Looking for an accurate. light target load to use in .44 mag cases for paper punching at 25 yards. I have loaded some 240 gr SWCs over 10 gr of Blue Dot. I use Titegroup for .45 ACP, .38 Spl and light loads in .45 Colt, but none of my books reference any loads for the .44.

Is it safe to use .44 Spl loads in .44 mag cases? (Obviously, I know that .44 Spl ammo can be shot in a .44 mag gun - just asking about light loads in the larger cases. Does it make a difference like using mag loads in smaller Spl cases can increase pressure?)

Thanks!

Once upon a time before handguns were banned in Great Britain I had a 6 1/2" barrel Model 29. In fact my Mother bought it for me as a present for my birthday.

This is what I used - all in Winchester 44 Special case:

RCBS MOULD 255 KEITH TYPE - HERCULES RED DOT

4.5 GRAINS
"An excellent target load. On 13 March 1982 achieved, two handed, butt rested a 1" x2" ten round group. Most strongly recommended for all targets as a light load".

5.0 GRAINS
"Powder burns better than 4.5 grain load and shoots well with minimal recoil. Slight unburnt powder, perhaps promises better with a tenth or fifth of a grain increase".



LYMAN MOULD 255 RNL - HERCULES BULLSEYE

4.9 GRAINS
"Velocity tested through 6 1/2" Model 29 on 6 October 1982, giving mean average of 701fps. A most accurate load".


Here some made in Winchester Western 44 Magnum cases these results were not good:


SPEER 225 JHP (SWC) - HERCULES HERCO

10.0 GRAINS
"Signs of pressure plenty evident and 1 in 10 primers completely flattened. In the rest primers well flat. The bullet does not expand well (in wet sand) with this loading. Fired case extraction very stiff".



RCBS MOULD 255 KEITH - HERCULES HERCO

10.0 GRAINS
"Did not seem to perform at all well in the Model 29. Not recommended".


I hope these results - twenty seven years ago - help. I never bothered with Magnum length cases for target loads but always used special cases. Indeed the gun performs well enough in any sensible power with the Special case.

Remington only lengthened the new Keith influenced Magnum not to improve performance but to stop it being chambered in old black powder Special guns.

The effort of obtaining Special length cases and reloading dies will really repay you greatly in this cartridge. Using Special cases takes its performance as a target gun to another level.

8.8 gr of Unique with a 240 gr SWC in my super blackhawk.

+ 1 for the unique and the 240gr swc.

6.5 SWEDE.

Must agree that Unique is working well in my Model 29. I use a low velocity Lyman 180 grain cast wadcutter and 8.0 grains.

Keith's loads :

Target : Lyman 429421 / Unique / 8.5

Full power : Lyman 429421 / 2400 / 22.0

429215 9.3 grains of 231

6.5-7.0 Bullseye 245-250 cast

+5 - agree completely with mastoid, 308sako, 6.5 & André.



Never tried the 8.8 grs. but close enough for government work. In my Ruger Blackhawk pretty much any vanilla-flavored lead 240 gr. SWC with 9.0 grs of Unique makes an excellent target load in 44 Magnum.