Author Topic: Preparing to load a bunch of 44 mag rounds (Read 4366 times)

msc8127 · « **on:** June 23, 2011, 02:49:54 PM »

I've been on a bit of a buying spree for 44 mag supplies. Just purchased 1000rds of Starline brass from grafs, along with 50 Sierra 300gr JSP. This to go with last weeks purchases of 500 240gr SWC and 250 300gr RNFP bullets from SNS casting, a box of 100 240gr XTP bullets, 1000 CCI magnum LP primers, 1000 Federal standard LP primers, 1lb of Ramshot Enforcer, and 1lb of Alliant 2400.

Tomorrow I'm going to pick up a pound of H110 as that seems to be on staple of the 44 mag reloading world that I don't have in my possession yet. So, to the best of my calculations, I should have enough materials at that point for about 900 rounds of 44 mag ammo, which should be enough to get me by for a while.

So far I had planned on the following starting loads, based on the load data on the powder manufacturers' websites. I am going off of starting loads here, not max loads, and I'm loading for a Taurus Raging Bull 44 magnum with 8 3/8" barrel. I know i'm not going to get a lot of love for the taurus from the revolver snobs, but with factory ammo i've been very impressed how well this one shoots.

Anyhow, to the loads I'm looking into:
1) 19.8 grains of Enforcer, Mag primer, and 240gr XTP
2) 19.3 grains of Enforcer, Mag primer, and 240gr SWC (cast)
3) 16.7 grains of Enforcer, Mag primer, and 300gr RNFP (cast)
4) 20 grains of 2400, standard primer, and 240gr SWC
5) 21 grains of 2400, standard primer, and 240gr XTP
6) 24 grains of H110, Mag primer, and 240gr XTP
7) 18 grains of H110, Mag primer, and 300gr RNFP

18 grains of H110, Mag primer, and 300gr JSP

I'm concerned much more with having accurate loads than maximum power loads, as with the majority of my hunting being medium sized whitetails, any of these loads will take care of business. I'd assume that all of these loads would be perfectly suitable for hogs up to 200lbs as well. However, it seems that there are not many loads i've read reports of people using enforcer or H110 that aren't near maximum levels. Especially with the H110, it seems as if most of the reports of "most accurate loads" are with higher than starting level charges of powder.

So, based on any of the loads given above, I'd appreciate any input (I don't expect anyone to go through that whole list load by load) you have on any of the given loads, whether it be adjustments to the listed powder charges, OAL of the cartridges, etc.

Thank you in advance for any information you all can provide.

Mikey · « **Reply #1 on:** June 24, 2011, 02:07:32 PM »

msc: seems like you are well stocked, for a while at least.. I do not have any experience with the Enforcer powders but have used 2400 and H110/WW296 a whole bunch with most of the bullets or bullet types you have listed. H110/WW296 do not perform well with reduced loads. These two powders perform best with maximum charges and tight crimps. A better powder from your selection is 2400. I have used that powder for minimum to maximum loads with all the different types and weights of bullets you have listed and with very few exceptions it is a often used powder. I would drop H110/WW296 from your starting load line-up until you are thinking of heavier loads. I have used 18-20 gns of 2400 with all those slugs and they all shot better than I did. I used magnum primers for a cleaner and more complete burn with both the flake powders and the ballpowders. Even at starting levels those loads are sufficient for your stated purposes. Good luck andlet us know how it goes.

msc8127 · « **Reply #2 on:** June 24, 2011, 02:30:34 PM »

Thank you for the reply Mikey,

I will hold off on the H110 for now since I didn't get by the local supplier to pick any up today. For now I'll focus on making some minor adjustments to powder charges and such and seeing what the gun prefers so I can adjust my loads to those parameters. If anything, I might look into something of a target load for the days when I want a little more "trigger time" with the 44. I agree that I shouldn't have any problem with taking care of business on the game that I get to hunt around here with any of the above listed loads with either the enforcer, or the 2400. Those loads should be good for population control of armadillos too.

streak · « **Reply #3 on:** June 24, 2011, 07:09:59 PM »

Just a thought msc8127, you mentioned you were going after accuracy with these reloads.
Unless you have already had experience with some of these loads, might want just to reload about twenty rounds of each combination and see how they are for accuracy! That way you end up with about 160 rounds to check for accuracy instead of having 900 rounds that some or alot of them may not show the accuracy that you might be striving for. From the 160 rounds you can ascertain probably which of the combinations will work and then can set about fine tuning those that are not up to par. That way you will not have wasted alot of powder, bullets and time on reloads that are not going to give you the accuracy that your looking for!

msc8127 · « **Reply #4 on:** June 24, 2011, 08:34:51 PM »

loading up some test loads of each variety is definitely the initial plan. I'd like to find what the gun shoots each bullet type most accurately with. It will be a time consuming process, but I should be prepared for anything I want to pursue with the 44 mag afterward. There are so many people using 2400 behind the 240swc that I anticipate this load will do pretty well a touch below the maximum load level, as I suspect the same thing out of the 240xtp's. The other combinations may or may not work out with more or less headache, but figuring it all out will be a big part of the fun.

