Reloading The .44 Magnum - Reload Ammo Look for your answers in our Forum and in our bi-monthly publication the Fouling Shot. (I) Giveaway ends May 31, 2023. Unique is a great powder to use and have on your bench. Hornady's new 225-grain Flex Tip eXpanding bullet borrows technology from the company's popular rifle ammo and is a good midweight hunting bullet. .44 CALIBER 240 GR. JHC - Sierra Bullets Since then, even the .44 Magnum's performance has been eclipsed by several bigger bore and more powerful handgun cartridges. 15,500 PSI is the maximum SAAMI pressure. There are many bullet designs bearing the name Keith, but a semi-wadcutter design does not make it a Keith bullet. Either 17.0 grains of #4227 or 8.5 grains of Unique will give right around 1,000 fps. The Cast Bullet Association is an organization of shooters who enjoy shooting cast lead bullets in rifles and handguns for competition, hunting, or informal target shooting. A popular Cowboy bullet is the 200-grain RNFP. HP, .44 with 225 gr. My standard choice for loading the .44 Special is whats normally known as the Keith bullet. SWC, 240 gr. (III) Giveaway winner(s) chosen by random drawing. .44 Special (Using Hornady Bullets) reloading data with 223 loads. Handgun Data. Dies are made by virtually everybody, and for years they have been configured to accommodate both Special as well as Magnum cases with minor die adjustments. The store will not work correctly in the case when cookies are disabled. Very low recoil, expected more with this heavy of a bullet. No purchase necessary. A World Record Attempt and everyone is out at the range shooting and practicing. Subscriber Services. The SAAMI maximum pressure limit for the .44 Spec. However, .44 Special loads are so mild, you can really use whatever you want to. It remains popular in both the .44 Special and .44 Remington Magnum cartridges. cast SWC; Hornady 200-gr. Put one through the slats of a snow shoe bunny and you have an instant "stopper" and no lost meat. Not even in a .44 Magnum pistol. 480 Ruger or 475 Linebaugh cylinder that needs the "step" reamed to 6 30min chamfer? Available in different sizes and red dot ready, it'll fit your needs, whatever they are. (II) Limit one entry per household. It's just a personal thing with me, but I'm very VERY hesitant to put light charges of fast-burning powder into large capacity cases, like the .44 Special, for fear of double-charging a case and missing it. In 1870 Smith & Wesson developed the .44 Russian for its military revolver made for the Imperial Russian army, and a civilian model followed in 1878. Phil Sharpe, in his book Complete Guide to Handloading, used Unique for 38 of 160 .44 Special loads to include bullets weighing from 145 to 260 grains. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for .44 Special Lee Double Cavity Bullet Mould 429-240-2R Diameter 429 Weight 240 gr at the best online prices at eBay! 5, #2230, and #2460 are products of Accurate Arms Company Tried TB, "didn't fit my pistols". Our Price: The Special's case was lengthened to accommodate the use of emerging smokeless propellants. Life Member NRA 40+yrs, Life S.A.S.S. models. JHP 250 gr. You must be a subscriber to see the full article. Since many shooters shoot Specials in their .44 Mags for practice and plinking, I also chronographed some representative Special loads in a six-inch M29-3. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. 15,500 PSI is the maximum SAAMI pressure. JHP; and Sierra 240-gr. SWC-JHP, .44 with 250 gr. Out of my 5.5" Redhawk I get 828 fps. 429421 bullet to improve the .44 Specials accuracy and terminal performance. have introduced the Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) Protection Act (H.R. Bullet fit is key for accuracy. .44 Special: When the .44 Special was introduced in late 1907, even though the brass was longer than the .44 Russian and the Triple-Lock sixgun was certainly stronger than the S&W Top-Breaks, for some strange reason it was loaded to the same level as the .44 Russian; they simply increased the black powder charge from 23 to 26 grains. Target shooters flocked to the .44 Special. We show you how. does not engender a reputation as a "hot" cartridge. 