Gents,

I acquired a few hundred of the Speer 300gr. Deep Curl bullets for use in my 44 Mags. I know these are discontinued, but the price was right and I didn't have a 300gr. load for that cartridge yet. I was at the range last week testing them. Here's the story.

My initial loading was done per the Speer manual #14, as no data exists for them in #15. There's a note in the manual under the load data that mentions how these bullets require the use of specific load data, due to their construction. Powder charges are above what would be considered normal for other 300gr. bullets. I had Alliant 2400 on hand and have had good results with it in all my other magnum handgun rounds. Using their suggested data, I started with 4 rounds at each of 18.2, 18.4, 18.6, 18.8, and 19.0 grains.

To say the groups were "shotgun-like" would be insulting to shotguns. At 25 yards, the shots were spread out in groups about a foot wide, no matter the charge. At no point were there any signs of pressure in the gun, and the brass looked fine when coming out of the cylinder. Velocity was also within range, 1000-1100fps.
This gun is capable of fine accuracy, as demonstrated by my other loads. The twist in the barrel is the standard 1-20". I'm wondering if 2400 is simply too fast a powder for a heavy bullet like that. 300grs. is a hefty slug in a 44, so I'm considering trying something in the H110/296/4227 category.

Any thoughts from the gallery on why this might be? Anyone have any experiences with these bullets they'd care to share?

I thought it was illegal, immoral, and just plain mean to load a 44 mag with anything other than h110/w296

Why would you want to use 300 grains anyway??

In a 444 rifle.
It is your twist; remember that it ain't only the weight that matters, but the length. So, either make them go faster, rebarrel to a faster twist, or drill/face them out to make them lighter.

Check the diameter of the bullets, they might be undersized for your barrel.

quote:

Originally posted by jeffeosso:
I thought it was illegal, immoral, and just plain mean to load a 44 mag with anything other than h110/w296

I agree H110 for me

All solid suggestions, guys. Thanks.

Being a frequent reloader for a Micro Groove Marlin in 444, I'm accustomed to the speed solution to most things. That rifle will cloverleaf 300gr. Hornady XTP's all day, and they're moving just a shade over 2000 fps.

I'll have to switch to another powder to drive them faster; the loads I was using were already at book max.

I started using A2400 as a result of having less-than-ideal results with the H110/296 powders. I have loads for both the 357 and 44 with that powder that are spot on and work very well.

I mic'd the bullets today, and they all measure in at .430, which should be fine. They're also not appreciably longer than Hornady 300's, which I also have on hand.