.44 mag loads

[BobWells]

Hi all, I’m looking for advice for loads for .44 mag, in under lever 20” barrel, powder, bullet weight etc.
I’ll only be shooting 30yd rand, turning targets, running boat etc
TIA, Bob

 

[billgatese30]

Are you intending to shoot lead, or FMJ?

 

[BobWells]

Are you intending to shoot lead, or FMJ?

Lead mate.

 

[billgatese30]

Something like Unique or N-110 will be the way forward. These behind a 240gr SWC lead bullet should give 900-1000 fps and be fine for gallery rifle/steel plate shooting.

I'll dig my lyman manual out in a bit and photograph the page in question.

 

[BobWells]

Something like Unique or N-110 will be the way forward. These behind a 240gr SWC lead bullet should give 900-1000 fps and be fine for gallery rifle/steel plate shooting.

I'll dig my lyman manual out in a bit and photograph the page in question.

Thanks very much pal.
Bob

 

[ashray]

good morning bobwells, i use true blue powder in my 44 mangnum<but mainly load 44 special cases> 200gr lrnfp bullet my start load is 7gr and the max is 8.3gr 44 special .the 44 magnum load start at14gr and a max of15.5 ,.200 gr lrnfp. for the 240gr lrnfp bullet in the 44 magnum case it starts at11.5 with a max of12.8 grs <ramshot book data .>

 

[BobWells]

good morning bobwells, i use true blue powder in my 44 mangnum<but mainly load 44 special cases> 200gr lrnfp bullet my start load is 7gr and the max is 8.3gr 44 special .the 44 magnum load start at14gr and a max of15.5 ,.200 gr lrnfp. for the 240gr lrnfp bullet in the 44 magnum case it starts at11.5 with a max of12.8 grs <ramshot book data .>

Thanks very much Ashtray, I’ll be making notes of all that info.
Bob

 

[billgatese30]

Looks like my Lyman book only has supersonic loads, which isn't neccessary for 30 yard gallery/steels. It will just slow you down as its more noise and recoil than required.

Plenty of "cowboy" loads online though. I have a spare slot for 44mag so will be looking to do similar to you once I get the funds together for a Marlin.

 

[Jagged77]

I’ve extensively used Unique in mine around 7 or 8 grains. Laterally moved to N340 around 8 grains.

 

[BobWells]

Looks like my Lyman book only has supersonic loads, which isn't neccessary for 30 yard gallery/steels. It will just slow you down as its more noise and recoil than required.

Plenty of "cowboy" loads online though. I have a spare slot for 44mag so will be looking to do similar to you once I get the funds together for a Marlin.

Thanks, and good luck getting your Marlin.

 

[BobWells]

I’ve extensively used Unique in mine around 7 or 8 grains. Laterally moved to N340 around 8 grains.

Thanks I’ll look at Unique, don’t really want to use stick type powder as I use a thrower and it doesn’t like stick type, no problem with ball type though.

 

[Smellydog]

I can't recommend a ball powder for low power loads in 44m..
I'd go with shotgun powders or extruded.
A powder thrower isn't going to upset anything at 30 yards!
Unique, green dot, red dot. Universal clays etc.

 

[Jagged77]

I load all mine on a Lee progressive press and use the powder thrower. It’s very consistent and perfectly good for gallery lead loads.

 

[Colonel]

I use 8gr of Unique with a 240gr lead bullet in my Marlin for combat shooting. Very good accuracy and little recoil

 

[BobWells]

I use 8gr of Unique with a 240gr lead bullet in my Marlin for combat shooting. Very good accuracy and little recoil

Thanks Colonel, I’ll have a look for some of the Unique powder.
Bob

 

[phaedra]

8gr of Unique with a 200 or 240gr cast bullet was my go to load when I started reloading 44mag almost 45 years ago!

Nowadays I have a decent amount of Maxam CSB5 and Nobel Sport GM3 (both no longer available) which at 6gr a load will probably outlast me!

For higher powered cast loads (12-1300fps) Ramshot Trueblue or Enforcer for jacketed full power.

 

[BobWells]

8gr of Unique with a 200 or 240gr cast bullet was my go to load when I started reloading 44mag almost 45 years ago!

Nowadays I have a decent amount of Maxam CSB5 and Nobel Sport GM3 (both no longer available) which at 6gr a load will probably outlast me!

For higher powered cast loads (12-1300fps) Ramshot Trueblue or Enforcer for jacketed full power.

Thanks bud

 

[mr smith]

The difficulty is going to be getting many if the powders mentioned.I believe Alliant aren't selling powders to the civilian market currently,csb5 was popular on the gallery rifle circuit now no longer made,GM3 was the same with many rfds buying casks of it and decanting and selling it for £20 a pound,the importer sussed this and put a stop to it.

 

[jthyttin]

Vihtavuori has some "cowboy data", I suggest looking under 44 Special and loading the 44Mag to same COAL.

Cowboy action shooting | CAS | Western shooting | 3 Gun | Rifle & Revolver reloading - Vihtavuori

Vihtavuori offers Cowboy Action Shooting (CAS) reloading data especially suited for single-action and lever-action firearms. Never exceed maximum loads.

www.vihtavuori.com

 

[phaedra]

Out of the current Hodgdon powders 5.5gr of HP-38 or TiteGroup and 6.5gr of Universal are good starting loads around 800-900fps.

Reloading Data Center – Hodgdon Reloading Data Center

hodgdonreloading.com

Look under Pistol as the 4 is a pistol cartridge.