New reloader to 44 spl

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ddtaylor

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I just ordered me a lee classic loader set in 44 spl. I read a good bit of reviews and watched a handfull of videos on youtube about using them. I bought the cheapest things possible to get into reloading to get my feet wet before I dive in and spend to much before I am sure if this is even something I want to spend hundreds of dollars on and I'm a broke college kid :neener:
What are some good basic loads for 44 spl and what is a good all round powder for it I didnt buy powder or bullets yet because I would like to hear what yall have to say about it. Thanks
 
700X and any 200 to 240 Gr lead bullet will shoot really well. I liked the Magnus 215 Gr bullet, as well as the 208 Gr WC I used to cast with my Lee mold. Both shot great and recoil was less than with the 240 Gr stuff.

700X will work well in .38 Spl and .45 if you branch out. Another really good all around powder for lead in those calibers is W-231. Hard to beat it for an all around first powder.
 
With your new loading setup, Please buy some Loading Manuals.
 
Good advise, as well as utilizing the online data provided by powder companies.
 
My .44spcl load is 240 gr Oregon Trail lswc, and 5 grns of W231. I use it indoors with 6" bbl revolvers. Modest recoil, noise, and reasonably accurate.
Round bullet holes in the paper, and it doesn't hit the floor before the target.
I don't have a chrono so can't estimate what this yields ballistically, but given my usage, I don't really care.
 
It is for a taurus 431 I would like to make loads equal to the double tap ammo is possible maybe even a little more. I forgot to ask what is a good reloading book is there any made for the 44 spl specifically?
 
loads equal to the double tap ammo is possible maybe even a little more
Click to expand...
If Double Tap could get any more out of them, they would. Not a good plan for a novice reloader. Pick some safe loads to practice/plink with and buy the Double Tap to carry.

I like my Speer manuals, but the Lyman 49 would be a great all around first manual.
 
Just get the Lyman #49 reloading manual.

It has loads for 180, 200, 225, and 240 grain jacketed bullets, and 205, 210, 240, 245, 245, and 255 grain cast lead bullets.

The old "Skeeter Skelton" load of a 240 grain Keith LSWC over 7.5 grains Unique is as good as it gets. You should get around 900 - 950 FPS depending on barrel length.
It is over current SAAMI spec for pressure, but is perfectly safe in any modern sixgun.

It has enough power to shoot through a deer or black bear, but is still mild enough to be controllable in all but the lightest 5-shot .44 Specials.

rc
 
Check your imstruction sheet that came with your Lee Loader, especially the powder recommendations stated for your powder dipper, These instructions will determine the powders to be used safely. 700x, Bullseye, 231, and Unique all all good proven powders for the 44 Special. 2400 was used for heavy loads in this caliber, but you don't want to start off with heavy loads or this powder. Good shooting!
 
Your loader comes with load data, and a dipper. If you do not have manuals and a scale. Use only, ONLY the data mentioned in the instructions for your Lee Loader that corresponds with the size dipper in your kit.. Lee Dippers use volume not weight for measuring powder.

Not a reloading manual, but a must have even for users of Lee Loaders, and any other handloader is a book called "The ABCs of Reloading." BUY IT. READ IT. READ IT AGAIN. I always end up going back to it, and it is fun to just pickup, and refresh your memory after you have read it a 1000 times like I have.
 
My favorite load for 44 Special (S&W M624 with 6" barrel) is 6.0 grains of Win 231 (Little Dandy rotor #10) with either a 240 grain Cast Lead SWC or Jacketed bullet (about 850 fps).

This has been a very accurate and stable load for me (groups averaging 1.5" at 25 yards).
 
+ whatever on the above advice. I load for a Taurus 441, similar, I believe to what you have. A particular issue with mine was finding bullets sized to fit the somewhat oversized cylinder bores. A good idea would be to slug the cylinder to see what you have.

After I got it all together:

taurus.jpg
 
I am jealous krehmkej. That pistola is on my "want list". What grips are those?

Very nice shooting as well.
 
Just bought a 431 and want to reload for it, too. I've ordered some 240 gr. JSP bullets and plan to use Unique (I like in my 38 Special). I've HEARD that the 431 tends to shoot high with 240 gr & prefers 200 gr slugs. The Missouri Bullet Co. has some 200 gr cast lead bullets they say are for 44-40 OR 44 Spec. (.430 dia). Any opinions / thoughts / warnings?
 
I believe the .44 Spl is best loaded with cast lead bullets if you insist on staying with the artificially low 15,500 PSI SAAMI pressure.

What is a 750 - 800 FPS jacketed bullet load becomes a 850 - 900 FPS lead bullet load due to less bore friction of the grease lubed lead bullet.

My personal standard .44 Spl. load is the old "Skeeter Skelton" load.
7.5 Unique / Keith cast SWC.
It's slightly over SAAMI specs, but is perfectly safe in any modern revolver.

rc
 
The only jacketed bullet I load in my .44 Specials is the Hornady 180gr HP/XTP. I also like the Speer 200gr GDHP (which is actually plated). Everything else is cast lead, either 200gr LRNFPs or 255gr Keiths. I'm still working up loads for Penn Bullet's 185gr full wadcutter, Speer's 240gr swaged LSWC, and Action Bullet's 290gr LSWC.
 
I like loading & shooting cast lead, but our local indoor range won't allow un-jacketed bullets. (I guess there's a danger of too much lead in the air in a confined area) I think I'm going to order some Missouri 200 grain SWCs for shooting outdoors.
 
I have a 431 and just shot some 429-421K 250gr. SWCs out of it yesterday. Load was 13gr. 2400 WLP primer and R-P brass. They were stiff, but manageable. Most accurate load so far out of this gun. These bullets were cast out of WWs.
 
Lee Turret & Loads for 44 Special

I've been using a Lee Turret Press for years. I hope you got the Lee Auto Disk Powder measure. It's the safest way to go. Use the auto rotate feature. It adds a little safety to the reloading process. It's hard to get a double charge if the turret rotates!

I use a dry lube (Bicycle Chain Lube) on the turret. Eventually you may want to invest in a separate die for crimping.

For moderate amounts of pistol ammo I think the Lee Turret is king.

My favorite load is 5.9 grains of W231 with a 240 grain LSWC (Lead Simi-Wadcutter - Keith bullet).

Try Missouri Bullet for your bullets.

Fourbits
 
Eventually you may want to invest in a separate die for crimping.
Click to expand...

Whatever you do, don't get a Factory Crimp Die for .44 Spc. Pointless. The seat/crimp die makes a VERY nice roll crimp and doesn't drag when you're using cast bullets like the FCD does.

I used the FCD for thousands of .44 Spc. and Mag. loads and finally got sick of how rough it made the press strokes (because it's trying to resize the loaded round). I've now loaded tens of thousands more without it and wouldn't consider going back.

(I still use them for .45 ACP and 9mm, though.)

I guess what I'm trying to say is, "The Lee Factory Crimp Die is just AWESOME for .44 Spc! Want to buy my old one?" ;)
 
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