44 mag reloaders

[trophy8]

My brother is going to start reloading for his colt anaconda and wanted some help. I am a rifle reloader. Not pistol so I told him I'd ask. What powder and charge combo are y'all using? Anything out of the ordinary to look for? And if you have any brass and or bullets you want to sell shoot me a message. Thanks!!

[M16]

I use Win 296/H110 for full power loads and Unique for moderate loads. I don't have the load data with me.

[txpitdog]

Lotta good load data out there for the 44mag. You don't have to push it to max levels for deer unless you are trying the flatten the trajectory a bit. I shot a deer with a hardcast 250gr Keith slug at 1200fps from my Super Blackhawk and it went lengthwise through the deer.

I've used a lot of different bullets for the 44 and they all work. The 240gr Nosler JSP is great for rifles, and I like the 250gr Keith for my revolver.


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[trophy8]

I use Win 296/H110 for full power loads and Unique for moderate loads. I don't have the load data with me.

He bought a pound of 296 but said the load data calls for a lot of it compared to others.

[686PPP]

2400 is a step down if you don't like the wrist snap of H110 and 296. It's more of a push.

[RJH1]

He bought a pound of 296 but said the load data calls for a lot of it compared to others.

It will use a lot of 296 compared to other powders. About 24 grains for a 240 grain bullet. H110/296 shouldn't be reduced for light charges either, but it is probably the best powder for max loads in the 44 mag. Also H110/296 is the same powder that is why everyone says H110/296. I use titegroup for my light loads, Unique as someone suggested would be fine too, lots of powders will work great with the 44, it is a very versatile cartridge when handloaded. The hodgdon website has quite a bit of load data for the 44 for free. I would defiantly suggest buying a powder for milder loads though, as that may be the best part about reloading for the 44 mag, also look into lighter 200 grain or so lead bullets to keep the cost down for some fun shooting, and crank up the power and bullet weight for hunting loads.

[bluelund79]

I use w296 with 240gr XTPs and JSP. Otherwise is Unique and 2400 for 240gr-255gr lead bullets. I also use Trailboss with 240gr lead bullets when I know my wife is going to want to shoot it, which is a lot. I also use the jsp loads for deer in a Ruger 99/44 carbine. 3 deer died this season in KY with it. None took a step.

[trophy8]

It will use a lot of 296 compared to other powders. About 24 grains for a 240 grain bullet. H110/296 shouldn't be reduced for light charges either, but it is probably the best powder for max loads in the 44 mag. Also H110/296 is the same powder that is why everyone says H110/296. I use titegroup for my light loads, Unique as someone suggested would be fine too, lots of powders will work great with the 44, it is a very versatile cartridge when handloaded. The hodgdon website has quite a bit of load data for the 44 for free. I would defiantly suggest buying a powder for milder loads though, as that may be the best part about reloading for the 44 mag, also look into lighter 200 grain or so lead bullets to keep the cost down for some fun shooting, and crank up the power and bullet weight for hunting loads.

What's your charge and OAL with titegroup?

[trophy8]

I use w296 with 240gr XTPs and JSP. Otherwise is Unique and 2400 for 240gr-255gr lead bullets. I also use Trailboss with 240gr lead bullets when I know my wife is going to want to shoot it, which is a lot. I also use the jsp loads for deer in a Ruger 99/44 carbine. 3 deer died this season in KY with it. None took a step.

What load are you using with trailboss? I've got a jug of that somewhere

[bluelund79]

Just went and checked. 7gr TB over a Win LPP in Win brass. I use them out to 50yds. The load for my wife is 6.5gr TB over a Win LPP, but I do have those in mix HS brass. She shoots to 25yds. I have not run them through a chrono. My unique loads I do need to tame down once I shoot these last 150. I use the Keith load, and from a 4" model 69 Smith, it's a handful, even with good custom Herrett grips. They do shoot well from my Super Blackhawk too. I killed my last Texas deer with 2 years ago at 45 yds. Dome shot with a 240gr Missouri Bullet SWC.

[RJH1]

What's your charge and OAL with titegroup?

I was using about 6.7 grains. I say about because I was using the lee auto disc .57 which says it is 6.7 grains. The load would do right at 1000 FPS out of my 7.5 inch SBH and 1180 from a 20 inch levergun. I built it to approximate the velocity of the 44-40. It was a mild shooting load but still had a decent punch for targets of opportunity. I cant remember the OAL, as when I built it, I built it around the Lee 200 grain RNFP lead bullet that I cast, and I just crimped it into the canilure . The load is considerably under the max for a 200 grain jacketed, but just over the max for a lead. The reason for the lead max load being so low is possible leading ,not pressure.

[dclifton]

I like lil gun and h110.

For cast loads I use PB because I have a 25lb keg of it.
Just about any pistol powder will work for lighter loads.
The only plus with TB is you get more case fill but it has been the only powder I had hell finding so I don't waste time making loads with it.

[trophy8]

Thanks for the info thus far

[Leverhunter]

Practice load - 240gr cast bullet over 7.6 grains of Unique

Hunting - 225gr Barnes XPB over 20.5 grains of H110

[LWD]

If you've not loaded straight-walled cartridges before, it's a little but not that much different than rifle reloading. Most folks over bell the cases mouths the first few. Less is usually more there.

LWD