Loading Down Magnums

[MagnumDweeb]

A lot times when posts come up regarding .44 Magnums the idea of loading the .44 Magnum down to .44 Special performance for self-defence and practice comes up.

For those who reload, or are looking to reload like I in the near future, the idea of loading down is an interesting idea. Loaded down performance for .44 Special in .44 Magnum brass would feasibly serve to preserve the life and reuse of the brass. Also in consideration of .357 magnum to .38 special, or .454 Casull to .45 Long Colt.

Having to shoot a predator of the two-legged nature in a self-defense situation with a .44 caliber(I know I know, the actual bullet isn't .44) 180-230 grain bullet either SWC, JHP, JSP, or FMJ, with the round traveling between 1100-1200 fps isn't going to merely tickle, a well-placed shot and the predator's spine or central nervous system isn't enjoying means that predator won't be enjoying their usual quality of health.

I've started looking into casting, though I wouldn't use my own cast bullets for SD, maybe if I was hunting, I'd be able to simulate closely those bullets I would use for self-defense, .44 Special factory JHPs.

For mere grins, a .454 Casull SWC 300 grain loaded down to 1100fps I would think to be devastating on a center-mass shot, not considering the possible dangers of an overpenetration.

Has anyone ever engaged in this type of loading-down for either hunting, or mere practice. Has there been any issue to result from it.

 

[earplug]

That the whole reason for buying a reloading kit.

The ability to craft the load you want or need.
Check out a good cast bullet reloading source online or I think Lyman makes a well respected cast bullet reloading manual.
Cast pistol bullets are the best for the majority of my shooting.

 

[tasco 74]

if you reload for accuracy lots of times a magnum loaded to less than magnum velocities can be more accuate... the beauty of reloading is you can build ammo that shoots best in your gun... no matter what the velocity is...

LIFE IS SHORT.....

 

[rcmodel]

.454 Casull SWC 300 grain loaded down to 1100fps

Don't kid yourself.

A 300 grain SWC at 1,100 would shoot clear through 4 or 5 BG's stacked Prison Lover style!

I shoot a lot of .44 Special, and it has plenty of power for SD use with any good handload.

The only issue you will have using them in a .44 Mag would be chamber fouling rings from using the shorter cases. Same as .38 Spl in a .357 Mag.

If you load down the .44 Mag to .44 Special power, there are no issues, except sight settings being different.

rcmodel

 

[foghornl]

Many years back, I used to 'roll my own' to use in my .44Mag Super Blackhawk.

I won't repeat the loading here, but I used a 200-Gr Speer "Magnum Jacketed Hollow Point" (IIRC the bullet name), and enough Hercules Unique to give me a load just about in the middle between the .44Spl load and the 240-Gr Rem SJHP in .44Mag. I could load those for a bit under $6/box of 50, using new brass vs. $18/50 for the .44Mag factory stuff.

 

[unspellable]

Reduced loads

Used to load a 240 grain cast bullet to 1000 fps from my 6.5 inch S&W M29 for javalina hunting and general plinking. Quite enough horse power for javalina.

 

[nofishbob]

I am just getting started reloading for .480 Ruger/.475 Linebaugh. I have reloaded for other calibers, just not these.

My Hornady reloading manual cautions against going below their minimum loads listed because hangfires may result.

Just something to look out for as you experiment.

Bob

 

[DarkSoldier]

Foghornl,

Your hand load sounds very close to the factory Speer 200 grain JHP .44 Magnum Short Barrel cartridges I currently use in my Model .29 carry guns. For those that don't reload, the Speers are a good over-the-counter alternative, if you want something between .44 special and full power .44 Magnum loads.

Respectfully,

DarkSoldier

 

[foghornl]

DarkSoldier:

Yes, that is what I was going for back then (1979 or so). I wanted a bit more ooomph that the standard .44Spl load, without breaking the bank...or my wrists!! There was not anywhere near the amount of ammo choices as now. The .44Spl was a 246-Gr Lead Round Nose, most .44Mag loads were either SJHP or Soft-Point 240-Gr LoudenBoomers. Shooting Budd chrono'd those loads at a smidge above 1000FPS from my 7-1/2" barrel Super Blackhawk.