MBaneACP Posted July 12, 2004 Share Posted July 12, 2004 A question... I've got a COWBOY show in the works, so I thought I should put on some boots and haul my butt out to some matches and get a feel for the shooting. My question is, does anybody have some experience with the reduced cowboy loads in .357 and .44 maggie cases? I've got lots of .357 cases and .44 magnum cases around and it's just a matter of popping in a new toolhead for either (which is why I'd rather not go to .38 and .44 special for the powderpuff loads). I figure on using the 158-gr roundnose flat points in the .357 and the 200-grain rnfp in the .44. I did a quickie work-up of the old 6-gr Unique .44 special load in the .44 magnum brass, and it basically grouped like a shotgun pattern (if I worked *hard*, I could get a six-inch group at 20 yards). The Laser-Cast book (which I just got, apparently as the last person on earth to do so) says that's life; try a different powder. Any real world experience on .44 cowboy loads? Regarding the .357, I've got about a ton of VV-340, which the Laser-Cast book says works well with .357 cowboy loads. Again, any real world experience? I gotta say, so far I really like those up close and personal targets, if I can just get out of the habit of reaching down to grab a fresh magazine after five shots! MB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sargenv Posted July 12, 2004 Share Posted July 12, 2004 What I and a friend used to do with these ultra light powder loads utilizing the larger cases was to do was to drop the powder and then place a small bit of either cotton or kleenex filler on top of the powder to keep the powder in one place inside the shell casing. Now this isn't going to be convenient if you do this on a 650. At the time I was doing it, I was usng a rock chucker single stage and dropping the powder from an RCBS powder drop tool. I think we were using like 3 grains of Red dot under a lead 240 SWC. We'd drop the powder, place the cotton on top of the powder, and seat the bullet. The loads became very consistent after that and recoil was nearly non-existent in the 7.5" Redhawk we shot them out of. In my 357, I used pieces of tissue paper with 158 gr LSWC's or RN's with a similar light charge of red dot or bullseye and had pretty good results. Vince Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick Sweeney Posted July 12, 2004 Share Posted July 12, 2004 Titegroup. Formulated to be case-location insensitive. Take their standard load data for .38 Spl and .44 Spl and go. And yes, the reflex to grab another mag or speedloader after you've shot the gun dry is very strong. Just keep telling yourself "I do not look like one of the Village People...." and you'll be fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JFlowers Posted July 12, 2004 Share Posted July 12, 2004 What are you doing trying to shoot that new fangled smokeless stuff in those wee pocket pistols for? A true Cowboy shoots the black and sooty in 45s! I will pool some of my SASS friends this evening and get back to you with their recipes. Anytime you come down into the Carolina, let me know and we can set you up to shoot like a real Cowboy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dickwholliday Posted July 13, 2004 Share Posted July 13, 2004 get you some titegroup.......Dick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
para45 Posted July 15, 2004 Share Posted July 15, 2004 Try these two sites just do a search and some should pop up. Or go ahead and register and just post the question. I shoot .45 Colt so I can't help you. Good Luck! The Frontier Site SASS Wire Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MBaneACP Posted July 16, 2004 Author Share Posted July 16, 2004 Thanks, guys...I be getting me some Titegroup. Now, if I can just find someone to pull the lever on the Blue Machine for me!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick Sweeney Posted July 16, 2004 Share Posted July 16, 2004 All I can do is point you in the right direction. The rest is up to you: She's on the cover of each Blue Press. (You can thank me later.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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