44 mag advice.

[jw]

I am wanting to load for my 44 mag. I picked up some
240 gr cast bullets and I have 2 lbs of h 110. From the reading I have done it looks like I might need a different powder for a middle of the road type load?
Should I stick with the H110 or is there something better?

I guess I should say I will be hunting with these.
Thanks.

[magman]

I would think that with cast bullets and H110/296 they would have to be sized just right to prevent leading. Can't really deviate much from max charges.

I think I would go with another powder, Unique, Universal Clays or HS-6 would be great mide range powders.

[bradshaw]

jw.... Win 296/H110 designate top velocity ball powder for magnum revolvers, including the great forty-four. By no means to be used for mid range loads. By "mid range" it is useful to establish a velocity, say 1,000 to 1,100 fps. Unique and HS-6 describe this niche, neither being a good choice for 700 to 800 fps, and incapable of safely attempting 1,200 to 1,300 fps, let alone top velocity. The hazard with medium and fast powders in a progressive press lies in potential for a double charge, which will wreck a revolver.

Hercules and Alliant 2400 produce excellent accuracy with lead bullets at below top loading, which I arrive at by seating the bullet below the front band about .030" to .060" before roll crimp. COL=1.500".

Low Velocity
Seat a cast 240 SWC to crimp above front band over 5.5/HP-38 or Win 231 (HP-38 is 231) yields 750-800 fps or more, depending on revolver. This load is capable----from a fine revolver----of 4 to 5-inch 5-shot groups at 100 yards. COL=1.500"

Mid Range Velocity
My mid range load seats commercial cast 240 SWC----once again deep seated for COL=1.500"----over 10.6/HS-6. Velocity runs around 1050 fps. Accuracy from a fine revolver hovers around 5-6" @ 100 yards.

The old C-H Swag-a-Matic 240 SWC with pure lead core and half-jacket, deep seated over 17 grains/Hercules 2400 with mag primer, produces incredible accuracy from my old 6-1/2' MODEL 29. Velocity 1060 fps. Not only that, the swaged SWC punches lungs like a heavyweight boxer.

Now for the dirty little secret: the above commercial cast are bevel base bullets. A quality cast flat base 240 SWC should do better, and certainly does better pushed above low velocity.
David Bradshaw

[jw]

Thanks guys. Went hunting for powder today and all I could find was some Unique.
Looking at a couple different reloading books for Unique loads, have me scratching my head.
One books max load is higher than another by 25 to 30%. Also if a listed load uses a 240gr jhp
can you use that load with a hard cast bullet instead?

Sorry for the questions I reload for my rifles but just starting on handguns.
If you guys know of any good books that might explain all this to me please
let me know.
Thanks

[okie44]

Hornady lists the Max loads for the soft leads swaged bullets as a stopping point before severe leading. You will be ok using jacketed bullet data with hard cast lead, lead is actually easier to push down the barrel than jacketed bullets.

[kings6]

250 grain cast bullet ad 10.0 grains of Unique is one of my favorite for the 44's especially older flat tops I do not want to slam real hard.

[bradshaw]

jw.... sometimes you've got to use what you got to get what you want. While I do not picture Unique the equal of Hercules or Alliant 2400 for mid-velocity accuracy with 240 grain bullets, Unique should see you through this draught. Stick with standard LP primers. As other members state, jacketed generate higher pressure than lead, other components the same.

An alternative with the lead is to deep-seat 240 SWC in .44 Mag case to crimp above front band, for COL=1.500". Approximates .44 Special Cartridge Overall Length. Data abounds for Unique in .44 Special. With .44 Mag brass, remember to seat front band .030 to .060" below case mouth. This allows seat & crimp in same pass without separate dies or die adjustment. Uses a bit of air space and increases mileage per pound of powder.
David Bradshaw

[sheriff]

jw, run 8.5 up to 10.0 grains of Unique with your 240gr casts. Powder's hard to come by in the Stillwater area I've found out.

[jw]

Thanks guys.