JHP 24.5 grs W296 WLP Fed cases
23-Mar-05T = 65° F			
Ave Vel =1752			
Std Dev =12			
ES =28		
Low =1735			
High =1763			
N =5		 	 
				
				
240 Nosler JHP 24.0 grs H110 WLP Midway cases
23-Mar-05 T = 65° F			
				
Ave Vel =1710			
Std Dev =3		
ES =9			
Low =1705			
High =1714			
N =5		 	 
				

				
240 Nosler JHP 24.5 grs H110 WLP Midway cases
23-Mar-05 T = 65° F			
				
Ave Vel =1745			
Std Dev =12			
ES =45			
Low =1723			
High =1768			
N =10			
				
				
240 Rem JHP 24.0 grs H110 WLP Midway cases
23-Mar-05	T = 65° F			
			
Ave Vel =1719			
Std Dev =10			
ES =29		
Low =1705			
High =1734			
N =10		[/SIZE]

 

[Reloadron]

My choice bullets in 44 Remington Magnum have always been 240 grain with a liking of Hornady XTP. My choices of powder have always been Win 296 and Hercules (Now Alliant) 2400. I have also used IMR 4227 but like the 296 and 2400. I have tried the 300 grain bullets but went back to the standard 240 grain. Speer Gold Dot is another bullet I like in 44 Remington Magnum. With the powders mentioned I used Large Pistol Magnum primers.

As to 100 yards? That is about the maximum I was ever comfortable with using iron sights and my 44 carbine. Choose a 44 Rem Mag load and work it up for accuracy and zero the rifle for 100 or 150 yards.

Ron

 

[midland man]

I used 240gr jhp and 20.0grs h110 powder worked well for me in my rossi r92 rifles, very accurate!!

 

[RecoilRob]

The 180 JHP's work well in some rifles too...so you might try a few just to see how your rifle likes them. The suggested 296/110 or 2400 powders are the 'go to' choices for sure, with my preference to the 2400 just because it's a wee bit less sensitive to reduced charges though the absolute maximums will be higher with 296. The 180's will be going considerably faster than the 240's which might make the trajectory a little flatter out at 100yds and still retain plenty of power to do the job on deer. Not sure how the 180's would work on a hog though....so if they're on the menu too...maybe stick with the heavier bullets.

 

[Axis II]

I don't know the twist rate of your H&R, but my Marlin has a 1:38 twist and it does not shoot bullets heavier than 240 grain worth a hoot. My data is therefore around 240 grain jacketed bullets. My M1894 shot best with H110/W296. It was through this sequence of cartridge testing that I determined that W296 and H110 were the same thing as the velocity difference per grain was inconsequential. Hercules, now Alliant 2400 is and was excellent powder in this cartridge. Elmer Keith used it in his super hot 44 Specials, back in the 1920's, and when the 44 Magnum was introduced in the 1950's, that is what he used in his revolvers. The classic Elmer Keith 44 Magnum load is a 240 grain bullet with 22.0 grains 2400.


Anyway, I recommend W296/H110 for rifles but understand, you can't cut the powder charge. With H110/W296 it is either full magnum loads or nothing at all. Since you will be using this in a rifle I assume you will want all the velocity you can get.

[SIZE="3"][B]M1894 Marlin Ballard Barrel[/B]
				
				
240 Speer JHP 22.0 grs 2400 CCI 500	
21-Dec-01	T = 54  °F			
				
Ave Vel =1747			
Std Dev =21			
ES =68			
Low =1717			
High =1785			
N =7			
				
240 Nosler JHP 24.0 grs W296 WLP Fed cases
23-Mar-05	T = 65° F			
				
Ave Vel =1725			
Std Dev =7			
ES =21			
Low =1715		
High =1736			
N =5		 	 
				
				
240 Nosler JHP 24.5 grs W296 WLP Fed cases
23-Mar-05T = 65° F			
Ave Vel =1752			
Std Dev =12			
ES =28		
Low =1735			
High =1763			
N =5		 	 
				
