44 mag loads

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    Where's the beef?
    Nov 22, 2012
    4,712
    Howard County
    Of course.

    But if you start with 3%, you will always have 3%. :D

    The law of conservation of matter states that the mass of an object or collection of objects never changes over time, no matter how the constituent parts rearrange themselves. :lol2:
     

    firemn260

    Active Member
    Sep 15, 2015
    354
    Harford County
    "... I had some hornady 300 gr xtp laying around from muzzleloader sabots so I loaded 2 up with 15.5 gr of 2400. Not as snappy as I thought they would be but they shot well..."

    Some don't realize that loaded to similar power factors heavy bullets shoot softer. The heavier bullets produce recoil more like a push than a slap. Some loadings reveal this character
    more than others. I typically shoot blaster grade 9mm 115 grain loads. Yesterday I shot 150 grain Syntech ammo, a 30% heavier bullet to similar factor. The difference is night and day
    in recoil manner and tracking.

    That makes sense. I picked up a box of 240gr xtp and a pound of h110 at bass pro last night just because they had it. After checking I realized h110 calls for a mag primer.

    No worries I just loaded them up with 18gr of 2400 and federal 150# primer. Shot one today and noticed some unburnt powder in the chamber and case. The lee recipe called for only large pistol primers but I’m wondering if a mag primer would benefit the slower burning powder?

    I had a lot easier time coming up with a load my 6.8 likes but half the fun is experimenting right? I think I got my crimps where they need to be.
     

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    Magnumite

    Ultimate Member
    Dec 17, 2007
    6,564
    Harford County, Maryland
    Magnum primers are typically used for the slower powders. 2400 swings both ways from reading and those I have talked to through the years. Winchester sells primers labeled for standard and magnum loads. Typically, there will be unburned powder in any magnum load. My experience anyway. Some powders more than others. I’ve actually seen velocities decrease slightly with magnum primers with everything else the same.

    The slower ball and coarse extruded powders benefit most from magnum primers.
     

    firemn260

    Active Member
    Sep 15, 2015
    354
    Harford County
    Figured I would give you guys a update. I’m still learning what works for me as far as shooting a single action but I’m getting better not pulling my shots to the left.

    By far my favorite load so far has been my Lee 240gr swc sized to .430 with a gas check. 9 grains of unique. It’s been nice to shoot and accurate if I do my part. I like the nice clean hole it puts in paper.

    I loaded up some 240 xtp with some lil gun the other day. Definitely let’s you know it’s a magnum!
     

    trickg

    Guns 'n Drums
    MDS Supporter
    Jul 22, 2008
    14,598
    Glen Burnie
    Figured I would give you guys a update. I’m still learning what works for me as far as shooting a single action but I’m getting better not pulling my shots to the left.

    By far my favorite load so far has been my Lee 240gr swc sized to .430 with a gas check. 9 grains of unique. It’s been nice to shoot and accurate if I do my part. I like the nice clean hole it puts in paper.

    I loaded up some 240 xtp with some lil gun the other day. Definitely let’s you know it’s a magnum!
    I have a first production year (1956) S&W 44 Magnum and I load 9.0 gr of Unique under a 240 gr flat point that I purchased from Mastercast. If I do my part I can put 6 rounds in one raggedy hole at 25 feet. That’s my go to load for that revolver.
     

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    firemn260

    Active Member
    Sep 15, 2015
    354
    Harford County
    I have a first production year (1956) S&W 44 Magnum and I load 9.0 gr of Unique under a 240 gr flat point that I purchased from Mastercast. If I do my part I can put 6 rounds in one raggedy hole at 25 feet. That’s my go to load for that revolver.

    That’s some fine shooting there.
     

    Magnumite

    Ultimate Member
    Dec 17, 2007
    6,564
    Harford County, Maryland
    In 44 Magnum it seems you can't go wrong with 8.0 grains to about 11.0 grains of Unique with any good 240 grain bullet.
    My previously mentioned load of 10.5 grains with a240 cast SWC has shot great consistently for over 3 decades...from
    one powder lot to the next.

    Good shootin, trickg. Nice piece of ordnance history also with the 1956.
     

    John from MD

    American Patriot
    MDS Supporter
    May 12, 2005
    22,733
    Socialist State of Maryland
    The Lee 240gn bullet is a good bullet (and 6 cav molds are inexpensive) but I don't use it because it won't feed in my Model 92. I considered modding the cartridge guide slots but I'm too lazy in my old age. I use Lyman 429215 and RCBS 245K molds for my three .44 guns. The Lyman 215 bullet is a good all around slug that doesn't beat you up as much as the 240's. Lee has a similar 215gn bullet but I haven't looked closely enough to see if it is the same Thompson design.
     

    Magnumite

    Ultimate Member
    Dec 17, 2007
    6,564
    Harford County, Maryland
    I hear you on the lighter bullets. I remember shooting 200 grain/5.2 grains of bullseye charges from my Redhawk (5.5"). What recoil? Just enough to make the gun rise... That was actually a popular Hunter's Pistol load but I never had good results with it past 50 meters.
     

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