Need Help loading .44 mag 180 grain lead with Bullseye

mlehtovaara

mlehtovaara

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Just wondering how high I can safely go with Bullseye powder? I have seen loads at 11.5 grains for jacketed bullets, but how much lower should I load the lead. I was thinking of just loading them up starting at 5.5 grains and going up 0.5 grains but where should I stop. I have gone as high as 8.5 grains for my first test batch so far. Can I go higher? I want powerful loads for some fun at the range but at the same time I hate cleaing lead outta the barrel.
 
first you didn't state what you were shooting.

Bullseye is not IMO the best powder for full power loads in the 44 Mag, H110, or 2400 are better. I have gone to as high as 12 grains in the 96 Ruger rifle, under jacketted bullets (accuracy sucked, and it's dirty). I think you'll be on your own as far as data for lead that light. Bullseye being quite fast, you may be able to get up to your listed jacketted load, just watch for leading and pressure.
Yes, that's well above the listed max in a lot of manuals, for handgun watch your ass.

Alliant lists 6 grains under a 240 grain cast bullet as max for pistols and revolvers.

http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/recipedetail.aspx?gtypeid=1&weight=240&shellid=33&bulletid=52
 
Bullseye is ok for mild target load with lead bullets.

if you want to make somethig more powerful, you need a slower powder. Unique can make mild and pretty ht laods, and is very easy to work with. 296, Herco, H110, Blue Dot and 2400 are good for hot loads. They are not good for down loading and need a good crimpt for good ignition.
 
If you really want to load up some magnum rounds it might be best to buy jacketed. Full house the .44 is starting to push the limits of cast bullets a little. All depends on alloy, bore condition, gas checks, etc.

If you are looking to jack up the cast velocities look for a load using slower burning powder that generates the least pressure.
 
Sounds like you need to go buy a manual. If you want hot loads, don't use a cast bullet.
My old Lyman book gives 5.0(810 fps) to 7.0(1003 fps) of Bullseye for a cast 180 grain bullet. Lyman mold #429348 #2 alloy.
Accuracy load is with Unique. 8.0(918 fps) to 13.0(1403 fps). 8.0 being the accuracy load.
 
180 grain bullets are not very efficient in a 44. Cast bullets weighing about 250 grains are the traditional choice. Certainly no need to use jacketed bullets. In a revolver a full blown load with a 250 grain will be about 1450 to 1500 fps. Even a flat base, no gas check, is usually good at these speeds.
Bullseye is too fast for heavy loads. However, I have had a very accurate load with 231, which is similar burn rate to Bullseye, at about 950 fps.
 
So should I shoot the 8.5 Grains and see what happens or pull em, and stay below 8 grains. I have seen loads up to 11.5 grains with jacketed 180 grain bullets. I wouldnt dream of pushing lead that fast but I figured a %25 percent reduction would work. I do have a reloading manual but loaned it to a freind who just started reloading. I just got the dies and all last night so I couldnt wait to load some up.
 
mlehtovaara said:
The Gun is a Ruger Redhawk so I am sure the gun can handle them I guess I just gotta be careful and check for leading constantly.
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Think again. One of my old friends succeeded in ovaling the chambers on a Super Blackhawk trying to hotrod with fast burning powder.

Take the advise above. Fast powders are for lighter target loads. Slow powder is for the fire breathers.
 
Like I said I have seen loads up to 11.5 grains so backing off 3 grains is about a 25 percent decrease in powder. I am just gonna start with the low loads and see what happens. I also have a box of factory .44 magnum loads which I will be comparing them to so if I get even close to the recoil produced from some of these factory loads I will stop there. I know I need a slower burning powder but I got this bullseye sitting around and I dont like it with my 9mm loads so I gotta use it somehow.
 
mlehtovaara said:
Like I said I have seen loads up to 11.5 grains so backing off 3 grains is about a 25 percent decrease in powder. I am just gonna start with the low loads and see what happens. I also have a box of factory .44 magnum loads which I will be comparing them to so if I get even close to the recoil produced from some of these factory loads I will stop there. I know I need a slower burning powder but I got this bullseye sitting around and I dont like it with my 9mm loads so I gotta use it somehow.
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The powder doesn't go bad. If you use it this year or this decade, it's only $20-30 dollars. You'll piss more than that out the window taking the kids to McDonalds.
 
You cannot use recoil or velocity as a pressure yard stick when trying to compare Bullseye to a factory load.

Bullseye will produce high pressure faster than it develops velocity (recoil).

Shoot the 8.5 gr loads. They are fine.

If you want an accuracy load, try 6.0 to 8.5 and see what works. use the powder up making accuracy loads.

Buy a slower powder for hot loads.
 
I think some folks equate fast powder with fast loads, and it's far from the truth. In general, it's the inverse. Fast powder for slower loads. Bullseye, is well named, in that properly loaded, it's a good target powder.
If you want fast bullet speeds, use a slower powder, the pressure doesn't spike as quickly, and you get a longer push on the bullet for higher speed.
As I suggested earlier, H110, or 2400 would be my choices.
 
Mr. Ganderite and John have said what I was going to!
I will even repeat, trying to use recoil or velocity, when comparing a load with Bullseye to a fatory load, which will have a slower powder, is a very dangerous procedure.
 
Thanks for all the help guys. I will be looking for a new powder, and have asked my buddy to get me my book back. I just had the bullseye and was setting up my dies so figured Id through some rounds together. I do most of my shooting out to a max of 25 yards, but mostly 10 yards so I am not too concerned with working up loads for really good accuracy. I just bought this thing for ####s and giggles, and I guess I will need a different powder for making those hot loads.

Anyone have any hard hitting loads they can suggest? I am thinking of getting some 250 grain Frontier plated bullets, or do I have to go with Jacketed for the hot loads? I have had alot of luck with some pretty hot loads in my G17 with the plated.
 
Bullseye is a mild target load and depending on how mild you can probably squeeze a 1000 rounds out of a pound. 24.0 grains of WW 296 with a 240 grain bullet was my silhouette load. When I bought my first 44 Mag, the loads were a do or die one used by a logger in Alaska: 26.5 grains of 2400 with a Federal Magnum Rifle primer. If you fired on round you could get it out with the ejector . . . fire any more than that and they had to be drifted out with a brass rod. WARNING: DO NOT GO THERE!!!!
 
44mag loads

for a nice smokeing load I like H110 say 24 grains . get your reloading book back and don;t lend it out . I never lend my reloading books out . if someone wants to know some loads I photo copy the pages for them . when you go to buy your powder ask if they have some books that they get with the powder from the factory . I'm glad I keep my old factory spec books as they don't list half of the loads in the new books . I even called and told them the new books suck .

sorry I did'nt tell you the bullet I was useing with that load was a 240 grain jacketed bullet. not lead cast .
 
Great advice above!
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H110 or WW296, 2400 if you can find it. I use just cactus plains hard cast lead 240gr bullets, no gas check, 24.5gr h110, and I've always got a massive smile, and I've not seen even the slightest amount of leading. Unless your gun happens to be prone to leading, I wouldn't even worry about leading (only one way to find out if it is).

I've never fired any light target loads, I just like using my Cannon for exactly that. Accuracy is still well above any standard I could hold to. My favorite is to bust clays on the 50yard berm.
 
Full power loading a 44 Magnum is so simple. Either 24-25 grains of H110/W296, or 22 grains of 2400, with a 250 grain bullet. Really not much need for a reloading book.
26.5 grains of 2400 would be a fantastic over load! I can't imagine any revolver standing it.
 
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