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Post by bushog on Feb 18, 2014 21:12:46 GMT -5
I've been working too much and have lost my mind...
I know I had some load data for a .44 Special with 275gn and 300gn Cast Performance bullets but can't find it anywhere.
Anybody have proven loads at about 1000 fps or so?
Help!
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princeout
.375 Atomic
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Posts: 1,998
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Post by princeout on Feb 18, 2014 21:49:10 GMT -5
Bushog,
Brian Pearce had this one in his article "Handloading the 44 S&W Special" in the August/September 2005 issue of Handloader, #236. It is listed for Category Three (25,000 psi or less), fired from an FA 97 w/4-1/4" bbl and a S&W 24-3 with a 6-1/2" barrel. Winchester brass, Federal 155 Magnum primers.
307 gr Dry Creek cast SWC H-110 powder 15.5 grains 1,057 fps form the FA and 1,059 fps from the S&W. I couldn't find whether this was a max or starting load, but I'd treat it like a max.
I think you can find the article out there on the web. I double checked my copying and think it is correct.
I haven't shot any heavies out of my 44 Specials and lately the only powder I can come up with is IMR-4227.
Good luck and let us know what you end up with.
Tim
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Post by zac0419 on Feb 19, 2014 7:04:12 GMT -5
I have the article described above and a few more. Shoot me your email and I'll get them to you.
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Post by theblackspot on Feb 19, 2014 10:19:30 GMT -5
I use 9.5 gr 2400 with a 315 gr cast. This load is within normal saami specs
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Post by TERRY MURBACH on Feb 19, 2014 10:20:46 GMT -5
IMNHO, the only reason to even own a 44SPL sixgun [ ...and I do own a bunch.] is to shoot 250GR SWC KEITH bullets at 950fps. By the time it is at or above 1050 you might as well quit kidding yourself and shoot the 44MAG and be done with it.
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Post by Cholla on Feb 20, 2014 0:29:58 GMT -5
I have the article described above and a few more. Shoot me your email and I'll get them to you. Here's a direct link to the article and data mentioned: Handloading the .44 S&W Special
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Post by Cholla on Feb 20, 2014 0:32:04 GMT -5
IMNHO, the only reason to even own a 44SPL sixgun [ ...and I do own a bunch.] is to shoot 250GR SWC KEITH bullets at 950fps. By the time it is at or above 1050 you might as well quit kidding yourself and shoot the 44MAG and be done with it. Funny, after running a 260 gr. SWC a hair over 1200 fps out of my NM Blackhawk .44 Spl., then finding out that load equals or exceeds .44 Magnum loads as loaded by the Big 3 ammo companies, I couldn't help but wonder why anyone would really need a .44 Magnum! Cholla
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Post by dale53 on Feb 20, 2014 21:23:53 GMT -5
IMNHO, the only reason to even own a 44SPL sixgun [ ...and I do own a bunch.] is to shoot 250GR SWC KEITH bullets at 950fps. By the time it is at or above 1050 you might as well quit kidding yourself and shoot the 44MAG and be done with it. That's a pretty strong statement, Terry! (Psst - I agree with you wholeheartedly) . I will admit that I have taken all of my deer with .44 Magnums, but I surely LOVE my .44 Specials and that's for sure! I shoot mostly the H&G #503 (250 gr Keith) but I have had some excellent results with a Group Buy 200 gr dbl ended W/C. 4.0 grs of Bullseye or equivalent makes a very accurate, pleasant shooting load. A friend sold me a nice LBT four cavity mould for a 240 gr WFN that I have been working with, recently. That, with the Skeeter load of 7.5 grs of Unique makes a nice field load, also. Keep on shootin', Dale53
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Post by boxhead on Feb 21, 2014 10:15:23 GMT -5
IMNHO, the only reason to even own a 44SPL sixgun [ ...and I do own a bunch.] is to shoot 250GR SWC KEITH bullets at 950fps. By the time it is at or above 1050 you might as well quit kidding yourself and shoot the 44MAG and be done with it. Funny, after running a 260 gr. SWC a hair over 1200 fps out of my NM Blackhawk .44 Spl., then finding out that load equals or exceeds .44 Magnum loads as loaded by the Big 3 ammo companies, I couldn't help but wonder why anyone would really need a .44 Magnum! Cholla Because you handload. Many years ago a friend and I were dialing loads for an elk hunt. He shooting factory Federal 210 gr Partitions in his 338 Win Mag and me shooting my well proven (read safe, 8 rounds of case life...) 210 gr Partitions in my 338-06. He shooting a 24" gun, me a 22" rebore. Both loads averaged within 30 fps of each other. That said, a 338 Mag can be handloaded a reasonable bit above my 338-06. That said, why folks continue to worry about velocity is still beyond me.
