44 mag / 300g xtp

[mray]

My question is... How deep do you seat the bullet with which loads? There are 2 crimp lines.  Also... Any pet hunting loads? I have h-110 and unique on hand.

Thanks in advance

[Ak.Hiker]

I talked to one of the tecs at Hornady a few years ago and he said 19.5 grains of H-110 would run the same as their factory loaded 300 grain XTP. I have shot quite a few with 20 to 21 grains of H-110 in my Super Blackhawk. If I was going to load up the XTP today I would drop down to 19.5 grains. No need to push it to hard.

[Mikey]

I have run 19.5 of H110 or 17.5 of 2400 under a 300 gn cast or jacketed slug, from a 4" S&W, and they are accurate and hit hard.  When using a jacketed bullet with two crimp frooves I simply seat the bullet to the crimp groove that will allow the loaded cartridge to fit my chambers.  HTH.

[MS Hitman]

I recommend you buy a Hornaday loading manual if you are going to load their bullets.  Crimping in the upper cannelure with a load developed for the lower cannelure drives the pressures up tremendously.  When it came out, generally the lower cannelure was for loading in revolvers that would handle the extra length and the upper cannelure is for loading cartridges to be used in rifles. 

[Glanceblamm]

I recommend you buy a Hornaday loading manual if you are going to load their bullets.  Crimping in the upper cannelure with a load developed for the lower cannelure drives the pressures up tremendously.  When it came out, generally the lower cannelure was for loading in revolvers that would handle the extra length and the upper cannelure is for loading cartridges to be used in rifles. 

Good Post and here is an excerpt from John Taffin on the 300gr Hornady.

My normal load for the heavyweight bullets is 21.5 grains of WW296 or H110 but all of these bullets do not afford the same case capacity. Hornady's XTP's seat the deepest and their manual recommends maximum charges of less than 20.0 grains of WW296 or H110. Sierra's listed maximum load is 21.8 grains of H110, while Hodgdon lists 20.0 grains of H110 as maximum for 300 grain jacketed bullets. In my experiments, 20.3 grains of H110 gives 1200 feet per second with the 300 grain XTP, 21.5 grains of WW296 gives 1135 with the Sierra 300 grain bullet, and 21.7 grains of WW296 drives the Speer 300 grainer at 1200 feet per second. None of these loads should be taken lightly and should be approached with caution. Do not, repeat, DO NOT try to duplicate heavyweight cast bullet muzzle velocities with jacketed bullets. Jacketed bullets not only have more bearing surface they also create much more friction. If 1300 to 1400 feet per second velocities are the goal, cast bullets are the vehicle.

[rimfire]

Layne Simpson published some data about heavy loads with this bullet seated long.  He actually suggested that you load based on 240 grain jacketed bullet data IF loading for a Super Blackhawk or stronger gun.  I tried some of those loads in my FA 83 44 Magnum and my hands were not happy for a few days...they hurt.  While I am sure they would work I have not tried them again...and yes these loads fit in the FA 83 cyclinder.  I got over 1400 fps and the gun was none the worse for wear.  I have spoken to several who shoot very hefty loads like this with this bullet in Super Blackhawks that really like them.  I decided they were not worth it to me until I have a need to shoot something bigger than 300#.

[efremtags]

I think the 2nd groove is for the 444 marlin.

I'll double check my Lyman manual but I believe the H110 loads run between 17.5 and 20gr. This is a long bullet, so it wil run o SAMMI spec for OAL. Start at the bottom and work up in .5gr increments typically for accuracy. If accuracy is not so critical go 10% below max and start from there.

[Graybeard]

Whatcha gonna shoot it in? In S&W use the bottom cannelure for longests over all length and most case capacity. If you must use the upper one for shorter OAL and less case capacity then powder must be reduced 1.5-2.0 grains generally.

[Hank08]

Exactly, if the cartridge length works in your gun in the bottom cannelure, use it.  If your shooting a Russian or spl. definately use it but if it won't go in your gun then seat it deeper using the upper cannelure.  It's just an option the factory is giving you to help you get the right length and still be able to crimp and like GB said anytime you seat it deeper drop the charge.
H08

[mray]

I'm using it in an FA 83, 6"

Do you know if the bullet will fit if I use the longer seating in the FA? And if yes, how much H-110 would you recommend?

Thanks

[Handgun Hunter]

mray,

     I used this bullet in my Ruger SBH and crimped in the bottom groove so I'm sure your gun will have a cylinder long enough. I also used H 110. One doe I shot quartering towards me hit her on the front left shoulder and came out the back right hip from about 35-40 yards. She went down like a sack of taters. Great bullet for heavy loads in 44 mag. for Whitetail.

[rimfire]

It will fit in the FA 83 seated long.  I do it.  Try 21-22 grains of H110.  It can take more...but I could not.  See post above for more info.  I think 22 grains would likely get you around 1250-1300 fps in the FA based on what I got out of mine.  Note  use a CCI450 for best results if my gun is any indication.

[mray]

Thanks everyone.

Can anyone "second" rimfire's suggestion. I'll admit that I'm to cheap too buy every reloading manual, but I'd like to get a second opinion before playing with explosives...  :+)

Thanks

[MS Hitman]

too cheap huh?  what's the "average" cost of a trip to the ER if you blow up a revolver overloading it and get hurt? Not to mention a lawsuit should a bystander get injured if a firearm let go from an overcharge.  Honestly, that's just stupidity waiting to find a place to light.

Admittedly, your ability to stand behind a Model 83 will run out long before you should do any damage to the firearm.  This is not the case every time though.

[Varmint Hunter]

Thanks everyone.
Can anyone "second" rimfire's suggestion. I'll admit that I'm to cheap too buy every reloading manual, but I'd like to get a second opinion before playing with explosives...  :+)
Thanks

There's tons of reloading data available on the web by powder or bullet manufacturers. They are a reliable source and free. Note, however, loading data taken off the web by various well meaning posters should always be double checked with a reliable reloading manual. Good intentioned posters DO MAKE MISTAKES. Typos or memory lapses are fairly common. You know, like when someone meant IMR4895 but somehow typed IMR4198.  Or indicating their max load as 22.0 grains when it actually was 20.2 grains. w:-[