44 mag loads

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  • firemn260

    Active Member
    Sep 15, 2015
    354
    Harford County
    I just picked up a new super Blackhawk not to long ago and I’m getting excited to start working on loads for it. I also picked up a lee 240 gr LSWC mold to break into the casting world. I’m going to use water quenched wheel weights for now but I do plan on eventually getting some bullet specific alloys to try. They will be lubed with alox and resized if necessary.

    I have a half can of A2400 but I’m not finding to much data for the lead load. I guess I will stick with the 240 jacketed bullets with that. I have a pound of lil gun for my 221 fireball to mess around with too.

    I really want to try IMR4227 for the cast loads but I’m having trouble finding it.

    My questionS to you guys involves gas checks. Are they necessary for medium velocity loads? And is using a harder alloy bullet the key to less barrel leading when pushing higher velocity?

    Also from what I understand, lead bullets are better off sized to .430?

    Like I said I’m new to casting bullets so any info or tips will be appreciated.
     

    Seabee

    Old Timer
    Oct 9, 2011
    517
    Left marylandistan to NC
    I haven't cast in a while but here goes.
    If you are going to push lead bullets much over 900-1000 fps its a good idea to use gas checks to minimize leading. The powders you are listing are great for jacketed bullets and speed but if you intend to keep speeds lower then you might want to try some Unique or Universal. I have good luck with these powders in my 240 lead practice loads. Light loads of H-110, and the other slower powders could give you squib loads.
    As for bullet size, its best to size them to fit the bore of your gun to minimize leading. You can slug your bore to get this dimension. I think most 44 lead bullets size .430
    If you are going to use the slower powders, I'd definitely use gas checks because the hotter flame temps and longer burn of those powders will cause some serious leading.
    With jacketed bullets, my Redhawk didnt group well with 2400 and preferred H-110 but yours may like it. Be sure to wear proper PPE when casting. Nasty fumes. Hope this helps. Ken
     
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    Magnumite

    Ultimate Member
    Dec 17, 2007
    6,564
    Harford County, Maryland
    Good powder for 44 Magnum. The best lead bullet heavy load powder I have used in 44 Magnum has been A2400. I also determined jacketed or lead that sacred Keith load of 22.? grain of 2400 was too much. Sacrilege, really.

    Keep the charges between 20.5 and low 21.x and you will probable find a charge your gun likes. The gun can handle it but my groups would open up. Good suggestion for medium and light load powders above. I use Unique and Bullseye for midrange and light loads, respectively. The Unique powder and a hard cast 240 grain bullet is deadly on Hunter’s Pistol targets.
     
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    44man

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Feb 19, 2013
    10,129
    southern md
    I generally use my own cast bullets, wheel weights plus 60/50 solder, cast in lee molds sized to .429 for some .430 for others then I apply allow to the outside

    2400 powder usually with large pistol primers for most loads but mags if my old books call for them

    18 grains makes a nice target plunking load and you can work up from there but always get a manual and stay within the allowable limits

    And always crimp the heck out of them

    And again get a manual and don’t take people’s words as gospel
     

    j8064

    Garrett Co Hooligan #1
    Feb 23, 2008
    11,635
    Deep Creek
    I too cast my own boolits for my Dan Wesson and Ruger 44 mag range rounds with the Lee 240 gr LSWC mold. I use reclaimed wheel weight lead; sized to .429 with GC's and lubed with Alox.

    I've tried various powders but always end up relying on the recipes/ranges in the RCBS CB Manual I started with many years ago. H110 and 4227 work best for me in power loads. I use low end charges of Unique for mild rounds. And I use magnum primers when the recipe calls for them.

    I load CB's different than I do JB's. 44 magnum isn't a lightweight cartridge. You'll likely find a good CB load in the mid-range of the recipes in the RCBS book. And...YMMV.

    As has been said, 44 mag rounds need a good crimp. :thumbsup:

    Good luck on your loads. If you work at it you'll find the right one for your gun.

    .
     

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    Magnumite

    Ultimate Member
    Dec 17, 2007
    6,564
    Harford County, Maryland
    I always crimp heavy as well.

    I surprised myself many years ago...probably over 35...on just how powerful a 44 Magnum is. I had a few different loads walking around an old gravel pit shooting at different ranges. Along the way I happened upon an old but not rusted 55 gallon drum...the old thick gauge stuff. I used one of my light loads, 240 soft lead at around 900 fps thinking the bullet would dent it but not penetrate because...soft lead...not 44 Magnum fast. Wrong. It went through both sides of the drum.

    The 44 Magnum is my favorite cartridge, bar none.
     

    John from MD

    American Patriot
    MDS Supporter
    May 12, 2005
    22,736
    Socialist State of Maryland
    Here is my .02. For a Ruger Blackhawk, the first thing I would do is make a barrel throat and chamber cast using Cerrosafe. If you can make bullets, you can make chamber casts. The reason for this is Ruger has had problems with tight chambers in the past. Ideally, you want your chambers to be a little bigger than your barrel throat. Assuming that your your chamber/throat diameters are correct, you want to size your bullets at least .001 over your chamber diameter. This may not always be possible with off the shelf molds unless you powder coat them.

