Load data help.. Please read. No disrespect to Missouri Bullet Company.

[Eb1]

Thanks, everyone.

I will load up:
(15) with 2400 and the XTP at 20.0 grains.
(15) with 2400 and the XTP at 20.5 grains.
(15) with Unique and LSWC at 10.0 grains.
(15) with Unique and LSWC at 10.5 grains.
(15) with Unique and LSWC at 11.0 grains.
All weights of projectiles are 240 grains.

I will come back with the results. I do not have a pistol rest. So you right about chasing my tail. I shoot off hand, and I know that is a bad way to test. I have rifle rests, but I do not have a pistol rest.

I guess I will have to make one, or try to buy one before testing the loads above.

 

[rcmodel]

Be sure you use a firm roll crimp. Especially with the 2400 loads.
It helps promote uniform ignition with slower powders.

rc

 

[Eb1]

Roger that, rc.

 

[Hammerdown77]

Make sandbags from cut off legs of old blue jeans (or any other heavy fabric pants with a tight weave). Zip tie (the heavy ones) the ends. That's the only rest you need.

Try only resting your wrists/forearms on the bags at first, and do not let ANY part of the gun touch the bench or bag. Some people can rest the frame of the gun in bags, but when I do that it changes the way I am gripping the gun and my groups open up.

 

[Eb1]

How about this one? Found here on THR..

For Pistol:
Never found one I liked so made my own. Use 24" piece of 2x4 for bottom with upright 2X4 approx 8-10" on front end. Adjust height to your needs. Cut large V notch in upright and nail heavy cloth (folded shot bag) from the tops of V notch so that it sags down into the notch but DOES NOT TOUCH bottom of notch. Put soft sand bag or towel on bottom board and rest pistol barrel in the suspended cloth support with bottom of pistol grip on soft bag. Does NOT cause fliers like resting pistol barrel on hard surface.

 

[outlander0129]

Excuse me if I seem to be a little ignorant here, but at 15yrds and where the grouping is are you sure your sights are on target? If you are shooting free hand, I would check those. If your shooting from a bench, I would definately double check them. I'm not an expert, but grouping looks dang good.
Also no disrespect to you or your shooting. Just some times we all forget the obvious.

 

[buck460XVR]

Any recommendations for a .44 Magnum hunting load for my 5.5" SBH?

Eb...with my PC 629, the most accurate load with 240 gr XTPs is with 23-23.5 gr of W296/H110. This is from 25 to 100 yards. Accuracy seems to go downhill fast with loads any hotter. I also have had good luck with IMR4227 also with the 240 XTP and am in the process of finding it's sweet spot in the 629. I have found with my .460 that IMR4227 is less temperature sensitive than H110/W296 and since I hunt in temps from 70* to below zero, this can be a factor.

Having tested H110 & WW296, they are NOT the same powder,IMO, at least years ago.

Sorry, 243winxb.....but H110/W296 ARE the exact same powder. Not an opinion, but a fact.

 

[Eb1]

outlander0129, I am not looking to have the sights on at this time. Only the grouping. Point of aim is always the center, but the shots should group the same if the point of aim is the same. So if I am shooting 6 o'clock center or at "X" ring. Then if the shots group to a point of the target consistently then I know the load is good, and will adjust the sights after I have a load I like.

The target in this thread is a load I do like. It was off hand with Trail Boss and Missouri Bullet Company 240 (Keith style) LSWC. I am happy with this loading, and will continue to shoot it. The load is a cowboy load, and is in the velocity range of a 45 ACP, I figure.

Setting the sights does nothing in load development if the point of aim is the same every time, then the shots will group on the target in the same place. Doesn't matter if they shoot in the 10 ring or in the 6 ring. If they are gonna group, and POA is the same. They will group. If not, then they wont.

Thanks for the complement on the grouping. I recommend anyone who wants to have a good practice load to use a Lee 1.6cc dipper of Trail Boss, CCI 300 primer, and Win Brass with the 240 LSWC from MBC. As you can see. It is a decent plinking load.

