Reloading question?

[Derangerous]

Dont know if this is the right section to ask about this. But for some reason I can not find ANY data on these damn FTX 225gn 44 mag bullets! Need some advice. I have some H-110 to use for powder, but need some accurate powder weights. Dont wanna over exceed. And defiantly dont wanna under powder either. Anyone can help me that would be great!

Side note. Wanting to shoot these guys out my ruger Super redhawk.

[Swagman00]

Others may disagree, but I use similar weight data of the lowest charge out of all of them on the Hodgdon reloading data center page at 10% below max (or the posted minimum charge) and work up. It'll be less then full power of factory .44, but easy on the wrist.

You won't blow a hand off.

If you want to think scary, I know guys that use secondhand powder, mexican match pills in spent steel, cut brass for other calibers and don't size their lead. They're all still breathing.

...and don't try any of that now that I've told you. I lose enough sleep already.

[Derangerous]

Haha no worries, Defiantly wont try that, that does sound very scary and surprising that Darwin's theory hasnt vanquished them from this world!

[Bill Steele]

It says here...

According to my Hornaday #8 load guide:

.44RM - H110 - FTX 225gr

Start load 16.4gr - Max 20.7gr. - COAL - 1.645"

There is a note in bold letters that cases must be trimmed to 1.255" (labeled "Critical"), having to do with the properties of the FTX bullet.

Good luck, have fun.

[Derangerous]

Thank you very much for the data ^^ It helps greatly!

[Derangerous]

Out of curiosity. Why is it so important to trim the case to 1.255? I know the FTX bullet does seat Deeper into the case. I will trim the cases to such, but I am wondering why im I trimming them to those specs? Does it have to do with over pressure on the case if they aren't trimmed?

[appagohm]

I don't think it cause over pressure if you don't trim a case. But i've loaded 9mm hollow point bullets where the bullet didn't chamber because of the head size. I didn't want to seat the bullet any deeper because of the pressure. I ended finding a gun that would chamber this round and shot it off. chrono'd at 1075 fps at 3 yeards.

[Derangerous]

Well I am shooting it out of my Ruger Super Redhawk 44 mag revolver. I loaded up a Dummy round with it not being trimmed down. And plopped it into the cylinder and it doesnt stick out of it, infact. I have an old Dummy round of a Hornady 240 grain XTP which is a hollow point and comparing them side by side in the cylinder it doesnt stick much past the XTP

[3006mv]

the bullet was designed to get better performance of hunting ammo range and to be used in lever action rifle mag tubes w/o fear of setting off the bullets from recoil in the mag tube (soft flex tip, and better BC, thus farther range and performance) .
the reason for the shorter case is so it will feed reliably in lever action rifles from mag tube to chamber. that is all.

if you are only shooting out of a revolver and it fits the cylinder and closes i would not bother trimming, unless you also have a lever action rifle, then i would trim all to factory suggested length, just so you don't have to sort brass, unless you want to.

have you loaded any yet? you may have issues smashing the polymer tip, if that is the case you may need a different bullet seater that is not completely flat.

[Derangerous]

I do have a Marlin 44, BUT I am not actually using this ammo in that rifle, Just in my Ruger Super redhawk. Also thank you for that information. I have reloaded a few dummy rounds, just to dial in the seating/crimping seater plug. I chucked that up on my lathe and milled the plug to the correct outer diameter and curve of the bullet, so there is no pressure at all on the flex tip. With the plug modified it puts no marring or deformation. So I am good there

[Bill Steele]

Out of curiosity. Why is it so important to trim the case to 1.255? I know the FTX bullet does seat Deeper into the case. I will trim the cases to such, but I am wondering why im I trimming them to those specs? Does it have to do with over pressure on the case if they aren't trimmed?

The book doesn't elaborate, at least the page with the load data that has the caution note. 3006mv's explanation sounds right. I have read a few threads where guys were talking about the issues surrounding the FTX bullet specifically, it seems some of the idiosyncracies of that bullet make loading it unique.

When you have questions on reloading anything, going over like you did to the Ammo and Reloading forum is a great idea. There are some very experienced guys over there.

[CCrawford]

The bullet crimped in the cannelure cannot make COAL without the brass being trimmed, because the long FTX nose pushes the cannelure back on the bullet. Heavy loads need to be crimped well. H110/W296 likes firm/heavy crimping. Bullet movement in the case is not welcome.

Criss