 44 mag load questions
#137233
10/28/2013 10:07 PM
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oregonboy
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Hello, I am currently shooting a load that is for my Taurus ultralight ti revolver. It consists of 9 grains of unique powder with a 240gr cast bullet crono says it is 980 fps. I have just bought a SBH bisley in .44 mag and would like to know if Hornady 180gr XTP's backed by the same load would be good enough for blacktail deer and black bear at close(under 50 yrd)range and also if it would be good medicine for coyotes this winter to get lots of practice before spring bear season. Any thoughts would be great.
Last edited by oregonboy; 10/28/2013 10:28 PM.
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Re: 44 mag load questions
[Re: oregonboy]
#137242
10/29/2013 12:10 AM
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s4s4u
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The 44 and a 240 go together like chili and cornbread. Why do you wish to "lighten up" so much?
Last edited by s4s4u; 10/29/2013 12:10 AM.
Rod, too.
Short cuts often lead to long recoveries.
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Re: 44 mag load questions
[Re: s4s4u]
#137245
10/29/2013 12:22 AM
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TOBY458
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If I were throwing black bear in the mix I'd definitely stay with 240 or heavier. A 300gr xtp would be ideal.
Dyin' aint much of a livin'...is it boy?
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Re: 44 mag load questions
[Re: TOBY458]
#137253
10/29/2013 2:49 AM
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EricS
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I would stick with 240 grain loads. If your trying to reduce recoil I would play with slowing a 240 grain down instead of going to a lighter bullet especially with bear on the menu. The 180's would probably be great on your coyotes but so would your cast load you are already shooting.
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Re: 44 mag load questions
[Re: EricS]
#137254
10/29/2013 2:56 AM
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Joined: Sep 2013
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Chance Weldon
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I'd stick with the 240 grain cast bullet, especially for black bear.
Formerly TN Lone Wolf
"We are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided." - J.K. Rowling
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Re: 44 mag load questions
[Re: Chance Weldon]
#137257
10/29/2013 4:14 AM
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tradmark
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I personally wouldnt use the 180 gr hornady. To frangible a bullet for larger than a coyote or a person imho
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Re: 44 mag load questions
[Re: tradmark]
#137260
10/29/2013 11:05 AM
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Whitworth
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I would give 300s the nod, but 240 grains would be my lower limit.
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Re: 44 mag load questions
[Re: Whitworth]
#137264
10/29/2013 12:59 PM
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Joined: Oct 2010
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98Redline
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As everybody above stated, the 240gr slug in the 44 is really the de-facto standard combination. My preference like Whitworh has always been for a heavier slug as they just seem to be more consistent out of my guns.
I agree 100% with tradmark on the 180 being too frangible. Stick with your 240gr load. 9gr of Unique should get your around 1100 fps out of the 7.5" barreled hunter. I would probably put that on the lower end for blackies but will work if you put the bullet in the right spot. Bumping your charge up a bit would help but don't do it at the expense of your being able to shoot it accurately.
One note. Ruger 44mag cylinder throats normally run .4315" to .432". To get the best accuracy and less leading, use bullets sized .432". Anything smaller left significant leading in my SBH Bisley Hunter and killed accuracy after about 10 rounds.
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Re: 44 mag load questions
[Re: 98Redline]
#137268
10/29/2013 1:26 PM
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oregonboy
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Thank you very much for the info folks I really appreciate it. One of the reasons I was asking about the 180's is that the 240-300 xtp's are very hard to find right now , also I saw a big difference in my accuracy shooting the lighter load. so I will try something different maybe 9.5-10 grains of unique behind a 240 , and if anyone can give some load suggestions for something that might be a little lighter recoiling but good on deer and bear I would love to hear about it.
Last edited by oregonboy; 10/29/2013 1:27 PM.
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Re: 44 mag load questions
[Re: oregonboy]
#137278
10/29/2013 5:28 PM
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Joined: Nov 2012
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Ramjet-SS
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I really like the 250 grain Keith bullet.
Loaded over a good dose of 296
You can't fix stupid!
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Re: 44 mag load questions
[Re: Ramjet-SS]
#137281
10/29/2013 6:49 PM
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98Redline
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I really like the 250 grain Keith bullet.
Loaded over a good dose of 296 That is not going to be a reduced recoil load 
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Re: 44 mag load questions
[Re: 98Redline]
#137330
10/30/2013 5:39 PM
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Ramjet-SS
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Ok over small dose of a Unique
You can't fix stupid!