With the factory loads I've shot through this gun so far, recoil has been very moderate, almost weak. However, I think that might change a little bit with the various combinations here. However, having an 8 3/8" ported barrel, I suspect it will stay pretty manageable. My last issue at this point is deciding between sticking with the open sights, or going to a red dot or scope.

Thank you for the input!

Bigeasy · « **Reply #5 on:** June 24, 2011, 11:23:01 PM »

I'll just chime in, as you mentioned an accurate target load. I have been reloading and hunting with .44 mag. sixguns for quite a while. I have found 6.5 grains of Red Dot, under a 240 grain cast bullet, with standard primers, is an accurate and clean load. Pleasant to shoot. There are more accurate loads for some of my guns, individually, but the above load is consistently accurate in all of them. Gives about 900 / 925fps out of a 6 inch barrel. Like Mikey said, H110 / 296 (they are the same exact powder) is at its best with full power loads, and what I use for the full power stuff with all bullet weights.

Larry

msc8127 · « **Reply #6 on:** June 25, 2011, 09:37:24 AM »

Ok, I found some Red dot a couple of hours ago on my trip to the range to burn up some 9mm ammo. I'll load up a good number of these rounds for having some fun with the 44 mag. I ordered a red dot for it last night, so the lighter, target loads should be great for establishing a good, rough sighting in before fine tuning with the big boy loads.

Thanks!

troglodyte · « **Reply #7 on:** June 25, 2011, 05:28:23 PM »

I have been tinkering with the idea of a Red Dot scope. What did you get? Let us know how it runs.

Have fun!

Casull · « **Reply #8 on:** June 25, 2011, 06:40:22 PM »

msc, I used to (a long time ago) do a fair amount of handgun silhouette shooting with my 8 3/8" M29. I found IMR 4227 to provide very good accuracy (definitely needed with the 220 yard rams). 240 gn jacketed bullets loaded up to about 1300 fps (not too hot and very accurate).

msc8127 · « **Reply #9 on:** June 25, 2011, 08:40:01 PM »

troglodyte, I ordered the primary arms micro dot with fixed base. At $80.00 the price on it is right, and all of the review I've read on them have been positive saying that its 3 MOA dot maintains great visibility in varying light conditions and that it holds up well to stiff recoil. Several of the reviews were from people using them on 12 gauges with turkey loads, so I'm hoping it will hold up on the 44 as well.

I will definitely let you all know how it goes.

Casull,

I'll look into the IMR 4227 as well. I have a feeling this "project" is going to turn into quite the experiment, so I might as well throw the 4227 into the mix since I didn't end up grabbing the H110.

Thanks for the input!

Cheesehead · « **Reply #10 on:** September 16, 2011, 06:06:07 PM »

I am in agreement with the use of Red Dot and 2400 for light and heavy 44 mag loads. I buy Red Dot by the 8 pound jug at a local store and it loads MANY rounds. I use the Red Dot for my home made cast and 2400 for high velocity jacketed bullets. I have the 44 chambered in a lever, semi, and revolver, and use only these 2 powders.

Cheese

t-reg · « **Reply #11 on:** September 17, 2011, 05:26:37 PM »

What works great in someone elses gun may not be the best in your gun. Whenever testing a new powder / bullet combo I start at the lightest recommended powder charge and work up to max in .3 - .5 gr increments, loading 5 or 6 shells per charge weight. Each group for a charge weight is numbered. All specs are noted and kept consistant thougout the loading process in order to be able to repeat the best load. Then I number targets to match the shell groups and proceed to carefully shoot each load at it's target. A good rest is required in order to be as consistant as possible throughout the shooting test. Generally as you go up through the weights your groups will shrink and at a certain point start to open up agian. Sometimes once I find the "sweet spot" I'll go back and do another test with that load, up .2 gr and down .2 gr. Your gun will show a definite preference for a particular load and you will go to the range, woods or field knowing that you have the most accurate loads possible in your gun.

