.44 Mag questions

[Dixie Dude]

I have a Ruger Superblackhawk .44 mag. with about a 6" or so barrel.   It shoots extremely low with .240 gr bullets.  I would like to reload .300gr bullets for it to get it to shoot higher.  I have several questions.

1) Is this possible?

2) What power and amount should I use? 

3) Should I try 265 gr. first?

My Lyman reloading book doesn't list the .300 gr except for the .444 Marlin.

[Questor]

I consider a 44 magnum revolver that doesn't shoot 240 grain bullets to be defective. You may be able to get a different rear sight insert from Ruger. Or they may be able to fix it for you.

With the 300 grainers, you'll get quite a bit more recoil than you're used to.

I would fix the gun instead of trying a different load.

When I use 300 grainers in my revolver there isn't much difference in point of impact versus 240 grainers-- an inch or two at 50 yards.

[Glanceblamm]

Mine was the extreme opposite as it still printed high with a 240gr jacketed even with the rear sight bottomed out. I had to get the loads up to 1,100fps before it finally started settling down. (less bullet time in my 7-1/2" barrel)
Perhaps you need some careful filling on your front blade and by the same token, I should go with a taller one. Makes sense considering that our rear sights are adjustable for elevation.

I started out with some light to moderate loads of Unique but then went with the 296 to speed things up a bit. The accuracy was there with both loads. Use the loading manual of your choice to determine primers, powders, and charge weights.

[Dixie Dude]

I adjusted my rear sight all the way up, and it was still printing low.  I thought about buying some 265 gr shells to try.  I have 50 Hornady 300 gr bullets, and brass, but my Lyman book doesn't have a formula to load.  I have found a rear sight at Brownells that I may order also. 

[Catfish]

The sights on all of my Ruger Black Hawk`s and Super Black Hawks are adjustable for elevation. If you have a screw in front of your rear sight, it is for elevation adj. Raise your rear sight to raise the point of impact. I have to change elevation setting every time I go from plinking loads to hunting loads, it`s no big deal to do.

[Dixie Dude]

I have adjusted the sight so high up in the rear, that the screw works loose when I fire, and it still hits 8" low at 25 yards.  When you lower the sight, it shoots in the dirt in front of the target.  I was told to get heavier bullets than the 240 gr. to raise the point of impact, because of heavier bullets having more recoil to raise the gun up before leaving the barrel.  Now, I am just getting into reloading.  Before I order a higher rear sight, I was wanting to use some 300 gr Hornady bullets and try them, because I have them already.  I don't have another reloading manual besides the Lyman.  So, is there a load I could use for my 300 gr bullets?  My Lyman book doesn't list a 300 gr formula.  I also, wanted this 300 gr load for a rifle too.  I'm trying to find a load to use in both rifle and pistol.  I guess I could sell the 300 gr Hornadys and buy some 265 and try them.  I have a formula for 265.  I know some of you use 300 grains.  Just trying to find out your formula.  Thanks 

[Questor]

Dixie Dude:

I really don't think that going to 265s or 300s is going to make an 8" difference at 25 yards. Why don't you give Ruger a call and see what they can do for you? I'd really like to see you get the gun shooting the way it's supposed to.

[Dixie Dude]

On another of Graybeards forums, two different people said they had the same problem.  One filed down the front sight.  Another used heavier bullets and solved the problem.  I can order a higher sight, but since I do have the 300 gr bullets sitting on my reloading bench, I just thought I would try some out to see, if I had a load formula. 

[Tom W.]

You asked for a load with 300 grain bullets.  My Hornady 6th edition page 811 lists the following....
C.O.L.   1.600

Blue Dot:  10.8 to 12.0 max.

VIHT N-105: 11.7 to 12.8 max

VIHT N-110: 14.9 to 16.6 max

2400: 14.8 to 17.1 max

AA No.9:  15 to 16.5 max

Win 296:  16.8 to 19.9 max

H 110:  17.5 to 20.1 max

[bub524]

Are you shooting offhand or from a good solid rest?
Not trying to be a wiseguy. I had one of three ruger P94s that shot 18" low at 25yards while the others shot right on. I tried from a machine rest and it was right on. Never did figure it out other then it was always the last one I shot in the day and I think I was not holding the same or leaning into the shot expecting recoil. Finally sold them all.

[millwright]

Are the loads factory or hand loads?  My sbh with a 7 1/2 barrel shoots very close with both bullet weights at 50.  Maybe a couple inches different.  My 240 were hornady and the 300 were sierra.  2400 powder in the 240 h110 with a mag primer in the 300.

[Dixie Dude]

Thanks for the Load information.  I did shoot from a bench.  My son also shot it and had the same results.  It shot about 8" low with about a 4" group with the rear sights all the way up. 

[Jim n Iowa]

I would check to see if the barrel has turned (twisted) I have had this happen on a SBH and a RH both in 44 mag. They will fix or replace the barrel, do not admit that these are reloads, state factory ammo. S&W has had this problem in the past also, and they pinned the barrels. I also have a newer RH that has had some very "good" loads with no Problem.
Jim

[Catfish]

If you can not adjust your rear sight higher then you must lower your front sight. This can be done by simply filing down the front sight. If you don`t want to file it you can put on a lower blade.