Bullseye and 44 magnum

[georgiacatweasle]

I have some old reloading data from 2000 related to using Alliant Bullseye in 44 Magnum, 240gr lead.
The specs are a max of 9.8gr generating 34,400 psi.
New reloading data doesn't show that at all for 44 magnum or sometimes shows a max of 6gr.

I happen to have 100 8.5gr loaded up. (Long Story)

I'm figuring those would be fine to shoot through a Ruger Super Redhawk, just would have "magnum" recoil ?

Thanks for any info.

 

[Schwing]

I tend to stick to the modernly published data as methods for calculating max loads has evolved some over the years and powders have been reformulated as well.

8.5 seems a bit on the high end for my comfort level. I would load some up a little closer to the currently published max first (maybe 5.5 or 5.6 grains). Maybe go up by .3 grains per test and see if you are getting pressure signs. If you don't get any until you hit your 8.5 then you might not need to pull them.

2.5 grains over published max would make me hesitate.

 

[georgiacatweasle]

I think there are about 50/50 as far as yes it's ok, verses nope too high that i've chatted too.
thinking breaking down and using unique and a different bullet. I hear IMR-4227 is a good general purpose 44 mag powder too.
original purpose was SD round / hunting load. the 300gr or 240gr XTP may be a better bullet choice instead of 240gr lead (though it would more than likely due the job fine).

 

[ssyoumans]

The Alliant 2004 catalog has a 240gr Lead gas checked bullet, Fed 150 primers, 1.6", 9.8gr Bullseye, 34.4k.

So they continued that data thru at least 2004. If your load matches and is reduced by 10%, I'd be inclined to believe they were safe.
While high pressure, they shouldn't kick much compared to the listed load in same catalog for 2400, that loads kicks them out at 1,510 FPS.

 

[georgiacatweasle]

The main difference with mine is no gas check. but that as far as i know just removes leading as the bullet travels down the barrel ? shouldn't effect pressure too much ?

 

[ATLDave]

Pure conjecture: Is it possible that the max load got dropped not because of pressure problems per se, but because it caused leading? I have read, but cannot confirm, that faster powders (like Bullseye) tend to burn hot, and are more prone to heating the base of lead bullets to the point where they melt if you try to load them to velocities in the magnum range.

Again, just a thought. No idea whether that's the explanation.

 

[georgiacatweasle]

ATLDave, that may be a good guess. I've heard that happening on certain lead bullets that are NOT hardcast.
Seems to me the big ol'Rugers should suck up the loading fairly easy.

 

[Jim Watson]

I don't think it will hurt your gun loaded as written. But do be careful, the only gun demolished on our range was a .357 that got a double Magnum charge of Bull.

 

[TimSr]

Is it possible that the max load got dropped not because of pressure problems per se, but because it caused leading?

Max loads for "lead" bullets are rarely based on pressure, and are a guess based on the wide variety of "lead" bullets that are available. Boxed, name brand "lead" bullets such as Speer or Hornady are very soft lead, which might start leading drastically at 900fps, while "lead" cast bullets of the appropriate hardness can often be safely loaded up to full magnum velocities.

 

[Steve C]

Your loads will work fine. If your bullets are hard cast then you won't get much leading and any you do get can be cleaned out.

The current lighter loads are most likely using Speer softer swagged lead bullets at lower target velocities. Much of the current load changes have been due to changes in corporate ownership. Alliant is currently owned by ATK which also owns Speer and Federal so they marry their corporate sources and data to promote their products.

There has been a bunch of new powder introduced in the last decade and popularity has changed. Quite a bit of the older powders that where used for handgun have been pushed to the side by the publishers of load data for many reasons but not because they don't work. Previously published data, the newer the better, is still good for those old lead bullets just use common sense in load development. One would only need to avoid using old data with any of the all copper or other new alternate material bullets now available to hand loaders.

 

[georgiacatweasle]

My bullets are the green hi-tech coated ones from Bayou bullets.
as far as the web site says, they are hardcast too, so i shouldn't have any kind of leading. also a multitude of users have mentioned they don't hardly get any smoke or dirt at all.

 

[Schwing]

ATLDave, that may be a good guess. I've heard that happening on certain lead bullets that are NOT hardcast

This is a common misconception about lead bullets. Harder bullets often have far LOWER melting points than soft. Remember, in Elmer Keith's day, his favorite bullet was 16-to-1 lead/tin, which has a BHN of only 11. It is far more common for bullets that are TOO hard to cause leading than bullets that are too soft.

Out of the gate, I would NOT shoot loads with 8.5 grains. I am not a nervous nelly either. I often shoot loads that are at max or even slightly over but I always work those loads up gradually looking for pressure signs along the way.

 

[Crashbox]

I hear IMR-4227 is a good general purpose 44 mag powder too.

Yes, especially with the heavier 300-grain bullets although it also works quite well with the 240's. Just not as efficient of powder charge/velocity ratio with 240-grainers. On the plus side, it's not a "flashy" powder and because of that I have a bunch of 240-grain Noslers capping 23.0 grains of IMR 4227 for home defense purposes. It also tends to run slightly lower pressures from my experience.

 

[larryh1108]

Another way to look at it is, a common plinking load for the .45ACP is 5gr of Bullseye pushing 230gr at 800fps. The .44Mag case is larger and you are pushing it almost double the MV. Draw your own conclusion.