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Re: 44 mag load questions
[Re: Ramjet-SS]
#137345
10/31/2013 2:00 AM
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campbellkids
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180's are explosive on anything. You will like the 300's too! Try unique or h110. They are hot powders but the extra kick is eorth it.
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Re: 44 mag load questions
[Re: Ramjet-SS]
#137346
10/31/2013 2:03 AM
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campbellkids
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300's are everywhere here, it is the other bullets that are hard to find.
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Re: 44 mag load questions
[Re: campbellkids]
#137356
10/31/2013 12:42 PM
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Joined: May 2012
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reflex264
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I would advise staying away from the 180grs JHPs completely. This is from experience on several deer. They simply blow apart as others have stated. In the .44s I like the 240gr Magnus SWCBB alot. There are several good cast bullets out there. This particular bullet has acounted for several deer and a hog. No problems and you can launch it at 1000fps and still get complete penitration and brake deer shoulders. Another bullet that I really like is the 255gr CPB WFN. Same deal, 1000fps = low recoil and a filled deer tag. In a .44 Magnum case load 9.2grs U-Clays with a 150 primer. Recoil is very low and accuracy is very good. Also stick 8.6gr U-Clays in a .44 Special under the same bullet. Same result. reflex264
"A quiet hit in the right place is better than a loud miss in the wrong place followed by 10 more shots on the run"
I was a handgun hunter, when handgun wasn't cool.....
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Re: 44 mag load questions
[Re: reflex264]
#137415
11/02/2013 11:20 PM
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magman
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My everyday 44mag load is 9.5 grains of UC under a 250K bullet. Recoil isn't unbearable and accuracy is fine.
NRA LIFE MEMBER NAHC LIFE MEMBER
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Re: 44 mag load questions
[Re: magman]
#137421
11/03/2013 5:58 PM
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oregonboy
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Found some 240 grain xtp and put it behind 10.2 grains of unique crono says 1230 fps, recoil was not bad and I think this will be a good round to hunt with , what do you think?
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Re: 44 mag load questions
[Re: oregonboy]
#137424
11/03/2013 6:14 PM
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s4s4u
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Rod, too.
Short cuts often lead to long recoveries.
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Re: 44 mag load questions
[Re: s4s4u]
#137425
11/03/2013 6:31 PM
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Joined: May 2012
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reflex264
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"A quiet hit in the right place is better than a loud miss in the wrong place followed by 10 more shots on the run"
I was a handgun hunter, when handgun wasn't cool.....
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Re: 44 mag load questions
[Re: reflex264]
#137429
11/03/2013 7:01 PM
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Joined: Oct 2009
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oregonboy
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As a side note we also loaded up some 180 grain xtp,s with both unique and power pistol. I really liked the power pistol loading it gave me 1430 fps and I think this will be a good coyote round. I really appreciate all the feedback.
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Re: 44 mag load questions
[Re: oregonboy]
#137430
11/03/2013 9:31 PM
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Joined: Jan 2004
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magman
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Remember speed w/o accuracy won't result in a successful hunt.
NRA LIFE MEMBER NAHC LIFE MEMBER
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Re: 44 mag load questions
[Re: 98Redline]
#137516
11/07/2013 3:07 PM
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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 142
Jeff686
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One note. Ruger 44mag cylinder throats normally run .4315" to .432". To get the best accuracy and less leading, use bullets sized .432". Anything smaller left significant leading in my SBH Bisley Hunter and killed accuracy after about 10 rounds.
So my bucket of 250 Keith style bullets .429-.431 and BHN of 22 are going to lead in my SBH in your experience/opinion? Anyone tried this bullet in a Ruger? If you average Montana bullet works listed size range they don't offer a 44 Mag pistol bullet bigger than .431 (.429-.433).
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Re: 44 mag load questions
[Re: Jeff686]
#137522
11/07/2013 6:27 PM
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s4s4u
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So my bucket of 250 Keith style bullets .429-.431 and BHN of 22 are going to lead in my SBH It would be adviseable to slug your bore and throats to see what you have to work with.
Rod, too.
Short cuts often lead to long recoveries.
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Re: 44 mag load questions
[Re: s4s4u]
#137525
11/07/2013 9:05 PM
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Joined: Dec 2011
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Jeff686
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Regarding slugging:
My calipers don't have enough precision to distinguish thousandths of an inch.