				
240 Nosler JHP 24.0 grs H110 WLP Midway cases
23-Mar-05 T = 65° F			
				
Ave Vel =1710			
Std Dev =3		
ES =9			
Low =1705			
High =1714			
N =5		 	 
				

				
240 Nosler JHP 24.5 grs H110 WLP Midway cases
23-Mar-05 T = 65° F			
				
Ave Vel =1745			
Std Dev =12			
ES =45			
Low =1723			
High =1768			
N =10			
				
				
240 Rem JHP 24.0 grs H110 WLP Midway cases
23-Mar-05	T = 65° F			
			
Ave Vel =1719			
Std Dev =10			
ES =29		
Low =1705			
High =1734			
N =10		[/SIZE]

Yes I would like all the velocity I can get. I know some say you can kill a deer with a 22lr but I like the hardest hitting rounds I can get. hence why I went 45-70 the first time.

this will just be my blind, brush, drive gun.

 

[Axis II]

My choice bullets in 44 Remington Magnum have always been 240 grain with a liking of Hornady XTP. My choices of powder have always been Win 296 and Hercules (Now Alliant) 2400. I have also used IMR 4227 but like the 296 and 2400. I have tried the 300 grain bullets but went back to the standard 240 grain. Speer Gold Dot is another bullet I like in 44 Remington Magnum. With the powders mentioned I used Large Pistol Magnum primers.

As to 100 yards? That is about the maximum I was ever comfortable with using iron sights and my 44 carbine. Choose a 44 Rem Mag load and work it up for accuracy and zero the rifle for 100 or 150 yards.

Ron

you've got a 444 marlin and 44 carbine! Ron's got all the cool stuff. hahaha.

this is what I'm calling mine it the 44 carbine because its only got a 22 inch barrel and I'm well a giant so it feels carbine'ish.

 

[Axis II]

The 180 JHP's work well in some rifles too...so you might try a few just to see how your rifle likes them. The suggested 296/110 or 2400 powders are the 'go to' choices for sure, with my preference to the 2400 just because it's a wee bit less sensitive to reduced charges though the absolute maximums will be higher with 296. The 180's will be going considerably faster than the 240's which might make the trajectory a little flatter out at 100yds and still retain plenty of power to do the job on deer. Not sure how the 180's would work on a hog though....so if they're on the menu too...maybe stick with the heavier bullets.

thanks Rob.

we have some hogs running around but they aren't really big. I still want to hit deer and hogs with a heavy bullet though.

 

[CraigC]

Same as for revolvers chambering the cartridge, Unique for light to moderate loads, 2400 for moderate to heavier loads and H110/296 to reach full potential. I use mostly 240-250gr SWC's but the 270gr Gold Dot is my favorite jacketed bullet.

I don't know the twist rate of your H&R, but my Marlin has a 1:38 twist and it does not shoot bullets heavier than 240 grain worth a hoot.

For the record, yours is an anomaly as the Marlin's twist should stabilize everything up to and including 300gr. My "S" model shoots MOA with the 270gr GD.

 

[Steelworker]

I too have a Handi rifle in 44 mag. It is a deer slayer. 21.0 grs of 4227 over a 240xtp works great out to 125yds or so.

I also bought a BUNCH of 240gr JHP from Midsouth and those work great too.

 

[TimSr]

23 or 24gr 296/110 over a 240gr XTP is probably the most popular deer recipe ever used for 44 mag. Some people prefer to use the 300gr in a rifle .

 

[Reloadron]

you've got a 444 marlin and 44 carbine! Ron's got all the cool stuff. hahaha.

this is what I'm calling mine it the 44 carbine because its only got a 22 inch barrel and I'm well a giant so it feels carbine'ish.

Actually I call it a 44 Carbine because Ruger named it that. Designed as a close range carbine for deer hunting in dense woods, Ruger released the Model 44 Carbine in 1961 as the "Deerstalker", a moniker it used until 1962 due to a lawsuit brought by the Ithaca Gun Company. After the name change it was simply called the Ruger 44 Carbine.