44 Caliber Bullets .429 Diameter 240 Grain Hunting & Self Defense 50 Forty-four Special cases manufactured since World War II (or very shortly thereafter) are of solid-head construction and are equally as strong as .44 Magnum brass. Forum; Reloading Tutorials; About; Login.44 S&W Special. Joseph Von Benedikt is with Jorge Spat to learn all about it. Custom Mossberg 500 at the Range and Live Turkey!. Winchester Lead Cowboy 44 Special 240gr LFN Handgun Ammo - Winchester cowboy loads with its flat nose, cast lead bullets and target velocities. Reloading: Powder Comparison .44 Special Loads - Handguns 9mm, 10mm/40S&W, 45 ACP pistol barrel that won't "plunk" your handloads? The .44 S&W Special - CHUCKHAWKS.COM Experimenters such as Elmer Keith proved that a heavily loaded .44 Special was very effective on big game. Discussion: I no longer use the same bullets and cases for the special loads as I do the Magnum, since all my rifles and pistols use the magnum round. Thanks and enjoy your stay. The TaurusTX 22 Compact delivers class-leading reliability, capacity, and shootability in a 22 LR platform, and it's cut for a slide-mounted mini red dot. 7, Ramshot True Blue, Alliant Unique and Power Pistol. http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/RecipeList.aspx?gtypeid=1 They don't show any data for the 240gr using 2400 but do with the 250gr. The .44 Special (center) was based on a lengthened .44 Russian cartridge (left), while the .44 Remington Magnum (right) is based on a lengthened .44 Special case. Available online most anywhere. With variables, this load generally produces around 18,000 psi and is a +P load. (II) Limit one entry per household. Just saying. But in 1956 Keith's efforts culminated in the introduction of the .44 Magnum. An excellent assortment of expanding jacketed bullets is available in .44 caliber these days. . cast FP; 200-gr. Using wheel weight alloy, they weigh approximately 255260 grains. The Special's inherent accuracy stems from a previous design. Red Dot, Green Dot and Blue Dot shotgun powders, and HS-6 and Unique excel with these lighter bullets. Colt New Frontier SAA .44 Spl., 7 1/2 " barrel, 629-6 S&W Mountain Gun Round Butt N frame Tapered Barrel 39.5 ozempty, This is my woods packin side arm, I sight this load 2" high at 25 yard mark (POI) and with this round I intend to take a Texas Whitetail and or hawg out to 50 yard mark with no compunction at all.Happy Trails Gentlemen. . Got a .22 .30 .32 .357 .38 .40 .41 .44 .45 .480 or .500 S&W cylinder that needs throats honed? In my experience 300 grain bullets shoot high and achievable velocity in the Specialtoo low. 2, No. For this assignment, a Smith & Wesson Model 629 with a 4-inch barrel was used, because it is modern, hefty and well-made. Taylor Knock-Out Factor Calculations What it takes to knock-out big game. (I) Giveaway ends March 20, 2022. Long time Caster/Reloader, Getting back into it after almost 10yrs. However, as factory loaded with a 246-grain lead roundnose bullet at approximately 750 fps muzzle velocity, the .44 Spl. The new RIA 5.0 Sporting Pistol from Rock Island Armory features a patented RVS Recoil system that maximizes barrel mass and linear movement to give shooters super soft recoil. Your email address will not be published. Clays, Universal, HP38, HS6 and H4895 are products of Hodgdon Powders. Depending upon barrel length, sixgun and bullet, these loads will be in the 900 to 1,000 fps range. No substitutions or transfers to a third party are allowed. He remarked that he liked it generally, but that it was too warm for falling plate competition. They are true magnum bullets, featuring a heavy jacket and 1 1/2% antimony core, yet they will expand reliably at 44 Special velocities. For defense purposes, a lighter 180- or 200-grain HP bullet makes sense. 