I can try dropping the bullets down the throats and see if they pass freely or with resistance easily enough. I know the recomendation is .001 over bore diameter, but since the throats would be larger than the bore (I assume) would it just be that bullets need to have some resistance dropped through the throat?
My assumptions:
Lead alloy rounds have greater obturation (expansion in the firearm from the force of gases acting on the base) than jacketed rounds making accuracy more a matter of initial alignment on passing through the cylinder throats rather than bore diameter unless the bore is greatly oversized.
A tight tolerance between bullet diameter and throat diameter should effect accuracy more than bore diameter in a revolver using cast bullets.
Thoughts/Corrections?
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Re: 44 mag load questions
[Re: Jeff686]
#137528
11/07/2013 9:40 PM
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Joined: Oct 2010
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98Redline
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If your Ruger is anything like the 4 Ruger .44s I own, I think you will find that a .429 - .430 slug nearly drops straight though the throats. They did on all of mine. My throats mic'd out at .4315 to .4320.
I bought a bunch of .431 bullets and they were better but it wasn't until I went to .432 bullets that the majority of my leading stopped.
Firelapping eliminated whatever other leading I had left.
I am not well enough versed on the ins and outs of casting, lead alloys and hardness to comment intellegently on that front.
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Re: 44 mag load questions
[Re: Jeff686]
#137529
11/07/2013 9:45 PM
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s4s4u
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but since the throats would be larger than the bore (I assume) They should be, but that wasn't the case with my Bisley 45.
Rod, too.
Short cuts often lead to long recoveries.
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Re: 44 mag load questions
[Re: s4s4u]
#137530
11/07/2013 10:11 PM
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Joined: Dec 2011
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Jeff686
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Sounds like santa needs to add micrometer to my list.
I'll try the throat drop when I get the chance and report back.
I suppose even if they are a bit undersized that I will test them for accuracy.
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Re: 44 mag load questions
[Re: Jeff686]
#137535
11/08/2013 5:15 AM
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junebug
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It would be advisable for you to try the bullets you have as every gun and barrel is different .
junebug
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Re: 44 mag load questions
[Re: junebug]
#137549
11/08/2013 7:04 PM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 9,608
s4s4u
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It would be advisable for you to try the bullets you have as every gun and barrel is different . That too.
Rod, too.
Short cuts often lead to long recoveries.
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Re: 44 mag load questions
[Re: s4s4u]
#137555
11/09/2013 1:37 AM
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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 241
Grendel
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300 gr. XTP is what I like out of my SBBH. Shoots way tighter groups with the 300 grainers. Kills deer real dead too;)
Last edited by Grendel; 11/09/2013 1:38 AM.
"Aim small, miss small"
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Re: 44 mag load questions
[Re: Jeff686]
#137561
11/10/2013 1:24 AM
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Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 228
Ramjet-SS
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Regarding slugging:
My calipers don't have enough precision to distinguish thousandths of an inch.
I can try dropping the bullets down the throats and see if they pass freely or with resistance easily enough. I know the recomendation is .001 over bore diameter, but since the throats would be larger than the bore (I assume) would it just be that bullets need to have some resistance dropped through the throat?
My assumptions:
Lead alloy rounds have greater obturation (expansion in the firearm from the force of gases acting on the base) than jacketed rounds making accuracy more a matter of initial alignment on passing through the cylinder throats rather than bore diameter unless the bore is greatly oversized.
A tight tolerance between bullet diameter and throat diameter should effect accuracy more than bore diameter in a revolver using cast bullets.
Thoughts/Corrections? 11 degree forcing cone helps allot
You can't fix stupid!
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Re: 44 mag load questions
[Re: Jeff686]
#137563
11/10/2013 2:45 AM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 9,608
s4s4u
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A tight tolerance between bullet diameter and throat diameter should effect accuracy more than bore diameter in a revolver using cast bullets.
Thoughts/Corrections? If bore diameter is equal to or larger than bullet diameter you may experience leading and accuracy issues. If the throat is small for the bore it doesn't matter what size bullet you feed it. Ideally, a bullet should pass through the throat with little to no effort while being about a thou larger than the bore. Given the choice between the two, I will take a sloppy throat over a sloppy bore if thats what you meant. My 45's bore slugged .4505, as did the throats. It didn't matter what I shot through it, had a time keeping 6 inside 8 inches @ 50 yards. I opened the throats up to .4515, and now it is my go to.
Rod, too.
Short cuts often lead to long recoveries.
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