.44 Russian,anybody reload this round?

[jebidiah]

I'm looking for some load data on .44 Russian
Anyone's personal loads and experiences would be much appreciated.

 

[sunray]

There's data for 165, 200 and 240 grain LRNFP bullets on Hodgdon's site. Data for a 200 grain cast bullet on Alliant's Cowboy Load page.

 

[jebidiah]

There's data for 165, 200 and 240 grain LRNFP bullets on Hodgdon's site. Data for a 200 grain cast bullet on Alliant's Cowboy Load page.

Thank you, am I safe to assume these loads can be fired in a well maintained antique?

 

[10x]

Thank you, am I safe to assume these loads can be fired in a well maintained antique?

I have the same concern as well.

 

[jebidiah]

I have the same concern as well.

Anybody have any input?

 

[53moose320Elk]

I never load over 800 fps in my 44 Russian in my Model # 3 S&W just don't want over stress the gun,

 

[B]

Took me seconds to find this with that fancy Google thing..... Everything you wanted to know about .44 russian. Has both smokeless and BP loads. If you run smokeless through an antique you are a braver man than I.

http://www.sixguns.com/tests/tt44russ.htm

 

[jebidiah]

Took me seconds to find this with that fancy Google thing..... Everything you wanted to know about .44 russian. Has both smokeless and BP loads. If you run smokeless through an antique you are a braver man than I.

http://www.sixguns.com/tests/tt44russ.htm

Could one substitute pyrodex for the blackpowder in equal grains then?
23 grains of black powedr was the original charge, so would 23 grains of pyrodex be ok?

 

[B]

23 grains of FFFg. I am sorry but I know jack #### about BP.

 

[10x]

Could one substitute pyrodex for the blackpowder in equal grains then?
23 grains of black powedr was the original charge, so would 23 grains of pyrodex be ok?

Pyrodex is substituted by volume, not by weight. 23 grains of pyrodex pistol powder would not be O.K.
Also keep in mind that pryodex is chlorate base powder and even though it burns with less fouling, the fouling that is left absorbs moisture quicker and tends to be more corrosive.

 

[10x]

Took me seconds to find this with that fancy Google thing..... Everything you wanted to know about .44 russian. Has both smokeless and BP loads. If you run smokeless through an antique you are a braver man than I.

http://www.sixguns.com/tests/tt44russ.htm

Those loads seem to work in a modern colt.
I would hesitate to use them in a 100+ year old S&W top break.
I have found a load in an older lyman manual that uses Unique, and also a load that uses Clays in a newer manual. Both produce about 7500 units of pressure.
That is about the same pressure as FFFG B.P.
Neither of these loads is anywhere near as warm as the loads listed on the webpage.
I think I'm on the right track with Unique. Dirty but predictable low pressure.

 

[Leonidas]

Check the thread in the antique section on running smokeless through BP guns.

 

[B]

Check the thread in the antique section on running smokeless through BP guns.

Yup lots of good advice. It can be done but you gotta watch your ass. Pressure curves with smokeless are far greater than BP.