From 44 magnum to 44 special

DocBurN

DocBurN

Regular
EE Expired
Rating - 100%
15   0   0
Location
Montreal, Canada
I have reloaded 800 rounds of 44 magnum and they all shoot very well but I am only plinking targets and want to give the 44 special a try.

Question 1: Can I keep my 240gr bullets, 44 mag brass and just change the kind/amount of powder ? Im using around 22gr of Winchester 296 for magnum.. and was planing on switching to Winchester 231 for the "special".

Question 2: Are the 240gr bullets too much weight for 44 Special/lighter loads ?

It would be easier for me to keep my 240gr bullets + magnum brass and load 231 if you guys think it is not a bad idea. and use the same brass with 296 for magnum load. I could use some help on that subject.

My reloading source propose me: STARLINE BRASS 44 MAG UNPRIMED or STARLINE BRASS 44 SPL UNPRIMED with HRN 44c(.430)180gr HP/XTP BULLET HollowPt and Win 231. (good/bad?)

Thank you very much.
 
Last edited:
Loading special level rounds into magnum brass is perfectly safe. I would mark them or the box they are in very clearly though so you don't get them mixed up. It is possible to load magnum level in special cases which can be very dangerous if they are accidentally chambered in a special gun.

240gr bullets will work for special loads but I usually use 200gr bullets for lower power loads.
I'm not familiar with Winchester 291 but I use a different powder for special loads than for magnum. Most average burn rate shotgun powders make very good special loads; just check some load data. It is possible Win 291 could be loaded down to special levels, I don't know.
 
Loading the 44mag down is the better idea
no readjusting dies
cleaner chambers
no brass sorting
I would stick to magnum data if using magnum brass.
I don't see much 231 data for the mag ,unique might be a better choice
 
no readjusting dies <-- love it!
cleaner chambers <-- love it!
no brass sorting <-- love it!

Loading the 44mag down is the better idea
I would stick to magnum data if using magnum brass.

from what i remember (dont have my books with me) the max load was around 24gr of 296.. but didn't go lower than around 20-21 gr. that is why i was aiming at 231

Same 240gr bullets, magnum brass, same primers, no dies ajustment.. sound very good to me.
 
jeff270 said:
If you have 44 mag data for 231 go for it.
Click to expand...

If i understand you right.. i dont have 44 mag data for 231... my data for 44 mag is for 296.. was around 20-24gr (from what i remember).. im loading 22gr in mine

My original aim was to load more rounds with lighter charge (maybe 7-9gr of powder) for target shooting.. no need to go full power on a 20m targets (and keep my full charge for bigger problem :)

If it matter.. my magnum bullets are: 44 Cal 240gr Flat Point (.429) BERRY's made in usa shot out of a Rossi Ranch Hand.. zero problem so far in the first 800 reloads
 
Last edited:
"HRN 44c(.430)180gr HP/XTP BULLET HollowPt" is expensive bullets. I use XTP only for factory/full loads (24gn H110 with 240gn XTP). For plinking Berry plated is half the price, even cheaper with 9gn of Titegroup.
 
burnaby said:
"HRN 44c(.430)180gr HP/XTP BULLET HollowPt" is expensive bullets. I use XTP only for factory/full loads (24gn H110 with 240gn XTP). For plinking Berry plated is half the price, even cheaper with 9gn of Titegroup.
Click to expand...

i am checking the data at ( data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp ) ..

My reloading source suggested that HollowPt since i was asking for lighter bullets at first (thinking i would gain velocity with lighter bullets) he told me it was "rarer" to find low grain bullets for .44 since 240gr was the approx standard from what he is used to sell.. otherwise he would sell me the same bullets (Berry) that i had for my magnum rounds.

You would recommand Titegroup over 231 ?

Being new-ish to reload.. i don't know the big difference between powders.. my only experience is with 296
 
231 is an excellent powder to use. Try 5.0, 5.5, 6.0 and 6.5 with any cheap 240gr bullet. I use cast lead SWC.

You will probably find one of those groups better than the others. You can have a cheap, accurate and pleasant plinking load.

An excellent load for the wife, kids or any other person who wants to try your gun.
 
6.0 grains of W231 with the 240 gr cast SWC bullet is a nice target load. If you're using the 240 gr Berry's plated you may want to bump it up to 8.0 grains of W231.
 
Just want to thank you all for the good info.. another proof that CGN kick some serious arses!

Hammer, you are my second vote for "bumping it up a notch" to around 8-9gr.. something to do with the softer bullet versus velocity ..
i think i got the right receipe for something special.. in 44 :)
 
The 240 grain bullets will do fine for light loads.
Winchester 231 is a good powder for light loads in the 44 mag. From memory, the maximum load pressure wise, is about 10 grains. I have used this combination and found it very accurate. It chronographed at about, or just oveer, 1,000 fps.
Just be doubley, super careful, not to get a double charge.
 
H4831 said:
The 240 grain bullets will do fine for light loads.
Winchester 231 is a good powder for light loads in the 44 mag. From memory, the maximum load pressure wise, is about 10 grains. I have used this combination and found it very accurate. It chronographed at about, or just oveer, 1,000 fps.
Just be doubley, super careful, not to get a double charge.
Click to expand...

thank you for the info... good to know.. about the double charge i am not worried too much.. im carefull with black powder.. and my 650 is progressive that help too.. one of my main job is check every brass as it turn and i have a lighting system fix on the dillon. But you are right, never too carefull
 
I use WW231 for light loads in my Redhawk, 6.0-8.0gr under a Keith 245gr SWC produces stupid accurate loads. The 6.0gr load recoils like a light .45ACP load (maybe less), 8.0gr is a bit more than full house .45ACP.


Mark
 
I've shot 1000's and 1000's of 44 Spec "light loads" using 240 SWC, 231 and mag cases. The lead SWC's are often going to be the most accurate 44 bullet and there's no downside to having fun with cheap light loads. BUT I always take some full power jacketed loads to the range and shoot 50 at the end of the range session to remind me that it's a magnum.

Get your self some 200 gr JHP and work up a max load with BLUE DOT... be careful as BD can be a touchy powder.... then go out shoot these at nightime or turn the lights off if you're in an indoor range Really cool
 
I use speer 4661 "plinker" bullets with 5 gr of bulls eye. About 800 fps with my lever gun. About the same report as a 22 stinger too. Really good for small game in the tight brush.
 
another thing that can be done is using the same 296 powder with lighter bullets. in my 357mag it makes a huge boom, but generally isn't good for the gun (revolver anyway) as there is hotter gas which cuts into the top strap.
 
HammerliSP20 said:
6.0 grains of W231 with the 240 gr cast SWC bullet is a nice target load. If you're using the 240 gr Berry's plated you may want to bump it up to 8.0 grains of W231.
Click to expand...

This is what most of the shells I have loaded now contain. I've also used Titegroup for loading at a similar level.

Be mindful about double charging cases as mentioned. It takes a good look to be sure that 6gr didn't accidently become 12gr somewhere along the line as thats only a fraction of a full case.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom