Hi, all -

I hope this doesn't sound like an incredibly lame question, but...how light can one make a .44 magnum? I ask because I'm considering making up some light ammo for my wife to shoot. I know that the words ".44" and "light recoil" don't often collide in the same sentence, but I'm wondering how close I can get. Thanks for any input...

Look up cowboy action loads under alliants web site.

The min loads with 200gr bullets are very easy shooting, my wife and I both use them.

Thanks for the reference. I went to the site, but there don't seem to be any "recipes" under the .44 magnum for a 200gr bullet. I imagine the 205gr would be almost as light, though.

To make light loads, get the lightest bullet available. My light load is with 240 grain cast bullets and Unique (loads available in various reloading manuals).

For really light loads, load .44 Special cases with cast bullets using published load data. They shoot just fine in the .44 Mag. The recoil is so mild that even my lightly built wife doesn't mind them and she doesn't like recoil.

For REALLY, REALLY light loads, shoot primer powered rubber bullets.

I use a 180gr(Hornady #11058) cast over 5.2grs Bullseye for Cowboy load with great results.

I have a friend who uses 10.4gr of Vihtavouri N340, which is really mild in a 44 Magnum, with 240 gr JSP's. He gets great accuracy with it too.