44 Mag too warm

[rockfarmer]

Hi, I'm new but have been lurking a couple of months.  I did a batch of 44 Mag reloads that I'm now wondering about.  It consists of a 240 Gr. XTP over 23.7 Gr. of 296.  Just got a Chrono and am setting it up 10ft. (+/- a couple inches) from my muzzles.  I'm getting an Avg. of 1625 fps (E.S. 62.77 & S.D. 24.28) out of a 6" Desert Eagle.  The DEP has only had 3-400 rounds thru it.  I'm getting an Avg. 1268 (E.S. 5904 & S.D. 22.27) when firing in a Dan Wesson 4" unported Bbl. that has probably had lots of rounds through it.  My concern is that I'm finding no other similar 296/XTP loads going quite as fast as the 1625 fps.  & I'

[stimpylu32]

rockfarmer

If you are not seeing any adverse pressure signs i would not be too concerned about this load , your only running about 100FPS faster than what the Hodgdon web site lists for this round and this powder .

As for the guns , you will see a big difference between the auto loader and the wheel gun even if they had the same barrel length .

stimpy

PS -- Welcome to GBO .

[Questor]

Rockfarmer:

I'm not sure I understand your concern. First, that load is getting near maximum, but according to my Hornady data is still about a grain less than the maximum.

The velocities you are getting are about what I'd expect for the kinds of gun you are using. Not losing pressure through a cylinder gap is the reason you are getting the 1600+ fps velocities from the Desert Eagle. I get similar velocities from a 10" T/C Contender, where the same loads in a 6" revolver give about 1300fps.

[LaOtto222]

I was under the impression that 24.0 grains of 296 or H110 was sort of a standard maximum load in the 44 magnum with 240 grain bullets. There sure have been a lot of gun writers, local shooters, advice on different boards that would suggest that 24.0 grains is the ideal max load. Of course you can not just jump to that, you need to work up, but not too far down when using these two powders. They perform best when the pressure nears the maximum. Of course there are factors that effect pressure; like how much crimp, what primer, case, etc. Like Stimpy said if you are not getting sticky cases or flattened primers you are good to go.

[Mikey]

rockfarmer:  Why be concerned.  This is just slightly below the Winchester factory load for this weight bullet for at least 3 decades that I am aware of.  Winchester lists 24 gns of WW296 for their 240 gn jacketed hollow point and recommends not going below that charge.  Winchester also recommends a tight crimp on the cartridge for complete powder burning.  I am sure that when winchester tested the ammunition it was tested in a revolver and at 1430'/sec (listed) it produced 38k cup pressure. 

Your increased velocity from your DEP may be due to the load being fired from a closed chamber; if you are getting 1260-70'/sec from a 4" bbl (with cylinder gap) you are doing well.  HTH.  Mikey.

[corbanzo]

With the differences there are in firearms, anything "standard" or "ideal" probably isn't what your gun is looking for if you want maximum performance.

[rockfarmer]

Thanks for the replies.  My concern was that I had perhaps gotten into dangerous territory.

[Castaway]

A word of caution is needed here.  With straight walled cases, sticky extraction should not be used as a pressure sign.  Cases can virtually drop out at close to twice the pressure listed by SAAMI in some revolvers.  In the case of a Desert Eagle, I won't hazard a guess since it's an auto-loader.  This is a case of some pistols do and some don't.

[Catfish]

I`m loading 1 gn. more powder and getting less velocity form my revolvers, but would guess that your extra velocity is due to the fact that you you have a closed system with out the jump from the cylinder to the barrel. Check to make sure that your charge weight is really what you think it is and if so I would say your good to go.