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Post by bulasteve on Feb 21, 2014 10:24:04 GMT -5
If Bushog is in need of a cordless drill, why the flack ? Maybe we should look at it from a different angle. It's been said that the .44mag is a whole 'nother critter with 300gr bullets,SSK,WFN,LFN and such. What bullet weight in your opinions would this be for the .44spec ? Most lethal say ? I was playing with some 265gr Copper-ized SWC's(more like a RNFP)from National Bullet the other day but only over 4.5gr of bullseye. The velo can't be very much but I'd think they'd chug thru quite alot a things. I only had frog smackin' in mind when loading them. I'd switch to 2400 if furry thing were involved. steve
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Post by Cholla on Feb 21, 2014 11:21:12 GMT -5
I should clarify my point. Me being something of a minimalist, I personally see little need in more cartridge and/or load than necessary. This was my first year to handgun hunt, and I did so with a .44 Special. The one thing I learned that will be forever burned into my memory is that a 260 gr. SWC at 950-1000 fps MV will through-and-through penetrate a broadside whitetail, at least it did on two of mine,one at about 16 yds., the other around 45. So, I have to ask myself, if a 250-ish gr. bullet at 1000 fps is enough, why would I load faster or heavier? If I ever manage to draw another New Mexico bull tag and have the cojones to pursue with my .44 Special, I'll definitely use the heavier load I mentioned previously.
I'm the same with rifles. I've with success used a 35 Whelen for elk, leaving a perfectly good 358 Norma home in the safe because I found it doesn't take as much rifle as many would like to believe. When I rifle hunt whitetails, it's normally with a little 308 carbine.
That said, folks traipse all over merrily bowling over little deer with 300 Weatherby's and such as well as 475 Linebaughs and hot-loaded .44 Magnums, and I fully support their right and choice to do so!
Cholla
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groo
.327 Meteor
I yet live!!!!
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Post by groo on Feb 21, 2014 15:16:50 GMT -5
Groo here The Keith 'hats off please' load for the 245gr swc ran about 1200fps. He said that once you go through, the rest does not do much. The extra speed just makes hitting at range easier and pushes the minimum out a little further. Unless you are hunting something that out weights you by 5 to 10 times heaver bullets don't do much more. The SSK heavy bullets ,I have the molds, need some meat to work on, even JD said that lighter expanding bullets were better on deer.
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450ak
.30 Stingray
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Post by 450ak on Feb 22, 2014 14:53:02 GMT -5
I watched, through the nocs a 250 Keith bullet loaded with ten of Unique sail through both humerus bones of a chunky whitetail buck. From a four inch mountain gun, and the shot was twenty yards or so. The tough part was waiting for the parade of does to pass by and not be busted. My little 44 specials live on the 250 Keith, I see no need for anything heavier. The 44 Magnum can do good work with a 300 grain Keith if you live around big bears.
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Post by xtratoy on Feb 25, 2015 3:16:02 GMT -5
I use 9.5 gr 2400 with a 315 gr cast. This load is within normal saami specs I have been looking for load data for my Ruger Flattop 44 Special using 300 gr cast. Are you loading your 315 gr bullets to max cylinder length and what velocities are you getting? I am shooting for 850-900 fps range. Any info appreciated. According to the Brian Pearce article I read the 44 Flatop can do 25,000 PSI all day. His only 300+ gr cast load was powered with H110 which isn't recommended to be downloaded. Any other powders for these heavy loads?
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Aggie01
.375 Atomic
max
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Post by Aggie01 on Feb 25, 2015 7:26:38 GMT -5
12g 2400 under a hunter's supply 290 (ostensibly a 300) got me 977. 13g got me 1070, and is all I am comfortable with in my midframe.
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