44 mag reloading

[Redneck Ron]

I am reloading 44 mag with hodgdon 110 power for lead 240 grain semi wad cutters. This will be used for revolver. Does any body have any sugestions on the amount of 110 I should use or start off with? My thoughts are 16, 17 or 18 grains.

 

[Guy Miner]

I've always stayed in the 22 - 24 grain range with H110 and 240 - 250 grain bullets for the .44 mag.

Probably my favorite load for it is 22 grains of H110 and the excellent 240 grain Nosler bullet. Recoil isn't bad, accuracy is great, and power isn't far behind the max load.

Here's some load data from Hodgdon:

http://www.hodgdon.com/data/pistol/44remmag.php#top

You're using a hard-cast bullet, not one of those soft commercial swaged lead bullets? Those soft lead commercial swaged bullets will badly lead the bore at anything over modest velocity. The hardcast bullets can be driven hard, and perform very well.

Regards, Guy

 

[Richracer1]

Hodgdon has a warning to only reduce H110 loads by 3% instead of the normal 10%. I guess it has something to due with potentially funky ignition problems and possibly lodging a bullet in the barrel.

 

[Redneck Ron]

I will be using hard cast 240 grain semi-wad cutter lead bullets. Sorry I forgot to mention that...

 

[JD338]

Redneck Ron,

Try here:
http://www.handloads.com/loaddata/defau ... er&Source=

I use the folowing loads in my S&W 629 Classic

240 gr Nosler JHP
23.5 grs H110
W-W case
CCI Mag primer

250 gr Nosler PT Gold
21.0 grs H110
W-W case
CCI Mag primer

JD338

 

[Alaska]

Just remember the SW 629 or 29 is not made to shoot alot of heavy loads.........the 250gr Fed Gold Medal with the Sierra FPJ is a super factory load.....excellent accuracy in my SW Performance Shop 5".

 

[fredj338]

H110 is a max. effort powder & does not do well much below max. charges. I would not load less than 21gr under a 240gr-250gr bullet. If you want midrange loads, I would use Unique or Universal under a 240grLSWC.