Hot .44 Mag loads in an SB1?

[wreckhog]

Lee lists a 250gr lead bullet with 23gr of H110 at 1602fps and 35000 CUP. The SAAMI ceiling is 36000 PSI (converts to 35697 CUP). So this is a near max load, but should still be safe. I happen to have about 500 250gr SWC's lying around

I assume that 1602fps converts to a lot more fps out of a Handi. How much more? Too much for cast lead?

Buffalo Bore list a 340gr +P .44 Mag load at 1478fps/1649ft lbs. Reading their description, it seems implied that the Handi can take the pressure, but the Handi's rifling (1/38 just like Marlin) cannot stabilize the bullet. Has anyone been using bullets of 270gr+ in a .44 Mag Handi?

http://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_list&c=9

BTW, this is hotter than the hottest 45LC load I could find to compare. However, it seems that the twist rate of the .45LC Handi does handle bigger bullets better, so the .45LC may be the better choice on paper if you want to max velocity on the biggest cast bullets.

[billy_56081]

If it has the larger firing pin I would guess you would get some primer flow back around the firing pin.

[Lefty Dude]

FYI;

I use a 240 gr. Nosler JSP with 22 gr. of H110, I shoot it in my 44 Trio, Ruger Super BH , a Rossi 92/44 and my Handi-44.

This load I have chronographed out of the Handi-Rifle at an average of 1799 fps.

My load is 2 grains less than the top of 24 gr's.

You might consider using a lower pressured power with that SB-1 action. Or backing down that H110 powder.

You will find that the velocity increases about 200-300 fps out of a rifle barrel. If the published load is for a Handgun.

[wreckhog]

Thank you. I am trying to figure out if the SB1 is even an issue if one stays well within SAAMI specs. You prob know this, but your load is 1gr under the starting load on Hogdon's website for a .44 Mag rifle load.

240 GR. NOS JHP  Hodgdon  H110  .429"  1.600"  23.0  1750  25,200 CUP 

[Default]

I looked over my material and i have no listing for a cast 240 gr bullet with H110 , Now if i'm not mistaken , The H110 is the Mimic of the W296 ( please correct me if im wrong guys , long night last night with little sleep) and I only have one listing in all my refferences to loading using W296 a 25.0 gr no more no less with a 240 cast lead bullet ... This is the round I rock through my SB1 44 mag , damn accurate and hopefully i'll find out fairly soon weither its the deer/hog slayer I suspect it to be. It should be trucking somewhere around 1700 + FPS out of this rifle using Hunters Supply brand cast RNFP with ZERO leading ...

 But I have no other listing for that powder ( W296 ) with a 240 cast and I havent found any listings for a H110 cast combo , Only listed numbers for the H110 are for copper coated pills in the 240 gr range..Which is odd since they have it for a 250 gr

 I see the listing that you reffered to in the 250 gr cast  , And i would think if mine with the 240 at 1700+ is standing tall to that load your should fair just fine ... But I'm no expert , I can only give you the data from my own experience


     Default

[quickdtoo]

The Lee 2nd lists one 44mag load for H110 and a 250gr cast bullet, 23gr for 1602fps @ 35kcup, LP primer, 1.610" COL.

FWIW, max 45 Colt +P loads of Lil'gun using 250gr Hodgdon data under 250gr jacketed bullets run 1925fps in the 20" BC Carbine barrel.

Tim

[Lefty Dude]

I just dug out of my reloading Library a 1985 Winchester reloading Pamplet.
For the 44 mag. 240 gr. SWC, 25 gr. of 296 as a max load, 1560 fps &   37500 pressure CUP.

I would assume this is for a Handgun & possibly a 7.5" barrel like a RSBH.

Personally I would never shoot this max load in any of my fire arms. I loosen screws in my RSBH with my 22 gr. load. And the load shoots very well in my Handi.

[rickt300]

I put my 44 mag barrel on an SB1 frame.  The load I shoot is a 250 gr. Keith on top of 23.0 grains of IMR 4227.  My guestimate of the velocity is somewhere near 1700fps.  It is very accurate and I feel it is up to anything you would put a 44 mag rifle should do.  I have noticed some manuals show hotter loads for pistols than they do rifles, might be that the amount of free travel from the cylinder to the forcing cone is farther, adding the venting the cylinder/barrel gap gives, reduces pressure.