Will .44 Russian Loads in .44 M. Iagnum Brass Produce Squib Loads

[MagnumDweeb]

To fight off my hunger for another wheelie I thought about turning to loaded down loads in my Ruger Redhawks. I've got 4" .44 Magnum and I'd like to load my spent brass to .44 Russian levels (265 grain LSWC at 700 fps) for grins and fun. Basically playing at .455 Webley performance levels as well.

I need a distraction as I keep shifting between a 625JM and a 627 Pro, and I want to make a good decision so I need to fight the bug a little I figure.

For those who might wonder why I don't get both. My wife and I have an agreement that what I spend on guns, she gets as well towards her Sig X6 220 purchase (almost 4 grand). And since we are having kids next year, we are saving most of our money and I'm only able to break off a couple hundred dollars a month towards another gun purchase.

That's why I want to feed the novelty hunger. My fear is such a light load in so much brass might produce a squib load. If I need to trim down the brass I will, but if I don't have to, I'd rather not. Thanks for any input.

 

[FROGO207]

The case of the 44 MAG is only .125 longer than the 44 SPL. I have used max loads for the 44 SPL using both Trail Boss and 700-X with a 240 grain LSWC and they were accurate and nothing stuck in the barrel. If you are concerned use a pistol powder (Red Dot-Unique-Bullseye) that is used in both loads with the same weight bullet and work from MAG loads down to SPL loads in steps. Note While accurate the point of aim shifted a good bit at 50 feet.

I have not tried the 44 Russian however.

 

[rcmodel]

I think he ask about .44 Russian, not .44 Spl.

The .44 Russian case is .970".
The .44 Special is 1.160".
The .44 Magnum is 1.285".

Or, .315" shorter.

Lyman lists Unique powder as follows with the same 250 lead bullet.
.44 Russian 4.1 - 4.6
.44 Special 5.8 - 6.5
.44 Magnum 10.0 - 11.7.

But the .44 Russian & .44 Special Max pressure is held really low in deference to the 115 years old guns they are chambered in.

I believe you could safely use published .44 Russian Max loads as starting loads in a 44 Magnum safely.

But, I can't prove it with any published data right off hand tonight.

Use at your own risk.

rc

 

[Drop45]

I've been loading 240gr and 300gr LSWC in 44 mag cases with 6gr of Unique for a couple of years out of an 8" revolver with no squibs. That's a pussy cat load. I think you would be fine.....but as they all say YMMV.

 

[theleo]

6 grains of Trail Boss gets 828 fps with a 240 grain LSWC according to the Hodgdon website. Your bullet is a bit bigger so with cutting the powder charge a bit because of length of your bullet you could get dang close to 750 fps without to much tinkering.

 

[MagnumDweeb]

Thanks guys. I'm going to attempt a few loads next weekend. I'm going to stay more in the 750-800 fps territory with a 240 grain SWC. The novelty of a 265 LRN at 700 fps was fun to toy with but there's no point.

 

[oldpapps]

My 'wimp' .44 mag loads may be less that what you are looking for. I have been loading this mix for 40 years. It is a joy to shoot and excellent for new shooters to try. Never had any problems.

44 LSWC 240 231 5.6 642.9 S&W M29-2

These are out of a 6 1/2 inch barrel and are a running total/average of shots clocked.

For information only. ONLY used loading information from know and trusted sources and you don't know me.