Hey guys,
After shooting my cousin's 357 Mag revolver, my 11 y/o has decided he wants to start shooting some of my big bore handguns. I've got a number of different modern revolvers in 44 Spec., 44 Mag, and 45 Colt. In years past, I've mostly used Unique and Red Dot for my plinking loads. When I got ready to load up some of these for my son, I found I was completely out of these powders. I've also got some Bullseye, 70X, and 231, but these didn't work as well for me as the Unique/RD. Planning on using 200-240 gr cast bullets at 750-950 fps. I also have some Blue Dot and have seen some of the reloading manuels listing BD (all velocity ranges) in the 44 Spec section. I'd like to keep my powder inventory to a minimum. In your experience is BD a reasonable choice for reduced loads like this? I could just by some more Unique and RD, but on the other hand, there may be some new powders I'm not aware of that have come out in the last years that are much better than the Unique and RD. Should I replace the Unique and RD w/ some newer/better powders? Gary T.

A case full of AA1680/WC680 is a low velocity load AND you dont have to worry about double charging.


Sean

Kipling said it best when he penned the line "sick with the devils you know."

Try 5.5 grains of 231 behind the 200s and see what you think. I loaded that behind some 180-grain full wadcutters for my model 29, and my daughters shot the heck out of them.

Try Nitro 100. Bulky and fast.

When I'm not using a caseful of H110 under heavy LBTs I use 44 Special or 44 magnum cowboy data charges of WW231 under a commercially cast 240 gr SWC in the 44 (and SAA data charges under a 255 gr SWC in the 45 Colt). I've had good luck with 180 gr wadcutters but poor results with one batch of 215 gr SWC. I'd try some of the RNFP 180s with WW231 before I'd buy more Unique (it's so sooty - even after reformulation - it's almost as much fun as BP).

I have had great luck with Winchester Supet Target. (WST) Burns clean, good velocity, and not temp. or position sensitive.
I don't care for Unique or Bullseye, just my opinion. In .45ACP, with 200gr. wadcutters, and 4.5 to 5gr. WST I get mild recoil, CLEAN cases, and great accuracy.

Best of luck on your load development.

P.S. My 14 year old daughter loves shooting this load

I use Alliant's STEEL for moderate loads (maybe not super reduced) as it gives premo accuracy and fills the case completely so I never have to worry about a double charge...

Universal clays is what I have been useing. I am also thinking titegroup might be good for reduced loads also. It is what I use in my 45lc for sub 800fps.

try 10 grains of unique 11 herco 11 power pistol with a 250 all of these have worked well for me.

Gary T

I want reduced loads in my 44 Mag I just get some 44 SPL's and load them. Much milder recoil, fine accuracy and a velocity right in the range your looking for. I think you and your 11 year old would both enjoy shooting them. Clays or Hs-6 would fall right into the range your talking about.

.44 Mag. reduced loads with 240 grains bullet?? 8.0/8.5 grains Unique. Works great in my S&W 29, and my Ruger S.B.H.

Will take down a deer or whatever, in a pinch, and doesn't beat you, or the revolver, up.

L.W.

Start with a 240 grain cast bullet and 7.5 grains of Unique. Work up until you find the load that has the accuracy/recoil you desire. Max is 10 grains.

Unique is hard to beat after they cleaned it up a few years ago. I'd vote to stay with what has worked since before 1900.

I've had several new female shooters at CCW classes fire my S&W 6"heavy barrelled .44mag with the 7.5gr of Unique and 240gr lswc. They then go brag to their husband that they fired the mighty .44 magnum! My usual load is the 10.0gr Unique/ 240gr lswc load for everything from informal metallic sillhoutte to IDPA (I gotta go ding a deer with that load next deer season).