.44 mag load for plinking

[PSLguy]

What .44 mag loads are you folks running for plinking/target shooting.

Decided to start reloading for .44 mag for revolvers and a lever gun. I'll be shooting 240 gr. hard cast lead flat top bullets with Unique powder.

Consulted Lyman 49th ed., and using Unique, it lists a starting load of 10.0 gr with a slightly long 1.645 OAL, going up to a max load of 11.7. So, based on that, I loaded up a couple hundred rounds using 10.1 gr.

Then today, I'm on Alliant's website and they list a starting load of 7 grains, with the traditional OAL of 1.605.

That's a big difference between what Lyman recommends.

I'm wondering what you guys are using and how they shoot. I'm looking for soft shooting plinking rounds, so if I can get that using 1/3 less powder and a slightly shorter OAL, that's what I'll do.

I'm thinking of loading up a few dozen more tonight using the Alliant recipe and compare the two.

[Germz]

What .44 mag loads are you folks running for plinking/target shooting...?
...I'm looking for soft shooting plinking rounds...

Little ironic to be looking for soft loads to use in a MAGNUM cartridge, don't ya think?

Got any Trailboss?

[Tom-ADC]

I have a bunch of 205 gr cast bullets from years back, load 10.0 grs of Unique these shoot great in both my Marlin rifle or Ruger Super Blackhawk.

[Divernhunter]

I have used 8grs of Unique with 240 or 250gr cast bullets for many years.

[rromeo]

10 gr Unique under a 245 Keith bullet.

[PSLguy]

Unique

10 gr Unique under a 245 Keith bullet.

Thanks for this. This seems to be a pretty common recipe, so I'm hopeful they will perform well. They better. I loaded up over 200 of them.

[PSLguy]

Unique

I have used 8grs of Unique with 240 or 250gr cast bullets for many years.

Very much appreciate this. My gut was telling me to try 8.0 next for a plinking round, so this is good to hear.

What OAL are you using for these? 1.605 or a bit longer?

[mulyhuntr]

10grs unique isn't exactly a plinking load IMO. 8grs is much more enjoyable. 7grs hp38 even more enjoyable. I save the plinking for .38 specials though.

[Beetle Bailey]

8.0 grains of unique and a 240 grain swc is a nice load in my model 629. 10.0 grains unique was okay but i liked 8.0 better for plinking. Have a Marlin 1894 in 44 magnum on the way so i plan to try 10.0 grains unique in that (240 grain bullet) since I am out of 2400.

[llazyjs]

Why not just shoot .44 Specials for plinking, in the Blackhawk anyway? That's what I do.

[scotchblade]

I use HP-38 (W231) and Trail Boss for mild "magnum" loads. Quite pleasant to shoot. Once in awhile I'll shoot a cylinder or two of full power magnums, just for a little perspective. That's usually enough.

On the other hand, I'll load 7.5 grains Unique under a 250 Keith bullet for a very potent .44 Special.

[shooting4life]

Why shoot the 44mag at lower levels? Why not just shoot a 357?

[PSLguy]

Thanks for all the responses. I only shoot what I reload and I don't own .38, .357, or .44 special guns, brass, etc..

I'm gonna load up some using 8.0 gr. of Unique and compare.

[Ferrum]

6.5g of Trail Boss, 200g lead pill, COL of 1.570

Makes a really mild load...

[bruce381]

I use 5.5-6.0 gr ww231 works great