Load Data needed for 44 Special

[zookeeper]

Anyone have a load for 44 special 250 gr LSWC with WW231 used in a 3" to 4" S&W a nice plinking load, no ram slammers please.

Thanks in advance

Jack

[vrmn1]

In the August/September 05 issue of Handloader Brian Pearce had a great article on 44 special loads. This comes from his charts.

5.5 to 6 grs of 231 for 240 to 250gr cast SWC's

These loads are supposed to be 15,500 psi or less.

If you are not dead set on 231 another wonderful and classic option is 6 to 7gr of Unique.

[AikiDale]

10 grains of Unique give me 1000 fps from a 6" barrel. Nice load.

[Delta Mike]

4 grains of titegroup make about 850 fps out of my long assed barrelled ruger super redhawk with 240 gr lead swc.

Edited November 17, 2007 by Delta Mike

[revchuck]

From the Speer #13:

Speer 240 grain LSWC (swaged) with 231: 5.2/701 start, 5.7/796 max; 44-250K-SWC (cast) 5.4/732 start, 6.2/849 max. These are from a 5.5" barrel.

From the Hornady 7th Edition (current): 240 grain (swaged) LSWC: 4.9/650 start, 6.2/800 max. These are from a 3" barrel.

From my M21-4 (4"): 240 grain cast LSWC over 7.2 grains of Unique went 900 fps.

[mwx40x40]

10 grains of Unique give me 1000 fps from a 6" barrel. Nice load.

10 grains sounds kinda stout for a 44 spl with 240swc? 10 grains of Unique in my 44 MAG w/240swc gives me 1000 fps out of a six in tubed 629.

[AikiDale]

10 grains of Unique give me 1000 fps from a 6" barrel. Nice load.

10 grains sounds kinda stout for a 44 spl with 240swc? 10 grains of Unique in my 44 MAG w/240swc gives me 1000 fps out of a six in tubed 629.

Okay, it is a little stout for a .44 special, and pretty wimpy for a .44 magnum. But a pleasant shooting round from my 6" 629 as well with a 245 grain Keith. It would make a plinking round for Zookeeper.

[vrmn1]

10 grains of Unique give me 1000 fps from a 6" barrel. Nice load.

10 grains sounds kinda stout for a 44 spl with 240swc? 10 grains of Unique in my 44 MAG w/240swc gives me 1000 fps out of a six in tubed 629.

Okay, it is a little stout for a .44 special, and pretty wimpy for a .44 magnum. But a pleasant shooting round from my 6" 629 as well with a 245 grain Keith. It would make a plinking round for Zookeeper.

Depends on what he is shooting it out of.

Out of a Colt, and OLD Smith or a Charter Arms it could be a bomb. Or if not blow the thing up wear it out really fast.

[TonyT]

The W-W 14th Edition reloading manual lists 5.4 gr.W-231 as a maximum load with 246 gr. lead bullet for 795 fps and 12500cup. I have found that either American Select or Trail Boss burn much cleaner than W-231.

Anyone have a load for 44 special 250 gr LSWC with WW231 used in a 3" to 4" S&W a nice plinking load, no ram slammers please.

Thanks in advance

Jack

[S&WIowegan]

Here are a couple of my favorite .44 Special plinking loads:

5.0gr. Bullseye behind 240 gr.LSWC;

5.6gr. Win 231 with same bullet.

These two loads give a range of 700 to 800 fps depending on barrel length and won't wear you out. For a medium/heavy load try 8.0 to 10 grs. of Universal Clays instead of Unique. UC is much cleaner and meters better for me.

Good shooting and have fun!

Bob.