New to Reloading 44 Magnum UPDATED on post 24

[Skernie]

Hi all, I am going to be reloading 44 Mag for the first time, I have got CCI LPP Magnum primers, Winchester 296 (that I am going to start with, I also have H110) and Hornady 240 Gr XTP HP's. I am a fan of the big bang. I will be shooting these out of my S&W model 629 6 1/2 inch barrel.

I have read about not loading below the starting recomended load, and I will be following that advice to the T.

I was just wondering what people are loading, and what advise they would be willing to share with a newbee.

From the research I have found in my lyman 49th, and Hodgdon website, I think I will be loading 23.2 Gr, 23.4, 23.6, 23.8 to see if me, and my gun like any of these loads, and how accurate they are.

I will be loading them using a Dillon 550B, Dillon Dies, and using a COL of 1.600

Please let me know what you think, am I missing anything, or do you have something to add?

Thanks for all advice, and suggestions.

Skernie

[cpatbay]

unless you are really good handgun shooter, I won't bother doing 0.2 gr increments. Most of us are limited by our ability to shoot well and not by the small differences in loading. May be try something close to min recommended, mid point, and something close to max recommended. See which one you like to shoot.

['ol shooter]

Only one grain between minimum and maximum loads is pretty narrow, make sure you weigh carefully. The load does not call for a magnum primer on the Hodgdon website, so reduce your load to start. Here is a link to info on substituting magnum primers for standard.

https://search.yahoo.com/search?p=using+magnum+primers+vs+standard&ei=UTF-8&fr=moz35

[357magnum]

I load 240gr XTP with 23.0gr of H110 COAL=1.600"
Nice and accurate loads out of my Ruger SRH 7 1/2"
Your loads sound good but as mentioned I would not waste time on small increments.
I would go 1/2 gr increments, such as 23.0 - 23.5 - 24.0
Good luck and have fun.

[Skernie]

Thanks for the replys guys.

ol' shooter, I looked in the lyman 49th, and they are calling out a magnum primer, and you are right about the Hodgdon site not calling out for a magnum primer. I think I will work up some with magnum primers and some with standard primers, to see what I like better.

I will post the results as soon as I can.

Thanks again guys.

[OldShooter32]

22g of 4227 under 245g Keith SWC made for some medium, nice-shooting loads. And you can't double-charge them.

[Skernie]

Thanks 357 Magnum, I knew I could count on you guys here giving me some Quality advise. I am really looking forward to loading these up, it is always fun devoloping a new load.

I will try as captbay, and 357Magnum you sugested, and go with the starting load, Medium load, and the Max/ or near max load.

[Skernie]

4227 is not a powder I have, so I will have to give that a try another time.

Thanks.

[TKM]

Look up the writings of Elmer Keith.

He's the father of the 44 Magnum and a valuable resource for us big gun enthusiasts.

http://www.gunsandammo.com/gun-culture/shooting-star-the-legend-of-elmer-keith/

[rm1911]

296 is a very tricky powder. It needs to be loaded hot and if I recall winchester makes a point about that, about not under loading it. I'd save the 296 for when you're more familiar with loading for it. But you will get a big boom for sure.

Like already mentioned, you won't notice much diff between .2 increments, honestly a less than 1/2 of 1% difference.

I don't know if you have other powders. Try to find something more forgiving, even if it means losing 75-100fps. That way you can work up loads with more ease. Again, with 296, pay close attention to the manuals and follow then closely. 296 can be troublesome. #9 or h110 is really a better option although impossible to find right now.

[Divernhunter]

Be sure to use the mag primers with win296 or H-110. Do not load under min with either of those two. For milder loads I use Unique or 700X.

The powder you chose(win296) is only good for full out mag loads. I use H-110 for my full power loads and an told it is the same as Win296. That may be but I get more FPS with the H-110 over the win296 Also be sure to use a heavy crimp especially with that powder.

If you live near me I would help you out if you want.

[stilly]

Hi all, I am going to be reloading 44 Mag for the first time, I have got CCI LPP Magnum primers, Winchester 296 (that I am going to start with, I also have H110) and Hornady 240 Gr XTP HP's. I am a fan of the big bang. I will be shooting these out of my S&W model 629 6 1/2 inch barrel.

I have read about not loading below the starting recomended load, and I will be following that advice to the T.

I was just wondering what people are loading, and what advise they would be willing to share with a newbee.

From the research I have found in my lyman 49th, and Hodgdon website, I think I will be loading 23.2 Gr, 23.4, 23.6, 23.8 to see if me, and my gun like any of these loads, and how accurate they are.

I will be loading them using a Dillon 550B, Dillon Dies, and using a COL of 1.600

Please let me know what you think, am I missing anything, or do you have something to add?

Thanks for all advice, and suggestions.

Skernie

I am up to:
H110-24.9gr
240gr PRN pill
Mixed Brass

Shoots nicely outta mah Deagle. I started with abotu 22.5gr of H110. I suggest you start with around 22.5 or 23gr of W296 or H110 (same powder for the most part).

Then when you want to load cheaper get some 240gr PLATED rounds or 240gr solid lead/cast lead and PC them... CHEEP CHEEP CHEEP! said the birds...

btw, 25gr is MAX load. There IS a difference between 24.9 and 24.7gr of powder. Once you fired enough you can tell. The sweet spot is prolly 24.6-24.8 but I had a change of sights so that might have thrown off mah accuracy.

[Pauliedad]

So what does happen if you go light with win 296?
Unburnt powder?
I don't have any but curious.

[Divernhunter]

You can end up with a parts pistol and a trip to the ER. Do NOT try it. Not worth the risk.

[Skernie]

Divernhunter,
Thanks for the offer, but I live just outside of Los angeles.

Hey Stilly,
Thanks for the info, I might just have to look into powder coating, these pills will start to get pretty pricey in no time. It is kind of strange that Hornady XTP's are cheaper than Montana Gold JSP's.

Thanks everyone for your input, I started dialing in the press today, I should start kicking out some 44 MAG rounds next weekend (unless I can't hold off that long).

Skernie