12-07-2019, 10:15 AM #7 Larry Gibson 5.2 grains gave 800 fs., so pressure goes up pretty fast. 1,200 fps. .44 S&W Special Load Data: Favorite Handloads - Shooting Times of Israeli Defense Forces, joins David Fortier for an exclusive interview for Shotgun News. Thats slightly more than the original .44 Special loading from more than a hundred years ago. Cowboy Action has recently given the .44 Special a shot in the arm, and the lighter cast bullets further broaden the Special's appeal. Factory loads are readily available and range into the dozens, but reloading is the way to go. Our mission is to help you improve your skills, save money, and achieve greater accuracy with your reloads. In all likelihood, it would be where I finished as well. Load data for 44 Special - Cast Bullet Forum Join the exclusive reloading community founded in 1996 and be the first to know about our latest news, reviews, and insights. This is not a handicap, as many powders are capable of pushing 250-grain bullets 850 to 900 fps (roughly equal to the .45 Colt factory load), while a few select powders can push the same bullets over 1,000 fps while staying within pressure guidelines. I use that load extensively. check out the. Then there is the question of what do you expect to use it for. Using an expander ball that is at least .003 to .004 inch smaller than bullet diameter is suggested. I think you are also going to shorten the life of your revolver with Keith Loads. Subscribe To American Handgunner He is a published fiction and non-fiction writer, earned his pilots license in 1965, and is the original founder of Reload Ammo in 1996. Prizes will not be awarded if illegal in jurisdiction of winner(s). Factory warranties may apply in some cases. Jacketed Bullets in .44 Specials - GUNS Magazine Theyre certainly capable of doing everything we expect the sixgun to do. .44 Special Lee Double Cavity Bullet Mould 429-240-2R Diameter 429 Many other manufacturers, including USFA, Freedom Arms, Ruger and several foreign companies have offered good-quality sixguns. His loads have been successfully tested and used by others for more than 25 years. 30 days easy returns; 100% money back guarantee. Reloading Data .44 Special (Hodgdon Data) Metallic - Load Data All entries must be received by giveaway end date. Standard pressure loads are suitable for all guns and are within SAAMI specifications of 15,500 psi. Having always been a fan of moderate loads using lead bullets suitable for casual paper punching, the .44 Special naturally comes to mind for use in .44 Magnum revolvers. SWC+GC, 265 gr. Number of Views: 5750, Published on 10-20-2014 09:12 PM During the 1920s Elmer Keith developed the Ideal/Lyman No. No. What kind of gun? Reloading: Powder Comparison .44 Special Loads Rupp's test included IMR Target and IMR Red, both relatively new powders from that company, against the new Winchester 244with tried-and-true Alliant Bullseye for comparison. Also, as previously indicated, the chamber throats measure a comparatively snug .429 inch. Do not leave Tightgroup in your powder measure, even overnight. Typical factory loads drive a 246 grain lead RN bullet at a claimed muzzle velocity (MV) of 755 fps from a 6 inch barrel. Been using this load for years. Joseph VonBenedikt is with Joel Hodgdon to talk about the improved accuracy and long-range potential of the already reliable Core-Lokt ammo line. Most notable was Elmer Keith, a cowboy, hunter, big-game guide, and by the middle 1920s a gun writer. The 7.5/Unique/240-250 REALLY IS a very nice "general purpose" load for the .44 Special, but I agree that it's too warm for older pieces and GOD HELP YOUR HAND if you shoot it in a Charter Arms ANYTHING! A Smith & Wesson Model 1950 Target 24-6 (middle) .44 Special with a 6.5-inch barrel was used to develop the accompanying data. Start load of 7.8 shot very well for my friend. 250 gr. Associated taxes and fees will be the responsibility of the winner. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. The idea of .44 Special for Everyday Workin Loads is a relatively lightweight sixgun, around 1/2 lb. Either weight can be driven over 1,000 fps and provide about all the power that can be comfortably housed in a medium-weight revolver. We manufacture Partition, AccuBond, E-Tip, Ballistic Tip, Custom Competition and much more. I used the M24 for jacketed bullet loads and the M624 with cast bullets. No substitutions or transfers to a third party are allowed. Most modern jacketed bullets must be traveling at least 850 to 900 fps to achieve reliable expansion, a velocity that was easily reached with most 200-grain bullets using standard pressure loads. 