parisite Posted November 17, 2008 Share Posted November 17, 2008 I see no forum topic for 44 caliber on this forum and this 45 forum seemed as close as I could get. I was wondering if anyone had some data for a real good target load for 240gr cast lead bullets out of 44 Magnum cases? I personally like 17-18gr of 2400 powder. Anyone else have a pet target load any different? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HSMITH Posted November 17, 2008 Share Posted November 17, 2008 Try 10 grains of Unique, has been one of those loads to measure everything else by for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
z40acp Posted November 17, 2008 Share Posted November 17, 2008 6.5 grains of WST. Great bowling pin load Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toolguy Posted November 17, 2008 Share Posted November 17, 2008 What targets are you wanting to shoot? Bowling Pin, Silhouette, IPSC, ICORE.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ebg3 Posted November 17, 2008 Share Posted November 17, 2008 I've shot a ton of 255gr Keith bullets with 21grs of 2400. We've gotten good accuracy out of S&W's, Rugers, TC's and Dan Wesson's with this load. I believe this was one of Elmer Keith's favorite loads. I did try H110 and got the velocity over 1400fps but the accuracy dropped off. I cast using wheel weights and a little softer lead. With a harder custom blend, or a gas check, you could keep the higher speeds with less fouling. I think the 255gr bullet with 21grs 2400 is doing 1300fps, give or take, out of a 6" 629 and 7.5" SBH. I do have a great load with a 310gr cast bullet using Lil'Gun powder, 1400fps out of my 7.5" SBH, but this load isn't very pleasant to shoot. Hope this helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kframe_mike Posted November 17, 2008 Share Posted November 17, 2008 (edited) You're 17-18 grs of 2400 under a 240 LSWC is my favorite hunting load parisite.For lighter midrange 240 loads,I've used 7-10 grs of Unique or Universal.For 240 jacketed loads,I've had good luck with 296.I've never really messed with much else in .44.I'm definetely going to try z40acp's WST load though.that sounds very interesting.I seem to recall that Elmer's theory was that a 240/250 @ 1200 was all that 44 needed to do.If it was good enough for him,its good enough for me.-Mike Edited November 17, 2008 by kframe_mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wlktheduk Posted November 17, 2008 Share Posted November 17, 2008 For a TARGET/PLINKING load in .44 Magnum, one of my shooting partners uses the following: 240 grain lead SWC bullet Federal Large Pistol #150 primer 7.6 grains Winchester 231 powder mixed cases 925 FPS from a 6" barrel, S&W Model 629 revolver He's also tried 6 grains of Hodgdon's TiteGroup powder, with the same bullet/primers/cases listed above. You might want to look at the www.hodgdon.com site, for load data, on .44 magnum Cowboy Action loads. Some of the loads listed there look promising for mid-range target/plinking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mwx40x40 Posted November 18, 2008 Share Posted November 18, 2008 Try 10 grains of Unique, has been one of those loads to measure everything else by for me. +1 and if that's too stout try 8.5grains Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Modoc Posted November 18, 2008 Share Posted November 18, 2008 OK, These are quite mild, but they are what I run for Cowboy action in my 44 mag and 44 special. The mag is running 6gr of Unique behind a 240gr Lasercast RNFP lit by a WLP. This is in the Rifle and is extremely pleasant to shoot while giving me about 700 fps(ish) out of a 5-1/2" Ruger Vaquero (it's been years since I chrony'ed this load). The special is running 5.2gr of IMR TrailBoss behind a 200fr Lasercast RNFP lit by a WLP in assorted brass. I have not chrono'd this load, only because it is in the middle of IMR/Hodgdon'ss safe load range and I do not need to worry about making power . Remember that these are cowboy action loads and MUST be under 1000fps for shooting steel. I will say that the TB load has been pleasant to shoot and does not beat my carpal tunnel stricken hands like some other peoples' 44 Mag loads. My other load is 17gr of 2400 pushing a 240gr Cast SWC or JHP with the above mentioned cases and primers. This load is more my hunting load in the same Rugers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ebg3 Posted November 18, 2008 Share Posted November 18, 2008 I think Mr. Keith used to load 18gr of 2400 behind his 255gr cast bullet in 44 specials. After removing several top straps from single action Colts, he helped with the development of the 44magnum. I think the goal was 1400fps with a 240gr bullet and if I recall correctly, the first factory 44mag loads were pushing 1500fps. I've never shot any reduced loads in my 44's. I'd expect good accuracy with some of the above mentioned light loads. