I just bought my first handgun, and a Lee handloader for it. I've done a lot of rifle reloading and 100's of thousands of shotshells. The guys at my gun club are all upset that I want to thump their steel plates with the .44. I'm looking for safe mag. loads under 1000f/s and .44 spl. the same. Any comment out there?
thanks
popgunn

The most accurate reduced load for the .44 Mag is a Beartooth 280gr WFN on top of 12 grs of AA#5. It barely hits 1100 FPS from a 8" barrel, kicks politely, but shoots through the same hole at 25 yards.

Go to their site and look-up their reload info. They don't lie.

load 44 specials for that hog leg.....I shoot the special in my .44 ten to one over the magnums. It's just easier on the wrists.

My Hodgdons reloading manual shows a ton of loads under 1,000'/sec

Take a 240gr anybodies lead bullet, 7-8gr of Unique. Very accurate, about 850-900fps.

I used to load 8.5 gr of Unique behind a commercial cast 240 gr SWC, but later switched to 8.5 gr of Hodgdon's Universal Clays. Seemed to shoot a little cleaner and was just as accurate. Chronographed around 850 fps out of a 5 1/2" Super Blackhawk.

I like 11 grains of AA #5 behind a Keith bullet, anywhere between 240 and 250 grains. 10 grains of Unique will do the same thing. And for just a ball of fun (and something that will send you back to the casting pot entirely too quickly if you "roll your own"), find a 44-caliber full wadcutter bullet of ~180 grains, and load it with 5-5.5 grains of Unique. Super accurate, and my daughters love shooting it.

Thanks, I went to the web site and expended a little extra income.

quote:

Originally posted by Ralph Hyrlik:
The most accurate reduced load for the .44 Mag is a Beartooth 280gr WFN on top of 12 grs of AA#5. It barely hits 1100 FPS from a 8" barrel, kicks politely, but shoots through the same hole at 25 yards.

Go to their site and look-up their reload info. They don't lie.

Thanks to all ! I got some good ideas from you, and hope to eliminate some of my problems. Can't shoot a handgun, but this 8" Anaconda does a pretty good job by itself, and all I have to do is hold on for the ride.
Its is the first time I've tried something like this and the response was great. I may just hang around and join the fun.
Shoot Safe
pop gunn

quote:

Originally posted by popgunn:
I just bought my first handgun, and a Lee handloader for it. I've done a lot of rifle reloading and 100's of thousands of shotshells. The guys at my gun club are all upset that I want to thump their steel plates with the .44. I'm looking for safe mag. loads under 1000f/s and .44 spl. the same. Any comment out there?
thanks
popgunn

popgun
I have been shooting/loading for the 44 Mag since 1970.
Get some 240 cast bullets and start with 7.5 grains of Unique. Work up if you want to 10 grains. If you need more power than that, start with the 240 grainers and 19 grains of 2400.
Work up from there.

What 44 did you get?

Be sure and get some of the Speer Shot Shells. They work GREAT on snakes, rabbits, squirrels, grouse, quail, well you get the idea.

Swapped a SKB 12ga. skeet gun with about 20,000 rnds.thru it - in like new condition - thanks to the chrome bbl. - even up for a like new 8" stainless Anaconda - fired one time - the barrel wasn't even etched yet, and I've seen that happen before they leave the gun shop. I'm the kind of guy that NEVER comes across deals like that. I don't shoot a hand gun and didn't even own one at the time, but it sure looked pretty. Shoved some win. 240gr into it and off the bench put 4 in the same hole before flinching the fifth out an inch. My son, in disbleif, tried next and put four in my hole and one out about 2" Talk about instant love ! I've been shooting at least 50 rnds. per day, and hope to take it to my deer stand in Pa. this dec.
Got some great advise on some reloads from you guys (or yunz guys, if I was back in pittsburgh), and spent yesterday running some batches. Wish I could have gotten some more info for solo 1000 @ 5gr. ea. it may take me awhile to go thru the 40 or so pounds that are sitting under my bench - looks like I still need to spend time with my scatter guns.
loven' life'
Shoot safe
pop gunn

quote:

Originally posted by N E 450 No2:
popgun
I have been shooting/loading for the 44 Mag since 1970.
Get some 240 cast bullets and start with 7.5 grains of Unique. Work up if you want to 10 grains. If you need more power than that, start with the 240 grainers and 19 grains of 2400.
Work up from there.

What 44 did you get?

Be sure and get some of the Speer Shot Shells. They work GREAT on snakes, rabbits, squirrels, grouse, quail, well you get the idea.