Noob to 44 mag

[whitedogone]

After years and years of SS loading and a few doing .223 I'm starting to load for the 44 mag.  I haven't got a press yet but I did buy some used RCBS dies and am starting to get supplies together.  I picked up some brass at the LGS today.  It was cheaper than most i've seen, I hope it's OK stuff:



also picked up some lead:






I want to start with some light target loads with the 200g lead.  I also already have some hodgdon universal that I load SS with.  I also have a # or 2 of HS7 and HS6 that might work.  I picked up the only large pistol primers they had Remingtom 2 1/2's.  How am I doing so far?

[mcwoodduck]

I am not a pro by any means.
I do load 44 Mag.
I load 180gr JHP, copper washed lead rounds and finally some 180 grain Lead rounds.
I use blue dot because I can see it in the case with my 550 reloader.  I could use less green dot but can not see it in the case.
A freind ruined a 45 Colt by using a small amount of powder load and double charged the case.
With the lead rounds you really nead to crimp the bullets. Had a batch that the bullet jumped out of the case under the recoil of the firing round and stopped the cylinder.
I load the equiv of a hot special.  About 1,000 FPS.  I got the load from the Alliant powder manual (was free in the gun shop) and confirmed with other bullet manuals.  i was already using Blue and green dot for my 20, 12, and 10 ga loads.
I have loaded 240 grain bullets, found a min Mag load at 1,250 using the same powder & charge as my 180 grain hot Spl load.
What ever reloader you get remember to check and verify your powders.  Both of my Dillion machines will slowly add some powder over 3,000 rounds.  and one of the whole ideas about hand loading is to get the same in everything so they will go the same place.
My first hint is to get a couple reloading manuals and figure out what speeds or powders you want to use.  You can load special loads into Magnum cases. 

[Autorim]

You are doing just fine. That is Starline Brass. I just bought 500 for my .41 mag. There are lots of .44 cast bullets available and lots of jacketed. 200 - 260 grain will all work. If you load W296 or other ball powders, you probably need to look at magnum primers.

Ken

[buck460XVR]

My favorite hunting load for my PC M629 is a 240 gr. XTP pushed by 23.5 grains of H110/W294 using an Winchester LP primer(good for magnum or standard loads), Starline brass and a good firm crimp. For practice and targets I'll drop it down to 23 gr. IMR4227 works well in long pipes also, and works the best for me for moderate loads.

[1sourdough]

  My light load for the 44 mag are 200 grn plated bullets & a modest charge of H. Universal powder. I don't have the charge handy but you can check out the complete range by looking at 200 grn bullet loads & comparing that to any of the 'cowboy action' loads. That would give you the full spectrum of possibilities. Like many I use H-110/w-296 for max loadings, but the vast majority I shoot are the lighter loads.

[mtdotcomm]

I'm not a pro either, but sinse my wife gave me a Ruger Black Hawk 44 mag for Christmas some years ago.... the load I'm at so far for hunting is: 240 gr HP/XPT, 23 gr.(or their abouts) of H110 with a CCI250 to launch em'. But I havent hunted deer with them yet... go figure. However, visiting inlaws and outlaws in Wyoming last summer I did shoot some squeakys with my Bro-inlaw. Had a Big time, one that I shot, my wife said "Hey, that squirrel had blue eyes" I said, "huh"....... she said "Yeah, one blew that way and the other blew the other way" HEHEHEHE !!
Anyway, it seems to be a good load.
Hane fun
Mike

[dpe.ahoy]

Starline brass is good stuff, it's usually my first choice if I can get it.  The XTP is a good choice for a jacketed bullet, works over a wide speed range, opens well and holds together.  Have burned up many pounds of H-110 in the 44 mag, gonna try LilGun for the 44 next time I load em.  Got hooked on LilGun with the 357 mag and heavy loads in the 45 Colt.  It feeds thru my Lyman powder drop better than 110, doesn't bind up.  DP

[Glanceblamm]

While your XTP's are going to be ok, I would drop one of those .429 cast into your removed cylinder just to see what happens.

I have a box of 240gr .430 RNFP from one manufacture that are actually too loose. Maybe not as I guess they do make for the perfect slip fit but I do like to feel enough resistance in the cylinder throat to have to use a dowel to push it on through with light to medium pressure.

[Old Fart]

 How am I doing so far?

Hopefully you have a reloading manual and have read the sections on reloading.

[mrcoolid]

http://brmarksmen-reloading.blogspot.com/

Great blog with lots of info on the 44 mag.

also

get the "Complete reloading manual for the 44 magnum" from Amazon if they have it, $10 to $12

It's a great book with a ton of loads and bullets for the 44 mag.

I have a handi in 44 mag. It is is very accurate, and fun to shoot.

Mike

[P.A. Myers]

Starline brass is very good. For general blasting [big-bore plinking], I really like a 205g molycoated cast bullet. No lead problems*. A firm crimp to avoid bullet crawl and more accurate. Cases should be trimmed as even new brass will vary in length enough to affect the crimp. Trimming brass is a tedious pain, I rarely do it.  Use fast powders for reduced loads for safety.

*some autoloaders dont do well with molycoat bullets 

[Bigeasy]

I like Red Dot as a light target powder in cast bullets.  It has proven accurate and consistent in quite a few guns.  I like the fact that it is also an excellent shotgun powder, so I kill two birds with one stone.  I see a lot of recommendations for 296 / H-110 powder.  Great for max loads, but DO NOT use these powders for reduced loads, as pressures become erratic when loaded as reduced loads.  Use a heavy crimp and mag primers also with those 2 powders.  R/E .429 cast loads bullets- Go ahead and try them, and they may shoot fine.  If you find they lead your bore, try cast bullets .431.  My 44's shoot best with cast bullets 1000th / 2000th over bore diameter.  Better gas seal means less leading caused by hot gasses getting around the bullet upon firing.  But try em, as they may work fine.  Each gun is different.  Those XTP's are also a fine choice.  They expand well, and hold together, and are popular with deer hunters who use jacketed bullets. The 44 mag is a real reloaders round - It works well with everything from light target stuff to heavy magnums, and is a simple, straight forward round to load.  You didn't state if your new dies were carbide or not, but if not, I would consider a set.  Saves a lot of time and mess not having to lube your cases.  I did not list any specific loads as you must use a reloading manual.  I have seen a lot of mistakes / typo's on internet forums when it comes to specific load recommendations, so be careful.

Larry

[P.A. Myers]

I thought I was the only one in the world using RedDot in 44mag. To use non-carbide dies for 44s, you will need to be chained to the bench.

[whitedogone]

http://brmarksmen-reloading.blogspot.com/

Great blog with lots of info on the 44 mag.

also

get the "Complete reloading manual for the 44 magnum" from Amazon if they have it, $10 to $12

It's a great book with a ton of loads and bullets for the 44 mag.

I have a handi in 44 mag. It is is very accurate, and fun to shoot.

Mike

Excellent info...... Thanks!

[whitedogone]

I do have carbide dies.  After doing some reading it seems I'd be well served to get a lee factory crimp die.

[P.A. Myers]

If these 44s may be used in a tube rifle magazine , I would advise a roll crimp.