9.9gr for 750 fps The test gun was a 3" Charter arms Winchester cases Winchester WLP primers COL-1.500" Edit to add Link to Alliant load data. 5.0 gr. Subscriber Services. If you shoot the Skeeter Load with hard bullets you can crack the barrel extension on your revolver. Everyday Workin' Loads .44 Special - American Handgunner A Colt Single Action Army dating back to 1910 measured .431 inch, while a 1963 New Frontier SAA measured .430, a 2014-era New Frontier SAA ran .429 inch, and a 1980 3rd Generation Single Action Army measured .434 inch. The authority on pistol and rifle loading data since 1996. A LEE size die can reduce them if they are too large. Available in a wide variety of calibers and bullet weights along with supersonic and subsonic options where applicable. My experience shooting those behemoths suggests they exceed my limit. Prizes will not be awarded if illegal in jurisdiction of winner(s). 429421 250-grain bullet (left) and the Lyman/Thompson No. Before there were scopes or red dots there were iron sights. (IV) Winners must undergo a background check and comply with all other federal, state and local laws. Winners must respond within 30 days of receiving notification or an alternate winner will be selected. Pet Loads and Handloader are registered trademarks of Wolfe Publishing Company. To comply with the new e-Privacy directive, we need to ask for your consent to set the cookies. The traditional .44-caliber bullet weight is 240 grains, and here we have several proven performers. Missouri Bullet Company Cast Lead Bullets 44 Caliber (430 Diameter) 240 Grain Hi-Tek Coated Semi-Wadcutter Box of 500. A healthy roll crimp is recommended. You can follow the Elmer Keith trail up to 1200 fps with 250 grain bullets, but the pressure is 22,000 - 25,000psi and bullet diameter, seating depth and alloyare critical. Mail-in entries accepted; send postcards (no envelopes) to: American Handgunner Magazine, GOM DIY 2022, P.O. My favorite load for my Ruger Blackhawk 44 Special is something I got from an article by Skeeter Skelton. Taurus Marketing Manager Caleb Giddings highlights the features of the new Taurus Raging Hunter 460 Magnum, a purpose-built revolver with a 10.5-inch barrel and an effective recoil-taming brake, with Guns & Ammo Executive Editor Joe Kurtenbach. I have several Smith & Wesson N-frames from different eras that have been used extensively with full-power .44 Special (Category 3) loads without issue. Most casting companies use hard alloy, it casts better and ships better. In your Super Black hawk that should get you 950 fps at about 18,000 PSI. Including, free printable targets, tips, safety instructions and of course gun loads. Caleb Giddings, Marketing Manager at Taurus, introduces the all-new TaurusTX 22 Compact. Velocity runs close to 1,000 fps, depending on barrel length of your shooter. Shown is Elmer Keiths customized Keith Long Range Colt that was originally owned by Teddy Roosevelt. These bullets are long for their weight and seat deeply into the case, so only select powders are suitable based on their volume density. ($0.15 per bullet) Ships today from MidwayUSA. If you have a lightweight .44 or older gun, always start with 10% less than amounts listed above, and work up to the full maximum loads. The .44 Special is an excellent field cartridge, and when combined with handloads is capable of taking varmints and big game. Speer offers the perfect .44 Special jacketed bullet. So, I'm going to start at 5.5gr and work up from there. It is good. With 6.0 grains of Unique and a 51/2 sixgun the result is a very pleasant shooting, and accurate, load of 825 fps. 2 to the slow No.9. A better question would be, why not? SWC+GC, 265 gr. .44 Special (Hodgdon Data) reloading data with 130 loads. However, it is a +P 44 Special load at 20,000 psi. Hodgdon H-110 also performed well when mated to the heavyweight 305- and 307-grain cast bullets; however, to prevent erratic ignition and possible hang-fires, loads should not be reduced. Modern Smith & Wesson N-frame revolvers are stout, as they share the same outside cylinder dimensions as the Model 29 .44 Magnum; however, they are slightly shorter. Winners must respond within 30 days of receiving notification or an alternate winner will be selected. To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine. The SCAR 15P is chambered for 5.56 NATO and, with its 7.5-inch barrel, is the most compact SCAR to date. Using bullets from Hornady HP-XTP , Hornady FP-Cowboy, Hornady HP-XTP, Hornady