Noob to 44

[leadchucker]

I got the pistol about a year ago. A S&W model 29-3.
I have plenty of large pistol primers, and even some large magnum pistol primers too.
I have a decent amount 231, Universal, and Unique. I'll buy some other powder if I have to, but I'd like to make do with these for a while.
I don't have much brass, but I'll order some Starline if I have to.
I have numerous good loading manuals.
I just got a set of dies.

I am about to begin my quest for bullets.

So I'm figuring some ~200gr. hard cast lead SWC for 44 special fun loads. Have any better ideas?

What would a be a good bullet for some lukewarm to toasty magnum loads that I could cook up with Unique?

 

[rcmodel]

You just have to work real hard to find a better .44 bullet then the old Keith SWC.

Lyman mold #429421, or similar bullets from the cast bullet companies.

The old standard (Skeeter Skelton) .44 Spl load is 7.5 Unique over a 240 grain LSWC.
Fixed sight guns pretty much shoot to the sights with it.

Bump it up to 10.0 or so for a pleasant shooting .44 mag load.

rc

 

[CPLofMARINES]

Leadchucker, hopefully I won't be too far
Behind you. Still reading and reading, looking
To order another book/manual. RC your last
Reply brings up a ?? I've had about Skeeter's
Load. In the Lyman 49th it shows 6.5 of Unique
As Max. I am assuming 7.5 would be fine if fired
Out of a Magnum revolver. ?? But what about
One in .44 Spl. ?? Thanks in advance !!

Semper Fi

 

[rcmodel]

Skeeters 7.5 grain Unique / 240 LSWC load is perfectly safe and sound in any post war S&W or Colt .44 Special.

The thing is, modern data is artificially low for modern .44 Spl revolvers & cases in deference to 100 year old top-break guns still in use.

DISCLAIMER
The 7.5 Skeeter load is over todays SAAMI 15,500 PSI pressure limit for the .44 Special.

But not by much, and it is certainly safe in any modern revolver.

I've shot it exclusively in a S&W 1950 Target N-Frame and a Colt SAA for years with no damage to me or the guns.

But you for sure don't want to stand in front of it on two hind legs, or four bottom ones!

rc

 

[4895]

Unique also works well with 180 grain jacketed bullets. I think I use about 12 grains in .44 mag, but double check your sources.

 

[Eb1]

I am shooting a Ruger 5.5" SBH .44 Magnum, and a 3" .44 SPC Rossi M720 (which likes heavy bullets vs. the 200 grain and lighter)

I love my .44 Magnum, and I don't think you can find a better all around bullet than the 240 grain LSWC. I haven't shot any animals with it, but I have shot that bullet a lot. I just bought some rounded, flat nose bullets for my .44 Mag to see if that shoot any better.

If they do not then back to the LSWC, which I still have a lot of those left.

I find that Unique doesn't shoot well in either of my .44 Magnums. I have better luck with IMR 4227, 2400, and Trail Boss. I cannot find any W231 right now, but would love to get some type of ball powder to load up some .44 SPC and .44 Magnum plinkers to shoot.

 

[James2]

Lyman mold #429421 is a semi wadcutter that weighs around 250 grain. It has been my only 44 slug for many years. Unique works well in the 44 spl.

2400 would be better in the mag, and if you want some really hot ones H110.

However 10 gr of unique in the 44 mag is a fun plinking load.

 

[Eb1]

James2, I find that 22 grains of IMR 4227 gives better velocity and is more accurate in my .44 Magnums.

The recoil feeling of IMR 4227 versus 2400 or Unique is much more of a push than a snap. I love me some IMR 4227. I believe it was Walkalong that gave me that tip to use IMR 4227.

 

[blarby]

If ya'd be willing to pay for the shipping, I'd be happy to pass along some 240g SWC's, 225 SWC's, 215g GC'd HPS's, and some without the GC's For ya to try.

The HP's with and without the GC are these :

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=696954

You know, I didnt realize I spelled Remington wrong until I went looking for this thread.

Lol.

 

[41 Mag]

leadchucker,

If you want some very fine bullets and your not casting them yourself you should look up Dry Creek Bullets, as well as Carolina Cast Bullets.

Dry Creek will get you the original Keith type and has some that you might not find anywhere else. Very fine work done by them, and they can probably recommend some loads to go with them as well.

Carolina has a few selections, but they also pour up one of the very fine heavies for the 44 with the Ranch Dog 265gr GC RFN. That is a great hunting bullet no two ways about it. They also offer a 200gr RFN which would be perfect for the lower power loads your looking into.

Hope this helps.