A Nice 240 gr. 44 mag load

mrgoat

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
10   0   0
I am looking for suggestions on a nice 44 mag target load using 240 gr. since I have a lot of them. The gun is a SW M-29. presently use factory ammo or my reloads which are made to use in the Ruger 44 carbine. I find them rather stiff to shoot out of the M-29. Any suggestions gentlemen.
 
I am looking for suggestions on a nice 44 mag target load using 240 gr. since I have a lot of them. The gun is a SW M-29. presently use factory ammo or my reloads which are made to use in the Ruger 44 carbine. I find them rather stiff to shoot out of the M-29. Any suggestions gentlemen.

I personnaly own a S&W 629-1, which is the same as your model 29, but in stainless steel. LIke you, I find full house loads of 44 Mag ammo to be stout, to say the least. They are fun for ####s and giggles, but I usually limit myself to one full cylinder per night. Any more than that and I am at risk of developing a flinch.

I personnaly shoot mostly 44 Special reloads, with either Bullseye or HP-38 as the propellant. I use loads that fall about halfway between the starting and maximum 44 special loads, as published by Hodgdon or Alliant. I use Starline 44 Special brass, which can be sourced from Rusty Wood Trading.

You can use 44 Special loads in 44 Mag brass, by increasing the load by about 10%.
 
Just about 5 grains of any fast burning powder in a .44 Mag case behind a 250 grain bullet works fine.

5.0 grains of RedDot, Bullseye, WW231, TiteGroup, 700X, WST, HP38, PROMO

I have had troubles with 7 grains of W231 in a .44 Mag case, I had to go up to 8 grains to get reliable ignition in all conditions. Five grains is asking for problems, I think.
 
I have used 7.8 gr of Unique behind various 240 gr cast bullets for years. It is a bit lower than most published data but in my 6" Model 29 it is pleasant and accurate.
 
I have had troubles with 7 grains of W231 in a .44 Mag case, I had to go up to 8 grains to get reliable ignition in all conditions. Five grains is asking for problems, I think.

I have shot over 300 rounds of 240 grn. Keith's lead type with 6.0 grns of Hp38(W231) and CCI std primers in 44 mag case with no issue. 725-750 fps in 5" . Nice, and light :)
 
I just loaded with 10 grains of HS-6 behind a 240 cast bullet. Standard primer.
Very mild and plenty accurate.
It's got a nice recoil 'push', but none of the violent punch of a full-house load.
 
I have shot over 300 rounds of 240 grn. Keith's lead type with 6.0 grns of Hp38(W231) and CCI std primers in 44 mag case with no issue. 725-750 fps in 5" . Nice, and light :)

Ever shoot it in the cold? Seven grains worked very well for me, in the summer. Once the snow came the story changed. That's why I said "in all conditions".
 
Back
Top Bottom