[huntswithdogs]

I just traded off the 7-08 barrel that I had. My local gunstore wanted it worse than me. I ended up with a 14'' 44 mag barrel. I looked at a couple of my manuals last nite for a load and came up with more than I wanted. Ya'll got any suggestions?
I shoot cast stuff in my Blackhawk 45 and thought about just getting some .429 SWCs and trying em in this. I have IMR4227 and 296 powders. Can ya load this down, like I do with the 45, instead of having to get 44 Sp. rounds? Shooting fullhouse stuff ain't that fun ALL the time. I found a load for the 45 where I use Clays powder and 250gr lead bullets. I'd like to duplicate this load in this gun if possible.

Thanks ahead of time,
HWD

 

[Hazzard]

I haven't loaded for the .44M in a long time as I currently don't have one but I do remember that it was not recommended to load these powders in lite loads for magnums. I believe that this results in too much powder surface area exposed to the primer which can cause pressure spikes. I have heard of people using lite charges of faster burning powders such as clays, although I have not tried this myself. Hogdon Titegroup may be one that you want to try as it is supposed to ignite the same regardless of powder position, but I would consult Hogdon before I would try this.

 

[Hazzard]

Just remembered about something that I read about concerning lite loads. Now I've never tried this (standard disclaimer here - use at your own risk) but there are people developing lite loads, even in rifles, using this method...

http://www.gunsandammomag.com/reloads/loading_243_lite/

http://www.gunsandammomag.com/reloads/0508/

As these articles were in a reputable magazine, they may be a viable alternative to your dilemma. But there again, I've never tried this.

 

[huntswithdogs]

Hazzard,
I'd heard of doing something like the DACRON deal a while back.Heck I might have read it in G&A. I was looking in a Lee Manual, last nite and found a load like I was asking about. They were using Clays and lead bullets at Cowboy velocities. Pressures weren't that bad either. I ain't no wimp when it comes to recoil but why bruise the crap outa your hands just to shoot? I'll be giving some of these loads a try and get back to ya'll as to what happens.

Thanks for the replies. Any other suggestions or experiences are welcome.

HWD

 

[wwb]

Two possible problems with light loads.....

1) As was mentioned, if the case is less than half full of powder, it can be ignition sensitive... sometimes not lighting off, and sometimes lighting too quickly. Test your loads for sensitivity by tipping the muzzle up and GENTLY lowering to horizontal, then firing. Next, tip the muzzle down, and gently raise to horizontal and fire. Try it a few times, and if there's a difference in report, recoil, or FTF, don't use that load.

2) Loading "plinker" loads, I've always felt better about the whole deal if the powder charge used is close to half a case full.... that way, you can't seat a bullet if you accidentally get a double charge. I'm pretty anal about watching what I do, but it's a good feeling to know that you CAN'T finish the load if it's double-charged. This eliminates the REALLY light loads from consideration, but the middle-of-the-road loads, like with HS-6 or HS-7 work well.

 

[huntswithdogs]

10/4 on the half case loads or better. I'v been loading 5.1grs of Clays in my 45. I had (1) WHOOPS! Powder spilled out on the bench. No missing this one. I'll check the case capacity on these before loading to verify. I don't load on a progressive press so I ALWAYS check the cases prior to stuffing bullets in. I do this on rifle and handgun cases with the aid on a small AA flashlight. Can't ever be too safe and always look twice.

HWD

 

[Hazzard]

Let us know how the loads work out. I'm looking for another big bore pistol and another 44M is high on the list.

 

[BigDog]

In a .44 rem mag I've been loading a 240gr jacketed bullet - with 9.5 gr of Titegroup.

I have loaded them down to about 9.0gr of Titegroup - and they are a little softer - and for me, that replaces the .44 S&W spl round although it is a little faster load - but for me, I seem to have better accuracy with the rounds at 9.5gr of Titegroup thru my guns.

I shoot them in a couple of different S&W mod 29 revolvers with 8 3/8" barrels - and they perform well without too much recoil at least compared to a factory Mag-Tech load I was shooting for awhile.