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Posted: 7/28/2011 7:04:36 AM EDT
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I picked up a new 4" 629 yesterday.
My first loads are going to be a mild 240 grain LSWC, I used to load for the .44 years ago, and have some components, but it's been awhile. I have some 18 year old AA2, AA9, 2400 and H110. Along with some fresher, Titegroup, AA5 and AA7. I'm not so sure about my "old" powders, or Titegroup in that big case, so I'll probably pick up a pound or two of something fresher and slower, something that might provide a good choice for a light .44 as well as a possible 38, 9mm, 45acp or 10mm load or one of the previous would be good. I'm looking in my Lyman 49th right now and Unique looks like it might be a good choice, I've never tried it, but, I've shied away from it because I've read some reports of it not metering very well? I'm using an RCBS Uniflow powder measure. I do like how ball powders meter and I've been giving 231 some serious thought for 9mm recently, however the Lyman 49th is only showing it for the 210 gr. cast bullet. I just checked Hodgon's site and they have data for a 240 gr. SWC load for 231 and I'm sure I can confirm it with another source. Anyone have any favorite powders and tips for light 240 grain LSWC loads for .44? |
| Can't help you with loads, but I would not be afraid to load starting loads with 18 year old powder provided its been stored in a sealed container somewhere reasonable. Check for signs of degredation of the powder, a search should bring up the details on what to look out for. |
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I use 5.5 of titegroup behind a 200 lrnfp. Looks like you can start around 4.7 and the heavier bullet hodgdon list as a max of 10.0. Titegroup is one of those powders that does fine even if its a light charge in a big case. You just have to pay attention to not double charge.
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The old powder is well stored, cool and dry in a Colorado basement...I'll still check for degradation.
My 2400 is Hercules, one can was never opened. I have an older Hornady 4th edition from 1991 with mild loads for 2400 and 240 cast bullets. I wonder if this data is for the older Hercules brand and if will work ok? I've read the formula is now different...but don't remember details off the top of my head. Anyway, Thanks and keep your favorites coming. I'll be trying two or three different light load powders for starters. I've been using Titegroup recently for .38 Special and 9mm and have found it really lives up to it's name in the accuracy department, clean, meters great and light recoil. I don't seat until I've checked and rechecked my loading blocks with a flashlight, and I'm using a single stage, but yep, thanks for the warning with Titegroup, it all but dissapears in that .38 Special case. I appreciate all the powder recommendations. |
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I use CC350 primer, 6.2 gn TB with a Hornady Swaged 240 gn LSWCHP in my Ruger .44 mag six-shooter with 4 5/8 bbl. I get 885 fps muzzle velocity and little to no unburned powder. YMMV (do not use jacketed bullets with this load).
[eta] I recommend carrying a "squib stick" or squib detector when working down to light loads using a revolver. |
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Unique meters just fine, so does WW231 and a bunch of others. Its nice to have a powder that is bulkier in that huge case, Trail Boss is an EXCELLENT choice, and it meters beautifully. For light loads in 44 magnum, I use 44 mag cases, but use 44 special data, the difference in case volume isn't that much, and using 44 mag cases mean you don't get a chamber build up like using 38 special in a 357 revolver. |
| I have had good result using Hodgdon's Universal. Same burn rate as Unique but a lot cleaner. Have also used Titegroup and it works well. I load 240 gr cast SWCs at about 1000 fps for my 629 Mountain Gun. Good accuracy and moderate recoil with both of these powders. |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
W231 240gr SWC UNIQUE is good for mid range load too I've been shooting 6.7gr Unique (from my old Speer #11 manual) under 240gr SWC for years. VERY light load (compared to the recipes in the new Lyman #49 book) but crazy accurate in both my 629's. +1 for unique but i used 8 grs. under a 240gr swc. makes steel plates drop like a rock. I have been using 231 lately and still playing with the loads. |
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Thanks guys
I found about 400 or so used 44 Mag. cases, so I've been working on cleaning and prepping them as well as digging around on the internet and at powder company websites along with my reloading book sources for mild 240 gr. cast LSWC loads. My "old" load from back in '92 was an Accurate Arms book, start load of AA2 and AA7, with the Legend 240 grain LSWC, I can't remember the difference between the two and I shot up a few of them, although the AA7 load would have been the "stouter" between the two, based on the old "book" published velocity. Even though I fired a couple of thousand of one or both of those loads, rather then use that old data and powder, I decided I'm going to start off fresh with some Unique for that bullet, at least for the time being. Unique, Universal and 231 all seem to be very close in burn rate, and I've never tried any of them, but it appears there is more published data for Unique then the other two as well as data for other calibers I load for, so for now the plan is to go with it, as long as the local GS has it...of course, they never have what I want, the last time I was there they had forgotten to unlock the powder storage container...love the local GS. Unique seems to be the "original" mild .44 Mag powder, with 2400 being used for the hot rods, up until 296/H-110 came along. Soon, I'll be checking into some Cast bullet loads in the 250-300 grain range, there doesn't seem to be much data available? I was kind of surprised since those bullets and the .44 Mag. have been popular for some time...but that's another thread for another day, first I need to get accustomed to the .44 again with the mild stuff. If the GS doesn't have Unique I'll load up some mild Titegroup loads just so I can get to the range this week, I'm really itching to put a few rounds through the new gun. Thanks for your help! |
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I don't shoot much 44 these days (guess I need to work on that some) and years ago I tried every bullet and every powder I could get my hands on.
Truth be told the only stuff I shoot is lead 240 gr bullets with unique for the lighter loads and 2400 for the medium on up to the heavy hunting rounds. plenty of other good powder for a 44 but the two I use have been real fine for me so I don't try and re-invent the wheel The light unque will be a bit dirty but the soot pretty much just wipes off. As someone else cautioned make sure you don't get distracted and double charge the light stuff. I use mostly semi wadcutters but also some round nose flat point because they feed smoother in my Marlin cowboy levergun Because it is simpler the only Large pistol primers I use are the winchesters because they only make the one (no regular and magnum in the win lg pistol) As long as simple works it is good for me! |
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