[Danl Boone]

Hi All,
I'm not new to reloading, been doing it for 39 years. Mostly handgun, 9mm, 40, 38, .357, and 45. Now I'm going to start loading 44 remington magnum. My first stop was Montana Gold Bullet and I see they only sell 240 grain JSP's, so that is likely where I will start. Then I checked out the Hodgdon powder loading data website for 240 gr bullets and that is where I have questions. They recommend starting loads like 9 grains of Titegroup or 23 grains of H110. To me the second one sounds like I'll just be spending more than twice as much on powder. I'm just in this for the plinking, but more accurate is more fun. Oh, and this is for a ruger redhawk with a 5 and a half inch barrel. OK, take it from here, guys. I'd appreciate any and all who want to share their 2 cents worth! (Or more)

[atakawow]

8-9gr of Unique work well for my Super Blackhawk.

[michael e]

I use LEAD not JSP, but liked 800x the best out of what I used.
For just target plinking loads 7.7 of TG was nice light load.
H110 didn't have much play room from min to max loads. I might get some next time around and see if I like it but still have 800x right now.

[smokeross]

See if you can find some of the Hornady 265 grain bullets made for the .444 Marlin. The have less exposed lead, a thicker jacket, and are harder. Load them babies up with 23 grains of 296 and you got yourself a load that will dump a bear, no problem, and you didn't have to pay for the Premium stuff.

[VN350X10]

smokeross is sort of there.....that's the bullet I used for the 200m rams when I was shooting shilouette, as there were no heavier jacketed bullets avaliable at the time. His load is a bit light, but close, and with the short barrel will be just fine. I was shooting a 7 1/2" Super BlackHawk and then went to a 14" Contender.
The old standard factory duplicate load was 25.0 gr of IMR 4227 powder, a magnum primer & a 240 gr jacketed hp or sp bullet.
For safety, start this @ 22.5 gr & work it up to get best accuracy, which will probably be a bit below the 25 gr with your shorter barrel.
I started loading in 1973 & the IMR 4227 powder was right around $5.39 /lb back then.

I know, I'm older than dirt !

uncle albert

[WeeWilly]

Originally Posted by Danl Boone

Hi All,
I'm not new to reloading, been doing it for 39 years. Mostly handgun, 9mm, 40, 38, .357, and 45. Now I'm going to start loading 44 remington magnum. My first stop was Montana Gold Bullet and I see they only sell 240 grain JSP's, so that is likely where I will start. Then I checked out the Hodgdon powder loading data website for 240 gr bullets and that is where I have questions. They recommend starting loads like 9 grains of Titegroup or 23 grains of H110. To me the second one sounds like I'll just be spending more than twice as much on powder. I'm just in this for the plinking, but more accurate is more fun. Oh, and this is for a ruger redhawk with a 5 and a half inch barrel. OK, take it from here, guys. I'd appreciate any and all who want to share their 2 cents worth! (Or more)

Plinking can mean a lot of things. I would not use Titegroup. There are a lot of powders that will fill the plinking bill nicely, Unique, W231, etc.

For full power loads H110/W296 is hard to beat, but it does not download well, so "plinking" rounds are for masocists only. The two magnum powders that download well that I have used for both hotter hunting style loads and also when I want to keep thing down to a dull roar (like 1000-1100fps) are AA#9 and 2400. None of the slower powders mentioned in this paragraph will be as economical as W231 or Unique for lighter plinking rounds.

You can buy really nice Elmer Keith style 240gr Lead Semi Wad Cutter bullets from Missouri Bullet company and SNS Casting. Much less expensive to shoot to shoot than those MG JSP's.

[Steve in PA]

I've been reloading for the .44 Mag for probably over 20 years. But I shoot the heavy stuff, full power loads with H110.

[PCJim]

8-9gr Unique under a 240gr lead bullet. Great plinker in the RBH and 10" Contender

[fredj338]

TG is a magnum case is a KB asking to happen. Look at the load data. See how much pressure you get vs vel using an uberfast powder vs something a bit slower. H110 is a max effort powder & should not be downloaded, so not a real "plinking" powder. A powder like Unique, WSF, HS6 or Universal is more suitable & fills the case better than TG, save that for bunnyfart 9mm loads all the gamers like to use.
Somthing to consider. None of my 44mags see a jacketed bullet, just not needed for any purpose in a heavy caliber revolver IMO. a Good cast lead bullet will do anything a jacketed bullet can do & for less money with less wear & tear on the gun @ any vel/pressure. Best casting your own but there are some good commercial bullet available.

[byf43]

I'm no fan of H-110/W-296.
That powder is 0-max in the blink of an eye.
No headroom, no way to safely download.

