Reloading 44 Magnum

[glug]

I'm still pretty new to reloading, been doing 308 for my bolt gun a while now and looking to start reloading for my 44 magnum revolver next so I can afford to shoot it more often. I have a few manuals (Lee, Lyman, and Hornady) but I'm still having a tough time figuring out which bullets and loads would be best to use for recreational shooting. I'm thinking some kind of lead cast or swaged SWC is the way to go?

I'm not really concerned about accuracy or power, basically just want something cheap, easy and relatively safe to blast away with. A bonus would be if I could use the same powder for my 357 and 45 ACP in the future.

[Sparkola24]

I am in the same boat as you and from wha tI have read and heard ..240 grain is the stnadard weight and you load it hotter or milder depending on taste. Aslo I "beleive" if you use 2400 powder..you do not have to use a magnum primer..don't quote me on that.

[Bill Steele]

I load 240gr Elmer Keith style LSWC for my .44RM. A good place to buy them is Missouri Bullet Company, online.

For target loads W231 (also sold as HP38), is a great powder for the application, this will also work for target .357 loads and .45ACP.

For hotter .44RM loads, 2400, AA#9 are my favorites. Many will recommend W296/H110 as the top .44RM powder and it is a leader velocity wise in magnum loads, but personally I think I would steer you clear of that powder until you get a few thousand rounds under your belt.

Have fun, good luck.

[glug]

I load 240gr Elmer Keith style LSWC for my .44RM. A good place to buy them is Missouri Bullet Company, online.

For target loads W231 (also sold as HP38), is a great powder for the application, this will also work for target .357 loads and .45ACP.

Thanks, that's good info. I was kind of leaning toward W231 due to the versatility and also heard that it meters well, which is important to me since I am using a Lee Pro Auto-Disk on a turret press.

Where are you getting the load data for that bullet?

[byteheed]

I second Keith style LSWC... I load them mostly in .44 Special, but also some in .44 Magnum. HP38 and Universal seem to be the powders I turn to most in both of my 4-inch barreled revolvers. I also use blue dot on occasion for magnums and Accurate #7--both with jacketed bullets, if I recall.

Just picked up some IMR4227 to try out in loads for my new lever .44 and will probably go back to Blue Dot for that too. I found the Blue Dot tends to spit unburned powder out the front of my short barrels, so maybe it's better for longer barrels.

You'll definitely get to shoot your .44 more often! Factory ammo is pretty steep.

[Bill Steele]

Thanks, that's good info. I was kind of leaning toward W231 due to the versatility and also heard that it meters well, which is important to me since I am using a Lee Pro Auto-Disk on a turret press.

Where are you getting the load data for that bullet?

I developed my own loads for W231, I will go down and find my notes and shoot you a PM later this afternoon. IIRC Hodgdon has load data online for W231/HP38 for this bullet that goes from like 900fps, all the way up to 1300fps+. If you keep your loads around 1000-1050fps, you will have a plinking round that are murder on paper.

Good luck, have fun.

[glug]

IIRC Hodgdon has load data online for W231/HP38 for this bullet that goes from like 900fps, all the way up to 1300fps+.

Found it, thanks! Even though W231 leaves a lot empty room in the case I like that the starting load is half the charge of a max load, nice to have a big safety margin there for starting out.

[CEDaytonaRydr]

If you plan on using plated, or cast lead, check out "Trail Boss". It fills the case nicely and gives great results on paper for my 41 Mag.

Also, don't forget your online resources for load data: http://hodgdon.com/

http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/default.aspx

[glug]

I notice the hodgdon data doesn't say anything about the primer type. I've read that I should always use a non-magnum primer unless explicitly told otherwise. But I don't see anywhere in the hodgdon loads where they would even indicate the usage of a magnum primer if needed.

It also doesn't say anything about brands of primers, should I assume any Large Pistol primer will work (as long as I'm using the starting load)? I was going to pick up some CCIs since they are slighter cheaper and I've heard they are the safest.

[Bill Steele]

You don't need to buy magnum primers for those loads. If you want a primer that will work in both application (standard and magnum), Winchester LPP will do the job.

To the question of brand, any LPP should work fine.

[Divernhunter]

For mild loads you do not need a mag primer but you can use one. I usually just buy and use mag primers in all loads unless the regular ones are quite a bit cheaper. I also use unique for mild loads. 8grs of unique with a 240-250gr bullet(lead) is very accurate and mild shooting.
For mag loads using jacketed bullets I prefer H-110. Also it is suppose to be the same as Win296 but I get more speed with like loads over my chrono with the H-110. It is usually easier to find at local shops also.

[Cowboy T]

W231 is good stuff; a buddy uses it for nearly all of his non-magnum handgun rounds.

Another good powder choice for plinking .44M loads is Titegroup. This is my choice for .44 Spl, .44M, and .45 Colt. I've also got a nice little load for .38 Special in case Bullseye (my normal .38 Spl powder) becomes scarce again like in 2009. Paired with a 200gr cast bullet, eight grains will give you a sweet .44M practice load.

For primers, you only need the magnum editions with H110/W296 (same stuff) or Lil-Gun, because they're harder to ignite. The faster powders like Bullseye, Titegroup, W231, Unique, and so on do great with normal SPP's.

Also, 2400, though best with magnum-style loads, emphatically does not require magnum primers. I go through 2400 like politicians go through money, and I've never, ever had a problem with standard primers and this powder.

[M27]

my recommendation

bear creek 240 gn SWC

here is the order sheet


then with hodgdon tightgroup
here is the load data

[mud99]

I just ordered .43 cast bullets from sns casting, they were the cheapest source I could find, and the quality is good.

The cheaper I load the more I shoot.

[toyotaguy]

I have had great success with bear creek 240g lswc with ramshot enforcer.