    For Alliant 2400 and a RCBS GC 245gn SWC bullet, I use 19 grains which gives me about 1050 fps. This is a mild load but will take any type of thin skin game you care to. (within reasonable handgun hunting distance) 4227 puts you in the same ball park but doesn't meter as well as 2400.
     

    Magnumite

    Ultimate Member
    Dec 17, 2007
    6,564
    Harford County, Maryland
    I heard oversize chamber throats was a problem in the 45 Blackhawks. As I understand it it is because of the bullet swaging larger going through the cylinder throat then swaging larger hitting the forcing cone then swaging smaller entering the bore. The smaller throats prevent one expansion event.

    But I never heard of issues in the Super Blackhawks.
     

    John from MD

    American Patriot
    MDS Supporter
    May 12, 2005
    22,736
    Socialist State of Maryland
    The issue was the chamber mouths were too small. When that happens, the bullet experiences gas cutting and the bore leads and accuracy deteriorates. The fix was to ream the cylinder mouths. I have done it for super blackhawks and Taurus Trackers as well. I own a Taurus tracker that had .428 cylinder mouths. It would have never been a good shooting gun if I didn't ream it.
     

    Magnumite

    Ultimate Member
    Dec 17, 2007
    6,564
    Harford County, Maryland
    My Hunter’s Pistol load (after I stopped using hunting power loads) was a dose of Unique which took the loads to 1050-1075 fps. That is one of the best loads I shoot. Bullet quality will tell tales once you get to the 75 meter line.
     

    firemn260

    Active Member
    Sep 15, 2015
    354
    Harford County
    Thank you guys! I found a online store that has 4227 and unique On sale so I’m just going to eat the 19$ hazmat fee and get some primers too. They also have gas checks in stock but they Arnt cheap. I’m going to use them in my 444 anyway. I have a Lee .430 bullet sizer too so I’m pretty sure that will crimp on the gas checks.

    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 and they blew right through a chunk of firewood I was shooting at. To be honest I was dying to load something up in my newly set up loading room!

    Somebody gave me a couple boxes of Speer shotshell capsules and I think unique was one of the recommended loads. Perfect for the fat lazy rats that have been hanging around my feed shed.

    I can’t tell you how excited I am to get back into a legit loading operation because since I moved into our new house I hav’nt had a place to get into my happy zone and roll some up. I’m also excited about getting into casting. Good thing about having a walk out basement is I can set up the casting table right outside the doors from my load room.

    I can see this will lead to getting the 1894 lever 44 mag I’ve always wanted.

    Great info as always fellas. Thanks again.
     

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    firemn260

    Active Member
    Sep 15, 2015
    354
    Harford County
    I make all but my .44 gas checks and this guy has the best deals on aluminum checks. I have been making mine out of aluminum for about 15 years and I see no difference between aluminum and copper except for the price.

    https://www.sagesoutdoors.com/gas-checks/aluminum-gas-checks/ You can buy small test batches without committing to a 1000 if you want.

    I’m intrigued as to how you make your own. I’m assuming you are using some sort of punch?

    Thanks for the link I’m going to pick up 250 of them and try them out. I also like the shotshell kits. Much cheaper than buying shot capsules. Not sure what I like shotshell loads in pistols. Maybe it’s just the convenience of carrying my six shooter while I’m out doing chores and I flush out a pack of rats.
     

    John from MD

    American Patriot
    MDS Supporter
    May 12, 2005
    22,736
    Socialist State of Maryland
    I bought punches and bases years ago for my rifle calibers for 6.5, 7mm, .30 and 8mm. They were very cheap back then. I sit in front of a movie and punch them out of strips cut from "Beware of Dog" signs or roof flashing.

    Later on, more expensive models came out that you would use in your reloading press. I never went that route as my punches filled my needs.
     

    ironhead7544

    Active Member
    Oct 27, 2018
    188
    Cast bullets for a revolver is a science. I slug the barrel and each chamber mouth. With the newer Ruger 44 Magnums they have been nearly ideal. With the correct size and alloy, you should get little leading. For the full speed loads, I like the gas check. Practice loads at 900 fps or so can work without gas checks. Your revolver will tell you what it likes.

    For your cast bullets, I would try coating them without sizing and see how they work. One recommendation I would make for cast bullets is crimp in a separate operation and use the Lee Collet crimp die.

    The easiest way to check your barrel and cylinder throat diameters is to order some slugs from Lead Bullet Technologies. Well worth the money and use a standard cleaning rod.

    IMR4227 is excellent powder for the 44 Magnum in full loads. Burns cooler than most powders with less leading. For light loads I use Unique.
     

    Magnumite

    Ultimate Member
    Dec 17, 2007
    6,564
    Harford County, Maryland
    "... 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.
     

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