"The load is the load", basically.

For lighter loads, Unique is hard to beat.

For Magnum loads, I like Alliant (formerly Hercules) 2400.

19.5 grains of 2400 under a Hornady 240 gr JHP is a nice, accurate load in my Dan Wesson 44VH. (And devastating on wild boar!)
22.0 grains of 2400 and the old Sierra 220 gr Silhouette bullet is really accurate.

[CarryTexas]

I am about to start loading for the .44 as well. I will be using 240gr. SWC... I was planning on using Unique and W231

Anyone have any good data for that combo?

My goal is a fun load for plinking... Something interesting, but not hunting dangerous game here...

[series1811]

Originally Posted by byf43

I'm no fan of H-110/W-296.
That powder is 0-max in the blink of an eye.
No headroom, no way to safely download.

"The load is the load", basically.

For lighter loads, Unique is hard to beat.

For Magnum loads, I like Alliant (formerly Hercules) 2400.

19.5 grains of 2400 under a Hornady 240 gr JHP is a nice, accurate load in my Dan Wesson 44VH. (And devastating on wild boar!)
22.0 grains of 2400 and the old Sierra 220 gr Silhouette bullet is really accurate.

I sold my .44 mag Super Blackhawk, but my favorite loads were always 20 grains of 2400 behind a 240 grain SWC or 22 grains of with a 240 grain JHP.

I always liked 2400 because it was impossible to double charge it.

[fredj338]

Originally Posted by CarryTexas

I am about to start loading for the .44 as well. I will be using 240gr. SWC... I was planning on using Unique and W231

Anyone have any good data for that combo?

My goal is a fun load for plinking... Something interesting, but not hunting dangerous game here...

I find Unique more useful than W231 in any of the magnums. A 240-25gr LSWC o/ 8-9gr of Unique is a classic, accurate load.

[dla]

Originally Posted by Danl Boone

Hi All,
I'm not new to reloading, been doing it for 39 years. Mostly handgun, 9mm, 40, 38, .357, and 45. Now I'm going to start loading 44 remington magnum. My first stop was Montana Gold Bullet and I see they only sell 240 grain JSP's, so that is likely where I will start. Then I checked out the Hodgdon powder loading data website for 240 gr bullets and that is where I have questions. They recommend starting loads like 9 grains of Titegroup or 23 grains of H110. To me the second one sounds like I'll just be spending more than twice as much on powder. I'm just in this for the plinking, but more accurate is more fun. Oh, and this is for a ruger redhawk with a 5 and a half inch barrel. OK, take it from here, guys. I'd appreciate any and all who want to share their 2 cents worth! (Or more)

A fast pistol powder that is easy to spot in that big case is my choice for 44mag "plinkers". Use lead bullets to save $.

I personally like Hodgdon Clays because the big fluffy funky green flakes are easy to see. 6grs of it behind a 240gr LSWC yields about 800+fps - pretty much barrel length independent. And nothing burns cleaner than Clays.

I don't have any use for mid-range powders (Unique, LongShot, etc.) because they don't go fast or slow very well. The only reason I ever load plinkers is for new shooters - otherwise I load my 44mag for what it was intended.

Here is some data you might find useful - 4" barrel 44mag load data

[Zombie Steve]

Plinker - 240 lead semi-wadcutter and 8 grains of Unique.

Balls - same bullet 20 grains 2400.


Start low, work up, be safe, have fun.

[fredj338]

Originally Posted by dla

A fast pistol powder that is easy to spot in that big case is my choice for 44mag "plinkers". Use lead bullets to save $.

I personally like Hodgdon Clays because the big fluffy funky green flakes are easy to see. 6grs of it behind a 240gr LSWC yields about 800+fps - pretty much barrel length independent. And nothing burns cleaner than Clays.

I don't have any use for mid-range powders (Unique, LongShot, etc.) because they don't go fast or slow very well. The only reason I ever load plinkers is for new shooters - otherwise I load my 44mag for what it was intended.

Here is some data you might find useful - 4" barrel 44mag load data

IMO, uberfast powders like Clays have no place in a magnum case for anything but gamer/CAS loads. Even then, I prefer a medium burner as it isn't pushing the top off pressures just to get 900fps like Clays will. With 8-9gr of Unqiue or 8.5-9.5gr of WSF, it burns clean enough w/ lead bullets & pressures are just cruising speed.

[WeeWilly]

Originally Posted by CarryTexas

I am about to start loading for the .44 as well. I will be using 240gr. SWC... I was planning on using Unique and W231

Anyone have any good data for that combo?

