Loading lite 44 mag loads

[Davevand]

I am loading up some 44 mag loads and they are a little hot for plinking. I was wondering if I could load the 44 mag brass with the 44 special specs and still function properly? Can I do the same thing with 38/357?

thanks

 

[Souris]

I can't answer for .44 mag 'cause the last time I loaded for that caliber it was 30 grains of prodex P w/ 200 grn lrnfp

For .38spl and .357 Magnum look for load recipes for Cowboy Action Shooting. Here is alliants cowboy action loading data
http://recipes.alliantpowder.com/rg.taf?_function=cowboy&step=1

 

[Roadkill]

I have an old Hawes Western Marshall revolver in .44 mag, I load down for it
using the .44 mag brass. It handles .44 mag but really is hard on me and the gun. Only thing I do different is to fill the case with styrofoam to keep powder at ignition point. OAL and everything else is the same.

rk

 

[fecmech]

Davevand--You sure can--Try 6-7 grains of Green Dot, 7 grains of 231 will put you in the 800-900fps range with a 210-250 gr bullet. Very mild recoil and excellent accuracy. I use both loads with the Lee 214gr. swc and Lyman 429421 (250 gr.)cast bullets. I don't use any fillers in the case and velocities are very uniform. Good Luck Nick

 

[brickeyee]

"I was wondering if I could load the 44 mag brass with the 44 special specs and still function properly? Can I do the same thing with 38/357?"

Yes, but the velocity will be even lower than a .44 special (or .357 Mag) since the case volume is larger. Use a load slightly above the minimum in the larger case for starting.

 

[s&w 24]

I would not use 44 spec data in a 44 mag case. Too little powder can be as much problem as too much. I use IMR 4227 for a 3/4 power load in 44 mag also I load light 44 special loads with int clays.

 

[Zak Smith]

I've used 6-10gr of Unique or Titegroup with success. 180-240gr plated or lead.

 

[rbernie]

IIRC, my Hornady load manual shows a starting point of 5.xgr TiteGroup for 240gr LSWC in 44 Mag brass.

My normal practice load for 44Mag is 7gr of TiteGroup behind 240gr LSWC bullets. At anything much over 7gr, I get leading in my SBH if I'm not using Raniers or gas-checked bullets.

 

[mikewilczynski]

my load

I am new to reloading but so far have liked 5.0gr of titegroup with a 200 gr cast bullet. Out of my SRH it is very mild. I am working up from some hotter ones now.