44 mag rifle reloading

[pastortom]

I have a cva scout in 44 mag.  It has a 22in barrel and a 1 in 20 twist.  There is a lot of reloading info out there and is very confusing for a newby reloader.  PLEASE HELP.  I am looking for info on cast and jacketed 240 gr bullets. I hunt in se tenn for deer, hogs, and varmits.  I do not want to punish my shoulder and factory loads are very easy on recoil.  I would not be shooting over 100 yds because i hunt in dense woods.  I hope I can find an accurate and good killing round that I can practice with.

[luckydawg13]

24gr of H110 and a 240gr XTP has worked well in all my 44 magnum
pistols and in my Marlin 1894 44mag so has 18.5 gr of 2400 and a 240gr XTP
im going to try some bullseye 6.5 gr and a 245gr castboolit just for a plinker
i saw this load in my lyman 43rd Edition

[Forsberg]

I have a cva scout in 44 mag.  It has a 22in barrel and a 1 in 20 twist.  There is a lot of reloading info out there and is very confusing for a newby reloader.  PLEASE HELP.  I am looking for info on cast and jacketed 240 gr bullets. I hunt in se tenn for deer, hogs, and varmits.  I do not want to punish my shoulder and factory loads are very easy on recoil.  I would not be shooting over 100 yds because i hunt in dense woods.  I hope I can find an accurate and good killing round that I can practice with.

 
H110 has always been a good powder in 44 mag rifle as well as handgun. I have had good luck with SAECO #433, a 300gr gas-checked bullet cast of WW sized to .430", and loaded with RL#7. Can sell or trade some to you.

[pastortom]

Thanks for replying so fast.  I kind of thought that h110 and 240s would be the deal.  Right now no one that has h110 but they have A LOT of w296.  I have read that they are the same, so, I will try that combo.  Again, thanks.

[McDerry]

also give 4227 a try.

[keith44]

W296 and 2400 have served me well.  300 gr XTP will shoot through a mature buck length wise when pushed to near max levels.  240 gr hard cast will do the same when running mid-range pressures.

[spinafish]

H110 and W296 are the same powder...

[gypsyman]

pastortom, remember, a .44 isn't that far from being 1/2''. I always figured that I didn't need much expansion, more penetration than anything. And, a flat nose, or hard cast bullet, at 1000 to 1100fps will just about go thru anything on this continent. And, a 240 or 280gr. bullet at that velocity isn't going to be to hard on the shoulder. gypsyman

[mdi]

Your post didn't say if you have any reloading experience. If not, get a copy of The ABCs of Reloading, and a copy of Lyman's 49th Edition Reloading Handbook. Read these and you'll have a better view of what's neccessary for reloading ammo for your gun. For a new reloader I'd suggest Unique, 2400, or Blue Dot (w296 and H110 have a very narrow load range, and I haven't used these in a few years). A 250 gr Kieth style or RNFP is a good choice for bullets and has good penetration w/o over expansion. Your Lyman manual will provide load data and always start with the listed starting loads (I don't think many deer sized animals would survive a good hit with a 250 gr. flatnose at 900 fps).

[Cheesehead]

I use 8 grains of Red Dot under a 240 cast bullet. This is less than maximum per the Alliant specs. Red Dot is versatile and can be use in a 45 ACP and your shot shells. With an eight grain charge, a pound of powder goes a long ways.

Cheese