SWC-HP or SWC, Hornady HP-XTP or CL-SIL. Number of Views: 5757, Published on 10-20-2014 09:20 PM This revolver is equipped with the usual target trigger, target hammer, and adjustable target sights complete with a red insert on the front blade and a white outline on the rear notch. This bullet is seated over 7.5 grains of Unique powder and stuffed in a .44 Special case, sparked with a large pistol primer. Manufacturer #: 44B (50) UPC #: 754908168118. The revolver pictured above is a reproduction Keith No. The "Skeeter"load. 240: Cartridge Case: Brass: Muzzle Velocity: 750 FPS: Muzzle Energy: 300 FT LBS: Pack Quantity: 50: Product Line: Super X: Use: Range: . Employees and agents of Publishers Development Corp. are not eligible. Wolfe Publishing Company | 2180 Gulfstream Suite A | Prescott, AZ 86301. Post WWII revolvers are stronger. The original loading was a 246 grain round nose lead bullet at about 700 fps. When. We typically ship within 7 days, 2 weeks maximum if there is a delay in paper works. It's superbly accurate and extremely versatile when handloaded to any of several power levels for plinking, personal defense or hunting. I dont know why. During the past 40+ years, I have shot dozens of big game from pronghorn to black bear and elk with the .44 Special, all with handloaded ammunition. Cases for the .44 Special are straight-walled, so carbide sizers further streamline the loading process. SWC, 240 gr. Contest open to U.S. residents only. The Judge has been promoted! As to the heavier, 240-grain lead bullets, samples from Hornady and Speer were included. We use cookies to make your experience better. They are accurate in Smith & Wesson and other guns with a .430-inch groove diameter. I have other powders like Bullseye, Titegroup, and Power Pistol but I'd like to save those for my 9mm and 7.62x25 loads. Winners will be notified by certified mail on official letterhead. All this resulted in changes in muzzle velocity with many loads. Winners will be notified by certified mail on official letterhead. What is most interesting is that sometimes velocities were faster than those from an original Model 1950 Target with the same barrel length, but other loads recorded lower speeds. The overwhelming answer in the avalanche of replies was "Red Dot!" Employees and agents of Publishers Development Corp. are not eligible. Joseph Von Benedikt shows his custom 500 and how well it shoots. For lead bullets near 900 FPS, I recommend a GC (Gas Check), the little copper bottom on the lead bullet as below (5th item from left). (IV) Winners must undergo a background check (if needed) and comply with all other federal, state and local laws. Bullseye starting loads should be OK. Keith bullets from H&G, Lyman, NEI and RCBS loaded in .44 Special brass. Box 1926, Escondido, CA 92033. (This was prior to the organization of SAAMI in 1926, resulting in the standardization of ammunition specifications and pressures.). Top performing examples include Hodgdon Longshot, Accurate No. Guns were Ruger GP100 (three-inch barrel) and Smith & Wesson Model 629 (five-inch barrel). To protect the privacy and security of winners, names will not be made public. Learn how your comment data is processed. For any loads over 1000 FPS, I suggest GC for sure or using a jacketed bullet. No purchase necessary. 2023 Outdoor Sportsman Group. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Can't use 44 Special loads, none will get into the pressure ceiling. JSP, (WC= WadCutter, SWC= Semi-WadCutter, FP=Flat Point, HP= Hollow Point, RN= Round Nose), SP=Soft Point, (JHP= Jacketed Hollow Point and if GC indicated, means Gas Check at bottom of lead bullet), (Note: These are near maximum loads, you should use 10% less to start. for 240 gr, bullet for about same results. . The sole reason for the low pressure limit on the 44 Special was the existence of those wonderful Spanish copies of N-frame S&W's. .44 S&W Special Load Data - PowderThrough.com 5 are top choices for loads that push standard weight (250-grain) bullets between 900 to 1,000 fps. All Rights Reserved. I like to load the .44 Special using moderate amounts of powder thus providing a very economical cartridge to use any time in any .44 Magnum. It is important to note that Keith would likely have been completely satisfied