Yet another mild load .44 magnum question.

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daroccot

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I'm new to reloading here, I just got setup with some equipment and after reading some about reduced loads etc.. I think I have the wrong powder. I have winchester 296 and this is only for the remington magnum loads right? The question then becomes what readily available powder do I want for making reduced loads? I have .429 swc cast 240gr bullets, magnum cases, and magnum primers.

Thanks
 
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daroccot said:
I'm new to reloading here, I just got setup with some equipment and after reading some about reduced loads etc.. I think I have the wrong powder. I have winchester 296 and this is only for the remington magnum loads right? The question then becomes what readily available powder do I want for making reduced loads? I have .429 swc cast 240gr bullets, magnum cases, and magnum primers.

Thanks
Click to expand...
44 Mag, 44 special, 44-40, 44 Russian......
What are you loading for?
 
It seems I was using the wrong keyword in my searches, "cowboy" turned up alot of info... Looks like Unique or w-231 is the best ticket. Would most concur?
 
Unique works well for me, 8-10 grns. Trail boss is also good for light plinking loads but more expensive than Unique. If the bullet fits the chambers correctly and you have slugged the barrel and used the correct lube then if you can't keep a 240 slug using 8 grn of Unique inside 2" at 25 yards then something is way out. I can and have used this round for shooting gophers out to 40 yards no problem in my 629 and Super Blackhawk.
 
Going by the recommendations of 'the man' who was instrumental in bringing the calibre into existance has always worked well for me. For a bullet of his design, Lyman 429421, and its variation weights of 240 - 250grs his loads were, 5grs of Bullseye for light gallery loads or 8.5grs of Unique for target & 22grs of 2400 for heavy full loads.:D
 
For the .44 I would (and do) use Unique rather than W231. The recoil does not seem as sharp. Probably due to the burn rates.
 
231 for 7-11 grains- top end gives you roughtly 1100 fps- i'm using a ruger redhawk 7.5 inch bbl- but there are others
 
Light load 44 mag

I found best accuracy in light loads using W231. Winchester gives good info.
However, if you are new to loading, especially, be super careful not to get a double load in a case. 231 can be loaded to give up to 1000 FPS, but an accidental double load, which the case could easily hold, would turn your gun into a hand grenade.
This is why I much prefer slower powders, say 2400, which can be an excellent full house load, or down to about 17 or 18 grains, where it is still accurate, but impossible to get a double charge in a case.
 
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When I was doing a lot of indoor & target shooting in calibre's such as .32 S&W, .38 SPL and 45 ACP, the powders of choice of the day for light loads were primarily 700X, Bullseye and Unique. They've been around for a while, are proven and work well. A quick check of one of the more popular manuals, Cast Bullet Handbook, dealing with cast bullets and light loads for the same, those powders still remain popular. In addition, in the Lyman Pistol & Revolver Handbook, concerning some of the moderate-heavier loads using cast, what they have listed as the powders they experienced their best accuracy with are 231 & 800X. And with their heavier-hot loads, 2400.
 
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