44 mag load data

ryanb

ryanb

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Anyone have any load data for a 44mag shooting a 240gr lead bullet over H110 powder? Someone had posted this one in another thread, but the velocity numbers don't seem right, since both lighter and heavier lead bullets over similar amounts of H110 for which I have loads for are shooting way faster.


"3. Lyman 48th Edition 240gr cast H-110
start - 22.5 ~1200 fps <> max 23.5 ~1265 fps.
Don't forget that with H-110, you have the 3% rule to go on"

These will be my first handloads :D
 
Many folks are starting to realize that a chronograph us an important handloading tool, and it's hard to justify not having one now that they are so cheap. It is also a good idea to purchase 2 or more loading manuals - some are available as free downloads - then loading data can be compared when the data from on source doesn't seem to make sense.

To your specific question - the velocities you have quoted from the Lyman #48 manual seem close, if perhaps a tad fast - I get 1200 fps with 24.0 grs of H-110 from one source. You must consider that .44 magnum data comes from all sorts of barrel lengths from 4" to 24", so sometimes trying to find what is realistic for your application can be confusing.
 
Interesting, I was just worried about the accuracy of the powder charge data. Seems reasonable enough, and I did some searching around the net and loads for 240gr lead seem to be from 22.0gr up to 24.0 max. So the loads I did up today should hopefully work out.
 
H110 isn't the greatest powder in the world for lead bullets. You'll get a lot of lead in the bore. Gets the gun and your hands rather dirty too. It's much better with jacketed bullets. For lead bullets, check out the cowboy action loadings for .44 Magnum. Not as powerful, but quite accurate and doesn't lead up the bore as much.
 
The guy I bought my 240 grainers off had some 200 grain cowbow action ones too. What is it that makes them so much cleaner to shoot?
 
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H-110

H-110 is better suited to Jacket bullet loads. It is so hot when it burns it vaporizes the lead at the rear of the bullet and traces of lead will accumulate in the bore. Eventually you will see your accuracy go down hill. Keep on going and your task of cleaning will be long and drawn out.
Decent velocity loads with cast bullets can be obtained from H4227 and IMR 4227 or 2400. Lower temperature burn = less lead in the bore.
You will get residue in the bore from 4227's but it just part of the formula and does not hurt anything. I have tested loads on the chrony and the velocity variations are minimal.
You want fast as you can get - use Jacketed and welcome to the Recoil Society.
Carry on!
 
ryanb said:
The guy I bought my 240 grainers off had some 200 grain cowbow action ones too. What is it that makes them so much cleaner to shoot?
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Just the lower velocity. Once you go above a certain velocity, leading becomes much worse. Lead bullets also generate a lot more fouling than jacketed bullets and that fouling gets all over the gun. Don't know why, but they do.

IMR Trail Boss is a great powder for lower power .44 Magnum loads. It fills the case nicely because it is designed to be a bulky powder so you don't have as much empty space in the case as opposed to some other powders when doing reduced loads.
 
So H110 would probably be a great powder to use on these 300 grain hornady XTP's? Time to get a nice recoil friendly grip ;)
 
ryanb said:
So H110 would probably be a great powder to use on these 300 grain hornady XTP's? Time to get a nice recoil friendly grip ;)
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H110 is what I use with the XTP's. I got the load data from Hornady, just sent them an email. These loads are not very fun for plinking :eek: :)
 
ryanb said:
So H110 would probably be a great powder to use on these 300 grain hornady XTP's? Time to get a nice recoil friendly grip ;)
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Better yet get the 180 grain XTPs. The lighter the bullet, the bigger the fireball. I love shooting 180s in my Redhawk. The flash is so bright it's like someone is taking a picture.
 
HPL said:
H110 isn't the greatest powder in the world for lead bullets. You'll get a lot of lead in the bore. Gets the gun and your hands rather dirty too. It's much better with jacketed bullets. For lead bullets, check out the cowboy action loadings for .44 Magnum. Not as powerful, but quite accurate and doesn't lead up the bore as much.
Click to expand...

Just a quick note about lead bullets, I cast my own from a 240gr Lee semi-wadcutter mold, and I use gas checks. I can load them as hot as jacketed with no leading;) .
 
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