with the power and performance of his heavy .44 Special handloads, but wanted them available as a factory offering. If any of you have been through this process, I'd love to hear about it. Even when bullets of this diameter are used in guns that have a tighter barrel groove diameter of .4265 inch to .428 inch (typically found in the Colt Single Action Army and New Frontier SAA), accuracy is still excellent. JHC. is only 15,000 psi. Shooter's Reference Load Data for .44 Remington Magnum .44 Remington Magnum - Published Manufacturer Loading Data Shellholders: Lee #11 Lyman #7 RCBS #18 Recipe Type: Pistol Rifle Cowboy Bullet Weight: ALL 165 gr 180 gr 185 gr 200 gr 210 gr 220 gr 225 gr 240 gr 250 gr 255 gr 265 gr 267 gr 270 gr 275 gr 280 gr 300 gr 320 gr 325 gr 330 gr 355 gr Other items may require special handling and be shipped through UPS . RDM, Published on 10-20-2014 09:18 PM You can reduce the charge for still lighter recoil depending on the individual revolver. The 250-grain cast bullet can be loaded up to 1,400 fps for big game hunting. If you drop a bullet into each chamber in your cylinder, if it falls through any/all of them, it is too small and will probably lead the barrel and not shoot all that well. With the grips removed, it was an easy task to install the model in a Ransom Rest for testing using an insert for the N-frame, round-butt gun. With the Oregon Trail 240 SWC over 26 gr. . The Mossberg 500 Pump Action Shotgun is one of the most popular home defense shotguns on the market. Prizes will not be awarded if illegal in jurisdiction of winner(s). Its best to shoot all lead bullets outside to avoid lead fumes. In 1953 Keith traveled to the Smith & Wesson and Remington plants to further discuss the matter, at which time he suggested they lengthen the case and make it a .44 Magnum, which became a reality in late 1955. Medium-burn-rate powders, such as Alliant Power Pistol, Unique, Hodgdon CFE Pistol, Winchester AutoComp and Accurate No. I still favor genuine Keith designs for general use, as they are accurate, perform well on game, are easy to cast, and without a gas check, they are especially economical. I DO always double check the charged cases before the projectile goes on, but I stick with bulkier powders as a "belt and suspenders" measure. check out the. However, it is a +P 44 Special load at 20,000 psi. To help illustrate this information, sidebars are included containing sample dimensions from a variety of guns. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. Reloading The .44 Special - Reload Ammo The new big bore pistols feature industry-first capacity, with a standard 15-round capacity and 22+1 rounds of 10mm or 18+1 rounds of .45 ACP from the extended magazines. Granted, with modern revolvers the .44 Special can be loaded close to magnum standards for serious hunting duties when needed. 44F. This gun differs from previous models in several areas; most notable is a cylinder length that is the same as the Model 29 .44 Magnum, which results in greater bullet jump or free-bore. 44 Special Load Data - Nosler .44 S&W Special (Pet Loads) | Handloader Magazine Handgun Data - Speer This is not a true Keith bullet and even has a bevel base, however it shoots well. However, as factory loaded with a 246-grain lead roundnose bullet at approximately 750 fps muzzle velocity, the .44 Spl. Study them carefully, as measurements vary even from the same manufacturer. The load consists of a Lyman Ideal 429421 cast bullet, designed by Elmer Keith, himself. Additionally, their charge weights are lighter (reducing powder costs) and also offered a notably reduced muzzle report, which makes them especially pleasant by comparison. During 1927 and 1928 he designed the well-known Lyman/Ideal .44- caliber No. The Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook and my old Lyman #45 Reloading Guide differ on a starting load for the bullet i'm using (Lyman 429244 - 245gr gascheck). The .44 Russian proved very accurate, and it didn't take long for savvy target shooters of the day to realize its potential. 4.3 Grains of Trailboss. Hard bullets may shoot OK withtarget or standard loads. All entries must be received by giveaway end date. The traditional .44-caliber bullet weight is 240 grains, and here we have several proven performers.