Reloading for a 44 magnum
 

I am going to start reloading for my 44 mag, any help would be greatly appreciated, It will be used for plinking and target shooting. what powder ? what bullet ? what load ? Which dies to get ? ( I already have a rock chucker press) and how many times can I expect to be able to reload the brass. Thanks alot, I have reloaded for my rifles, but never for pistol. Thanks in advance, Steve

My hunting load for my .44 Mag is Win 296 powder and Hornady 240 gr XTP bullets.
Normally .44 cases last for several loadings. Where you run into a short case life is by over flaring the case mouth. You want to flare the case mouth just enough to allow the bullet's base to start into the case so the case doesn't crush when seating.

I too like Win 296 powder in the 44 mag, it throws really consistent because it is a ball powder and it is extremely accurate when loaded with 240gr.- 300gr. bullets. I have been shooting 300gr. Sierra JSP Sportsmaster bullets lately, they shoot great. Hornady XTP's are also another real good shooting bullet.

For full power hunting loads I use 296 powder and either a 240 gr or 300 gr XTP. For small game, targets, & plinking I use a 240 gr XTP and burn Unique powder. The Unique loads are much more fun to shoot.

I used Unique for plinking also, with 180 gr bullets. At the time, it seemed like the most economical powder for that purpose. That may have changed by now.

For hunting, I like the Hornady 240 grn XTP and the LEE 240 grain SWC (it usuallly casts out to 245 grain) with gas check and Hodgdon H110 powder.
For target shooting and general practice, I like the same cast bullet and a charge of Blue dot.
Case life?......depends: depends on make of case, how they are prepped, what type of loads, ect.

1. Get carbide dies. No messing with lube.

2. Win 296 is the powder for performance. I have problems with it because it is so fine grained. It jams up my lee perfect powder measure. If used it in my RCBS and that leaks too. It also isn't good for anything but full house loads.

So I plan on trying something else. Acurate No 9. is on my list, but that may be fine grained too. I use blue dot in my cast bullet loads. Alliant has their new 300MP that my be worth a look.

3. If you use jacketed bullets, you may not need to expand the case mouths. I usually dont.

4. For plinking, target shooting, the cheapest bullet is probably the best. There is nothing wrong with cast bullets for this. This will affect your powder choice too, because there isn't any need to hot rod loads for paper and tin cans. Cast bullets can be shot full house, but that probably requires a gas check. So most of the time cast bullets are easy to handle and fun to shoot.

5. I don't know how many loads you can get, but I've loaded some brass 4-5 times and I'm still using it.


Reloading pistol rounds is easy and quick. It is nice not to have to wipe off lube. Trimming is probably only necessary if you crimp.

I use 296 fo 300 gr Horn and my home cast 310 gr with gas check. 240 gr cas I use 2400. I like the bulky powders better. I load for a rifle and a hand gun.

I 100% agree with PW in the aspect of Carbide dies, worth EVERY PENNY!!!

For hunting loads I use Hodg. 110 and either Winchester SilverTip 210grn or Horn. 200grn XTP. Out of my Lone Eagle they both will print inside 2" at 100yds sandbag rest off a bench.

Target loads get a nod towards Aliant 2400 with a handcast 240 GasChecked SWC. BlueDot has too much muzzle blast and flash for me.
AA#9 loads well for hunting loads as well, just dirty though.

And what does this have to do with the OP?