A very pleasant 44 mag round

[coondogger]

I found this data set in Lee's Modern Reloading Second Edition. A 165 grain lead RNFP bullet motivated by 6.5 grains of Universal powder in a 44 Remington Magnum case. I'm going to use it in a Rossi 92 chambered for 44 mag; the rifle weighs a little less than 6 pounds. Unless my math is bad, the recoil energy is only 1.5 ft-lb. And you get a promised 919 fps velocity. Now, the velocity may be a little optimistic but that's not the point. If you're not using that round for hunting it seems to be something you can plink with for hours with nary a bruise to your cheek or shoulder -- unlike a lot of other 44 mag rounds.

Is there anyone here that would not bother with a round like that? And why? Am I missing something?

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

I found this data set in Lee's Modern Reloading Second Edition. A 165 grain lead RNFP bullet motivated by 6.5 grains of Universal powder in a 44 Remington Magnum case. I'm going to use it in a Rossi 92 chambered for 44 mag; the rifle weighs a little less than 6 pounds. Unless my math is bad, the recoil energy is only 1.5 ft-lb. And you get a promised 919 fps velocity. Now, the velocity may be a little optimistic but that's not the point. If you're not using that round for hunting it seems to be something you can plink with for hours with nary a bruise to your cheek or shoulder -- unlike a lot of other 44 mag rounds.

Is there anyone here that would not bother with a round like that? And why? Am I missing something?

Have you picked out a bullet/mold yet? I suggest coated might be a good idea. Cut down on the smoke.

 

[coondogger]

Have you picked out a bullet/mold yet? I suggest coated might be a good idea. Cut down on the smoke.

I think I'm going to use Bear Creek moly-infused bullets.

 

[Bill M]

I've always felt that my handloads should equal the standard loading, and my 180gr jacketed 44 mag H110 load gives around 1800fps, and is accurate! All that said, the days that my brother in law and I would shoot 100 rds each on Sunday is long behind us. I took my 44 out a couple of weeks ago, and had enough after 2 cylinders! I'm thinking of picking up some 44 special brass, and like you plinking for fun. The trajactory will be off, our load is sighted in at 100yds, and at 30yds it is shooting high, so may be necessary to aim a little higher with a milder load.

 

[Targa]

I imagine that is a very pleasant shooter. My light loads are with 240 grain bullets at 900fps through a 5.5” SBH using 7 grains of Universal. Also very pleasant to shoot.

 

[zeke]

I enjoy lighter than normal bullet weights in 45 LC and 44 mag, Preferring 200 gns. However in multiple revolvers have had to change front or rear sites if wanting to sight them in a 25 yds. Really most of the pleasure shooting done is 200 gns at about 800 fps.

 

[adcoch1]

I would definitely have a use for a load like that! Feeding should be trouble free, and it would be a great "gallery" load for plinking with all day. I'd use it more in a rifle than the handguns. I put together a 200 grn cast load with a 44 special charge of unique in a magnum case once for plinking and it was great, the lighter bullet would be even less recoil.

 

[Mercy Me]

Great info.
Thanks

 

[Soonerpesek]

A 165 grain lead RNFP bullet motivated by 6.5 grains of Universal powder in a 44 Remington Magnum case.

That is an awesome description............................!!!

 

[Soonerpesek]

Is there anyone here that would not bother with a round like that? And why? Am I missing something?

Most of the cartridges I load for also have reduced recoil/subsonic loads..........................They make plinker shooting MUCH more enjoyable for the family.................
Don't get me wrong------I like to shoot a thumper quite often, but relaxed loads sure are fun....................

 

[243winxb]

I would not bother. Not buying bullets or a new mold.

Bullets short bearing surface doesnt help alignment in the bore. Needs tested for accuracy.

Hodgdon has the loading in the rifle section. 6.5 = 1009 fps.

Worth a try for low recoil.

changed photo to correct bullet.

 

[buck460XVR]

I too wonder about accuracy. The little Rossi's can be tack drivers with the right ammo. I've found with my PCC's that light for caliber bullets, lightly loaded are not generally the best for accuracy. FME, standard for caliber weigh bullets loaded light, work better. But......YEMV.

 

[Walkalong]

Why not download it if you want? I have a .44 Spl, so I don’t, but I have a .38 Spl, and I do download .357 Mag brass. Maybe I should start downloading .44 Mag so I can shoot my Astra .44 Mag more often.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

I think I'm going to use Bear Creek moly-infused bullets.

I looked up the Bear Creek and it looks nice. It’s a hollow base bullet so it should do great for plinking.

 

[sparkyv]

My "Cat Sneeze" load:
6.9gr Universal
200 gr Brazos Prcsn RNFP LG .430
755fps in 6.5" bbl

 

[coondogger]

I've always felt that my handloads should equal the standard loading, and my 180gr jacketed 44 mag H110 load gives around 1800fps, and is accurate! All that said, the days that my brother in law and I would shoot 100 rds each on Sunday is long behind us. I took my 44 out a couple of weeks ago, and had enough after 2 cylinders! I'm thinking of picking up some 44 special brass, and like you plinking for fun. The trajactory will be off, our load is sighted in at 100yds, and at 30yds it is shooting high, so may be necessary to aim a little higher with a milder load.

For a pistol, I usually load 200g jacketed bullets with 6.7g of Unique. Very mild and lotsa fun.

 

[zeke]

I've always felt that my handloads should equal the standard loading, and my 180gr jacketed 44 mag H110 load gives around 1800fps, and is accurate! All that said, the days that my brother in law and I would shoot 100 rds each on Sunday is long behind us. I took my 44 out a couple of weeks ago, and had enough after 2 cylinders! I'm thinking of picking up some 44 special brass, and like you plinking for fun. The trajactory will be off, our load is sighted in at 100yds, and at 30yds it is shooting high, so may be necessary to aim a little higher with a milder load.

11 gns unique under a 180 Rem/Hdy jhp gets about 1250 fps from 4 in revolver. Extremely accurate in pistols without oversize chamber throats, and purposeful. Same caveat about sight regulation as the milder loads In 16 in lever bout 1550 fps, and very mild shooting. Hp-38 can be useful for the milder 200 lrnfp loads with standard 44 mag brass. A tight crimp seems to help.

 

[adcoch1]

Why not download it if you want? I have a .44 Spl, so I don’t, but I have a .38 Spl, and I do download .357 Mag brass. Maybe I should start downloading .44 Mag so I can shoot my Astra .44 Mag more often.

Load up a skeeter load for 44 special in the mag brass and go shoot that astra! They are quite the treasure and almost unheard of.