My goal is a fun load for plinking... Something interesting, but not hunting dangerous game here...

My favorite for 240gr LSWC (EK profile) is 8.1gr of W231 loaded to 1.6" OAL (just crimp in the cannelure). I am not fond of Unique (oh, the humanity! )

[dla]

Originally Posted by fredj338

IMO, uberfast powders like Clays have no place in a magnum case for anything but gamer/CAS loads. Even then, I prefer a medium burner as it isn't pushing the top off pressures just to get 900fps like Clays will. With 8-9gr of Unqiue or 8.5-9.5gr of WSF, it burns clean enough w/ lead bullets & pressures are just cruising speed.

FYI - that 6gr Clays, 240grLSWC load @~830fps is about 21K cup according to Hodgdon. Pretty low pressure. I've burned a lot of Clays in different cartridges, and it is not a substitute for C4 It's pretty well behaved - especially in the 44mag.

And "plinkers" are "gamers and CAS loads" IMHO.

[SCmasterblaster]

I have been using Hodgdon Tite-Group for my .44 Magnum reloading with great success. Cast 211gr flat-based wadcutter ahead of 7.7 grains of HodgdonTiteGroup and a Federal 150 primer. This bullet is like very accurate out of my 6-inch S&W M629, and it is a reliable pin-killer. It chronographs at 1200 FPS. This is a semi-exotic load, but it works. PF 253 (!)

[dbarry]

I like powders that nearly fill the case - for plinker 44 rounds, trailboss is awesome - you cant overcharge the case and you get soft shooting loads. I do use bullseye too (but like fred says, you got to be careful. Best attitude is: there are those that have KB'd a gun, and those that will...)

H110, 296, 300-MP are great full power load 44 powders.

Unique is awesome middle of the road load for 44. I shoot more rounds with my 9mm's and 45's, but experiment the most w/ my 44. Love it.

Enjoy.

[dbarry]

For a gigantic report and fireball: 30 grains of 300-MP w/ 180 grain remington bullet. Impressive.

[VN350X10]

When I want to shoot "plinkers" out of a .44, I grab my .44 Spl.
The Magnums are loaded to their design specs. I probably am one of the very few who have WORN OUT a Ruger SBH. When I did, I replaced it with another one !
Is it necessary.?....no.
Is it fun ?........beats hell out of playing golf !


uncle albert

ps : for some decent cast bullet loads, try & find a copy of the Lyman 45th edition manual. It's about the last of the "pre-lawyer" books printed.

[Danl Boone]

Hi Guys, just stopped in to see what everyone was saying. By the by, I stopped by the gunclub after work today to shoot my 44 mag SRH and ran into this guy...! Before I left I ended up shooting his 454 casull, 460 smith, and 500 smith. Wow, what a treat! I was doing fine until we got to the 500 grain bullet out of that 500 smith. I think he said it was running in the high 1400's. Anyway, that one I could feel in my hand! I still like my 44!
Just to clarify, plinking to me is shooting at paper. Hunting is when we get serious. But I do want to shoot at paper with real loads, not something soft like 44 special. When I started loading years ago, I was loading everything with Unique. Now my 357 is the only thing I'm using unique for, but it's interesting how many people brought it up for the 44.
Also, I know most people probably use lead bullets in 44's not jacketed. I have to confess a phobia about shooting lead. I'm scared to death of barrel leading. Years ago I promised myself as long as I could afford to shoot jacketed I would never shoot lead. OK, never say never. But somebody has to convince me that barrel leading isn't a problem, or at least how to handle it, before I will do that! That's why I'd consider saving a few pennies on powder but don't want to save a lot on lead bullets! It'll be fun to see how this plays out!

[Zombie Steve]

Nothing to fear with shooting lead. A properly sized bullet, decent bullet lube and an alloy of sufficient hardness and you're good to go. If you do get some leading in the throat just wrap some pure copper chore-boy around your bore brush. Comes right out.

[fredj338]

Originally Posted by VN350X10

When I want to shoot "plinkers" out of a .44, I grab my .44 Spl.
The Magnums are loaded to their design specs. I probably am one of the very few who have WORN OUT a Ruger SBH. When I did, I replaced it with another one !
Is it necessary.?....no.
Is it fun ?........beats hell out of playing golf !

.

Yeah, count me in that group. I have a 1976 200yr model, shot it so much the forcing cone is worn too badly to safely fire hot loads anymore. I shot it in met sil & varmint hunting, all with full power loads, maybe 20K+? I shot lots of jacketed & that is responsible for much of the forcing cone wear IMO. SO my new SBHB only gets lead bullets as do all my older S&W.