CA Bulldog 180 XTP 700x reloading

[PadreOwl]

I have a new CA .44 Special Bulldog snub. I have fired 240 gr Cowboy load through it. Love it.
I decided to do handloading to save money. I did a lot of research, and bought the following supplies: IMR 700x & Hornady 180 XTP based on economics. The XTP was $10 cheaper than the 240 gr.. The reload books available would not tell me exactly what I wanted, I had to interpolate some data. Cleaned the casings and read where a good load was between 5.5 and 6.5. So I shot for the middle and loaded 6 gr 700x using a digital scale. For my first effort in reloading I want to stay in the lower middle of everything.

I shot five test rounds and felt very satisfied with the results. So I loaded about twenty more for future use. I was casually reading some things this morning about reloading and was concerned that the 6 gr. I loaded are VERY hot for what I am doing. I have really tried to find some solid data on this specific combination, but decided to join THR and ask first hand. What exactly have I done?

 

[shootniron]

I would try to check that round and make sure that the bullet expands. Honestly, I have had sporadic success with the XTP's in my .44's, specials and mags. I feel compelled to carry a different bullet in my CCW.

 

[quaid]

Hornady 8th Ed reloading manual does not have data for 700x with their 180 grain xtp #44050 for 44 special. They do have 180 lead data for their flat point cowboy bullet #11058, with a max of 6.4 of 700x. But lead and jacketed are treated differently.

I find it curious that they do not have 700x data, it seems to be in the burn rate area where the other powders are, and for that exact reason, I would try a different powder. Perhaps there was some funky pressure spiking or position sensitive or squib inducing who knows what with that combination.

As I casually look at the 8th Ed., I would try AA#5 for the terrific top end velocity it gives in the book. At the point I have spent for a premium bullet, I like a full powder charge to let the bullet do its magic.

 

[rcmodel]

Not much data out there for 700x in .44 Spl.

My old Speer #13 manual (1998) shows 200 JHP with 700X.
5.4 Start.
6.3 Max.

So 6.0 with a 185 should be O.K..

rc

 

[Sunray]

Fair bit of 700X data on Hodgdon's site. Not for a 180 grain jacketed though. There is for a 185 cast(that'd be close enough), but that's of no use to you.
Buckets of 180 grain data on Steve's Pages. 700X is 5.4 to 6.4 for a jacketed 180. http://stevespages.com/429p_4_180.html

 

[PadreOwl]

Thanks for the info!

Thanks to everyone who replied. Just what I needed. You share my frustration at getting exactly the info I need, but at least I feel safe shooting what I loaded. I suspect the companies are discouraging using 700x where small amounts are indicated. No room for error. At this point I do wonder what the ballistics are on this load.

 

[joneb]

Like rc said should be ok.
sometimes you just need to do your own leg work, working up the load and all.