Help with 44 special load

[newrugersafan]

Hello All,

I need some help with a load for Hornady 240 grain XTP and Power Pistol.

I'm loading for a Ruger 44 special.

In the Handloader test of the Ruger 44 special they have a load for Power pistol and the 240 grain Keith LSWC starting at 8 grains and ending at 9 grains. PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS LOAD IS LISTED IN A TABLE THAT HAS THE WARNING " ONLY SUITABLE FOR THE NEW MODEL RUGER BLACKHAWK 44 SPECIAL OR REVOLVERS OF SIMILAR STRENGTH".

Is 8 grains Power Pistol a safe starting load for the 240 grain XTP ? I'm looking for around 1000 fps.

My Lyman manual does not list Power Pistol in the 44 special load tables.

Thanks
Mike

 

[rcmodel]

8.0 grains is over SAAMI spec for the .44 Spl, but I think it should be safe in a small-frame Ruger NMV.

Alliant & Speer list a 240 JHP & 7.6 Power Pistol as a MAX load.
Hornady lists 6.8 Power Pistol = 750 FPS.

But that is for SAAMI Max 15,500 PSI for .44 Special, which is really really low to start with in any modern gun.

With that said, I'm just making a WAG, so use at your own risk.

rc

 

[joed]

That load will most likely be safe in your pistol. The problem with the .44 Spl is that there are guns out there like the Charter Arms Bulldog. Because of these junk guns the .44's pressure has been kept low.

 

[joneb]

s 8 grains Power Pistol a safe starting load for the 240 grain XTP ?

I would start at the middle to upper end of the data for .44spl. that uses the 240gr XTP.
Assuming the 240gr LSWC and 240gr XTP(.430 dia) will have the same pressure with a given charge is not wise.

 

[newrugersafan]

Thanks for the responses,

jibjab, I asked the question because I did not think the pressure would be the same with lead and jacketed. I looked at some of the loads for the 45 acp with lead and jacketed using Power Pistol and the 8 grains looked like it would be safe but with out a specific starting point I did not want to take a chance.

I will start at 7 grains and work up. I don't want to risk damage to myself or my gun.

I normally use the "Skeeter Load" in my 44 specials but I want a good load for the Hornady bullet also. Brian Pierce has listed a load for the XTP but it uses a powder that I do not have on hand, I like Power Pistol but it may not be the best powder for this bullet.

Thanks Again
Mike

 

[joneb]

Please let us know how it works out. I have shot a revolver loose with stiff loads so I am more conservative now

 

[James2]

I have never used Power Pistol powder.

I looked on the powder web site and they said 7.6 gr Power Pistol max and to start 10% lower with the 240 gr bullet.

You should be good starting at 7.