pageophile
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Edmonchuk, AB
For the Love of the 44 Mag
- Thread starter Seagull
- Start date
I have 18 different reloading books dating back to the 40's and no two give the same recipe for how much of a powder charge should be used in most cartridges. For the 44 Mag I have one book printed in the early 70's that says 7.5 grn of Unique is minimum and I have a lyman book that says 10g as minimum as you stated.
If you look on the manufacturers website they suggest a max of 11grn so it is kind of hard to believe that the powder is only good from 10-11 grn.
http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/recipedetail.aspx?gtypeid=1&weight=250&shellid=33&bulletid=47
The difference is the way they test pressures from there firearms/chambers at the factory, there is lots of variances.
Love it when people post that this reloading book is more accurate than that reloading book and the flame wars start back and forth. Do a search of "Which reloading book is the best, or do you recommend" and you will see a new thread virtually every week. Sometimes there are three threads going at the same time, lol.
You have to use google search tho because this websites search is by far the worst that I have found on the Internet, love the site other than the search.
Well this is interesting ! I also love the 44mag and I like to experiment.
So I emailed Alliant: (I have edited the email somewhat)
Sirs - I'm trying to find a recipe for my 44mag. As I live in Canada, my
bullet choices are limited to DRG Bullets(Ancaster, ON)Premium Hard Cast
lead; 240g SWC, and Wolf Bullets (Kingston, ON) plated; 240g SWC.
Can you suggest a recipe(s) for these 2 bullets using 2400?
Coupla days later - and I must say the Alliant guys are great with this service - they replied:
With either 240 gr bullet you have, I suggest our Unique powder. Start
with 9 grs and the max should be approx 11 grs. A standard large pistol
primer is recommended along with a firm crimp on the bullet. Thanks for
your note and have a nice weekend.
I haven`t used this recipe yet due to the fact I still have a bunch of 2400 to get through - but it seems to confirm what previous posters have said...
Last edited:
Brutus
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
I'm pretty sure this was Skeeter Skelton's recommended handload for 44 Special with the 250 grain Keith bullet in modern handguns.
Makes perfect sense now.
I've been shooting 10-13 grains of Unique under a 240 grain cast bullet in my Ruger Redhawk for about 5 years now. It works well...it's cheap...but it's a dirty burning/smoky powder. Leaves kind of a sweet taste in the air..thus the nic name "sweet unique".
If you want to try something interesting, just for kicks....take a case full (not compressed) of IMR 7828 magnum rifle powder and put a 240 grain bullet on top of it. We put them through my buddies chrony at 495fps. It's kind of funny to have that big cartridge driving a big bullet at non-restricted pellet gun speed. At 50 meters, it's more like bombing the target than shooting it. They wouldn't even go through the 1/2" chip board target backers. Shoot........wait for it.........thud.
If you want to try something interesting, just for kicks....take a case full (not compressed) of IMR 7828 magnum rifle powder and put a 240 grain bullet on top of it. We put them through my buddies chrony at 495fps. It's kind of funny to have that big cartridge driving a big bullet at non-restricted pellet gun speed. At 50 meters, it's more like bombing the target than shooting it. They wouldn't even go through the 1/2" chip board target backers. Shoot........wait for it.........thud.
Often wondered why Alliant doesn't post a starting grn for there powder on there website. Still love the 8-9 grains of Unique for a nice mild load and for a snappy full house load 296 or 2400 does the trick. My wrists/arms are getting old and I just can't keep up with full house loads like I used too so I mainly stick to mild loads to wet the appetite.
Try to understand that the reason it's going so slow is the speed of the powder burning vs the short barrel. It's just a very low, long, drawn out pressure curve that never gets a chance to peak due to the bullet having already exited the barrel. If the bullet ever did stop (which it won't) the pressure would continue to build just like it would in a long gun, eventually reaching a point that the bullet would be pushed out of the barrel. Once you understand this, it's plane to see that there is no danger involved.
Try to understand that the reason it's going so slow is the speed of the powder burning vs the short barrel. It's just a very low, long, drawn out pressure curve that never gets a chance to peak due to the bullet having already exited the barrel. If the bullet ever did stop (which it won't) the pressure would continue to build just like it would in a long gun, eventually reaching a point that the bullet would be pushed out of the barrel. Once you understand this, it's plane to see that there is no danger involved.
Now...all that being said...if you don't understand how different powders will react in different settings, don't experiment on your own. Sorry...I don't mean to sound like a conceding smart guy. There's no offense intended or implied.
Brutus
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Longer cylinders as well
That yes, and/or some 44 Magnum revolvers have longer chambers than others. Dan Wesson, and Colt Anaconda come to mind right off. Hence this other cannelure can be utilized so this bullet can be loaded longer, with a bit more room for powder in the case. Within published limitations of course.
