Loading the 44 Special
- Thread starter Arizonagunrunner
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RidgwayCO
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In .44 Special I load bullets that range from 165gr LRNFP to 290gr LSWC. What I load the most, however, is 200gr LRNFP bullets over 6.2gr of Trail Boss (1.36cc). Very accurate out of my 4" S&W "M691", and still good for my lightweight S&W M396 and the heavyweight Ruger Bisley Flattop. Shoot all day in comfort.
RidgwayCO
Member
Jibjab, my "M691" has a 5-shot cylinder in .44 Special purchased directly from S&W (along with a 5-shot hand). Same cylinder as was on the M696. Conversion work on a S&W M681-3 was done by David Clements. If the M686 became a M696, then I figured a M681 should be a M691. This scratched my itch for a 4" fixed-sight L-frame in .44 Special...
(Thank you... I always like posting this photo, although I imagine others might be getting tired of it...)
(Thank you... I always like posting this photo, although I imagine others might be getting tired of it...)
The guns the poster is talking about are smaller and not N frame S&W's. I have a Taurus 445 5 shot .44 that I like. I will not shoot anything over 200 gr in it. That weight is perfect for a small .44.
For my N frames I like either 15.0 gr of 2400 or 7.5 gr of Unique with a 250 gr LSWC. Am I the only one that has not had a problem with 2400 in the Spl?
For my N frames I like either 15.0 gr of 2400 or 7.5 gr of Unique with a 250 gr LSWC. Am I the only one that has not had a problem with 2400 in the Spl?
gamestalker
member
I am an exclusive jacketed only reloader and also a big fan of Gold Dot and XTP. this having been established I'll provide you with the only diet I feed mine.
For a 200 grain Speer GSHP I go with 9.1 grains of Power pistol, CCI-300 with an OAL of 1.490". this load is a work up and is above the listed data. I've been gettign consistent velcoity of around 1025 fps, slightly higher than the listed maximum. This is being fired from a my M-29 without any indications of high pressure. In fact, I'm still intending to work up in .1 increments until I've reached the maximum without pressure problems.
I was able to get some pretty good velocity with 2400 but the pressures were unstable at the upper end, and I was also not satisfied with the dirty burn I got.
In addition to those loads I have also loaded with H4227 15.3 grains with a 200 grain Speer GSHP. Again, this load is a work up to above listed data. I stopped at 15.3 grains even though pressures were still capable of further wrok up, because it was doing so well regarding my expectations. I think the minimum or starting charge is 13.0 grians, check that with Hogdon's reloading pages. That load was very good for velocity and chronographed to just above 1050 fps.. I still load this one because it does keep pressures stable and very managable.
But make no mistake, the loads above are work ups and above the listed maximums, and therefore, should be only used if properely working up to these charges while paying close attention to undesired high pressure signs. Additionally of importance is the fact that these powders and loads utilize a higher working pressure for this cartridge, and shouldn't be considered if what your desiring is a lower recoil, lower velocity load. They are anything but plinking performance for the 44 Special.
I found the H4227 and Power Pistol both provide good acuracy, but H4227 may have been a little better in this respect. 2400 simply didn't perform well for me in any manner and has been deleted from my options.
I haven't tried HS6 as yet, but since I have a good supply of it I'll soon be doing a work up with it.
For a 200 grain Speer GSHP I go with 9.1 grains of Power pistol, CCI-300 with an OAL of 1.490". this load is a work up and is above the listed data. I've been gettign consistent velcoity of around 1025 fps, slightly higher than the listed maximum. This is being fired from a my M-29 without any indications of high pressure. In fact, I'm still intending to work up in .1 increments until I've reached the maximum without pressure problems.
I was able to get some pretty good velocity with 2400 but the pressures were unstable at the upper end, and I was also not satisfied with the dirty burn I got.
In addition to those loads I have also loaded with H4227 15.3 grains with a 200 grain Speer GSHP. Again, this load is a work up to above listed data. I stopped at 15.3 grains even though pressures were still capable of further wrok up, because it was doing so well regarding my expectations. I think the minimum or starting charge is 13.0 grians, check that with Hogdon's reloading pages. That load was very good for velocity and chronographed to just above 1050 fps.. I still load this one because it does keep pressures stable and very managable.
But make no mistake, the loads above are work ups and above the listed maximums, and therefore, should be only used if properely working up to these charges while paying close attention to undesired high pressure signs. Additionally of importance is the fact that these powders and loads utilize a higher working pressure for this cartridge, and shouldn't be considered if what your desiring is a lower recoil, lower velocity load. They are anything but plinking performance for the 44 Special.
I found the H4227 and Power Pistol both provide good acuracy, but H4227 may have been a little better in this respect. 2400 simply didn't perform well for me in any manner and has been deleted from my options.
I haven't tried HS6 as yet, but since I have a good supply of it I'll soon be doing a work up with it.
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