Author Topic: .44 Magnum Compressed Load (Read 703 times)

whitfang · « **on:** May 08, 2005, 01:38:37 PM »

After I shoot these .45 Colt loads, I'm going to try .44 magnum, to be shot in a S&W 629.

The IMR website lists a 22.0gr charge of IMR4227 for a 240gr JHC 44 Magnum with a 'C' footnote, meaning a compressed charge. From what I've found on the web, this appears just to mean that the bullet is seated directly on the powder, with no intervening air space like the 45 Colt load.

Is there anything to watch out for here? How much compression is enough?

ought6 · « **Reply #1 on:** May 08, 2005, 02:49:06 PM »

Whitfang,
What is your objective? If you want magnum velocities and stay within safe limits, use H110 or W296. A maximum dose of either will give you all the velocity that cartridge is capable of.

Don't worry about compressed loads, though. Basically, if you are using an extruded powder, your bullet will crush the pellets slightly and the powder will exert a small amount of upward pressure on the base of the bullet. With 44 mag, you will want to use a heavy crimp anyway(to keep the bullets from backing out under recoil and locking up your cylinder), so the upward pressure won't matter. It's just that you are seating the bullet "into" the powder a bit. Not really a big deal, but, like I said, use a lot of crimp.

whitfang · « **Reply #2 on:** May 08, 2005, 04:24:00 PM »

I guess my main objective is to save money by reloading. And I'm going to hunt whitetail in the fall with the 44, so I'll need a good hunting load.

IMR4227 is my powder of choice mainly because I already have 4 pounds of it. Those stories (and pictures) of reloaders who grab the wrong powder and blow their gun up have convinced me that I can live with one powder. Only use it in .44 Magnum, .45 Colt, and in my Savage muzzleloader. No plans to reload anything else.

Maybe I could have chosen a better powder?

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #3 on:** May 09, 2005, 01:52:11 AM »

Quote from: whitfang

I guess my main objective is to save money by reloading. And I'm going to hunt whitetail in the fall with the 44, so I'll need a good hunting load.

IMR4227 is my powder of choice mainly because I already have 4 pounds of it. Those stories (and pictures) of reloaders who grab the wrong powder and blow their gun up have convinced me that I can live with one powder. Only use it in .44 Magnum, .45 Colt, and in my Savage muzzleloader. No plans to reload anything else.

Maybe I could have chosen a better powder?

Some times I find what I have on hand is not the best powder to use. My 44 MAG works great with 2400 powder.

W296 and H110 are also great powders for the 44 MAG.

Graybeard · « **Reply #4 on:** May 09, 2005, 03:28:43 AM »

There are much better powders for the .44 Magnum than IMR4227 but in spite of that it's not a bad choice. Some where between 20.0 grains and maximum charge you're likely to find a load that will be quite accurate in your gun. It won't give as high a velocity as some of the other powders but it does usually give excellent accuracy when you find the sweet spot.

Wlscott · « **Reply #5 on:** May 09, 2005, 04:17:24 AM »

Ditto what everyone else said.

I have tried IMR4227 in my Ruger Super Redhawk 44MAG and it wasn't near as accurate as W296.

W296 and H110 are the definitive Magnum Pistol powders as far as I'm concerned.

It's really not that hard to keep track of more than one type of powder in your reloading area. Just keep all of your powder in one location (A lockable steel cabinate is best) and only get out the powder that you're working with. I keep that powder cannister out and on the bench until I am done loading that particular round. It sits right behind my scale/powder thrower so I always know what kind of powder I have in the thrower.

Lawful Larry · « **Reply #6 on:** May 16, 2005, 06:26:16 AM »

This past year I had a great time in the woods with my .44 mag 629 Classic. It brought home the meat three times. I used two different loads for these deer.

1. 240 gr XTP over 20 grs of H110, velocity: 1316

2. 300 gr XTP over 18 grs of WC820, velocity: 1305

These loads were tested and found to be ideal in my gun. The 300 grain XTP took down two does at about 45 yards. The 240 gr bullet got a small six pointer.

The first one went down on the spot and the second one ran a short distance. Both were through and through shots. No bullet recovery. None of these loads were maximum loads! No sense putting your gun through the excessive abuse with maximum loads when it is not necessary. Save the wear and tear on your gun and experience it for a long time to come.

I recommend you make up some test loads and see what your guns likes as far as velocity and accuracy goes. All the powders mentioned in this post are great for the .44 magnum.

Good luck. :wink: