.44 special, soft recoil loads

[wpod]

I have a box of .44 spl brass to reload.
I want something with (relatively) little recoil for people shooting .44 for the first time.
I'm thinking a light bullet (action/reaction thing) with a minimum recommended charge?
The firearm is a Ruger Super Blackhawk, 10.5" barrel.

[J-cat]

Are you frail?

Cuz a standard 44 Soecial load won't move that gun to the rear much.

[wpod]

Are you a bully? Lol
It's not for me. I've been shooting this gun for 35 years.
It's to be friendly to those that are .44 virgins.

[wpod]

Quick research shows the following with Hornady XTP 200gn. (powders I have on hand):
Power Pistol - 7.6 to 8.6 gn
H4227 - 13.0 to 15.0
700-X. - 4.7 to 5.3
800-X. - 6.5 to 7.5

Any recommendations on any of these for a mild load? Later they can try my max load H-110 rounds.

Thanks

[357magnum]

You don't list Win 231 powder on your list, but if you come across some try this.
Hornady 200gr XTP using 5.5gr win 231
I shoot these in a 7 1/2" Super Redhawk, less recoil than a .38spl.
Fun plinking round for beginners and all around fun.

[wpod]

Win 231 is one I haven't come across yet.
I pass 3 Cabalas every week, twice. Was just in the main Sidney, NE store a couple hours ago.
Tough parking a big rig by most gun shops.
My destination every week is Grand Island, NE... home of Hornady (just discovered that last week).
Got to tour Hoyt where one of my bows was made (Salt Lake City).

[chknlyps2]

My Lyman manual has 11.2 to 12.5 grains of 2400 listed for a 240 gr cast bullet. I settled right in the middle and it is real soft through a 629 and 8 & 10 inch Blackhawks.

A friends 10 year old daughter was shooting his 9mm pretty good and she kept watching people shoot full house 44 mag loads out of my 10" Blackhawk. I asked her if she wanted to shoot it and both her and her dad were both saying no way. I assured both of them that if she could steady the heavier pistol, the special rounds would kick less than the 9mm she was shooting. After holding the empty pistol well, I put one round in for her..... she fired and then looked back with the biggest grin, I asked if she wanted more and ended up filling the cylinder 3 or 4 times for her. Her dad and I had to pull the hammer back for her but that was it.

[Fordtrucks]

The 700x load is gonna have the least perceived recoil, u want a low charge of fast powder with a heavy for caliber bullet to simulate low recoil. PP is prolly ur worst choice, it tends to make rounds feel really snappy. Try to even go below min, with the 700x and see what u get, but not too low.
I have successfully used 700x in low recoil loads by loading less than min, but just be astute to a squib load.
As always YMMV. Lol
Proccede with caution.

[MarkInFolsom]

I think TrailBoss would be the softest powder out there for bunny loads.

[wpod]

"Bunny loads", I like that lol.
Being as new as I am to reloading I'll stick to low and high numbers. So far my max loads have been .1 grain below printed max.
I cross check between all my sources for loads. Lyman and Lee books, individual cartridge manuals, and online from powder manufacturers.
I've got a nice spreadsheet going.

[Beetle Bailey]

I usually use Unique for my 44 special loads, but if I want to go lighter, I use Trailboss. If you can find it, I'd recommend Trailboss.

[RR.44]

For those 200gr. XTPs I would use a low charge of 800X so my daughter could shoot them. I'm in my car right now so I can't tell you the exact charge but it was the starting charge in my Lyman 49th Ed.

Fun load for beginners.

[J-cat]

Are you a bully? Lol
It's not for me. I've been shooting this gun for 35 years.
It's to be friendly to those that are .44 virgins.

Yeah, I'm a bully.

Trail Boss is prolly it for soft recoil.

[Trapper]

Try 4.8gr of Bullseye behind a 240gr LSWC.

[Noonanda]

My .44 Special load is 200Gr LFP over 5.1 Gr of Trailboss, Win LP primers, COAL 1.412 has a MV of 775.7 FPS 12 feet from the muzzle out of a Ruger Super Blackhawk with a 5.5 inch barrel. Fun plinking load for new shooters, but YMMV