44 Special NM Flat Top favorites

[rleprechaun]

15.7 gr H-110, 240gr XTP, Starline case, CCILPM primer, very accurate.

[flyingzebra]

I really do appreciate these notes

I've been busy with everything, but I'll be trying to get some powder through this little six gun soon

[500fksjr]

Dec 21, 2022 23:54:14 GMT -5 flyingzebra said:

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

This is the combo I use in my 2 Rugers and a custom Smith & Wesson works well for all applications...

[longoval]

Dec 22, 2022 10:24:30 GMT -5 seminolewind said:

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).

I'm going to see if I can work up to this load in my new vaquero. Thanks for sharing.

[ridenshoot]

This load works great in my NM 44 Special, it's one of my favorites.  The spread and SD are pretty tight.

[stubshaft]

I generally stick to 7.5 Unique behind a 245 grain bullet.

[LeverGunner]

Very informative discussion, thanks all for sharing. I've been having good success with loads in the standard pressure range.


This is 18 consecutive shots, 6 on one target, 12 on another.

[bigbore5]

I'd say you found your load.

[longoval]

Levergunner, that is great shooting. Nothing wrong with standard pressure loads.

[LeverGunner]

Thanks. I shoot that load a lot out of my Blackhawk. I was hoping that bullet would feed through my Winchester 92 in Magnum cases, alas, it will feed them just fine in Special (also will feed the RCBS 44-250-K), but they are too long to cycle in Magnum cases. I've not benched the rifle yet with that load, but just a magazine or two shows potential.

[blackmamba]

I've been enjoying the Vihtavuori powders lately and found super accurate loads with commercial cast 240 SWC coated bullets and F150 primers.
7.5 gr. of N320 for about 975 fps and 8.5 gr. of N340 for about 1025 fps from a 6" barrel.

[LeverGunner]

Thanks blackmamba. I've not messed with the VV powders any. Is that N320 similar to unique, or anything else we commonly use?

[blackmamba]

A little faster, N320 is close in burn rate to Green Dot, Acc. #2, HP38. N340 seems to be close to Power Pistol and Herco.

[LeverGunner]

Thanks. I've seen it on store shelves occasionally. I might just get me some to try.

[tex500]

Nov 15, 2023 13:51:26 GMT -5 blackmamba said:

A little faster, N320 is close in burn rate to Green Dot, Acc. #2, HP38. N340 seems to be close to Power Pistol and Herco.

 Blackmamba I am not trying to step on toes or correct you.  I have been using the Vihtavouri powders, and I have found that N340 is very close to Unique and the N320 is slower than the AA #2  The N310 is fast like AA #2  And Burn rate charts don't give you every bit of info.  Not sure about Green Dot     I don't particularly like Power Pistol for the flash it has. Never used Herco so can't say.   The N340 is a lot cleaner than Unique even the newer stuff.  The Viht powders are higher in price and most times are hard to find.  But I like the powders that I would use in the 45 ACP and the 32 H&R and the 44Sp  The 10mm does good with them and the 22 Hornet shines with N110. I use to se Lil Gun in the Hornet and tried H110. I tried N110, and will never go back to anything else.

Tex