Author Topic: SRH 44 mag, load suggestions?  (Read 854 times)

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Offline Gdbyrd

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SRH 44 mag, load suggestions?
« on: July 08, 2009, 05:17:46 PM »
A buddy of mine is going to give me his reloading equipment.  We both have 44 mags in SRH(he also has two lever actions in 44).  The condition to giving it to me is that I load for him as well as myself.  He has a couple reloading manuals, a lot of brass, bullets, and powder/primers.  But I don't have a starting point.

Any particular powders/bullets I should stick to or look into?

Going for best accuracy, probably hunting deer/coyote/hogs.

Offline ELMO

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Re: SRH 44 mag, load suggestions?
« Reply #1 on: July 08, 2009, 10:42:22 PM »
  I have had good success with the Hornady 240gr XTP bullet, using W296 powder. I loaded them near the maximum limit and this round is a deer getter...

Offline Graybeard

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Re: SRH 44 mag, load suggestions?
« Reply #2 on: July 08, 2009, 11:47:05 PM »
First a warning: Loading for others is not a wise thing in this sue crazed society. Even folks you thought never would might if/when something goes wrong. The liability is NOT worth the cost of a bit of reloading equipment.

I agree with the previous recommendation and it is my most used .44 magnum hand load either the Hornady 240 XTP or Nosler 240 JHP over 24.0 grains of W296/H110. My second favorite powder for it is 2400 and with cast bullets it moves to first place. Unique is another excellent choice and on those occasions when I go to lighter bullets it is a favorite.

You can use the same loads for cast bullets as for jacketed so long as same bullet weight is used but NOT vice versa. Just because a load is safe for cast does NOT mean it is for jacketed. You might also want to give Sierra bullets a try as they are quite accurate and do fine on game and targets.


Bill aka the Graybeard
President, Graybeard Outdoor Enterprises
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I am not a lawyer and do not give legal advice.

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Offline Gdbyrd

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Re: SRH 44 mag, load suggestions?
« Reply #3 on: July 09, 2009, 02:19:49 PM »
Graybeard, thank you for the advice.  Appreciate it you're looking out for fellow hunters.  I spoke to my buddy and we reworked the deal, I think he'll just use my components and reload his own stuff at my house.  He really doesn't shoot big calibers, so I don't think it'll really become an issue.

Looking at Midway, I'm not seeing ANYTHING in the way of bullets.  I'm going to order some winchester or remington brass.  I already have 150 empty brass once fired I've been saving up(also winchester).

My difficulties are coming with bullet choices.  There's nothing great out there!  All I can seem to find is the cheap stuff..magtech and remington.  Also, there are these: http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=261330

What do you think?  Anything you'd recommend that's available from Midway?  Are there other places I should look for reloading components?

Offline Gdbyrd

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Re: SRH 44 mag, load suggestions?
« Reply #4 on: July 10, 2009, 07:58:29 PM »
After doing some research I came to the conclusion that there are no reloading components on the market currently!!!

On a whim I went to my local mom&pop store.  Apparently they're immune.  Picked up 1lb of 296 and #100 240grn hornady.  Plus a pack of mag primers.  So I'm set to reload for some hunting.  Now I just need to find a cheap bullet to practice with.  Looking at the magtech's in 240.

Offline Ak.Hiker

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Re: SRH 44 mag, load suggestions?
« Reply #5 on: July 10, 2009, 08:20:56 PM »
I have never shot the MagTec bullets but I can tell you that the 240 grain Remington JSP is worth looking at. They have been making bullets for the 44 Magnum for a long time and produce good products.

Offline Catfish

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Re: SRH 44 mag, load suggestions?
« Reply #6 on: July 11, 2009, 04:19:10 AM »
 I`ve been loading for handguns since 1968 and have 2 powders that I use. Win. .296 for hunting loads and Bullseye for plinking loads. I should say that H- 110 is the same as win. 296 so get the cheapest in your area. For the .44 mag. I like max. book load of Win. 296, or H-110, and the 240 gr. Sierra JHC bullet. That load has shot real well in every .44 mag. I`ve tried it in. Both accuracy and terminal preformance for deer size game.