Jim_Ole_Timer · « **Reply #12 on:** October 01, 2011, 04:09:31 PM »

I've never loaded 2400 in my Contender 14" but will be soon trying it. I have loaded H110 and am not satisfied with the accuracy or standard deviation. After chron'ing it I loaded up some BlueDot and figured it wouln't be good, but when I shot it it was far better then the H110. The deviation was very small and the accuracy was also impressive, but I only shot 5 rounds so that not a thorough test. Soon as the wind gets decent again I'm going to be testing more.

Jim_Ole_Timer · « **Reply #13 on:** October 01, 2011, 04:12:27 PM »

I forgot to add. I have an old Gilmore red dot scope on it with a 2 moa dot. It does good even in fairly bright light and shooting right below the sun. I have tried some Bushnell red dots, several of them but they all failed on my 45/70 barrel, but the Gilmore always held up. Too bad they don't make them anymore.

dpe.ahoy · « **Reply #14 on:** October 02, 2011, 11:49:30 AM »

My standard full power load for the 44 mag for over 20 years has been 24.0gr H-110 with mag primers under the 240gr Hornady. That load has been very effective on mule deer and whitetails, never recovered a hornady yet. That has been in rifles and revolvers. DP

Rodent · « **Reply #15 on:** October 22, 2011, 04:03:37 PM »

My Go-To load for Silhouette in my 10 inch barreled Ruger Blackhawk is 18.5 gr of 2400 and a 240 gr Hornady XTP. Has no problem taking even the toughest Rams at 200 meters. Should do nicely on Whitetails as well out to 100.

bubbinator · « **Reply #16 on:** October 22, 2011, 08:00:47 PM »

Been reloading the 44 Mag since 1970 in a Ruger SBH, Smith 29 6.5", Win M94 Rifle and Ruger Carbine. Far and away H110/WW296 are my favorite powders for jackets bullets, which are safe/hot. Lead 240/245 SWCs I used 2400 a lot but found it a bit dirty. It is a great round to unt deer/hogs and such.

dragoondrake · « **Reply #17 on:** October 25, 2011, 08:08:36 AM »

My go to load for the 44 Mag has become a 310gr WFN over 14.5gr of 2400 lit by a CCI LP. This load takes silly wet rams with authority. I have yet to take an animal with it but I know it will do the job.

Steve in PA · « **Reply #18 on:** October 30, 2011, 10:07:07 AM »

I have no experience with the Taurus line of handguns, but I have shot a ton of bullets through my Ruger Super Redhawk. My pet lod for years has been the Hornady 240gr XTP over 24.0g of H110. I was recently shooting this gun/load at a 100yd range with rifle shooters and I had a few guys ask me, is that thing accurate at 100yds? I told them that the gun/load will easily shoot fist sized groups at 100yds, often much better if I do my part. I had a few guys look through my spotting scope and they said, "wow"!

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #19 on:** October 31, 2011, 07:30:52 AM »

I guess im one of those tarus snobs. Ive owned a few, no 44s though, and probalby wouldnt buy another. that been said a buddy of mine had a raging bull in 44 mag and its was a scary accurate pistol.

bubbinator · « **Reply #20 on:** January 07, 2012, 09:21:42 PM »

Lloyd-don't be a Taurus snob! My Taurus PT 92AF which I shot a 100 score durihg a Glock 17 Transition course that no one matched caused problems! My Taurus 45 ACP Revoler is a constant companion while hunting/fishing due shot shell loads for snakes. The +p Factory LE loads it shoot very well are a big +.

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #21 on:** January 09, 2012, 01:07:27 AM »

only tarrus left in the safe is a stainless pt92. Its not really mine anymore as I gave it to my stepson but hes off to CA in collage and cant take it with him. Ive got to say though that that one has been a good gun. Its not a tack driver but it goes bang every time.

Quote from: bubbinator on January 07, 2012, 09:21:42 PM

Lloyd-don't be a Taurus snob! My Taurus PT 92AF which I shot a 100 score durihg a Glock 17 Transition course that no one matched caused problems! My Taurus 45 ACP Revoler is a constant companion while hunting/fishing due shot shell loads for snakes. The +p Factory LE loads it shoot very well are a big +.

rybo · « **Reply #22 on:** January 11, 2012, 11:42:13 AM »

the H110/240 XTP load you listed has given me excellent performance on 6 deer & 2 hogs out of my SBH hunter.

johnnyb · « **Reply #23 on:** January 22, 2012, 09:50:46 AM »

I have been using Power Pistol and 240 gr and 300 gr xtp's for years, very accurate out of my SBH.