 

[Eb1]

I will load up:
(15) with 2400 and the XTP at 20.0 grains.
(15) with 2400 and the XTP at 20.5 grains.
(15) with Unique and LSWC at 10.0 grains.
(15) with Unique and LSWC at 10.5 grains.
(15) with Unique and LSWC at 11.0 grains.
All weights of projectiles are 240 grains.

I am going to finish up these loads tonight after a good helping of Whitetail Back-strap cooked with 50/50 bacon grease/crisco (breaded), purple hull peas, and mashed potatoes, and white bread.

I am going to make that pistol rest I posted above with the 2x4s and "V" cut to test them with. I think that will help a lot. I knew I was "chasing my tail" shooting off hand, but it was fun. I have not been frustrated one bit, and have had a hoot of a time. I am loving the 44 Magnum, and don't know how I survived so long without one in my collection. Yes, I do. I said I would not own one until I had a son, and the day he was born, and he will be 2 months old on the 18th.. I bought one. My daughter is 5, and she loves to shoot. Well anyway.. I really appreciate the forum, and conversation. Helps the days go buy, and you learn a lot sometimes.

 

[outlander0129]

Eb1, thank you for the education. It is appreciated. It was always drummed into me to sight, then play. I do understand about the grouping though. And you are welcome. I learn alot on this site and I'm grateful for it. Again thank you.

 

[CraigC]

Sorry I thought we were talking about 2400, I missed the Blue Dot reference.

You don't need a pistol rest and I honestly think you'll do better without one. I bench test the way John Taffin and Brian Pearce do it, over sandbags. The bags have to be leather or they won't survive. I make mine out of suede sheets available at craft stores. The sixgun is nestled into the bags at the junction where the barrel meets the frame. The forearms are rested on top of two more bags and the butt of the gun is never allowed to touch anything during recoil.

 

[243winxb]

Now WW296 & H110 are the Same, How about years ago??

Sorry, 243winxb.....but H110/W296 ARE the exact same powder. Not an opinion, but a fact.

Maybe now, how about years ago??

Clark - Do some experiments with H110 and W296 and see if they work the same.

The Bushmaster-They don't!!! Ive already tested them and I prefer W-296.

Many years ago i did the same testing in 44mag. WW296 was more accurate. This year i just shot the last of very old H110, much lighter in color than my current WW296. Different coatings on the powder i would guess. http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=186089

 

[JimKirk]

IMR 4227 is a good powder for cast and jacketed 44 mag, I shot lots of it with my 44 mag. It is a little slower than H110 and W296, so you will not get as much velocity out of it. It is also sooty, but wipes clean. I always found it to be very accurate with my S&W 629.

Jimmy K

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Jim, I mentioned IMR4227 to the OP back in Post #16 and he said he was going to look into it. I'm guessing with all the additional information he got a little sidetracked. lol

 

[Eb1]

Well. A little, but I we have a newborn, and I am going to give what I have on hand a try. Switching to the XTPs with 2400, and shooting Unique again with the lead bullet. All from a rest.
Work a 50 hour a week job so shooting time has to be scheduled.

I will get some IMR4227, but only after I use the components I have now. Just spent a whopping $60 for oil to put in the Harley.. Geez!

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Eb1,
No reason to explain anything to us, we all know real life gets in the way of what we really want to be doing! LOL It's all good...

 

[Eb1]

Finally shot @ 25 yards from sandbags.

Shooting the XTP the 20.5 grain load has promise. I think I can drop a few tenths, or boost a few, and possibly bring the group together. There was a flyer, but that was a flinch by me. I then shot 2 more at a lower target point, and the group started to form as the previous 5 shot with 240 XTP and 20.5 grains 2400.
The first attachment.


The second attachment is the 10.0 grains Unique with the 240 MBC LSWC. As you can see in the photo. Three basically went into the same hole @ 25 yards, and 2 were together, but low. I think it was my aiming that cause the low shots because they did group together.

Well here is the photos. Please chime in on suggestions, or with comments.

 

[LiveLife]

Those three shot group is tight for 25 yards! Very nice.

Even with the 2 low shots, I think the accuracy for the load is there.