Reloading 44 mag to 44 spl specs

cdncowboy

cdncowboy

CGN Regular
Rating - 100%
80   0   0
I have a 44 magnum with lots of brass but no 44 special brass. I want to shoot a 44 special round so is there any reason why I can't use my 44 mag brass with 300 grn bullets and just load powder to 44 special specs? I just want to do some plinking at close range (10-15 yds) so don't care about the ballistics difference with a 44 mag heavy bullet being propelled by lower 44 special powder level.

Thanks.
 
Tagged. Interested in replies too. I presume it is not much different than downloading .357mag to .38spl levels primarily for cowboy action. Choice of powder may be a prime consideration or use of filler between bullet and powder. Watching with interest as I'm contemplating picking up a Marlin 1894 in .44mag or maybe a Rossi 1892 stainless in 44mag.
 
No reason why you can't

Look at loads for both and begin accordingly. I like 8 grains titegroup under a 240. That's hot for a special but mild for a magnum.
 
do it all the time- but you might want to look at the gun you're using- if its chambered for 44 mag, no problems- it's when you get into 44 spec chambers that you can run into problems- i'm speaking of things like charter arms bulldog-and you avoid the crud ring by using the magnum cases
 
I do it all the time with my .357; loading 148 gr lead wadcutters using .38 Spl data. No problems whatever and, as noted, the cylinder ring problem goes away.
 
Mark-II said:
No reason why you can't

Look at loads for both and begin accordingly. I like 8 grains titegroup under a 240. That's hot for a special but mild for a magnum.
Click to expand...

I think 240g bullet and 8gr of TiteGroup is a good magnum load, but much too hot for a 44 Spl. I would say 5.0 is Max. is that a published load?

I load mild 44Mag loads for accuracy. I use the 240 SWC and 6g TG
 
Last edited:
Yep, just load Mag cases to .44 Special velocities. Don't think I'd use a 300 grain bullet though. For some daft reason, Hodgdon's site only gives cast 240 grain .44 Special data.
No TiteGroup data on Reloader's Nest. One 240 grain TiteGroup cast load on Handloads.com and there are a few 300 grain .44 Special JSP loads using 2400, Blue Dot, H4227 and W296.
 
Ganderite said:
I think 240g bullet and 8gr of TiteGroup is a good magnum load, but much too hot for a 44 Spl. I would say 5.0 is Max. is that a published load?

I load mild 44Mag loads for accuracy. I use the 240 SWC and 6g TG
Click to expand...

Hornady 8th has titegroup from 4.8 to 6.6gr
Hodgdon site has it from 4.7 to 10gr

I have good results with 7gr in 44mag revolver and 1894 rifle using 240gr cast

w w w.reloadammo.com/44loads.htm has some 300gr load data
 
Last edited:
There's light loads for .44 mag in every manual I have. Load 240Gr. SWC on 8-9 Gr. of Trail Boss all the time.

Sorry I quoted numbers of the top of my head should have said 6-7.3 gr of Trail Boss.
 
Last edited:
I've used as little as 6.5gr. of Unique with the 44 mag. & cast 240 gr. "Keith" SWC, in an 8-3/8"Mod.29 S&W, but prefered 8.0 gr. as a "light load".
The 8.0 gr.load also worked well in both the 1894 Marlin 44 Mag carbine and a converted 1892 Winchester.
 
By now the answer should be clear that it's not only possible but is pretty much a regular thing.

If using the .44Spl data note that the extra volume of the magnum casings will result in a little lower pressure and slightly lower velocity than that shown in the .44Spl data. So you'll find that if you load to the maximum .44Spl data you'll get results for pressure and velocity closer to the mid power loads for each powder.

Also if shooting from a .44Mag gun clearly pressure isn't a big safety issue. So if you're keen on getting the proper .44Spl muzzle velocities then you can match the listed pressures with a 10% to 15% higher load than listed for each powder/velocity to make up for the added volume. In this case I'd suggest shooting over a chronograph and upping the powder level in test loads until you match the muzzle velocity. At that point you'll be running very close to the listed chamber pressure given in the .44Spl data.

If you can find the sometimes hard to find Hodgdon Cowboy Action Manual online it too has reduced loads for .44Mag.

Ah, a quick check shows that you can find it on pages 29-34 on this full reloading manual download.

http://www.wwpowder.com/PDF/Hodgdon Basic Manual.pdf
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom