Author Topic: Plinking with 44Mag (Read 3079 times)

chucky52 · « **on:** May 16, 2010, 06:47:39 PM »

Since I enjoy shooting my Ruger 7 1/2 in SBH, I want to work up a plinking/target load. Sounds like I'll need a light bullet, what's too light? How slow is too slow? Powder suggestions? I do not want to give up accuracy nor re-invent the wheel. I got manuals, details not needed just basic guidance as to components that will work for plinking.

Thanks,

Glanceblamm · « **Reply #1 on:** May 17, 2010, 04:09:43 AM »

I had this on had from the John Taffin writings.

Special Pleasure Loads for the .44 Magnum:
Bull-X 240 SWC
6.5 gr. HP38 851
6.0 gr. WW452AA 860
7.5 gr. WW231 914
7.0 gr. BullsEye 971
12.0 gr. Blue Dot 992
12.0 gr. HS-6 1041
8.5 gr. Unique 1065
19.5 gr. H4227 1109
10.5 gr. Herco 1132

Skillet · « **Reply #2 on:** May 17, 2010, 09:17:16 AM »

I like the Keith SWC cast hard and around 7-7.5 gns of Unique.

Same bullet with abt 13.5 gns 2400 is accurate too.

sbhg · « **Reply #3 on:** May 17, 2010, 11:26:07 AM »

I've been shooting some of these lately w/ 5.5-7.0 gr. of w-231. They are relatively cheap and they are accurate out of my SBH.

http://www.pennbullets.com/44/44-caliber.html
.44 Caliber 185 Grain Double Bevel Base Wadcutter
Standard Sizing - .431
Optional Sizing - .429, .430, .432

gcrank1 · « **Reply #4 on:** May 21, 2010, 06:08:13 AM »

+1 with Skillet, but I even go down to 6.5 of Unique now with a 230gr. intended for 45ACP. Start in there somewhere and adjust the load to suit your point of impact/pt of aim while keeping with your objective of a fun load and you will find something you like. Unlike a smaller caliber and payload they will still thwack a gong with authority.

Autorim · « **Reply #5 on:** May 21, 2010, 05:14:32 PM »

Don't overlook Trail Boss. It is made for plinking.

Bearcat 74 · « **Reply #6 on:** May 25, 2010, 05:20:02 AM »

My 4 5/8 SBH is real accurate with 240-250gr cast and 5.0grs of Bullseye, no leading either.

sbhg · « **Reply #7 on:** May 25, 2010, 10:23:12 AM »

Quote from: sbhg on May 17, 2010, 11:26:07 AM

I've been shooting some of these lately w/ 5.5-7.0 gr. of w-231. They are relatively cheap and they are accurate out of my SBH.

http://www.pennbullets.com/44/44-caliber.html
.44 Caliber 185 Grain Double Bevel Base Wadcutter
Standard Sizing - .431
Optional Sizing - .429, .430, .432

If anyones interested in the above bullet.
I loaded some of those w/ 3.0gr. of W-231 and went shooting, @ 25 yds. my 6 shot, sitting w/ knees up Elmer Keith style groups were 1.75-2.25". After the shooting I found i didn't tighten the grip screw enough on the Pachmayers from the last cleaning. So i'll have to give that another try, the load did show some promise w/ some 3 shot groups of 1" though.

Masterblaster1 · « **Reply #8 on:** May 26, 2010, 03:50:04 PM »

IMR Trail Boss is awesome.

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #9 on:** May 27, 2010, 02:44:56 AM »

i dont know if it rates as a plinking load as i like to work up loads that at least will kill a deer but my favorite 44 loads have usually featured some kind of 240 to 260 grain swc and 9-10 grains of unique power pistol or herco. Mild enough recoiling that its fun to shoot and stout enough that i dont have to go back to the loading bench and range bench if i want to hunt something. If i want less recoil then that i take up a 32 or 38

Steve P · « **Reply #10 on:** May 28, 2010, 06:54:54 AM »

245swc and 8.0 grains of unique. Works great in both of my SBH and my contender barrel. mild but accurate.

Steve

DGrig · « **Reply #11 on:** May 31, 2010, 04:57:38 AM »

Ditto on the Unique powder suggests. I have been using either the Rainer or Berry's plated 240 gr bullets. Anyone else doing the same? Cheap, easy to load. Not quite as accurate as my full power hunting loads using Hornady 240's but OK.

Frank V · « **Reply #12 on:** June 03, 2010, 05:36:54 PM »

I'm going to suggest Unique too, add any good cast bullet between 200 & 250 grains, & you've got a start on really great practice/plinking loads.
Frank

sbhg · « **Reply #13 on:** June 04, 2010, 12:02:27 PM »

Quote from: sbhg on May 25, 2010, 10:23:12 AM

Quote from: sbhg on May 17, 2010, 11:26:07 AM
I've been shooting some of these lately w/ 5.5-7.0 gr. of w-231. They are relatively cheap and they are accurate out of my SBH.

http://www.pennbullets.com/44/44-caliber.html
.44 Caliber 185 Grain Double Bevel Base Wadcutter
Standard Sizing - .431
Optional Sizing - .429, .430, .432

If anyones interested in the above bullet.
I loaded some of those w/ 3.0gr. of W-231 and went shooting, @ 25 yds. my 6 shot, sitting w/ knees up Elmer Keith style groups were 1.75-2.25". After the shooting I found i didn't tighten the grip screw enough on the Pachmayers from the last cleaning. So i'll have to give that another try, the load did show some promise w/ some 3 shot groups of 1" though.

Here's a pic, and I have shot several groups very simular to this. $40.00 per 500.

mrussel · « **Reply #14 on:** August 27, 2010, 06:21:12 PM »

Quote from: chucky52 on May 16, 2010, 06:47:39 PM

Since I enjoy shooting my Ruger 7 1/2 in SBH, I want to work up a plinking/target load. Sounds like I'll need a light bullet, what's too light? How slow is too slow? Powder suggestions? I do not want to give up accuracy nor re-invent the wheel. I got manuals, details not needed just basic guidance as to components that will work for plinking.

Thanks,

I think "plink" is the sound you hear down range when 22s are hitting something around you. For the 44mag is more like WHAP!

Greeenriver · « **Reply #15 on:** August 28, 2010, 06:45:29 PM »

My "Fun" loads for the 44mag are loaded in 44 Special cases and consist of a 200 grn RNFP home cast bullet over just enough APP powder to provide a slight compreshon when seated. I use the 44 Special cases, as I have a lot of them. This is a very plesent load to shoot, recoil is comparable to a lite 38 wadcutter load, and very arcurite our to about 25 to 35 yds. Havn't shot them much beyond that. They do tend to raise eybrows at a range with all the white smoke, APP is a Black Powder Sub and is flat tons of fun to play with!! And, you can use any comercial cast bullet with it, no need for special BP Lubed bullets. Clean the gun after shooting with hot water and a dash of dish soap, blow it dry with the air hose, and spray it down with WD-40 or Ballistol, and it will last forever using these loads.

But truthfuly, any 180 to 200 grn bullet at 700 to 800 fps in either a special or mag case will be plesent to shoot. And a lot of fun, too. There is no reason to use heavy bullets or push the uper limits when loading plinking rounds. Make them fun to use and you'll shoot them more, thereby becoming better with the pistol and enjoying yourself at the same time.

Greeenriver

painted horse · « **Reply #16 on:** August 29, 2010, 07:21:26 AM »

Most all my pistol reloading is for 45 colt in Ruger handguns. Not much different than the 44mag. I've used a lot of Unique, Blue Dot, and 2400 for my "normal" loads. 1,000 to 1200fps. I've tried W231 (pretty good)700 and 800x, hs6, and did use Bullseye years ago. What I use now for my "everyday" load in my 45s (would do the same in 44mag, but I gave mine to my son) is 6 grains of Trail Boss. Ran some over MY chrony out of a 4inch Redhawk and had a high of 760 and low of 749 with a 260gr cast bullet. Out of my 5 1/2 inch Bisley should be close to 800fps. That load should work for anything around here I would need to shoot. We're fresh outta grizzleys and have no wild tuskers to contend with here in Southern Washington state, Black bear and couger would be no problem if the need arize. (highly unlikely as the only ones I've ever seen were going the other way at a high rate of speed) Easy recoil, very accurate (in my guns) and very clean burning. I still have some wristcracker h110 loads if I ever decide to go somewhere in harms way, or hunt with my model 92 but for everyday packin I think that Trailboss is the berrys..by the way I do still use Bullseye in my 44sp. 205gr over 5gr. very nice.

inthebeech · « **Reply #17 on:** October 21, 2010, 03:06:29 AM »

44 special case, 4.0 grains Unique, desparado 200 gr soft .430 (or whatever your groove and throat suggest).
Maybe 400 f/s.
You can hang a sleeping bag behind your 25 yd target, collect the bullets and load them up again.

Cheesehead · « **Reply #18 on:** October 21, 2010, 03:15:31 AM »

Red Dot and 240 grain cast.

Cheese

Larry Gibson · « **Reply #19 on:** October 21, 2010, 08:21:51 AM »

I use the Lee TL 240 gr bullet (6 cavity mould casts a gob of them fast

) over 5 gr of Bullseye in .44 Special cases. Classic .44 Special load, very accurate and easily distinguished as a "plinking load" vs a magnum load.

Larry Gibson

mrussel · « **Reply #20 on:** October 21, 2010, 02:38:58 PM »

Quote from: painted horse on August 29, 2010, 07:21:26 AM

Most all my pistol reloading is for 45 colt in Ruger handguns. Not much different than the 44mag. I've used a lot of Unique, Blue Dot, and 2400 for my "normal" loads. 1,000 to 1200fps. I've tried W231 (pretty good)700 and 800x, hs6, and did use Bullseye years ago. What I use now for my "everyday" load in my 45s (would do the same in 44mag, but I gave mine to my son) is 6 grains of Trail Boss. Ran some over MY chrony out of a 4inch Redhawk and had a high of 760 and low of 749 with a 260gr cast bullet. Out of my 5 1/2 inch Bisley should be close to 800fps. That load should work for anything around here I would need to shoot. We're fresh outta grizzleys and have no wild tuskers to contend with here in Southern Washington state, Black bear and couger would be no problem if the need arize. (highly unlikely as the only ones I've ever seen were going the other way at a high rate of speed) Easy recoil, very accurate (in my guns) and very clean burning. I still have some wristcracker h110 loads if I ever decide to go somewhere in harms way, or hunt with my model 92 but for everyday packin I think that Trailboss is the berrys..by the way I do still use Bullseye in my 44sp. 205gr over 5gr. very nice.

Im not sure Id want to shoot a black bear with something like that. I suspect it might work,and really,Id prefer something with tracks that can move under its own power,but chances are Im going to have my SBH,so I go with a 340gr cast lead as hot as I can get. I dont feel comfortable loading something that hot myself so I buy it because at those levels exceeding SAAMI specs,I dont have any good references for what to load it with and I dont have a way to measure the pressure.