Recipe for 44 mag Ruger Alaskan

[1nickatnite1]

Hi guys,

Like the title says, I'm the proud new owner of a Alaskan in 44 mag (well 10 days from now). but the cost of ammo is ridiculous. I reload 9mm and 45acp right now and am ordering dies for the 44 mag. I took a look around online and it seems like w296/H110 gives the highest velocities but i think those are out of a 7 or 8 inch test barrel. As the Alaskan barrel is only 2.5" I'm wondering if w296 would be too slow. My goal is to replicate HSM or buffalo bore loads so I can practice without breaking the bank. Can anyone here give me some recipes they are currently using?

Thanks in advance!

[M27]

I just did a work up load that I am going to shoot Tuesday. If I like it I will PM it to you.

[Southpaw45]

Heres a load that I liked and settled on with my .44Mag Ruger Super Redhawk and Blackhawk. Its a tack driver!


Hornady 230grn XTP bullets #45160
23.0 grns of Win 296 powder
Winchester LP primers. Note-- Any good LP primer will do but they got to be magnum rated.
Apply a nice "strong" roll crimp. Preferably with a Lee carbide factory crimp die....


Now im shooting these out of revolvers that have 9 and 5.5 inch barrels so your results will very. They will work in a 2.5 inch pipe but your muzzle flash will be huge for sure!

[Bill Steele]

Same same.

Hi guys,

Like the title says, I'm the proud new owner of a Alaskan in 44 mag (well 10 days from now). but the cost of ammo is ridiculous. I reload 9mm and 45acp right now and am ordering dies for the 44 mag. I took a look around online and it seems like w296/H110 gives the highest velocities but i think those are out of a 7 or 8 inch test barrel. As the Alaskan barrel is only 2.5" I'm wondering if w296 would be too slow. My goal is to replicate HSM or buffalo bore loads so I can practice without breaking the bank. Can anyone here give me some recipes they are currently using?

Thanks in advance!

You will likely find the loads that produce the big velocities in the longer barrels will also produce the highest velocity in the short one. I think it is one of those area under the curve things. You may find lighter bullets provide a disproportionate advantage energy wise with the shorter barrel.

As lefty pointed out, you will be getting a big muzzle blast with those loads, but also you will get the most punch. W296/H110 and Lil'Gun will be the powders that produce, albeit at significantly less velocity than the longer barreled cousins.

My favorite target powder is W231, using 240gr Elmer Keith style LSWC's.

Good luck, have fun.

[1nickatnite1]

Great! Thanks for the tips guys. I can't wait to shoot the beast. I'm actually looking for a good source of 44 mag. bullets. I made another thread about this but for some reason I can't enter it to see the replies. Can you please share with me some of your sources?

Thanks!

[Na-vah-duh]

xtreme's copper plated 240gr are great for medium loads. But from the sound of wanting to use h110 / 296 you'll need to use jacketed. Hornady xtps are my go to.