jayjay1 Posted September 28, 2015 Share Posted September 28, 2015 (edited) Hello guys, bought me an used S&W 629 PC with a 6" barrel (looks like a competitor, but w/o the rail), and am new to load this caliber. I´m having coated 245grs. Elmer-Keith-style bullets on hands (Lyman mold #429241), OAL 1,614". To pass the chrono test in matches over here, I have to do a 250 PF+, what seems very sporty to me. That means I have to make over 1.020 fps. My powders are VV N320, N340, N350 and 3N37. Which powder would you chose to reach that velocity? How far can I go with the charge? Any experiences welcome! Jay Edited September 28, 2015 by jayjay1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wgj3 Posted September 28, 2015 Share Posted September 28, 2015 The slower powders should work. Just ease up slowly. Gotta use the slower powders with those big bullets to get that kind of velocity. What game requires 250PF? Where? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BHill Posted September 28, 2015 Share Posted September 28, 2015 I don't know how n350 or 3n37 will work with reduced loads but n320 will work well. It will give the least muzzle blast and make the PF easily @ 7-8.5 grains. Vihtavori lists 9.6 as max with a jacketed bullet and my best guess is that 7.6-7.7 is where you will end up. As always this is for referance and you should consult the online manual to determine what is safe for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jayjay1 Posted September 28, 2015 Author Share Posted September 28, 2015 @wgj3 All disciplines in .44 Magnum in my shooting association (BDS) here in Germany. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jayjay1 Posted September 28, 2015 Author Share Posted September 28, 2015 @BHill: That´s interesting. I thought that the N320 would be the last to use, because it´s quite a bit fast and will lead to higher pressures. Do you use it in the .44 Magnum? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BHill Posted September 29, 2015 Share Posted September 29, 2015 I don't use the 44 much any more. It's 38 short colt or 500 S&W these days. Quick load shows pressure under 33,000 psi and velocity around 1130 @ 8.5 grains. 7.6 gets you around 1060 and 26,000 psi. Your barrel may be faster or slower but this gets you in the neighborhood. Unless you just want recoil and muzzle blast then the n320 is your go to powder for that power factor. It is not a magnum load by any stretch but the most efficient for your game. The other powders can work however they will have more pressure upon bullet exit (recoil) and I do not know how they react when loading at 60% or less case capacity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hi-Power Jack Posted September 29, 2015 Share Posted September 29, 2015 This was Elmer Keith's favorite - he used 2400 powder - I don't remember how many grains. Not saying its the Best powder, but it's the powder that The Man used in his .44's. It's what I used to use (40 years ago) in my .41 magnum = but still don't remember how much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toolguy Posted September 29, 2015 Share Posted September 29, 2015 I have had great success with H4227. My load is 18.0 grains with a 300 gr. Hornady XTP bullet. Out of an 8-3/8" (213 mm) factory barrel I'm getting 1050 fps. This load will shoot 6" (152 mm) groups at 217 yards (200 meters). The recoil is about like a 44 Special. For a 240 grain bullet you would go just a little more powder. At this velocity with a factory twist rate I have gotten good groups out to 150 meters, but they fall apart at 200. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jayjay1 Posted September 30, 2015 Author Share Posted September 30, 2015 Quick load shows pressure under 33,000 psi and velocity around 1130 @ 8.5 grains. 7.6 gets you around 1060 and 26,000 psi. Your barrel may be faster or slower but this gets you in the neighborhood. Hello BHill, I will give the N320 a shot and see, what it will do. Recoil and muzzle blast is not my aim. On the other hand, QL seems not to be build for revolvers. My velocities where waaaayyyy slower than QL said. I´ll try it anyways. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jayjay1 Posted September 30, 2015 Author Share Posted September 30, 2015 @all: Thanks for your support. I surely know Elmer Keith, as I do know Dirty Harry, both of them did a lot for the Magnum revolvers on their own way, I suppose. But the 2400 is a rare powder over here and hard to become, as it is the same thingy with the H4227, so I have to use what I have on hands. Best regards, Jay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bradsteimel Posted January 20, 2016 Share Posted January 20, 2016 The 44mag load i use for a fun, snappy round is: - 240gr lead SWC - Accurate #7, 16.3gr Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsg Posted January 20, 2016 Share Posted January 20, 2016 (edited) For 44 mag... H110, W296, and 2400 are the powders I have had the best results with. Not sure if you can get those but figured I would throw it out there for you. EDIT: Oh Unique will make a good 44 mag load as well. Edited January 20, 2016 by jsg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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