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toolguy Posted November 20, 2008 Share Posted November 20, 2008 My Bowling Pin load is 8.5 gr. of WW231 behind any 300 gr. bullet. It will clean off pins if they have flat sides, are full of lead, or 2 together. Recoil is moderate. My Silhouette load is 18 gr. of H4227 behind a 300 gr. Hornady XTP. In a stock S&W 8-3/8 with a 2-7 Burris scope it will shoot 6 in. groups at 200 meters. Muzzle velocity is 1050 fps. 200 m velocity is 900 fps. Recoil is mild. It never leaves Rams standing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nevada ron Posted January 2, 2009 Share Posted January 2, 2009 "I was wondering if anyone had some data for a real good target load for 240gr cast lead bullets out of 44 Magnum cases" For a mild target load I like several loads 7.7grs of universal 240 molly swc 5.4grs of red dot 240 molly swc 5.4grs of vv 320 240 molly swc 7.5grs of unique 240 moly swc or any 240 just about. hope this helps for target loads. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassman Posted February 24, 2014 Share Posted February 24, 2014 6.5 grains of WST. Great bowling pin load Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassman Posted February 24, 2014 Share Posted February 24, 2014 I have a lot of WST,but I am a little afraid to try it in my .44.It would leave a lot of empty space in the case. Do the primers show any signs of pressure? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pbcaster45 Posted February 25, 2014 Share Posted February 25, 2014 Just confirming what ebg3 said about 2400 and 255 gr. bullets. Just chronographed this load through my Model 29 last month. Bullet: Montana Bullet Works/Lyman 429244 255 gr. SWC-GC (.430) Powder: Alliant 2400 20.8 grs. Primer: Federal 150 Case: PMC Velocity: 1333.16 fps Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
z40acp Posted February 26, 2014 Share Posted February 26, 2014 I have a lot of WST,but I am a little afraid to try it in my .44.It would leave a lot of empty space in the case. Do the primers show any signs of pressure? Don't remember any signs of excess pressure.This was a load I used back in the 90s on pins. Some of the newer powders like Titegroup are made for applications like this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Postal Bob Posted February 27, 2014 Share Posted February 27, 2014 6 gn titegroup over a 240gn LSWC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
56hawk Posted February 27, 2014 Share Posted February 27, 2014 My favorite target load is 24 grains of H110. However I was told to never shoot these again in a steel match, so I also load 6 grains of Bullseye. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
parisite Posted March 1, 2014 Author Share Posted March 1, 2014 My favorite target load is 24 grains of H110. However I was told to never shoot these again in a steel match, so I also load 6 grains of Bullseye. LOL....Did the flash out of the muzzle start a grass fire? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrewst359 Posted March 3, 2014 Share Posted March 3, 2014 7gr of autocomp does well Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
56hawk Posted March 3, 2014 Share Posted March 3, 2014 LOL....Did the flash out of the muzzle start a grass fire? No, but I did break all the plates on the Texas Star. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brnhp35 Posted March 6, 2014 Share Posted March 6, 2014 LOL....Did the flash out of the muzzle start a grass fire? No, but I did break all the plates on the Texas Star. sounds like a load that could clean a star with a center hit.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twowheels Posted March 25, 2014 Share Posted March 25, 2014 I just started loading .44mag and made a batch of 240LSWC with 7.2 gr titegroup, starline brass, federal LPP. They were very accurate and pleasant out of my 4" 629-1. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bowenbuilt Posted March 25, 2014 Share Posted March 25, 2014 +1 on the 10 and 8.5 of Unique for target loads. I used to think if it wasn't B-T-W I didn't like it in .44 magnum but as I got older the 10 grns of Unique killed everything the belch fire loads did with much less wear and tear on me and the equipment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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