Good little rifles when you can find them. Ruger quit making them around 1985 due to production cost.

Ron

 

[gotboostvr]

I use a 240gr XTP over IMR4227 in starline brass and Winchester primers.

It's just under a max load with a firm roll crimp. I did a full work up and settled on max accuracy. I also find its the most accurate load in a pair of SW 629's and went through both front shoulders on the last doe I shot and left one nasty exit wound. The only thing holding her far side leg on was just skin.

Great hunting load.

 

[Axis II]

what's your guys thought on roll crimp vs factory crimp die for this round in a rifle?

 

[CraigC]

Roll crimp it, forget the FCD.

 

[Rule3]

23 or 24gr 296/110 over a 240gr XTP is probably the most popular deer recipe ever used for 44 mag. Some people prefer to use the 300gr in a rifle .

Your velocity would probably increase if you put the powder under the bullet.

No I am not a grammar Nazi!!

 

[redbone]

The Hornady Leverevolution loads work well in my Ruger 77/44. I don't reload for it, but maybe you can replicate that load? It works well on deer and is reasonably accurate.

 

[alexcue]

I use the FCD. I like crimping in a separate step, the idea being the bullet isn't moving when I'm crimping in the same step. I've found that using cast bullets it can make a difference. FMJ, it may not be as crucial. But I don't see a reason to change.

 

[Reloadron]

what's your guys thought on roll crimp vs factory crimp die for this round in a rifle?

I roll crimp for my rifle the same way I roll crimp for my Model 29 revolver. I even load exactly the same. The rifle is fed from a tube magazine below the barrel and gas operated. I also trim the brass so it is uniform in the crimp.

Ron

 

[mdi]

While I haven't hunted deer with my .44 Mag. rifles, I think I'd do OK with my loads. I like a Ranch Dog 265 gr. RNFP over a med+ load of 2400 (I have used WC 820, but not a lot of folks have that powder). I don't think I'd need near max. velocities with a good, large meplat bullet at medium velocities. In my Puma carbine I get 4" @ 100, but I got old eyes and can only see 50 yds. I'm sure a better shot could do better. I also use Ranch Dog's 240 gr. RNFP with the same powders. Both these bullets shoot great in all 5 of my .44 Magnums.

 

[gotboostvr]

I find IMR4227 works best with a good firm roll crimp, versus a tapper crimp. Seems to help get a more complete burn judging by how less frequently I have to brush flakes out of my 629's cylinders to keep the extractor star moving freely and from jamming up the works.

 

[TimSr]

Your velocity would probably increase if you put the powder under the bullet.

Doh! :banghead:

what's your guys thought on roll crimp vs factory crimp die for this round in a rifle?

Most 44 mag die sets only come with a roll crimp because its what is normal for bullets normally used.

 

[SSN Vet]

I believe that if you look into it closely, you will find that the LFCD for revolver calibers "is" a roll crimp, the LFCD for semi-auto pistol calibers "is" a taper crimp and that both will have the carbon post sizing ring in them.

You can buy taper crimp and roll crimp dies form Lee that are not advertised as a LFCD, and these do not have the post sizing ring.

The LFCD for bottle neck rifle calibers is a collet crimp, and I don't think it has a post sizing ring in it, (but I could be wrong on that point)

Yes, Lee has the absolute worst, most confusing product naming strategy there is.

 

[748]

One I would like to try in my dads 44mag rifle is 265gr FTX bullet on top of I believe it was 21gr of H110 and non magnum primer. I only ever use H110 in 44mag.
I hated these loads in my ruger super red hawk.
They might be kind of cool in a rifle.

With those hot Winchester white box 240gr rounds sold at Walmart the recoil was barely there. The medium size rifle was able to tame the big bad pistol round very well.

 

[Axis II]

I just got my brass for 44mag and going to get powder and primers tomorrow.

would you guys use a mag primer or regular primer for this load out of a rifle?

Going to try 1lbs of h110 and kind of partial to cci primers but willing to try something else.

will be shooting lead coated and hornady xtp.