First handloads

Finally got some free time and did some reloading. These are my first hand loads ever.

255 grain LBT WFNPB
Stareline brass
25 grains of WW296
Mag tech #2.5 LP primers
Crimped
OAL 1.60"

Now I got to find time to see how they shoot.

Oh I made 25 of them

.45 L/C?

The first of many, hopefully.

44 mag sorry

Yeah it was pretty simple once I just did it. Kind of fun.

The very first one I made was just slightly seated past the crimp groove and if like 1.587" the Lee manule says that the min OAL for a 255 grain bullet is 1.60"

So is that bullet trash or can shoot it?

25 gr. 296 is a heavy .44 Mag load with a 255.

Sam you may already know this but once I find the load I will shoot I will load up a dummy round for seating depth that way I will get a consistent crimp. Good luck

I figured. However I have not been able to find any loads in the reloading manule or online for a 255 grain bullet with either unique or w296/h110 except 1 which was shared with me on this forum which was 25 grains of 296. IMO which is very limited I think it's rediculous that the reloading manules do not list every possible bullet with every possible powder, I can't understand why on earth they don't.

Good idea will do..

I know a guy that says you can reload casing 15-20 times if you don't crimp and if you do crimp maybe you can reload them 3-5 times, opinions?

Sam,

With the slow burners (powders) like WW296/H110 (same powder), you need a good, firm crimp to insure enough resistance for a uniform, clean burn of the powder. For the faster burners like Bullseye, Unique, AA#2, etc. a firm crimp is not as necessary, especially with a cast bullet.

Doc

I crimp my 45 Colt brass well, and am still using some older cases with countless firings. Load is a max dose of H110. You need a good crimp for consistant reliable ignition as well as to keep the bullets from walking out.

That would be "practically" impossible.

It's a good idea to apply a firm (or heavy) crimp when using cast or jacketed, in my opinion. I had several 44 Specials jump crimp when using unique with using 7-7.5 grains. With 5 grains of Bullseye, no noticeable jump. Started applying a firm crimp, no issues. Most of mine are on the third firing.

If you don't crimp with the load you are using, you will experience the dreaded tie up.

Brenden

Ok, does the crimp on my bullets look to be a good crimp?

I think your crimps look fine.

Maybe this just shows how wet I am behind the ears about this but I cant see why... it's not like there's a 1,000 different powders and 800 different bullets. Just a min and max load data would be great.

"25 gr of 296 sounds like a stout load in .44 Mag." Haven't figured how to copy and paste a quote from another post yet!

I use 23 gr. of 296 behind a 255 gr Montana Bullet Works with a gas check. I get 1650 fps out of a 7.5" Redhawk. I have not loaded any charges above the 23 gr load but experience has taught me I am close to the top. In the absence of data for this bullet/powder combination I went with the 23gr charge based on the same load behind the 240 XTP I have used starting with the 240 Hornady before there were XTPs. 23 gr is under max for the 240. The 23gr/255GC load shows no sign of excess pressure and shoots very well so I have never loaded past that to find the upper limit. If I wanted to find the limit I would move up .5 gr at a time. A 2gr jump would give me heartburn.

Yes I must have missed your comment about using 23 grains with a 255. wish I hadn't!!! looks like I wasted 25 bullets...

Not to worry! Get yourself a kinetic bullet puller and all is good! We've all been there . . . .that's why they put erasers on pencils!

Ok so I'm looking to get around 1,300 - 1,400 fps. how many grains should I start with and what is a max since I cant find any load data.

so I can pull the bullets and reload the proper amount of powder then re seat and crimp?

The bullet I used is a #429244 Lyman GC 255 gr semi wadcutter sized .430 with BHN-22 hardness. I went with the GC because I wanted to avoid and leading. Dave put me on this one. I would believe anything he told me about cast bullets. I would be concerned about a full load of 296 behind a bare based cast bullet causing erosion of the base and leading in barrel. There are plenty of guys here that cast/shoot lead bullets to stear you straight on that one. I have used 8 gr of Unique behind hard cast CP bullet with no leading but that is a fairly mild load for the .44 As a point of reference I found 22 gr of 296 behind a 310 gr GC bullet Dave suggested to be absolutely the top in my gun and backed off to 21.5 and consider that max without signs of excess pressure. I include this for reference only and go with the usual disclaimer that every gun is different and start low and work up!

I am going to pull those bullets. resize the cases and reload them with 10.0 grains of unique, seat the bullet to the crimp groove and crimp (1.60")... is there a problem with that load?

I can't say for sure because my only experience is with 8 gr of Unique and a 240 Cast Perfomance bullet. It has been 30+ years since I developed that load. Do you have any load data to work with? Try Alliant's website or give them a call on the phone. These companies are more than happy to share information on load data with you.

I shoot the 429421 Keith with 10 gr Unique and it shoots real well. That is a mid range load. I wpould try 9,9.5, and 10 gr with the cast bullet you are using and stay with the load that shoots the most accurate. These loads should be safe in any revolver.

Thanks guys

Ok I loaded 40 rounds up, 10 in each increment 9.0- 9.5 - 10.0 - 10.5 The OAL is 1.59" and they all have a pretty good crimp. Now I just have to find time to go shoot. Plan to shoot a 5 round group at 25 and 50. I will starry with the 9.0 grain rounds, check for pressure issues and move up.

Sounds like you've got it all figured out.

I hope so lol

Ah, don't worry too much. You're playing it a bit safer than I do, and I've never had a problem. True, I haven't been reloading as long as many of the guys here, but still.

Ok I got to shoot today. Out of the bunch the 9.5 grain batch shot the best. I forgot a screw driver so I'm still not sighted in but it is shooting good groups (for me, about 2.5-3") at 1 o'clock. I wonder how fast 9.5 grains of unique pushes a 255 grain cast bullet from a 7.5" SBH? They were very pleasant to shoot and I felt like I could shoot them all day. Ought to work for deer ya think? 50 yards was about 6-7" group, I need more practice at 50 yards +. There was a little leading in the barrel but not to bad. So with 50 yards being my realistic max range should I zero at 25 yards? Or maybe 2" high at 25?

25 yards with homemade bi-pod sitting on ground. sights not adjusted to POA



50 yards with homemade bi-pod sitting on ground. sights not adjusted to POA

AA-HA !!! I DID IT LOL

Very nice! That will make a lot of dead critters! Now you're hooked aren't ya!

yes sir, love the idea of handgun hunting. I hate taking a bunch of crap with me hunting and I really hate carrying a 8# rifle.

As this old Italian fellow I once knew would say when something pleased him "Ya dunn good"

Enjoy!

You might want to consider a good set of ear muffs. They greatly reduce the noise from the handgun and the electronic ones enhance your hearing.

Start with 22 gr. Max., move up to 23gr. Mag primers, heavy crimp.