Unique powder in 44 mag

[DGrig]

I am working up 44 rem mag loads for my Ruger Super Redhawk with a 9 1/2" barrel.  I am using Rainier Plated bullets in the 240 gr flat point and want to use Unique powder (I already purchased a bottle).  These Rainier bullets I am told by a Rainier tech person should follow the loads for similar weight and profile lead bullets since they are basically lead bullets with the plating.  Alliant load data for a 240 gr. lead bullet in 44 mag gives a max load of 11.8 gr. of Unique.   Here is my question: What is the MINIMUM safe load for this caliber and bullet?  I am trying to develop a mild practice load and the minimum load data that I find is contradictory.  The Lyman book gives a minimum of around 10 grs but I have come across some data that will go as low at 7 or 8 gr of Unique.  Is this safe in the 44 mag case?  Again I am looking for a MILD load for target and practice, as well as a load my wife would shoot and enjoy. 

[Almtnman]

A friend of mine gave me a bunch of .44 special cases and that's what I load my mild loads up for shooting in my SBH. The .44 special loads makes it a lot of fun to target practice with. I use a 240 grain hardcast bullet.

[Catfish]

You should be able to get by with alittle less than starting load, but I will make 1 recomandation. Any time you loading with shotgun powders and dropping just a few grns. I only use MAG. primers. When there is so little powder in such a large case the hotter primers help you get more consistant ignition.

[stimpylu32]

I think that as low as 8.5 to 9 would give you a nice practice load and still be above the pressure spike range , with a low charge of 10 you can still go 10% below that and still be safe per the powder co.

stimpy

[millwright]

I have shot a lot of 240 gr swc with 10 gr of unique.  Quite a mild load.  I would not hesitate to drop to 9 gr.  Remember, if there is enough powder to get the entire bullet out the barrel you are all set, that is if you are using half jacketed bullets.  If you are using light loads check the barrel after every round for about 10 to 12 rounds.

[jgalar]

I have loaded 5 grains of Unique in rifle cases. I was going to suggest going to 5-7 grains, but decided to look at what Alliant lists and here it is with velocity....

http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/RecipeDetail.aspx?title=Cowboy%20Load&gtypeid=5&weight=240&shellid=1004&bulletid=441

[Tn Jim]

My favorite plinking load for my SBH is a 240 grain cast LRN over 9 grains of Unique. Very accurate and I can easily one hand this load, even in a 4 5/8" barrel.

[WyoXJ]

I use a load of 10.0gr of Unique in my Ruger SBH with a 240gr SWC.  This load is a pleasure to shoot and is accurate, my problem with unique is it FILTHY.  Once it thaws out I plan on working up a similar load using Hodgdon HP-38 in hopes that it will be a lot cleaner burning.  But all in all the unique load shoot great its just dirty in my opinion.

[wncchester]

I agree that Unique is a sooty powder but it is easy to clean and shoots really well in my  Smith 29.

[dave375hh]

My walking around load in a, SBH Hunter with 7.5" bbl. is 9.0 grs. Unique with a 250 gr 429421. This averaged 1104 fps @ 10 Feet and shoots 1 1/4" at 25 yds. I've been using it since 1973, no reason to change. I never found a better mid-range load with any other combination.

[Lloyd Smale]

10 grains with a 250 cast is a good all around load. Its accurate in my guns the recoil is mild and I made a one shot kill on a 250 lb boar with my 629 using that load and it blew through both shoulders and thats not a small task on a pig.

[Selmer]

I use 7 grs. of Unique behind a 255 gr. PB Keith in my .454 Casull 12" Encore barrel.  VERY light recoil and very accurate to 50 yds.  I know it's not the same cartridge, but it should be comparable. I can't imagine that if I can get away with this in the .454 Casull that you can't do a similar type of light load in the .44 Mag, other than the fact that I'm using a small rifle primer and you're using a large pistol primer.  It's the only handgun caliber I have, so I don't know how the primers compare in fire produced.
Selmer

[Paladin]

have never used Unique in a 44 mag, but I have shot thousands of 45 colts with 8 grs. of Unigue and 255 gr. bullets.  good luck and have fun

[Lloyd Smale]

my 10 grain recomendation is a hunting load you can go lighter ive shot many at 7 grains.

[Hook686]

I've loaded 240 lead bullets, with 10.0 grains of Unique, 1.635 OAL, WLP primers. I get about 1100 fps, in my 6-1/2" S&W 629.