new to loading 44 mag

[JO JO]

not new to reloading but the 44 mag is a new caliber for me , I just got a ruger bisley hunter 7 1/2 barrel , picked up some dies and new starline brass , I just ordered some ACME coated 240 gr swc ,
so what would be a good powder to use ? looking to start off with a mild/mid range load to punch paper with at this point, Unique,2400,blue dot,HS-6, or ??
what has worked for you guys with mild/mid range 44mag loads ?
Thanks for any advise

 

[Fine Figure of a Man]

8 or 9 grains of Unique is a nice target load with 240's.

 

[stingsdontit]

I use 9.5 grains of Unique for my range loads. When I dropped below 8 grains with a similar bullet, I started getting leading.
I don't remember the exact charge weight but 2400 makes for some thumping loads. I keep meaning to pick up a bottle of H110 and make some teeth rattling rounds.

 

[Starter52]

I agree with dp.

8 grains of Unique and a strong crimp.

 

[LUCKYDAWG13]

Blue Dot is a good powder too add to your list 19gr of 2400 under a 240gr bullet or 8.8 of unique under a 245gr
Castboolit work's good in my SBH

 

[Galil5.56]

I really like a bulky "fast" powder for the milder loads, and Red Dot has done me very well. Unique for moderate, to moderate plus type loading's. Even with a low load density, WW231 and Bullseye make for fine mild loading too, in my experience. Good luck.

 

[Dwb1957]

I shot the 240gr swc with 8.7grs of W-231 for several years . It was a nice light recoil load that was very accurate out of my ruger red hawk.

 

[LUCKYDAWG13]

I really like a bulky "fast" powder for the milder loads, and Red Dot has done me very well. Unique for moderate, to moderate plus type loading's. Even with a low load density, WW231 and Bullseye make for fine mild loading too, in my experience. Good luck.

What's your red Dot load if you don't mind sharing

 

[ColtPythonElite]

8 to 10 grains of Unique gets my vote.

 

[Galil5.56]

What's your red Dot load if you don't mind sharing

Happy to share... 6.7 grains of Red Dot, with a Speer 240 grain swaged bullet. Velocity from my 6 1/2" S&W M29 avg right around 895 FPS, and accuracy was phenomenal.

 

[Hooda Thunkit]

In my Ruger SBH Hunter Bisley - Lee TL430-240 SWC, 45-45-10 tumble lube

10.5g HS-6, Win LPP = 1000fps, 1.5" 12 shots @25yds - spread 44, deviation 15
11.5g HS-6, Win LPP = 1125fps, 1.5" 12 shots @ 25yds - spread 46, deviation 12.5

13.5g A#7, S&B LPP = 1125fps, 2" 12 shots @25yds - spread 35, deviation 11

9.5g Universal, Win LPP = 1120fps, 1.75" 12 shots @ 25yds - spread 50, deviation 19
7.5g Universal, S&B LPP = 750fps, "accuracy fair" (???) - spread 77, deviation 21

I mostly shoot the 10.5g HS-6 load for just general shooting, range work, fun. Very easy to shoot, very accurate, no sharp recoil.

For what it's worth, I also load a Lee 200g with 7.5g Universal @ ~950fps. My 120lb wife absolutely LOVES shooting it in a ported Taurus M44.

 

[Walkalong]

I don't download .44 Mag cases like I do .357 cases, I just shoot my .44 Special. I do load a midrange load in .41 Mag and use True Blue.

After my initial test of BE-86 in midrange .357 Mag I would bet it will work well for midrange .44 Mag loads.

 

[JO JO]

well I picked up some Unique today was on sale for $20.82 LB so went with it, you guys using Unique are you using large pistol reg or mag primers ?
they have CCI on sale 10% off

 

[drband]

well I picked up some Unique today was on sale for $20.82 LB so went with it, you guys using Unique are you using large pistol reg or mag primers ?
they have CCI on sale 10% off

I always use regular LPP with Unique. Never any problems. S&B LPP @ Cabelas are a good deal.

 

[Ironicaintit]

I'm a fan of Unique in the 44 mag, as well.
My load is in the 9 gr range, with standard large pistol CCI. Fun and accurate, and very manageable in my SBH.

Lately I've been burning up my IMR 4227 in it, too, trying to get rid of it.....I like it more than I thought I would, and may have to get more. Magnum primer in that one.

