44 Special NM Flat Top favorites

[flyingzebra]

I just got a couple hundred pieces of Star Line brass in the mail, thinking I should load something for the stainless 44 that's been waiting to become a 480

I know it'll be a good long time before it makes it through the rotation and to the machines

Might as well run it as a 44 Special until then


Favorite loads please, emphasis on the most accurate loads you're found for your Flat Top
If those are warm or hot loads great, if not, fine with me

Maybe we'll see a pattern here, I'd rather start with a list of known-good recipes instead of chasing around and wasting precious primers

[kevshell]

Skeeter load works great in both my flattops.

[ezekiel38]

I gqt this load from Brian Pearce out of Handloader Magazine: 240 LSWC over 7.5 grains of Power Pistol. 950fps and pressure is 17K psi.it is the most accurate 44 Spl I've used. I've been firing 44 Specials since 1976. It shines in S&W, Ruger and Colt.
The Power Pistol load is not "blasty" as it is in 9mm or 40S&W.


Enjoy your 44.

[flyingzebra]

I actually have a cartridge here that's a Montana 250gr Keith type gas check bullet in Star Line brass holding 7.5gr of Unique from an old spring-cap can

Seated to the top of the crimp groove

I have 250 or more of that bullet, sized as they are they push through the exit throats with light pressure

It would be nice if they end up shooting accurately from this compact little gun

[iwsbull]

Warm not Keith hot, 8.1 grains of Longshot Winchester primer and a powdercoated MP 43-640 hp.

[flyingzebra]

Ross Seyfried had noted that he'd had good success with a LBT, 280GR, WFN-GC bullet in the 44 Special

Here's an example from Montana

www.montanabulletworks.com/product/44-mag-lbt-280gr-wfn-gc/

With 18 grains of H-110 he saw 1120fps in the 5-1/2" flat top without issues

Anyone here use that bullet in the little flat top?

[Fowler]

Dec 22, 2022 9:21:13 GMT -5 flyingzebra said:

Ross Seyfried had noted that he'd had good success with a LBT, 280GR, WFN-GC bullet in the 44 Special

Here's an example from Montana

www.montanabulletworks.com/product/44-mag-lbt-280gr-wfn-gc/

With 18 grains of H-110 he saw 1120fps in the 5-1/2" flat top without issues

Anyone here use that bullet in the little flat top?

I have run that load and it’s fine, more of a working field load than a plinking casual shooting load in my book.

I have been running a 255gr Keith bullet over 8.2gr of Power Pistol in my 3 flat tops for years as a 90% do it all load. Killed 3 deer with it and it doesn’t beat you up at all. Runs right at 1050fps in my #5.

The same bullet over 6.0gr of W231 for 850ish is a wonderful fun target, plinking load for more casual shooting but is certainly enough for field use if used judiciously.

And then there is always a box of full blown Kieth loads on the shelf too. Honestly they don’t get used hardly ever.

[seminolewind]

My 4 5/8" Blackhawk 44 Special (NM Flattop) has never shot well with the many cast bullet loads I have tried in it over the past 12 years, but it really wakes up with the 200 gr XTP bullet. The most accurate load is the XTP with 21 grs 296, Starline brass and CCI 350 for 1275 fps. I've taken 2 deer with it and bullet performance is good. This is a top end load and I would only use it in the Blackhawk (NM Flattop).

[flyingzebra]

The revolver I will be loading for is the small New Model gun

I just edited the thread title to specify NM Flat Top

[sixshot]

I've taken deer in Idaho, Montana & Utah, plus one Antelope using the Skeeter load & a 246 gr HP in 3 different flattops. Easy shooting load but very effective on deer size game. Can't remember my plinker load offhand but I think it's the same as Fowlers.

Dick

[Encore64]

You almost have to try to find a load that won't work in these guns.

Power Pistol is an excellent new powder, ditto on Longshot.

Traditionally, Unique and 2400 are unbeatable...

[flyingzebra]

I have some longshot - I've seen you sing it's praises for other cartridges

Are you using the 350 primer for the stiffer loads?

[Lee Martin]

6.0 of Green Dot with a 250 gr Keith has worked well in all of my .44 Specials.

-Lee
www.singleactions.com
"Chasing perfection five shots at a time"

[Encore64]

Dec 22, 2022 11:17:48 GMT -5 flyingzebra said:

I have some longshot - I've seen you sing it's praises for other cartridges

Are you using the 350 primer for the stiffer loads?

I use whatever primer is handy. I've never seen it make much difference in revolvers. I'll text you some data...

[harold89]

I’ve only had a couple 44 Specials and currently own none. I did do a lot of load development with both and for mine, 8.0g of Power Pistol or a near max charge of H110 was extremely accurate with a good 240 JHP/JHC IIRC.