44 magnum loads

[Laker_Taker]

Hello,
Just picked up a Ruger Blackhawk in a 44 mag. Never loaded for this round any info on powder or bullet weight?

thanks Aaron

 

[Divernhunter]

I had a SBH and after buying my Redhawk it got little use so I sold it. Have loaded for them for many years. "MY" fav loads are 1) Hot Load--Mag primer 28grs of H-110 with a 200gr HP Nosler or Hornady bullet.2) Mild Load(fun /plinking load) mag or standard primer with 8grs of Unique with a 240-250gr lead bullet. I also have loaded the 250gr Nosler PAR bullet with a max load of H-110 and a mag primer for my HD load. The 200gr HP load has taken a number of deer, a large black bear,wild boar,ground squirrels and other assorted game including one pesty gopher. The mild load has taken squirrels and such.

All loads have been very accurate and I have found as have others that the faster you push a 44mag the better the acccuracy usually. I use Unique for mild loads as I had allot of it and it works well over a wide range of loading grains without troubles. I have also used Hi-Skor700-X since I had 25lbs of it and it worked just fine formild loads with lead bullets.
I prefer H-110 of mag and max loads over 2400 as it is much cleaner and gives higher speeds with super good accuracy. H-110 and Win296 are suppose to be the same powder but I get more speed over my chornograph with the H-110. Both give excellent accuracy.

My 2 Cents

 

[SJB358]

My best shooting load thus far is a Nosler 240gr JHP/ Hornady XTP over 23.5gr of H110. Haven't ever shot reduced loads. This is what I shoot out of my 7.5" SBH. Scotty

 

[JD338]

The 44 Rem Mag is very easy to load for and can be very accurate.
I started with a Ruger SBH and now have a S&W 629 Classic. These loads have worked well for me

200 gr JHP
AA #9 23.0 grs
H110 26.0 grs

240 gr JHP/XTP
H110 23.5 grs

250 gr PP
H110 21.0 grs

300 gr XTP
H110 20.0 grs

All loads use W-W cases and CCI 350 primers but I have also used CCI 300 primers.
I have also shot 240 gr swagged lead bullets with Unique and Hi Score 700X but quit shooting these because they were so dirty.

The 44 Rem Mag is a fun one to load for and shoot. Enjoy....

JD338

 

[Guy Miner]

My load experience is much like that of Divernhunter. Over the past 25 years I typically load the .44 to two levels:

Practice Level: 9 grains of Unique and a 250 gr cast bullet - very easy to shoot, but still more power than a .45 ACP.

Hang On Level: max or near-max charge of H110 with your choice of bullet from 240 - 300 grains...

A 240 gr JHP will go clear through the chest of a typical deer at handgun hunting distances. Cast SWC type bullets or heavier bullets are better for smashing through shoulders and such.

Regards, Guy

 

[FOTIS]

Pick a bullet weight and get to me. Possibilities are huge! too huge to list everything here.

 

[GB300wm]

My new favorite load in my 629 smith is 21.3 grains ww296, mag primer and a 310 grain trueshot slug by oregon trail. I'm seeing 1375 fps with great accuracy. I killed one deer with this load last season and it is really effective. I also really like 24.3 grains ww 296 with any 240 grain slug. This load is also around 1400 fps in my 8 3/8" 629 with excellent accuracy too. :grin: :grin:

 

[SJB358]

Those sound like some really great shooting loads! I need to get some hard cast bullet to experiment with in the future. I would like to try out the 300-325gr range! Scotty

 

[Laker_Taker]

wow, sounds like a lot of good stuff here. This is what I have so far. I have H110 powder because I load for my 454 casull. I bought 240 grain bullets. I am planning on trying the lighter bullets first and than move to heavier. The 454 uses 300 grainers. So I thought I would start with the 240's for the 44 mag and move up to the 250 noslers. I have never tried a different bullet other than Nostlers in any of my Handguns. With my experience they just plain shoot.

Thanks for all replys.
Aaron

 

[GB300wm]

They really are great bullets. The frontal area really slams game and they will penetrate any animal they hit. They cause a cavitating woung channel that some say is more lethal than an expanding one. Their velocity is also great too. :grin: :grin:

 

[SJB358]

That sounds pretty good to me. When you buy cast bullets, what diameter do you get? I would order some of the Beartooth Cast bullets, but I am kind of unsure which diameter I need. They list .429, .430 and .431 I think. I know I shoot .429 jacketed, just wondering about cast? Scotty

 

[GB300wm]

The oregon trail true shot bullets that I'm using are 0.430" in diameter. Usually the lead bullets will run a little bit larger than their jacketed counterparts. Most of the cast bullets that I see are 0.430". :grin: :grin:

 

[SJB358]

Good deal. Thanks GB. I would like to try some of those big WN 325's in the Super Blackhawk. I would think they would be awesome for about anything I would hunt with a pistol and should blow right through both shoulders a bear without drama. Scotty

 

[Laker_Taker]

Hey, thanks guys for a the info you have provided.

Aaron