44 mag range report

[L8KER]

Weather finally broke here in southern Michigan and I was able to get to the range to try out some loads I have been working on. I have a Ruger Super Redhawk with 7.5 inch bbl. Got sick of the fast and furious 240 XTP's with H 110 so I tried Mt. Baldy 255 grain Keith bullets with 10 grains of Unique. Off a standing sandbag bench I was getting 2.5 - 3 inch groups with open sights. I have an aftermarket Weigland fiber optic front sight. (I think it's weigland if I remember). I was shooting a bit to the left but I think that was me.. I put my Bushnell scope on and I was able to keep 4 out of 6 in a 1 - 1.5 inch ring at 25 yards. Anybody have any experience with this or a similar load for whitetail. I have loaded MANY 240 grain XTP's with H-110 and just got tired of the recoil. so I thought I would try the tried and true cast bullets at a moderate speed.

[HEAD0001]

Try 2400-I get a better case fill, and the load seems to be more consistent for me. I know a lot of people like Unique, but I always got better accuracy from 2400. Especially with cast bullets. Tom.

[bronko22000]

Another good powder for the 44 is WW296.

[Prairie Wolf]

ORIGINAL: bronko22000

Another good powder for the 44 is WW296.

Which is the same powder as H110

[Pavomesa]

ORIGINAL: HEAD0001

Try 2400-I get a better case fill, and the load seems to be more consistent for me. I know a lot of people like Unique, but I always got better accuracy from 2400. Especially with cast bullets. Tom.

2400 is THE powder for 44 Mag. Tom is right on the money.

[johnshiredman]

If you want a light plinker load with good case fill and hard cast bullets try Trail Boss!

[L8KER]

Thanks for the relpies. not lookig for a light plinker load. I have used H-110 ALOT for XTP's. (Same as WW296) Shot some handloads from a buddy who only loads with 2400. Alot of extra powder for basically the same result as Unique. I know that 2400 is the go to powder for 44 but I researched Unique quite a bit before chosing it. I was just wondering if anyone had used a similar load. Thanks.

[HEAD0001]

[quote]ORIGINAL: L8KER

Alot of extra powder for basically the same result as Unique./quote]

I understand whatyou are saying. But it is not really true. Unique is a hot or fast burning powder. Much faster than 2400. So what happens is 2400 gives yourbullet a push-where Unique gives it aHOT shove. The base of a cast bullet is not as strong as a jacketed bullet. So by shooting Unique you are doing more bullet deformation to the base of the bullet. Alos Unique is not as accurate becauseit is position sensitive in the case.If the powder is in differnt positions in the case at firing the pressure will be different. Different pressuremeans different points of impact.So when it comes down to it, the result is not the same. Tom.

ORIGINAL: L8KER

Thanks for the relpies. not lookig for a light plinker load. I have used H-110 ALOT for XTP's. (Same as WW296) Shot some handloads from a buddy who only loads with 2400. Alot of extra powder for basically the same result as Unique. I know that 2400 is the go to powder for 44 but I researched Unique quite a bit before chosing it. I was just wondering if anyone had used a similar load. Thanks.

Don't discount the midrange loads. They pack quite a wollop. I know 11gr of Unique with a 240gr laser cast is kicking at 1150fps out of my 44. And 12-15gr of HS-6 with a 240gr is only like 100-150fps slower than a full tilt H110 load but quite a bit less recoil. You still getting 1300fps from a hunting revolver.

I still use Unique as I got enough to last me another 5 years, but its dirty, I mean dirty. So my favorite load for 44mag is the HS-6 loads.

[bishopgrandpa]

4227 will use a lot of powder like 2400 but is very accurate with less pressure and recoil. Will subsequently shoot lower but is very pleasant to shoot.