44 handi handloads

[tiger yat]

I'm just getting started handloading and have read the Lee Reloading Manual.  I do not see different loads by barrel legnth in the manual (for 44 or other calibers).  I assume that the 44 loads listed are for revolvers and would like to find some good loads for the 44 in a 22" barrel.  Mine Handi is an SB2 HX****** serial number produced in 2007, not the new SB1.

Does anyone have good loads for the a 310 grain lead RF bullet or the 240 JSP?  What is a good source of load data specific to the rifle?  Would the published revolver loads do just as well without too much pressure?

I'd like a heavy hitting deer load and a plinkin load.

[murphdog]

Tiger yat,
I'm not at home and don't have any specific load data to give you.  In general, you just use revolver loading data for you rifle.  You will get about 400 fps more muzzle velocity.  But if you want rifle specific data, I would suggest getting the Lyman reloading manual.  They give a separate list of load data specific for 44 mag rifle loads, including the expected muzzle velocities.  Also, if you plan to use a Hodgdon powder, go the the Hodgdon web site.  They give 44mag rifle data on their web site.  Unfortunately, the other powder manufacturers don't give rifle-specific data for 44mag. 
Duane

[Savage]

Click on this link : http://www.ssrsi.org/sr1/Weapon/reload.htm

The IMR powder pdf shows some .44 mag loads in the rifle section. Some of the others may as well.
Savage

[stimpylu32]

tiger yat

Give Hodgdons web site a look , they have a listing for rifle data as well as pistol data .

stimpy

[dpe.ahoy]

You can use any revolver load in the Handi, and gain quite a bit of speed.  I'm not going to list any loads, but use Hodgdon powder and books alot.  I would recommend them as well as getting on the computer and going to several sites and look at powders and whatever bullets you want to use.  If a newer Handi, should have no problems, if older you will need to slug the bore and buy cast bullets of the right size.  For full power loads, H-110, W296, IMR or H-4227 and LilGun are all slow burners that will give you lots of power at spec. pressure.  DP

[mdi]

Revolver and rifle loads in 44 Magnum are loaded to the same pressures. The 44 being a modern round, handguns and rifles are built to handle the same pressures. Lyman manual has 44 magnum in both rifle and pistol sections, but the loads are the same.

[tiger yat]

Thanks guys,

I compared the loads in my Lee Reloading to the Hodgdon website that you referred to.  The rifle and revolver loads appear to be the same with the same pressures, but higher velocities in the rifle.  I'll just use the revolver loads listed in my manual and expect higher velocities in the Handi. 

Has anyone ever shot the lee 230-310 RF cast bullets out of a handi rifle?

[rickt300]

I have a Handi in 44 magnum made the same year.  My first load was a mild one made up for my pistol, these bullets keyholed.  The rifle has a slower twist  and seems to need around 1400 fps to stabilize bullets.  My second load works very nicely.  It is 25.0 grains of Winchester 296 under the Hornady 240 gr. XTP.  I used a Winchester Large Pistol magnum primer for the spark.  Extremely accurate in my rifle.  I seated the bullet out to just miss the rifling giving a cartridge overall length of 1.745.  The cannelure is out of the case and cannot be crimped into.  Crimping is not necessary in a single shot rifle.  Handi rifles typically have very long throats and loading close to the rifling usually makes any rifle shot better.  The only cast load that I have tried so far is a 240 Keith semiwadcutter on top of 20.0 grs. of IMR 4227 using the same primer.  This is also very accurate and is seated with the seating die set the same as for the XTP.  I used wheelweights and dropped the bullets out of the mold right into a 5 gallon bucket full of water, dip lubed them and loaded them unsized.  The bullet is not a gas checked design.  I would like to hear of some results out of these rifles using the 310 gr. LEE bullet with and without the gas check.

[tiger yat]

I ordered primers from Cabellas in mid-April,  a week or so before I started this thread.......
I'm still waiting......
Is the primer supply losening up yet?