From 44 magnum to 44 special

My Cowboy Action load for my .44 Magnum Ruger Vaquero has to be under 1,000 fps. I use 5.1 grains of W231 pushing a 240 LSWC bullet to give me about 740 fps. Nice light target load, which allows you to get back on target fast and still enough juice to take down and IPSC pepper popper.
 
I am using either 200gr xtp's or 200 gr gold dots with 5.8 grs titegroup (not the max but close to it for a 44). Please note this is in an actual 44 special not a magnum gun. Funny enough, the titegroup seems to burn a lot cleaner in the revolver than the semi. It may be the roll crimp allows the powder to burn more completely.
 
Well i ended up with HP-38 powder instead of Winchester 231 (out of stock) from what i heard it could be the same powder/close enough to use the same reloading data
 
Just keep in mind you need to choose the right powder for reduced loads in larger cases, there is a risk with some powders if you go “off data” and reduce charges. The risk is you end up below the flash hole, exposing a lot of surface area of powder to the primer’s flash, causing a rapid pressure spike. Three powders I’ve used in .44 that are safe and great for Special level loads are,

-Universal, the most useful overall… aptly named. Deals well with light charges in large cases long as you put a good crimp on it. Otherwise can have inconsistent ignition. Hodgdon shows 8.0grs under a 240gr Nosler as minimum in that combo, for 1000fps. Still some pop, but very far from Magnum.

-Titegroup, safe at low charge weights in large cases, ignites evenly. Data at Hodgdon starts at 9.0grs with the Nosler 240, little warmer than the Universal loading.

-Trail Boss, the go to for light range loads, and a very useful powder that only allows for light loads due to its huge bulk. It has a quick pressure spike, which means clean brass and bores, with excellent even ignition.
 
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