I'm looking for a +P 44 spec. load for use in my 3" 44 mag. I'm not a big fan of lead bullets and I'm looking for something with 180 grain(1100 f.p.s.) or 200 grain(1000f.p.s.) Hornady XTP's. there is lots of info in the loading books but I'm looking for loads you have tried with good (or bad) results to help weed out some of the many combinations.
Thanks

Okay, here are several that I have used with utmost satisfaction in my SW 624 with 4" brl. This one is a max load with the older Hercules 2400 powder. The slug is a 240 grain SWC hard cast with gas check. The brass is federal with a CCI 300 primer. The powder charge is Seventeen point three grains of H2400...the old Hercules brand 2400. Chronograph velocity out of my 4 inch Smith is 1150 fps. Report is astounding loud and recoil is stout. Accuracy runs about 2" at 25 yds.

The next one is the same hercules powder and charge weight over a Sierra 185 grain JHC. Brass and primer are the same as above. Chronograph velocity runs about 1200 fps. Accuracy is good...about 2" at 25 yds. Recoil is moderate and blast severe.

And finally, you might try 10 grains of IMR 800X with the 240 grain SWC gas check. This load shot with the same components listed above chronographs at 1080 to 1100 fps in my Smith .44. Recoil is heavy, but blast and flash more moderate.

Please work up from below for your gun.

For anything less than full power loads in my 44's I use Unique. Start at 7.5 grains and work up to the level of power/recoil you want. I use 9.2gr of Unique for my standard shooting/plinking loas in my 44's. Why exactly 9.2? Because I load on a progressive machine and have a powder slide that throws 9.2 gr. of Unique. I load these in 44 Magnum cases. If I wanted more power than say, 10 gr. of Unique, I use 2400. Start at 20gr. and go up till you find the load your gun likes. Magnum cases of course. These are with 240 to 250 cast bullets.

thanks for the info, I'll give them a try.

Along with the traditional Unique and 2400, consider Blue Dot. Dave Scovill published a load of 13.0 with a 240 lead SWC giving 1200 from a 6.5" barrel, if my memory serves me correctly. Since you prefer jacketed bullets, I'd drop that back a few grains and work back up to whatever safe level you're looking for.

2400 is a great powder but a bit blasty in heavier loads.

DRH

[ 08-06-2002, 01:02: Message edited by: BigIron ]

sorry for the triple post.........my computers' screwing up again

Velvetan
In my SW696 44spl I shoot 13.5grs of 2400 with the Sirrra 210jhc and my hard cast 250gr Keith style swc to the same point of impact at 25 yards. I have loaded as heavy as 18.5 gr of 2400 in the 44spl in my Ruger Super Black Hawk with the 250 gr hard cast and the Hornady 240grjhp. But that was with the Hercules 2400, the new Alliant2400 is slightly faster and you must back down a 1/2 to 1 full grain from that charge.My standard load for my 44mag in my Ruger Super Black Hawk is 21 to 22 grs of Hercules 2400 with the 250gr hard cast or the 240gr Hornady. I will back that load off a bit when I run out of the Hercules powder and have to use the alliant 2400. I hope that I was of some help. You might also take a look at Blue Dot or a couple of the Hodgon powders.

Paul K

Just curious, but why would you make a 44 sp. +P load, when you can use a 44 mag load ? Wouldnt that basically be the same thing but longer ?

COZYE
I was given 554 pieces of 44 spec. brass and I would Like to use them.

Paul K
Thanks for the info

That makes sense! Free brass is always good.