 

[BigBore44]

You’ll be surprised at the difference between 9gr of Unique and my hunting load of 240gr Sierra JHC over 21.5gr H-110 should you ever choose to use it. Unique has always shot “dirty” even with a good crimp. But it really performs well. The ~9gr and 240gr swc load will be good for plinking and even hunting if you so choose. Do not think you’d be undergunned. You won’t be. The 44mag is such a versatile cartridge. It’s by FAR my favorite handgun chambering.

 

[santacruzdave]

Easy shooting loads, a little more stout than 44 specials:

Description: 44 mag 7.5gr Unique 240 gr Acme 240 gr. SWC
Notes 1: Smith M69
Notes 2: starline 44 mag brass, CCI LPP
Distance to Chrono (FT): 12.00
Ballistic Coefficient: 1.000
Bullet Weight (gr): 240.000
Altitude (FT): 0.0
Temp: 73 °F
BP: 30.06 inHG
Shots
# FPS FT-LBS PF
5 897 428.86 215.28
4 888 420.29 213.12
3 890 422.19 213.60
2 879 411.82 210.96
1 897 428.86 215.28
Average: 890.20
StdDev: 7.46
Min: 879
Max: 897
Spread: 18

 

[hot chili powder]

Have a Ruger/Talo 44mag Vaquero.....really likes 240gr SWC (LaserCast) on top of either 5grs TiteGroup or 7grs Unique....easy shooting target/plinking loads!

 

[Toprudder]

I have not loaded a lot for 44mag yet, but so far I really like BE86 powder with Bayou 240gn bullets. Not full magnum velocity, and not as accurate as Hornady XTPs, but a pretty stout plinking load.

 

[RealGun]

not new to reloading but the 44 mag is a new caliber for me , I just got a ruger bisley hunter 7 1/2 barrel , picked up some dies and new starline brass , I just ordered some ACME coated 240 gr swc ,
so what would be a good powder to use ? looking to start off with a mild/mid range load to punch paper with at this point, Unique,2400,blue dot,HS-6, or ??
what has worked for you guys with mild/mid range 44mag loads ?
Thanks for any advise

My SASS backup rifle is a 44 Mag Marlin lever, for which I load 6.2 gr Trailboss with a 200 gr lead bullet using magnum cases. It is a fine load and not a pop gun. It would work as a target pistol load as well. Trailboss is especially well suited to tall skinny cases using the black powder case length standard, so you can see each powder charge. Unique works very well too, but its charges are harder to spot before seating a bullet.

 

[readyeddy]

I like HS6 for 240 grain jacketed running about 1200 fps, which is on the lower side.

And although it's a handgun cartridge, I use case lube when resizing 44. Makes it much easier.

 

[illinoisburt]

It shouldn't make a lot of difference whether you go with standard or magnum, though I generally stick with CCI 350s and Win LPPs just because I dont want to bother with stocking 2 varieties when 1 works just fine. If its cold where you are shooting, like under 40 degrees, you may notice more unburned powder residue with standard LPP. Either way I think you will like the results with Unique if milder rounds are your goal.

As an aside, I've found the plated bullets aren't much different in price from coated while they run cleaner and can push higher speeds. I really like the plated bullets from xtreme, though sometimes the orders can be a little slow.

 

[JO JO]

Xtreme is good stuff I have several k of them on my shelf for my 40 and kids 9mm , every time xtreme runs a sale I pick up a few boxes bet they will have a Black Friday sale in a few weeks, just figured the coated hard cast would allow me the option to load mild to a bit hotter if I wanted, wanted to try coated never messed with them before red bullets who would of guessed, when I had and loaded 357 years ago I always liked how a lswc made a perfect hole in paper

 

[LUCKYDAWG13]

As an aside, I've found the plated bullets aren't much different in price from coated while they run cleaner and can push higher speeds. I really like the plated bullets from xtreme, though sometimes the orders can be a little slow.[/QUOTE]

The last bullets that I ordered from them took just over 3 weeks so yes their shipping Sucks But if you dont mind the wait
they do have some good sales

 

[Toprudder]

The last bullets that I ordered from them took just over 3 weeks so yes their shipping Sucks But if you dont mind the wait
they do have some good sales

Anytime they have one of their site-wide mega sales events, their shipping time goes to crap. Does not bother me, I only buy when they have one of their big sales events, just to keep my stock up. I always have enough on hand to keep me busy.