I was just curious if any one had used cast bullets 200gr. for 44 mags or specials I just ant them for plinking and want to avoid leading. I got some 240gr and some 200gr both cast bullets and was trying to find a good combo to use with Unique if possible if not then its not meant to be. Thanks in advance
.44mag or 44 special loads
- Thread starter TNT
- Start date
Edward429451
Moderator
I have a 200 gr round nose flat point that I load for my Charter Bulldog 44 Special. I load it with only 7.0 gr of Unique for plinking and to take it easy on the light weight Bulldog. Its a great plinking round and gets 769 fps from my 2.5" bbl.
Trailboss works even better for 44 Special plinking loads. Its so accurate that you almost have to shoot over your shoulder to miss (sic). 5.0 gr of TB gave me 686 fps from the Bulldog. Very mild and accurate. I actually havent finished working this load up a little more but its so accurate that I'm tempted to stay at 5.0 grains.
Trailboss works even better for 44 Special plinking loads. Its so accurate that you almost have to shoot over your shoulder to miss (sic). 5.0 gr of TB gave me 686 fps from the Bulldog. Very mild and accurate. I actually havent finished working this load up a little more but its so accurate that I'm tempted to stay at 5.0 grains.
My 431 Taurus in 44 Spl shoots to point of aim at 25 yards with 200 grain bullets. Obviously Taurus meant this to be used with factory advanced 200 grain self defense loads. My normal 44 Special loads with 240 grain bullets shot quite high. I was able to purchase 200 grain LSWC bullets, at an advertized brinell hardness of 13.
I used Unique as that is an exceptionally flexible powder, something I normally use in 44 Spl, and it did not let me down.
Since I got light leading at 6.0 grs Unique, and it shoot to point of aim with excellent accuracy, and it is the lightest recoiling of the test sequence, that is what I use in practice. I suspect I was pushing the pistol on the heavier loads.
I used Unique as that is an exceptionally flexible powder, something I normally use in 44 Spl, and it did not let me down.
Since I got light leading at 6.0 grs Unique, and it shoot to point of aim with excellent accuracy, and it is the lightest recoiling of the test sequence, that is what I use in practice. I suspect I was pushing the pistol on the heavier loads.
Code:
[SIZE="3"]Taurus M431 3" Barrel
240 LSWC 5.0 grs Red Dot thrown, Midway Brass CCI 500
Ave Vel = 684.1
Std Dev = 17.11
ES = 57.84
Low = 654.1
High = 712
N = 16
Shoots way high
205 LSWC 6.0 grs Unique thrown, Midway Brass WLP
T = 54 °F 11-Dec-04
Ave Vel = 789.6
Std Dev = 27.18
ES = 96.54
Low = 724.1
High = 820.6
N = 30
Accurate, shoots point of aim, light leading.
205 LSWC 6.5 Unique thrown, Midway Brass WLP
T = 54 °F 25-Nov-04
Ave Vel = 866
Std Dev = 16
ES = 52
Low = 839
High = 891
N = 11
Elevation good, but left; more leading
205 LSWC 7.0 grs Unique thrown, Midway Brass WLP
T = 57 °F 25-Nov-04
Ave Vel = 906
Std Dev = 16
ES = 56
Low = 876
High = 932
N = 15
elevation good but left: worst leading
[/SIZE]youngunz4life
New member
I like 44 magnum
I buy 300gr 44 magnum ammo but only the 300gr hollowpoints (not the flatnose)
I buy 300gr 44 magnum ammo but only the 300gr hollowpoints (not the flatnose)
I run Skeeter's Load in the .44 special. That takes 7.5 grains of Unique under a 240-250 grain cast bullet. It gives me 950 fps from my Super Blackhawk and is good for about 99% of the shooting I do with that revolver. All the fun of big bores and less recoil and powder. It's a win-win.
For years, Alliant published a paper reloading 'manual':
http://glarp.atk.com/2004/2004Catalogs/2004AlliantPowderSM.pdf
Pages 43-44 have .44 Mag, then .44 Special...
Rifleman1776
New member
I have loaded and shot thousands of rounds of hard cast Keith style SWCs in 180, 215 and 245 gr. weights. Lighter loads can be used happily. But do test. Too light and you get into strange high pressure country. Yes, you read that correctly. Don't go TOO light.