Subsonic .44 handloads

[johnshiredman]

Anyone load subsonic .44? In my search thus far I have found the most information on hardcast bullets (240 to 300 grain)and either unique, blue dot or red dot.

I have been toying with the ideaof picking up a sliencer/suppressor and have been researching calibers to use. Surprisingly, I've found the most information on .44 hardcast hand loads for general purpose.There are some specialty"whisper" calibers and I've read some of the .308 and .223 info, but I'm leaning towardsthe .44 for simplicity reasons.

[HEAD0001]

I use 2400 for my subsonic load. I cast a Lyman 240 grain bullet, and lube with Carnuba Red. The lube you use is very important in sub sonic loads. I would not use the three powders you listed. IMO they could be case sensitive. I am going to buy a pound of Trail Boss. I have been reading about great results with Trail Boss. I would use Blue Dot as my first choice if I had to use one of the three you listed. I do shoot a reduced Red Dot load in my 45-70, but I also use Puff-Lon with it.

You are correct in leaning toward the 44 caliber for Whisper loads. Actually the 45 Colt is a very good cartridge also.I load my 44 magnum to about 950 fps. You can get away with a little more speed than that, and still stay suppressed. Tom.

I use 8gr-11gr of Unique with 240gr semiwadcutter cast. 8gr is def subsonic. And deadly accurate

[shewe]

i've had good luck with light 44mag loads using unique.

[Prairie Wolf]

This may be a stupid question. What kind of guns are you guys loading subsonic for? It doesn't work in a revolver right?

[Tuco]

I would second the Trail Boss, I have some "cowboy loads" in 45colt using it.

[shewe]

i load for a ruger super redhawk .44 mag. the light loads with unique work great and as big country said....they are very accurate.

[Pavomesa]

Unique is a great mid-range powder. Personally I would shy away from Red Dot simply because it's so dang hot it's easy to double or triple charge yourself if you're not paying attention. But as has been suggested, if your trying to create a quiet load for a revolver, you're screwed before you start thanks to the cylinder gap.

[johnshiredman]

Thank you to all for sharing your experience. I am looking at developing a load for use with either an Encore or Ruger bolt that my children could practice with as something else to shoot besides .22 asa way to teach firearms saftey and safe hunting.(I am toying withthe idea of going through the process to get asilencer, which was discussed in a different forum, hence the desire for subsonic not just a lite load.) I do currently load for my .44 SRH for whitetail huntingand have used H-110 and Enforcer for stiff loads, so while I was not specifically looking for a load for my revolver,this loadmay serve a great dual purpose and be a great way to introduceolder familymembers and friendsto shooting pistol larger than .22 as well.

J